Dačić spoke with EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson

Minister Dačić presented numerous steps taken by the Republic of Serbia towards further alignment with EU visa regime. He emphasised that steps have already been taken in that direction by introducing a visa regime for certain third countries whose citizens abused the visa-free regime with Serbia and afterwards entered the EU irregularly.

He pointed out that the Republic of Serbia was a reliable partner as regards migration and stressed Serbia’s readiness to continue to cooperate closely with the EU in this area. He also conveyed that Serbia aspired to be part of the EU's common policy in the part concerning visa policy, migration, security and the rule of law.

EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Johansson thanked Serbia for its quick reaction in respect of harmonising Serbia's visa policy with the EU's visa policy, which led to a significant reduction in irregular migration to the EU. She also thanked Serbia for its commitment to solving those issues and for cooperation, and pointed out that she expected continued harmonisation with the EU visa policy.

Commissioner Johansson emphasised that the European Union was committed to strengthening the partnership with Serbia, especially in the field of migration and visa policy. In this regard, she proposed cooperation and offered EU assistance and expertise in the field of returning irregular migrants to their countries of origin.