Serbia should continue reforms to become EU member state: German FM

Germany will support Serbia on its path towards full membership in the European Union (EU), foreign minister and vice-chancellor of Germany Sigmar Gabriel told Serbian incumbent prime minister and president-elect Aleksandar Vucic on Wednesday, but stressed that the country needs to continue with reforms.

Gabriel told Vucic that Serbia needs to do a lot more on its EU integration path, "especially in the area of the rule of law, independent judiciary, fight against corruption and good public administration, which would create even better environment for investors and would bring benefit to the citizens."

Gabriel said that for Germany, Serbia represents a country that is dedicated to stability in the region and integration in the European Union, but that it needs to continue reforms in order to become attractive for German medium-sized enterprises that not require complex investing conditions.

"It is very important to continue the process of reforms so that Serbia would be attractive and brought wellbeing to its citizens. The fact that Serbian people, despite their tough living condition took the challenge to conduct reforms deserves respect," he said.

Gabriel praised the current government of Serbia for presenting EU standards to people as beneficial to interests of the country, and not something that is imposed from the outside, and that "it is of great importance for Serbia and its citizens that despite all demands that European Union (EU) had so far, remained dedicated to the path of integrations."

According to the Serbian government, Vucic told Gabriel that Serbia is the most stable country in the region and that it wishes to influence other countries of Western Balkans in that direction.

He stressed Serbian expectation is that Germany will continue to support Serbia on EU path and in economic and other reforms. Enditem