Germany and France welcome good relations of Serbia and Russia as long as they do not contradict Serbia’s EU path.

German and French ambassadors to Serbia, Thomas Schieb and Frederic Mondoloni said this in an interview to Belgrade-based daily Blic, adding that Serbia could join the EU by 2025.

French Ambassador Mondoloni noted that Serbian authorities over the last couple of years made visible efforts to invite for visits and welcome leaders from the main partner states.

“I think the visit of President Putin showed a goodwill of the Serbian authorities to present a longterm positive relations between Serbia and Russia. France welcomes such good relations as long as they are not in contradiction with strategic Serbia’s commitment to join the EU, which includes necessary reforms and the respect for the EU values,” Ambassador Mondoloni said.

His German colleague, Ambassador Schieb also welcomed the fact that Russia and Serbia have good cooperation.

Asked to comment on a possible new date for EU enlargement to the Western Balkans, Ambassador Mondoloni recalled the statement of EU Commission President Jean Claude Juncker, who said that 2025 could be a possible year for Serbia to join the EU, if reforms are implemented, and at the same time French President Macron also noted the enlargement might happen after the EU is reformed.

“These two goals are not contradicting each other. President Macron believes the EU reform should take place during the next couple of years. In the same period, Serbia should continue making efforts in order to reform itself. If the necessary efforts are made quickly on the both sides, Serbia could join the EU by 2025,” Ambassador Mondoloni said.

Ambassador Schieb said that German Chancellor Angela Merkel strongly advocates for EU enlargement to the Western Balkans, if the necessary conditions are met.

According to him it is not much about the deadlines, but rather about the progress in carrying out reforms, in particular in the rule of law area.

This includes judiciary reform, fight against corruption, improving the position of media professionals and good laws that would protect citizens, he noted, adding “the better reforms are progressing, more remaining chapters would be open,” Blic daily reports.