Serbia to Open Two EU Accession Negotiation Chapters on July 19

Serbia decided to open chapters 23 and 24 in the negotiation process on the country's accession to the European Union on July 19, according to local media.

BELGRADE (Sputnik) — Serbia will open two chapters in the negotiation process on the country's accession to the European Union on July 19, local media reported Monday.

According to the Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) broadcaster, the decision to open chapters 23 and 24 has been made on the sidelines of the summit between Western Balkan officials and EU leaders in Paris.

On July 1, the European Union decided not to open the two chapters dealing with the rule of law, the judiciary and human rights, while opening chapters with Turkey and Montenegro. Serbia's Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said his country would request explanation from EU leaders regarding failure to open two accession negotiation chapters.

According to Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, the EU decision not to open the two chapters was "disgraceful, incomprehensible and humiliating" for his country.

The European Union granted Serbia candidate status for membership in 2012, demanding from Belgrade to implement a number of reforms as well as effectively recognize Kosovo as an independent state.

Serbia opened two of the 35 chapters needed for accession to the European Union in mid-December 2015, including one on normalizing ties with Kosovo.