Serbia “hopes to open chapter 35 by June”

VIENNA — Tanja Miščević has stated that the accession talks with the EU may begin in June by opening Chapter 35 on normalization of relations with Priština.

After this step, chapters on the judiciary and rule of law will be opened, Miščević explained in an interview for the Vienna-based daily Kurier.

Asked about the obstacles on the EU path, Miščević replied that implementation of reforms is important and that Serbia needs to adjust its legal system to that of the EU, noting that this is essential for the entire Balkans.

Adjustments to EU standards entail their own costs, she said and noted that in addition to the fight against corruption, Serbia’s biggest challenge lies in the normalization of relations with Priština.

Miščević underscored that the dialogue with Priština “implies legal agreements not recognition of Kosovo.”

She noted that citizens’ support to Serbia’s EU accession increased over a short period of time from 50 to 55 percent and two thirds of the population support key reforms.

When asked if former Austrian chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer would continue as adviser in the new Serbian government, Miščević said that she believed he would.

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