Jovanovic: Serbia to continue cooperation with Council of Europe and seeks credible European perspective

State Secretary at the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nevena Jovanovic attended the ceremonial opening of the Council of Europe (CoE) Office at the United Nations in New York and, during a meeting with CoE Secretary General Alain Berset, reaffirmed Serbia’s commitment to the values and principles of the international organization, as well as its readiness to further enhance cooperation. At a meeting of the Friends of the Western Balkans group, Jovanovic said that Serbia remained firmly committed to European Union membership.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the opening of the Council of Europe Office at the United Nations represented an important step toward strengthening the organization’s presence in New York, as well as enhancing its cooperation with the UN and other international organizations.

Jovanovic emphasized the importance of Serbia’s continued cooperation with the Council of Europe and the organization’s role in supporting the protection of human rights, strengthening institutions and advancing the rule of law, the statement said.

While in New York, she also participated in a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Friends of the Western Balkans group and foreign ministers from the region, chaired by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

At the meeting, held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, participants discussed current issues related to the region’s European integration process, with particular emphasis on the importance of the gradual integration of the Western Balkans into individual European Union policies and mechanisms, as well as on strengthening regional cooperation and connectivity in various areas.

Particular attention was devoted to regional security and the importance of closer cooperation among regional, European and international partners in preserving stability and security in Europe, the statement added. It noted that Jovanovic reiterated that Serbia remained firmly committed to EU membership and supported gradual integration as a means of providing citizens of the region with tangible benefits already during the accession process.

Jovanovic stressed that gradual integration must serve the objective of full membership rather than become a substitute for it, and that it was important to maintain a clear goal and a credible European perspective.

The meeting reaffirmed the participants’ shared commitment to continuing the process and translating political support into concrete results that would contribute to the region’s stability, prosperity and deeper integration into the European Union.