Kos: EC wants to open Cluster 3 in talks with Serbia

BRUSSELS - The European Commission would want to open Cluster 3 in the EU accession talks with Serbia, new EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos noted in Brussels on Thursday.

Speaking at an EU-Western Balkans conference also attended by Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic, Kos said that, "when you speak about enlargement, it is not only about the European Commission, it is also about the Council, it is also about the European Parliament, and this is the toughest part."

She said she would do "everything possible" to "bring one or more countries to the finish line" of the accession process.

"I did not say 'into the EU' because this is what I cannot promise," she said.

"And this part is merit-based, when it is about us," Kos said.

"For the whole negotiating process, we need around 150 unanimous decisions in the Council and that is why, when I speak about enlargement, I always say we have to go in parallel," she said.

"It is us doing the chapters, benchmarks and so on, talking to you, enabling you to do the reforms, which is a very important part, on the other side, working also with the member states. Sometimes it is difficult for us because I agree the European Commission would want to open Cluster 3, and we have a positive opinion for the last year," Kos told Brnabic.