Following the Presidential elections in Serbia this weekend, ALDE MEP Jelko Kacin who is the European Parliament rapporteur for Serbia issued the following statement.

"I welcome the fact that there were no irregularities during the run-off vote for Serbian president on 6 May.  I would like to congratulate Mr Nikolić for winning the support of Serbian voters. I believe that Serbia has reached the stage of European integration process in which any presidential candidate would work hard to accelerate EU-related reforms.   Mr Nikolić himself voiced his pro-European stance.  Nevertheless, he will take office in extremely difficult times for the Serbian economy. EU institutions, as well as Serbian citizens, will judge him on his achievements. Regional cooperation, including Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, will remain of utmost importance for the success of Serbia's EU membership bid.

In view of possible opening of accession negotiations with Serbia, the new president should work hard at forming the next government as soon as possible so EU-related reforms may continue.  "