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Opening of EU chapters for Serbia only a matter of moment: Merkel

Xinhua, July 9, 2015 Adjust font size:

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic met in Belgrade on Wednesday to discuss Serbian European integration, vowing to intensify that process by opening first negotiation chapters soon.

Merkel said that the issue of opening of the first chapters is only a matter of moment and that the readiness of Serbia to"make compromises" in negotiations with the government of its southern province of Kosovo which unilaterally declared independence in 2008 will be also taken into consideration.

"We see that Serbian side shows willingness to make compromises and we will highlight this during our discussions within the EU," Merkel said at a press conference organized after her meeting with Vucic, adding that there has been a positive change in that direction.

She stressed that economic reforms and fiscal consolidation in Serbia are giving results and that Serbia can count on support from Germany.

Vucic at the conference said that Serbia is determined to continue European integration and it expects help from Germany in reforms.

Vucic said that Serbia is dedicated to implementing European reforms, and it has started tough economic measures to stabilize its economy, and that it expects positive growth of its economy this year.

Merkel arrived in Belgrade on Wednesday evening from Tirana, Albania, for a two-day visit, during which period she will also meet with Serbian president Tomislav Nikolic as well as representatives of several NGOs. After the visit to Serbia, she will go to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday. Enditem