Speaking with MPs Hans-Peter Friedrich and Florian Hahn, the Head of the PFG with Germany Vesna Markovic stressed that the continuity of the dialogue developing within the Berlin Process, launched among the countries of the Western Balkans by Germany as key EU member state, was of paramount importance for said stability.

“Serbia has great expectation from the Berlin Process, mainly from the Western Balkans Fund, as well as the realization of the infrastructural projects. We also have great expectations from the Trieste Summit”, said Markovic.

She said EU accession remains Serbia’s chief foreign policy goal in which Germany’s support is important, especially as far as the opening of new negotiation chapters is concerned.

“EU is facing its biggest challenges so far which has maybe pushed enlargement out of the picture, but stability both of the region and Europe requires further efforts”, said Markovic.

Hans-Peter Friedrich, as federal CSU MP concerned with European policy and coordination and Vice-Chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group of the German Bundestag, said that Europe does not exist only in Brussels, it is there in the cooperation of national parliaments, and, considering all the problems Europe is faced with today, this is the time to advance bilateral relations.

Florian Hahn, federal SCU MP and member of the Defence Committee, told the Serbian MPs that he is sure Serbia is on the right path as evidenced in its engagement in the European integration and reform processes.

“Though the EU enthusiasm for enlargement has started to lag, you should not lose heart and should continue on your European path”, said Hahn.

Dusica Stojkovic, member of the PFG with Germany, informed the German parliamentarians how important it is to continue Serbia’s EU accession process, expressing readiness to open new negotiation chapters and highlighting the excellent cooperation between Serbia and Germany as regards the migrant crisis, police cooperation in particular.

Srbislav Filipovic, member of the PFG with Germany, said that there can be no economic progress or sustainable development in the Western Balkans without lasting peace and that Serbia is committed to peace in the region which has no alternative.

“Serbia does not want conflict and we will work on maintaining peace for which we need Germany’s support, and what we expect from the EU are stronger denouncements of the rhetoric and inflammatory remarks in the region”, said Filipovic.

The participants of the meeting, which was also attended by MP Aleksandar Markovic, applauded the idea to intensify cooperation between the members of national parliaments, especially the parliamentary groups and parties in the EPP.