“Status quo concerning the Brussels Agreement postpones the opening of the first negotiating chapters in the accession negotiations between Serbia and the EU. I believe that the visit to Belgrade and Pristina will contribute to faster solving of the existing problems. I do not believe that Federica Mogerini have a concrete answer to the question that mostly interest our public – when the negotiations will be opened,” said Sena Maric, a researcher of the Centre for European Policy, concerning the announced Mogherini’s visit to Belgrade.
As announced, Mogerini will meet with President Tomislav Nikolic, Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, and during the visit will also deliver a speech to students of the University. Before coming to Belgrade Mogerini will be in Pristina, where she will talk with President Atifete Jahjaga, Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci, as well as representatives of the Serbian community in Kosovo and will deliver a speech at the National Library.
“Both Serbia and Kosovo after last year’s elections are faced with important challenges, especially socio-political reforms and comprehensive normalization of relations,” said the High Representative in a press release.
The topics of meetings with Serbian officials will certainly be Serbia’s progress in European integration, or the next steps along the way, but most of the attention will be devoted to discussions on the date and topic of a new round of dialogue and return of Serb representatives in Kosovo institutions. Mogerini in a statement said that she will discuss the implementation of agreements reached so far in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. Arrival of Mogherini coincides with the completion of the entire screening process for all 35 negotiating chapters, which will be one of the positive things that Serbian representatives will say to the EU High Representative. Serbia is working intensively on action plans for chapters 23 and 24, relating to the administration of justice, security and fundamental rights.
