"Full membership of the European Union is the over-aching priority of the new Government of the Republic of Serbia. The Government is committed to bringing the accession negotiations to a conclusion by the end of its term in 2018. It is therefore our expectation that by 2020, Serbia could become a full-fledged member of the European Union.

Serbia is committed to the implementation of reforms in all areas, particularly the rule of law, home affairs, protection of human and minority rights. We believe that the new EU approach, aimed at opening the most difficult chapters, 23 and 24, at the very outset of the negotiation process, will contribute to a more rapid transformation of the state and society, and acceleration of the negotiation process.

Serbia's European integration process so far has shown that Serbia has an appropriate administrative capacity and that it is ready to align itself with and implement the European acquis at an early date.

The new Government of the Republic of Serbia stands ready to come to grips with demanding social and economic reforms. The economic situation in Serbia and the region as a whole is highly complex. It would therefore be beneficial if the EU gave consideration to providing more financial support to the region. This objective could be accomplished also through redistribution of financial support in a way permitting allocation of a portion of the funds intended for the Member States even during the EU accession process. We are confident that this would not only be a cost to the EU and its citizens, but that it would contribute to the region's further political stabilization and economic development, benefiting both the Western Balkans and the European Union.

The states that joined the EU in 2004 later underwent the process of transition and reform in a peaceful and stable manner, although it was not at all simple either for these countries or their societies. EU enlargement policy and the European perspective played a key role in the democratic transformation and economic development of these countries.

The EU enlargement process demonstrated that a free flow of goods, persons and services had a positive impact on the economic and social development of all Member States. Enlargement contributed to the further prosperity of both "old" Member States and the EU as a whole.

The situation in the region has significantly changed since the Thessaloniki Summit of 2003. One regional state, Croatia, joined the EU, whereas other countries are in different phases of the European integration process.

We are concerned about the voices and ideas being heard within Union itself that further EU enlargement needs to be slowed. We have seen thus far that enlargement has always contributed to EU's prosperity and further consolidation from within. With each wave of enlargements the EU became stronger.

Owing to the European perspective, all open regional issues – from those related to refugees to border and other problems, are being resolved through dialogue. In this context, the European perspective has essentially contributed to the promotion of regional cooperation through participation in a number of regional initiatives.

The European perspective was the key factor in the success of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. The dialogue's success demonstrated that enlargement policy continues to be a strong motivation generator for the countries of the Western Balkans. This example indicates international significance of the EU as a factor capable of addressing crises and making a substantial contribution to stability and security.

We consider enlargement and strengthening of internal EU structures as complementary processes whose synergy helps both the existing EU Member States and aspirant countries prosper.

We expect to see in the further course of the enlargement process that progress of every country along the path of EU integration will be commensurate with their performance and implemented reforms. We do not expect leniency, but we also consider counterproductive artificial insistence on equal speed for all aspirant countries in EU integration. We count on regional states to continue to support each other and preserve the solidarity approach on the EU integration path."