Joksimovic: Serbia won't become parking lot for migrants, we're ready to accept women and children

Photo: Tanjug/Rade Prelic

Serbian Minister for European Integration Jadranka Joksimovic participated on Thusday in an online meeting organized by European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi, along with ministers of the Western Balkans in charge of European integration, in order to discuss expectations from the EU-WB Summit planned for early October in Slovenia.

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Commissioner Varhelyi initiated yesterday's dialogue with the aim of discussing the political and economic situation in the Western Balkans, and especially the results of reforms in areas important for the implementation of the EU Economic and Investment Plan for the WB.

As the Serbian ministry announced, Varhelyi also informed his interlocutors about the Commission's efforts to prepare a new EU strategy in the field of migration, as well as about the adoption of regulations necessary for starting the use of IPA 3 in the upcoming seven-year budget period.

Joksimovic said that Serbia, bearing in mind the high degree of implemented political and economic reforms, expects that the joint declaration from the next EU-WB summit will allow for individual progress of candidate countries to be verified by accelerating their accession process.

"It is important that this document this time practically contributes to more dynamic and predictable membership negotiations, as well as to strengthening strategic communication in the region and with the EU, primarily on important geopolitical issues, and especially regarding our expectations from the current debate on the future of Europe," stressed Joksimovic.

Speaking about the way Serbia successfully implements its migration and asylum policy, the minister stated that it is important for the region to be included in the creation of a single EU policy, in order to implement a sustainable migration policy together.

She reiterated that Serbia does not intend to be a parking center for migrants and that, as part of our humanitarian policy, we are ready to accept several hundred women and children, as President Vucic has said.

Joksimovic also informed her interlocutors about Serbia's activities in the realization of the green transition, stating that EU's financial support to the entire region in that area is key in order to achieve ambitious plans towards carbon-neutral and climate-resistant economies.

In this regard, she especially pointed out once again the importance of the Economic and Investment Plan, as well as IPA 3, which should help strengthen economic integration, social reforms, green transformation and especially the rule of law in the Western Balkans.

She also pointed to the regional initiative Open Balkans, which is already yielding first results in improving economic relations, increasing foreign investments and, above all, facilitating everyday life of citizens in the participating countries.

All these joint efforts, she said, should be reflected in the text of the EU-WB Declaration.

(Telegraf.rs)