European Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Johannes Hahn on Thursday said the new European Commission (EC) strongly supports Serbia's efforts to become an EU member.

In his first travel mission after assuming office on Nov. 1, Hahn separately met numerous state officials of Serbia including Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, President Tomislav Nikolic, Justice Minister Nikola Selakovic and Speaker Maja Gojkovic.

At a joint press conference with Vucic, Hahn announced more frequent visits to the region, and his personal engagement so that "Serbia becomes a member of the EU as soon as possible."

Pointing out that a third of all foreign investments into Serbia as well as trade come from EU countries, Hahn said EU membership will add value to Serbia, improve well-being and result in citizens having "more money in their pockets."

"I plan to organize investment conferences in Serbia to initiate investments that would create jobs," Hahn said, before commending Serbia's efforts to create business climate for investors by fighting corruption and improving judiciary.

He said in order for Serbia to gain accession in the EU, it was important to open chapters 23 and 24 of the EU acquis that deal with the rule of law and the judiciary, which will happen in Serbia's case "in the following weeks or months."

Vucic repeated his country would not impose sanctions on Russia, but underlined it respected the territorial integrity of Ukraine and wished to become an EU member.

"Our strategic goal is the EU, and this is the type of a society we have chosen. We are working on becoming a well-organized country," Vucic said. Endit

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