'No pressure on Serbia to join EU's Russian sanctions'

Though Serbia is not directly pressured to change its attitude towards Russia, it is obliged to harmonize its foreign policy with EU as integrations advance, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic said Friday.

Dacic in a press conference rejected media claims that government received ultimatums from EU concerning Serbia's decision not to join EU imposed sanctions on Russia, Xinhua reported.

He said the country is only obliged to harmonize its foreign and security policy with the EU by the time it closes Chapter 31 of the EU acquis. "This will be the topic over which we will hold discussions as accession negotiations advance. Talks on the Chapter 31 are not yet open. Bilateral screening for Chapter 31 will start on Oct. 10 in Brussels."

The ministry said even when Serbia becomes a member it will have right on its own attitude on certain issues, reminding that "member countries participate in the process of making of the unified policy but Serbia did not yet participate in this process".

Serbia will fulfill its obligations on the European path "as well as keep good relations with our non-EU friends - Russia, China, United Arab Emirates, countries of Africa and Latin America", he added.