Head of the European Commission Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport said that he was optimistic about the prospects of Serbia’s membership in the EU, but that it’s not up to him to say how long this process will last.
He says that the speed of the process depends “primarily on Serbia’s ability to meet all expectations in all areas.”
Davenport says that most probably chapters 25 and 26 will be closed faster (science and culture) because, as he says, Serbia has made much progress here.
Asked about chapter 35, which refers to Kosovo, Davenport says that the chapter will probably be open and during the negotiations, because it is about a comprehensive process of normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, which is on-going.
That is the term used in all the conclusions of the European Council and in the negotiation platform of Serbia. It is clear that it has to come to a legally binding agreement – says Davenport.
Davenport adds, however, that no a single document of the European Council mention the recognition of Kosovo, and that these are not negotiations on Kosovo’s recognition.
The head of the EU mission rejected the suggestion that chapter 35 was in favour of Pristina and that and that gave Kosovo practically right of veto on Serbia’s entry into the EU.
– It’s about the dialogue in which there is an obligation of both sides to not block each other on the path of European integration – says Davenport.
