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PM Ponta: Romania will not hinder Serbia's EU path
Romania will take no action to hinder Serbia's European path and as concerns the issue of minorities, Romania does not request more than it offers, Prime Minister Victor Ponta told a joint press conference with his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vucic on Thursday.
'I came to Belgrade with a very clear message on behalf of the Romanian Government. We are and we definitely want to be the most resolute advocate of Serbia during its integration to the European Union. I believe not only Serbia needs the EU, but the EU also needs Serbia. I believe it is in Romania's interest that Serbia joins the EU as soon as possible. I think that it is in Europe's interest to actually make an integrated continent,' the Romanian head of government said.
Ponta assured 'that Romania will never take any action to hinder the European path of Serbia, on the contrary, we will be your best friends and supporters,' Ponta underscored.
The Romanian premier said he made these statements given the talks in Bucharest about the minorities and the minorities' rights in Serbia.
'I want to point out that I appreciate the fact that today together with Prime Minister Vucic we'll discuss with the representatives of the Romanian community. But, as a prime minister, I don't apply two types of measures, one in the country and one outside the country ... I believe that all minorities are part of the country where they live, they are citizens of Serbia, as the minorities in Romania are citizens of Romania and that through dialogue, openness, we can provide a peaceful life, of common development to the citizens of both countries,' Victor Ponta declared.
On his part, Aleksandar Vucic gave assurances that the Belgrade Government will make all demarches to enforce the planned measures resulting from the negotiations held under the joint commission for minorities.
'The Joint Commission has already reached conclusions and there are the three points. I promised Prime Minister Ponta that as regards the two points we shall do everything in our power to fulfill the commitments on education and media, targeting the European future of the region,' the Serbian Prime Minister argued.
In the second part of the day, Victor Ponta, Foreign Affairs Minister Titus Corlatean, Interior Minister Gabriel Oprea and the Serbian PM are expected in a visit to Bor Lake in Serbia; they will meet ethnic Romanian leaders of the historic regions of Timoc, Morava, and south of Danube River.