BELGRADE (Sputnik) — The European Union granted Serbia candidate status for membership in 2012. Belgrade was asked to implement a number of reforms as well as effectively recognize Kosovo as an independent state. The current Serbian government maintains that its relations with Kosovo should not be a factor in EU membership talks.
"The EU is a political project, hence the presence of political chapters in our accession talks. We could complete the technical part [of requirements] by 2020. But the membership hinges on the political decision."
He said Belgrade hoped to receive financial assistance from the European Union, estimated at billions of euros allocated over a span of several years.
"More than10 billion euros over 5-6 years, in non-repayable funds for development projects," the minister replied when he was asked what benefits Serbia hoped to achieve from its membership in the 28-nation bloc. "Who else would give us these funds at the moment? No one."
