Commissioner Várhelyi travels to Serbia and to Montenegro

Continuing the outreach to the Western Balkans, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, will travel to Serbia and to Montenegro on 6 and 7 February. Ahead of the visit, Commissioner Várhelyi said: “I am looking forward to my first visits to Serbia and Montenegro, the two countries already in EU accession negotiations, to discuss plans on the credible European Union perspective for the Western Balkans region. We will also discuss the work on the EU accession related reforms, including in the rule of law areas, as well as the relevant developments.” In Belgrade, Serbia, on 6 February, the Commissioner will meet with President Aleksandar Vučić and Prime Minister Ana Brnabić. Commissioner Várhelyi will have a press point with President Aleksandar Vučić, to outline the ongoing work with and for the region, further to the launch of the revised enlargement methodology this week. Jointly with the lead mediators in the inter-party dialogue between the Serbian government and opposition, MEPs Tanja Fajon and Vladimír Bilčík, he will meet the Speaker of the Serbian Parliament, Maja Gojković, as well as the political parties engaged in the European Parliament-led dialogue. This will be followed by a joint meeting with opposition parties. In Podgorica, Montenegro, on 7 February, the Commissioner will present Commission’s future plans for the region to President Đukanović, Prime Minister Marković and representatives of the opposition parties, further to the launch of the revised enlargement methodology this week. He will discuss with his interlocutors the issues important for Montenegro’s EU accession path and current political developments in the country.Commissioner Várhelyi will also have a press point with Prime Minister Marković. Videos and photos of the visit will be available on EbS.