First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic met today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Ambassador of Slovakia Dagmar Repčekova.

Minister Dacic congratulated Slovakia on assuming the Presidency of the EU Council and wished it success in achieving the set priorities. He expressed hope that the preoccupation of the EU and its members with the consequences of the British EU referendum would not significantly change the EU's enlargement policy.

The Minister stressed that Serbia was greatly encouraged by the announcement that chapters 23 and 24 would be opened in the course of this month, which also came as recognition of all efforts made by the Republic of Serbia in the process of European integration.

In accordance with the priorities of the Slovak Presidency, including continuation of the enlargement policy, the Serbian Foreign Minister said that he expected that conditions would be created for opening other negotiating chapters by the end of 2016, particularly Chapters 5, 20, 25, 26 and that Slovakia, together with Serbia, would work on the realization of this ambitious plan.

With regard to the participation of representatives of relevant departments in informal meetings organized by the Slovak Presidency of the EU Council, the interest of the Republic of Serbia to take part in them was stressed.

The meeting also discussed the current situation concerning migration, as well as the opportunities for specific projects within the framework of strengthening bilateral cooperation, which was assessed by both sides as very good.