EXCLUSIVE - Johannes Hahn for Telegraf: Serbia can join the EU before 2025 - THIS IS THE REQUIREMENT (PHOTO)

The President of European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker announced the drafting of a strategy for Serbia's accession to EU, with the perspective that it be implemented in 2025. On this occasion, we talked with European Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn. Is it possible that we become a member before this deadline and can we count on greater support from Brussels, since the president and prime minister of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic and Ana Brnabic, clearly labeled the EU as an external political priority? How does he see Vucic's call for inner dialogue or whether Serbia will be conditioned to recognize the Kosovo's illegitimately declared independence, are just some of the questions we asked the Commissioner Hahn.

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• How do you comment on President Vucic request for the EU representatives to come out with a framework date for Serbia accession to the European Union?

The EU very much welcomes Serbia's strategic goal of EU integration. It echoes our own engagement in the Western Balkans in general and in Serbia in particular, which is as strong as ever. The EU is dedicated and serious in its commitment to bring Serbia, and the others in the region, into the EU. This commitment has been highlighted by President Juncker in his State of the Union speech. In the underlying Roadmap for a more united, stronger and more democratic union, Serbia together with Montenegro, has been identified as a frontrunner for EU accession, recognizing that Serbia could join by 2025 or as soon as it is ready, based on fulfilling the necessary criteria. This is a strong encouragement to Serbia and all countries of the Western Balkans.

What is key is the quality of the reforms behind the opening and closing of the chapters: delivering rule of law and a thriving market economy for the benefit of Serbian citizens. The pace of Serbia´s accession process is therefore in Serbia´s hands. It will depend on Serbia´s progress towards its strategic goal of EU membership. The Commission is working hard, together with Serbian authorities and society, to prepare the ground for Member States to reach unanimous decisions on Serbia´s EU road.

Foto: Profimedia/AFP

• At the end of June, Serbia has opened two new chapters. Is there a possibility for Serbia to open some new chapters by the end of the year and what does it depend on?

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Ten of the thirty-five negotiating chapters have already been opened, with two of them being provisionally closed. Three more chapters are, as we speak, being discussed by the Member States and could be opened in the near future. Serbia has also advanced preparations on a number of other chapters. This makes the opening of further chapters feasible sooner rather than later. The objective is to maintain a good pace of negotiations, provided Serbia meets the necessary requirements.

Foto: Profimedia/AFP

• Considering that President Vucic and the new Prime Minister of Serbia Ana Brnabic clearly pointed out that Serbian goal is membership in the European Union, can be expected Brussels' more active approach in that process?

Serbia's EU membership is not only Serbia's strategic goal. It is also the EU's firm and unquestionable aspiration as clearly highlighted by President Juncker this week. As I often say, geography is destiny. Serbia and the Balkans are part of Europe. And Europe cannot conceive its future without Serbia and the region. It is as simple as that. That's why we are investing so much in Serbia.

And this is not only words, it translates into numbers: the EU and its Member States are by far Serbia's first economic partners, in the volume of trade, foreign investment and in financial assistance - well ahead of any other partners.

EU institutions' financial assistance alone to Serbia amounts to about EUR 200 million annually. I am talking about grants, not loans. This investment represents around EUR 3 billion since 2000. This is an important indicator that illustrates our commitment, especially at a time when EU citizens have their own preoccupations and EU funds are scarce. But again, make no mistake: this is not social work or a philanthropic gesture. This is an investment in peace, prosperity, stability, and security, a guarantee for EU and Serbia's future.

The EU is also engaged with day to day support and expertise and strongly committed to continue doing so. Because the EU and Serbia are partners and friends.

Foto: Profimedia/AFP

• At the last meeting with High Representative Federica Mogherini and Presidents Vucic and Thaci, it was agreed to enter into a new phase of dialogue, while European Council President Donald Tusk pointed out that Serbia will become a member of the EU at the end of the dialogue. Does this mean that the EU expects from Serbia to recognize Kosovo?

Both sides have agreed to engage in the process of normalizing their relations. Let's not be mistaken. This process is of crucial importance for the people in Serbia and in Kosovo, but also for the region and the European Union, because what is at stake is preserving peace and stability in the region and, consequently, in Europe. What is also at stake is the EU perspective of both as progress in the dialogue is firmly linked with their ability to advance on their European paths.

That's why we very much welcome that Presidents Vucic and Thaci agreed to enter into a new phase of the dialogue. We also see as a positive development the launching of an internal dialogue on Kosovo in Serbia. This is a realistic move which has the potential to help both sides seek an understanding on the possible scope of an agreement on comprehensive normalisation.

This is what the EU expects from Serbia. Nothing more, nothing less.

Foto: Profimedia/AFP

• How do you comment call of president Vucic for the interior dialogue about Kosovo and Metohija?

As I said, this is most welcome. A bold and courageous move at a historic opportunity. I hope the opportunity will be seized.

• Although it is pointed out that the Berlin Process is not a substitute for EU membership, is this one of the ways for the European Union to keep the Western Balkan Countries under its influence until their eventual membership of the EU?

The Berlin process is an initiative from a number of Member States that the Commission fully supports and is engaged in. It aims at strengthening the ties between the Western Balkans and the EU and its Member States on the one hand, and at developing regional cooperation between the countries of the Western Balkans on the other. As such, it is a commitment for both the Western Balkans and the EU, and it is already bringing concrete results that will benefits citizens and businesses in the Western Balkans, first and foremost, through investments into better connections, infrastructure, and economic development.

The Berlin process and the EU perspective, in general, is not about the EU -  as you put it -  'trying to keep the region under its influence''. The decision to be engaged with the EU in the enlargement process is a strategic, sovereign decision that each candidate for EU membership makes on its own – this is not something that is, or can be, imposed by Brussels.

(Telegraf.co.uk / M. Ivas - marko.ivas@telegraf.rs)