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Serbia to open more chapters in EU accession talks in 2017: FM

Xinhua, December 31, 2016 Adjust font size:

Serbia will be ready to open more than 10 new chapters in its European Union(EU) accession negotiations in 2017, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said here Friday.

Speaking at an annual press conference at the foreign ministry, Dacic said he expects the chapter dealing with education will be opened in January or February, while the country could advance with chapters regarding enterprise and industrial policy as well as customs union during Malta's presidency of the EU Council, which ends in June 2017.

So far, Serbia has opened six chapters in its integration process with the EU. Those are related to public procurement, judiciary and fundamental rights, justice freedom and security, science and research, financial control. Among the six chapters, four were opened in 2016.

According to Dacic, the opening of chapter 26(education) was blocked by Croatia several times as it demanded negotiations of issues related to Croatian minority in Serbian textbooks.

The Foreign Minister said Serbia is always ready to talk with Croatia and settle disputes for the sake of the region's stability. Endit