Statement by the Intersectoral Working Group for Regional Cooperation and the Working Group for Chapter 31 of the National Convention on the European Union
At a joint meeting of the Intersectoral Working Group for Regional Cooperation and the Working Group for Chapter 31 of the National Convention on the European Union, members of both working groups discussed current issues of relevance to the foreign policy of the Republic of Serbia, the European integration process, and regional cooperation in the Western Balkans.
In the conclusions adopted at the meeting, the participants expressed their full support for the continuation of accession negotiations for all candidate countries from the Western Balkans, as well as for further efforts aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, stability, and good neighbourly relations.
On this occasion, the Intersectoral Working Group for Regional Cooperation and the Working Group for Chapter 31 of the National Convention on the European Union, in particular:
– express their full support for the accession of Montenegro, as well as all other countries aspiring to membership in the European Union and making progress on that path through the implementation of the necessary reforms;
– call on all countries of the region, as well as the Member States of the European Union, to refrain from actions that obstruct or further complicate the accession processes of candidate countries;
– call on the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Republic of Serbia to focus with dedication and responsibility on fulfilling the conditions necessary for progress in the European Union accession process, particularly in the areas of the rule of law, media freedom, and the improvement of electoral conditions, while clearly reaffirming Serbia’s European orientation and gradually aligning with the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy;
– call on the Government of the Republic of Serbia to enhance political dialogue and economic cooperation with all partners in the region, to consistently support good bilateral relations, and to actively contribute to reversing negative trends that lead to the weakening of regional cooperation. The National Convention on the European Union will continue to support the Berlin Process and, within that framework, particularly emphasizes the importance of reconciliation as the foundation of the region’s long-term stability and development;
– call on the European Union to engage more actively in finding solutions regarding policies and mechanisms, such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the Entry/Exit System (EES), which have a direct impact on the economy, mobility, and standard of living of citizens in the countries of the region;
– support discussions on initiatives that could contribute to accelerating the accession process of candidate countries to the European Union, as well as to the more active involvement of citizens from the region and the Member States in discussions on the future of the European Union.
Source: NCEU
