Serbia not to impose sanctions on Russia

Belgrade, May 6 (IANS) Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic asked visiting European Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule Monday to understand country's decision not to impose sanctions on Russia, and promised Serbia will finish all reforms necessary for the membership before 2019.

Vucic said at a press conference after meeting Fule in Belgrade that it depends on Serbia to finish its reforms as fast as possible, especially to open chapter 23 and 24 of the EU acquis, as they are important for establishing rule of law, Xinhua reported.

"I asked (from Fule) for Serbia to maintain its own attitude, that somewhat differs to that of other countries, which is not to impose sanctions to Russia," he said, adding that he at the same time respects the territorial integrity of Ukraine as well as every other UN member state.

Fule, whose mandate ends this year, said that Serbia is a sovereign country and EU respects its decision.

Fule said that the policy of enlargement will continue. "During earlier visits we talked about plans, ideas, conditions, but now we talk about concrete chapters and ways how to open them."

Vucic assured Fule that government can finish its part of the job until 2019, when it is all up to the member states to decide on Serbia's EU membership.