Commenting on Sunday’s result of the presidential elections in Serbia, the President of the European Movement International (EMI), Jo Leinen, said: “I welcome the positive reform processes undertaken in the past years in Serbia. The newly elected Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić now has to prove that Serbia will remain committed to its European Union aspirations”.

Declaring his victory, Nikolić said on Sunday that “Serbia will not walk away from its path to the EU”. “We will take Nikolić by his words and count on his pro-European orientation in order to further drive forward Serbia’s accession to the EU”, commented Jo Leinen.

It is paramount that Serbia continues to further implement its internal, particularly economic and financial, reforms as well as the integration of minorities. In this context, Croatia entering the EU in July 2013 will lead the way for the Balkan region as an outstanding example that through determined reforms EU Membership is possible.

The EMI and its National Council in Serbia will continue to engage civil society in the dialogue between the EU and Serbia and keep on fostering regional cooperation between the Balkan countries.

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Editor’s Note: The European Movement International (EMI) is one of the largest pan and pro-European civil society organisation with currently more than 70 Member Organisations, bringing together representatives from European associations, political parties, enterprises and trade unions.

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