I am glad to be back in Belgrade, where I came before many times in my previous capacities.
Europe is firm on the European perspective of Serbia, and we shall keep working together in order to fulfil the prerequisites and commitments.
I had a constructive meeting today with Prime Minister Vučić and Interior Minister Stefanović.
We discussed developments in three areas:
• Serbia’s help in addressing migration flows from Kosovo;
• Serbia’s prospects in the EU accession talks, with a focus on rule of law issues;
• Addressing asylum abuse in the EU Member States by Serbian citizens.
On the Kosovo migration crisis, Serbia has played a constructive role in helping to address migration flows from Kosovo.
Senior law enforcement officials recently attended a working group on irregular migration in Brussels, chaired by the Commission where ways to regulate the flows between Kosovo and Serbia.
Serbia should also strengthen the surveillance of the Hungarian-Serbian border, directing intercepted irregular migrants to the border-crossing point at Horgos, and improve checks there.
German, Austrian and Frontex help is available;
I would also like to see resolute action to crack down on smuggling.
There are also a set of joint commitments with Kosovo that I would like to see in the coming period:
• Closer information exchange with Kosovo on irregular migration, and much closer operation cooperation on police and border/boundary management matters;
• Facilitating the speedy return to Kosovo of travellers whose asylum applications have been rejected;
• Closer cooperation with Europol, Frontex and EASO in this endeavour.
• And of course, a more long-term challenge: addressing the root causes for this migration wave by developing Kosovo economically
On Serbia’s prospects in EU accession talks, I would like to see a new draft action plan on Chapter 24 that takes our written concerns on board. Our comments relate to asylum, border management, corruption, organised crime and terrorism.
It is key that Serbia takes resolute steps in helping to manage the migration crisis from Kosovo and addressing asylum abuse by its own citizens before we propose opening this chapter.
While Kosovo dominates the headlines, we should not forget that Serbian citizens remain the largest group of asylum-seekers in the EU from visa-free states. This must be urgently addressed.
I discussed with the Prime Minister and Minister to take action in the following areas:
• Addressing the root cause of this migration process by targeting and expanding support and socio-economic inclusion opportunities for the Roma community in Serbia;
• Stepping up information exchange and operational cooperation with neighbours, EU Member States and EU Agencies;
• Arrest and prosecute smugglers
• Step up border checks and surveillance with Hungary, relying on German, Austrian and Frontex help;
• And last but not least: Organise information campaigns for Serbian citizens on the rights and obligations of visa-free travel.
My objective is to ensure that freedom of movement between Serbia and the EU continues, yet in full respect of commitments made when the visa regime was liberalised.
I look forward to continuing our collaboration, and I am positive that Serbia will soon be part of the European Union.