Foreign Secretary welcomes General Affairs Council agreement on Serbia's EU candidate status
Foreign Secretary William Hague has welcomed yesterday's recommendation by the EU General Affairs Council to grant Serbia EU Candidate Status, and to further enhance cooperation with Kosovo.
He said:
鈥淏ritain has long been a strong supporter of EU membership for all Western Balkan countries. I therefore welcome yesterday鈥檚 recommendation by the General Affairs Council to grant Serbia EU Candidate Status, and look forward to confirmation of this decision by this week鈥檚 European Council. 皇冠体育app UK strongly supports this recommendation, on the basis of progress that Serbia has made in internal reforms, its relationship with Kosovo and in wider regional relations.
鈥淚 also welcome the Commission鈥檚 intention to launch a process towards a Stabilisation and Association Agreement between Kosovo and the EU. This sends an important signal of support for Kosovo鈥檚 EU future, which the UK will continue to support.
鈥淚 commend both President Tadic and Prime Minister Thaci for taking the steps that have made these important decisions possible. I now urge both Serbia and Kosovo to maintain their constructive approach to further dialogue, which is crucial to building practical cooperation, which is the only way of ensuring a stable and prosperous future.鈥�