High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell met with the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Ivica Dačić in Brussels on Tuesday.

During their meeting, HR/VP Borrell reiterated the EU’s commitment to Serbia’s EU path. In this context, he looked forward to continued progress in implementation of reforms and commitments taken in the framework of accession negotiations, including on rule of law and media freedom. He also welcomed Serbia’s steps towards aligning its visa policy with the EU.

On the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, High Representative Borrell reiterated the need to overcome the permanent crisis management, and therefore expected constructive engagement on the EU’s recent proposal on normalisation of relations. He took positive note of President Vučić’s public intervention on this issue yesterday. The High Representative further underlined the importance for both parties to fully implement all pending Dialogue obligations, including the establishment of the Association/Community Serb-majority municipalities.

HR/VP Borrell and Deputy Prime Minister Dačić discussed issues related to Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). HR/VP Borrell underlined the increased importance of CFSP alignment following Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine. The HRVP stressed the EU’s strong expectation towards Serbia, as candidate country, to stand with the EU on foreign policy positions and decisions, in line with its strategic choice of EU integration.

The HR/VP also welcomed Serbia’s continued, high-quality contribution to EU CSDP missions and operations.