First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic is today on an official visit to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

The Head of Serbian diplomacy talked in Luxembourg with his counterpart, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Jean Asselborn.

At a joint press conference after the meeting, Minister Dacic expressed his satisfaction with the visit to Luxembourg and stressed that this country was a friend of Serbia, adding he had been Minister Asselborn’s acquaintance for a long time.
“Serbia is looking forward to the Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the European Union, taking into consideration that Serbia is also in a hurry when it comes to European integration and the opening of first Chapters. Our main strategic goal is Serbia’s membership of the European Union, and to reach any goal, even the farthest one, a first step needs be taken. The opening of a Chapter is the first step. It is very important there is continuity in the European integration process, as well as to find a way together to open one of the Chapters by the end of the year. Serbia asks for no benefits or preferential status, just the understanding of what it has achieved in relations with Pristina and the European integrations process. Serbia has set EU membership as its main objective and we expect to open one of the Chapters by the end of the year”.

Minister Dacic added that he expected Asselborn, on behalf of the country holding the Presidency, to create conditions for considering the best ways to help Serbia in the process.

“For Serbia to be stable, a steady pace on our EU path is a must, and the perspective of a common European future is the key driving force for the stability in the region”, said the Head of Serbian diplomacy.

As regards bilateral relations between Serbia and Luxembourg, Minister Dacic underlined they were good, also adding that Serbia was aware of Luxembourg’s commitments and challenges during its incoming Presidency. The Serbian side stressed its willingness for a greater dynamic of meetings of the two countries’ officials at the high and top levels, aiming for improvement of political and economic relations between Serbia and Luxembourg. Minister Dacic also underlined that the economic cooperation between the two countries was very low and amounted to EUR 27 million last year, thus leaving a lot of room for cooperation. The Head of Serbian diplomacy used this occasion to extend an official invitation to Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn to visit Serbia.