Serbia determined to fast-track its path to EU membership: President

BELGRADE, Serbia

Serbia is determined to speed up its path to European Union membership, President Aleksandar Vucic said Monday

Vucic said Serbia expects "clear signals" from the EU on this issue, speaking at a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in the capital Belgrade.

He said relations between Serbia and Greece are "friendly and brotherly," with Greece supporting Serbia's EU membership.

"Serbia and Greece have always mutually supported each other's territorial integrity, and I believe that this will be the case in the future." he said.

He added that his meeting with Mitsotakis focused on renewable energy resources and infrastructure.

Mitsotakis said there has been "visible progress" in relations between the two countries.

"Serbia and the Western Balkans have a European future. For us, there is no future without the Western Balkans and Serbia. The participation of the entire Western Balkans is our strategic goal, and by accelerating the reforms you will carry out in your country, you will get closer to the EU in a shorter time,'' he said.

He added that Greece's stance on Kosovo's independence will not change.

"We believe that European mediation and dialogue are the only way to normalize relations between the two parties (Serbia and Kosovo) and will significantly contribute to stability in the region, which is the goal of all of us," said Mitsotakis.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and was recognized by many countries, including Türkiye. But Belgrade has never recognized Kosovo and claims it is still part of neighboring Serbia.

During his working visit to Belgrade, Mitsotakis attended the Greek-Serbian Business Forum.