Minister Kuburović: The EU should show greater appreciation of Serbia's efforts

Today, Justice Minister Nela Kuburović received the Kingdom of the Netherlands Ambassador to Serbia Gilles Arnout Beschoor Plug. The Ambassador stated that his country was in favour Serbia joining the European Union (EU) because it saw Serbia as a part of the EU.  

Ambassador Plug added that Serbia’s Ministry of Justice was an important partner to the Netherlands which was prepared to continue to support and to assist Serbia in its efforts to EU accession. He found that positive steps towards EU integration had been made, particularly by the Ministry of Justice. However, he noted that a full implementation of the strategic document and laws was necessary.

Minister Kuburović thanked the Ambassador for the Netherlands’ support to the Ministry and its efforts to promote the rule of law in Serbia, highlighting the significance of the multi-year Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) project. She explained that although great progress in the advancement of the justice system in Serbia had been accomplished, everyone was aware of the remaining work to be done. Despite this, the Minister felt that the EU ought to appreciate more the efforts Serbia had put in and the achievements it had made in the recent period.

Minister Kuburović added that the Ministry of Justice and the Government of the Republic of Serbia were always prepared to make corrections and define its statutes better where necessary, just as they had done in the case of the Anti-Corruption Bill with respect to the conduct of public officials during political campaigns, upon the recommendation of the OSCE Mission  to Serbia and the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia.

Minister Kuburović also noted that the Ministry of Justice was attentive to including the relevant stakeholders in the drafting of strategies and statutes. She explained that the drafting working groups included representatives of professional associations who were regularly invited to public debates, including those especially held for them, such as was the case with the revision of the Chapter 23 Action Plan.