Billstrom: All provisions of Ohrid deal must be implemented immediately

BELGRADE - Swedish FM Tobias Billstrom said on Wednesday in Belgrade his meeting with Serbian President Alekdandar Vucic had addressed topics that included normalisation of Belgrade-Pristina relations, and noted that the EU expected all provisions of the Ohrid agreement to be implemented immediately.

At a press conference after the meeting with Vucic, Billstrom said Serbia belonged in the EU - which he noted was its largest trade partner - and had no alternative to the European path.

He said the Swedish EU presidency kept the Western Balkans high on the agenda, and noted that the Russian invasion on Ukraine had changed European security completely and that he expected the EU's partners to align with the bloc.

He said countries in the region were essential partners in keeping Europe stable.

He said his visit to Belgrade reflected the strong Serbia-Sweden ties and that around 130,000 Serbians were working in Sweden, as well as that Swedish companies operating in Serbia were employing around 10,000 people.

Billstrom also said the meeting with Vucic had also addressed current reforms and problems, rule of law and media freedoms.

He said it was important for Serbia to fully align with the EU.