Emanuele Gioffre, the European Union’s Ambassador to Serbia, has praised the latest European Commission report on Serbia, stating it accurately and fairly depicts Serbia’s reform efforts over the past year.
He made these remarks during a discussion with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić and ambassadors from EU member states regarding further steps in Serbia’s EU integration process.
Gioffre highlighted the centrality of EU expansion policy, emphasizing that Serbia must seize this opportunity to accelerate its reform pace, as per a statement from the Serbian government.
Brnabić pointed out Serbia’s continuous efforts towards opening Cluster 3, which is fully prepared, and expressed hope for a positive response from the EU regarding its initiation.
She emphasized that Serbia’s primary goal has been to progress in all areas, especially in terms of rule of law. The European Commission’s latest report acknowledged Serbia’s significant advancements in numerous key areas.
Regarding judicial reforms, the Prime Minister remarked on their successful implementation aimed at enhancing the independence, accountability, and efficiency of the country’s judicial system, in consultation with the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission.
Brnabić informed the EU member state ambassadors that Serbia is currently drafting an Anti-Corruption Strategy incorporating all GRECO recommendations, in consultation with the European Commission.
Additionally, she conveyed that Serbia has adopted the Law on Public Information and Media and the Law on Electronic Media. These laws, she stated, will “guarantee media freedom and public information, ensuring safety and plurality of the media landscape in Serbia, in line with the highest international standards of EU countries and documents of the United Nations and the Council of Europe.”