“Great satisfaction” was Foreign Minister Emma Bonino’s reaction to the decision by the European Union’s General Affairs Council of 17 December 2013 to open negotiations for Serbia’s EU accession. The talks will start in January 2014 with the first Inter-Governmental Conference.
“This is a historic moment for Serbia and the Balkans”, declared Minister Bonino. “Italy has always encouraged and supported Belgrade’s closer integration with Europe, especially in its efforts to implement the measures agreed with the authorities in Pristina on 19 April 2013. These are designed to progressively normalise relations between Serbia and Kosovo and their successful implementation has been one of the EU’s principal conditions for the opening of accession talks”.
Minister Bonino reiterated that “Italy will continue to support Belgrade on its pathway to Europe. Thanks to the imminent start of negotiations, Serbia has taken a vital and irreversible step along that road”.
