{"id":190336,"date":"2025-10-15T13:56:57","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T11:56:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/?p=190336"},"modified":"2025-10-15T13:56:59","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T11:56:59","slug":"eu-president-in-belgrade-von-der-leyen-calls-for-investments-in-the-western-balkans-vucic-announces-a-tough-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/eu-president-in-belgrade-von-der-leyen-calls-for-investments-in-the-western-balkans-vucic-announces-a-tough-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"EU PRESIDENT IN BELGRADE: Von Der Leyen Calls For Investments In The Western Balkans, Vu\u010di\u0107 Announces A \u201cTough Winter\u201d!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

European Union President Ursula von der Leyen<\/strong> stated today that Serbia made the choice to join the EU nearly two decades ago, adding that this was not a strategic choice but a sincere wish of the Serbian people, and that the EU expects Serbia to move twice as fast on the path toward the Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We live in a fragmented world where the gap between democracies and autocracies is widening. You know the EU’s position; our position implies freedom, not repression, including the right to peaceful assembly. We advocate for partnership instead of subjugation, and diplomacy instead of aggression. Nearly two decades ago, Serbia made the choice to join the EU; that was not a strategic choice but a sincere wish of the Serbian people. We expect Serbia to move twice as fast on the path toward the EU<\/strong>,” stated Von der Leyen at a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vu\u010di\u0107.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She added that the opportunity for membership represents “an opportunity for promise, peace, prosperity, and solidarity.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Especially in times of crisis. You have seen that in practice. Take the example of the energy crisis of 2022, caused by the Russian aggression against Ukraine, which had a drastic effect across our continent; we faced it together. The EU enabled the same solidarity measures for partners in the Western Balkans. You can continue to count on us; we are connecting Serbia to EU energy markets, and that is a secure guarantee that Serbian families will be safe and warm throughout the winter,” she said, adding:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We have concrete projects that we have started\u2014the Trans-Balkan Electricity Corridor<\/strong> that will connect Serbia with neighboring countries and the EU, as well as the gas interconnector between Bulgaria and Serbia<\/strong>, and we are ready to invest further in these projects.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also added that the EU invited Serbia to join the common EU mechanism for gas procurement “because we use our common market to ensure a safe supply.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Mr. President, now is the right moment for Serbia to take concrete steps in joining. First, we must see progress in the area of the rule of law, electronic media, and electoral laws<\/strong>. I know these reforms are not easy. They require persistence, patience; all segments of society and the political spectrum must be included. But the effort is worth it because it brings you closer to the goal\u2014these are also the foundations for a sustainable and peaceful society,” Von der Leyen stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, she welcomed, as she said, the healthy progress regarding the voters’ list<\/strong>, as well as the REM Council<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I am aware of the efforts everyone has put in to cooperate, including civil society and the opposition. This is a good first step,” the European Commission President stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also pointed out that implementation is the key, and invited the President of Serbia to come to Brussels in a month “so that we can see the situation together.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“My assessment is that we should see a greater degree of alignment in foreign policy<\/strong>, including sanctions against Russia. I must commend you because you have harmonized 61 percent of your foreign policy with ours, but more is needed. We must count on Serbia as a reliable partner. We know that Serbia’s path to the European Union can be long, which is why we wanted to enable some of the benefits of future accession now, such as access to the common market and a greater degree of EU investment. That is more or less the essence of our Growth Plan for the Western Balkans<\/strong>,” she stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within that plan, she added, the EU has already provided more than 100 million euros<\/strong> in new investments for Serbia, and there will be more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“As part of the Growth Plan, you have established a supervisory body that includes representatives of civil society organizations, whom I will meet later, and also covers government representatives. I think such a committee is an excellent signal; it sends a strong message of trust and cooperation. I think this is the right path to take. As part of the Growth Plan, we are working on integrating Serbia into the EU’s single payment system<\/strong>; this will facilitate money transfers between Serbia and the EU\u2014safer and cheaper\u2014and will have a significant effect on the business sphere and your citizens, many of whom live in the EU. This shows the commitment of the EU that exists in deeds and real changes on the ground. Now we want to see Serbia also show changes through deeds,” she stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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