Agreement to implement the Brussels-brokered Belgrade-Pristina agreement and the beginning of implementation of that document are the key preconditions for Serbia's further progress in European integration processes and on its road to the European Union (EU), German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said on Sunday upon arriving to Belgrade for a two-day visit.
Westerwelle, who was welcomed at Belgrade airport by Serbia's Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, told reporters that he was coming to encourage Belgrade at this historic moment and that Germany and Germans wished to contribute so that Serbia made the right decision with the aim of economic development of the country.
He added that he was optimistic that Serbia would soon be given a date to start EU negotiations but stressed that the main precondition for this was for the Brussels agreement to be implemented which needs to be taken step by step.
I want to encourage you so that difficult decisions are made correctly and bravely. Our two countries are European and we are all part of Europe and we are all equal partners and want to contribute toward these difficult negotiations which reached their climax on April 19 and we want to see that they are implemented successfully, Germany's diplomat said for Serbia's national broadcaster RTS.
Deputy Prime Minister Vucic said that he was convinced Serbia would in June be given a date to start the country's negotiations with the EU and once it is given a date, Serbia does not expect to be commended but to receive concrete support from Germany and the EU.
"We did not ask for a date or agreement but we will ask for greater support from the EU and Germany toward developing Serbia with greater investments", Vucic said.
Westerwelle is expected on Monday to meet with President Tomislav Nikolic and Prime Minister Ivica Dacic and Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkic.
