BELGRADE – David McAllister, European Parliament (EP) rapporteur on Serbia, has expressed hope that the first chapter in Serbia’s EU accession negotiations will be open soon.
In a statement for the Belgrade-based daily Politika ahead of Monday’s visit to Belgrade, McAllister said that the European Commission will put forward a proposal to the Council, which is to approve the opening of chapters in a unanimous vote.
The negotiations with Serbia will be based on the country’s achievements and their dynamics will depend on Belgrade’s progress in fulfilling the membership conditions, he said.
The EU remains committed to the negotiating framework, McAllister said, adding that in the chapters to be opened in the early phase are: Chapter 35 (on Kosovo), Chapter 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and Chapter 24 (justice, freedom and security).
McAllister said that the Greek crisis will not affect Serbia’s EU pathway.