There have been many positive developments over the past year in Serbia.
There have been many positive developments over the past year in Serbia. Serbia’s new government, when formed, will have the opportunity to continue to lead the country toward assuming a stronger role as a force for peace and prosperity in the region.
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Serbia Continues To Make Progess
OSCE Observers found that Serbia’s March 16 parliamentary elections offered voters a genuine choice, and that fundamental freedoms were respected throughout the campaign. In those elections, Serbian voters overwhelmingly rejected parties that opposed European integration, and chose parties that espoused a pragmatic way forward for the country.
Serbia’s new government will inherit positive momentum. Serbia has made significant progress in implementing the April 2013 agreement on normalizing relations with Kosovo, and the opening of accession talks with the European Union in January was a validation that hard work leads to even greater opportunities.
However, progress on implementing agreements with Kosovo will continue to require political courage. Major economic and legal reforms will be necessary not just to meet EU accession requirements; they will be fundamental to efforts to encourage private sector growth, create jobs, and promote foreign investment. The fight against corruption will require political determination and dedication of resources.
Serbia’s newly elected leaders have signaled that they are up to the challenges. First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said in an interview that Serbia will continue on its European path, will strive to attract investments from all over the world, and will continue, as he put it, a “fierce fight against crime and corruption.”
Serbia’s international stature has grown in the past year because of effective, pragmatic leadership. The United States applauds this progress, and looks forward to supporting Serbia as it continues on its European path.
