In their meeting on 1 March 2012, the heads of state and government of the European Union officially granted candidate status to Serbia. Thereby the Western Balkan country opened a new chapter in its institutional relations with the EU and its accession process.

Hungary – as a Member State committed to the advancement of the region’s integration and an active supporter of the accession of the countries in the region – considers the decision to be its own success as well. We are convinced that the welfare and stability of the Balkans are above all promoted by the outlined predictable European perspective, as previous experience of the enlargement suggests.

The European Council’s decision of yesterday reinforced the credibility of this perspective: it acknowledged Serbia’s efforts for reforms in the past few years and appreciated the latest results of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

Hungary considers the promotion of the accession process to be its task in the future as well and pays particular attention to the neighbouring countries’ preparation for accession. Consulting with our partners, we are ready to support Serbia’s preparation for the start and the successful conclusion of accession negotiations on a bilateral basis. Moreover, we are encouraging Serbia to address the fulfilment of the conditions set by the European Union as a matter of priority.

(kormany.hu)