Serbia remains committed to its plan to join the European Union and wants to accelerate its membership application. This was stated by the country's President Aleksandar Vucic, quoted by "Reuters".
He made his statement after his recent visit to Moscow was criticized by the West.
Vucic visited Russia on May 8 and 9 for the parade marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II. There he met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
After meeting with European Council President António Costa earlier today, Vucic assured that Belgrade wants to accelerate its European integration and open more negotiation chapters with the bloc.
"The atmosphere in the EU is not exactly great, I am convinced because of the trip to Moscow, but I believe that Europe will have an understanding of progress based on merit," he stressed.
Russia is Serbia's historic Orthodox Christian ally and a major supplier of natural gas. "Gazprom" and "Gazpromneft" are the owners of the Serbian oil company NIS.
Moscow also supports Belgrade in its opposition to the independence of Kosovo, its former southern province.
Vucic, whose country has been rocked by months of student protests against corruption, has promised that the government will work to introduce reforms needed to join the EU.
Serbia must root out corruption, reform its judiciary, media and election laws, mend its relations with Kosovo and align its foreign policies with those of the bloc, including imposing sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
"A key element of our common foreign and security policy is a clear condemnation of Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine and support for Ukraine in achieving a just and lasting peace," Costa said.
European Union officials have repeatedly called on the presidents of countries that are seeking to join the EU, including Vucic, to avoid Moscow's celebrations of victory in World War II.
Costa said he was "glad to hear" that EU membership remained Serbia's top priority. "What needs to be done is media freedom, cracking down on corruption and improving electoral law."
Of the Western Balkan countries, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania and Bosnia have secured EU candidate status, while Kosovo is lagging behind.