Luxembourg foreign affairs minister, Jean Asselborn, was in Belgrade in Serbia yesterday where he affirmed Luxembourg’s continuing support for Serbia aspirations to join the EU, saying the two share common interests, and challenges.
Meeting with his counterpart, Ivica Dačić, Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, as well as Deputy Prime Minister Nebojša Stefanović and Vice-President of the National Assembly Veroljub Arsić, Minister Asselborn welcomed the ambition of Serbian authorities to proceed with the opening of additional negotiation chapters in the coming months.
In this context, both sides discussed progress in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina which, according to Minister Asselborn, "remains essential and will benefit both sides".
Luxembourg is continuing its training program to familiarise the Serbian administration with EU jurisprudence.
Among the challenges cited by Minister Asselborn, migration remains an issue. The Minister stressed that Luxembourg, as well as the EU, will continue to support Serbia to meet the basic needs of the migrants it currently hosts. The two sides also took stock of cooperation in managing migration flows and Minister Asselborn praised Serbia's constructive role in this issue.
At the same time, the Minister praised Serbia's efforts to reduce unfounded asylum claims by Serbian nationals. The Grand Duchy considers Serbia to be a safe country of origin and consequently the rate of recognition of the status of international protection for Serbian nationals is almost zero. Those who submit unfounded claims for asylum are thus faced with an inevitable return as soon as possible.
Minister Asselborn signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Grand Duchy and Serbia on police co-operation.
