The delegations of Serbia and the European Union, led by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and the President of the European Council António Costa, met today at the Palace of Serbia to discuss Serbia’s European path and the EU’s enlargement towards the Western Balkans.
The plenary talks between the two delegations are being held as part of the official visit of the President of the European Council to Belgrade and began immediately after a tête-à-tête meeting between Vučić and Costa. Among the members of the Serbian delegation were Foreign Minister Marko Đurić and Minister for European Integration Nemanja Starović.
Costa arrived in Belgrade last night, and a ceremonial welcome with the highest state honours was organised in front of the Palace of Serbia around 8:00 a.m. this morning in his honour, followed by a meeting with the President of Serbia.
Vučić said today, ahead of talks with European Council President António Costa in Belgrade, that he expected an open and meaningful dialogue with European partners, focusing on Serbia’s European path and the preservation of peace and stability in the region.
“We will also look at concrete opportunities to deepen economic cooperation between Serbia and the European Union, as well as global challenges,” Vučić wrote on Instagram.
The European Council previously stated that Costa’s visit to Belgrade is part of a tour of the Western Balkans, aimed at reaffirming the European Union’s commitment to the region.
The European Council announced that Costa would underline the importance of further strengthening the renewed momentum in the enlargement process and EU–Western Balkans relations.
The President of the European Council will travel from Belgrade to Sarajevo, visit Podgorica and Pristina on 14 May, and then Skopje and Tirana on 15 May.
Vučić with Costa: Serbia committed to European path, reforms and dialogue
The President of Serbia spoke with Costa and stressed that Serbia remains committed to its European path and is sincerely and firmly dedicated to reforms and dialogue.
“I am honoured by the visit of António Costa and grateful to the EU for the support it provides through numerous projects that have contributed to the rapid and stable growth of our country. We are committed to the European path and today we are discussing all matters of mutual interest,” Vučić wrote on Instagram.
He added that Serbia remains sincerely and firmly committed to reforms and dialogue and sees the future of the region within the European Union.
Vučić and Costa on Serbia–EU relations
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and President of the European Council António Costa met today at the Palace of Serbia to discuss key issues regarding Serbia–EU relations, as well as the challenges Serbia faces on its European path.
The meeting began shortly after 8:00 a.m., following a ceremonial welcome with the highest state honours hosted by the Serbian President for his guest. President Vučić reiterated earlier today that he expects an open and meaningful dialogue with European partners, focusing on Serbia’s European path and the preservation of peace and stability in the region.
“We will also address specific opportunities for deepening economic cooperation between Serbia and the European Union, as well as global challenges,” Vučić wrote on Instagram.
He added that he is grateful to President of the European Council António Costa for his support of the European perspective of the region.
Costa arrived last night at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport, where he was welcomed by President Vučić, who extended a warm welcome.
The European Council had previously announced that Costa’s visit to Belgrade was part of his Western Balkans tour, aimed at reaffirming the EU’s commitment to the region.
Vučić and Costa had previously met on 25 March in Brussels at a working dinner with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as well as on 3 December last year, two days after Costa assumed office.
(RTV, 13.05.2025)