EU High Representative for Foriegn Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton visited Serbia on Monday, 28 April. In Belgrade, she met with President Tomislav Nikolić, Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foriegn Affairs Ivica Dačić and Speaker Maja Gojković. Ashton arrived to Belgrade only a day after the formation of the new Government of Serbia, wanting to express strong support and encouragement for its course of reform and path towards EU membership. She said that is great to see that the Serbian Government is committed to EU membership, underlining that this resolve is going to ensure that the journey be a success. Catherine Ashton stressed out that Serbia can be the example to others in the region and can also show what can be achieved through hard work, leadership and determination to make tough choises. She paid a tribute to the current and to the previous Government for their courage, politicial maturity and statesmanship in the Dialogue with Priština. High representative pointed out that Serbia is an important political partner of the EU and said that contribution of Serbia to better cooperation and improved relations with neighbours are pivotal to the stability of the entire Western Balkans. Ashton said that becoming a full member of the EU is not an easy process and underlined that on its journey towards EU, Serbia will have to deal to with normalisation of relations with Priština, rule of law and economic reforms. The Prime Minister Vučić said that the EU High Representative’s arrival on the first day after the election of the new Government is a great honor and a good sign for Serbia. He pointed out that the Dialogue with Priština will continue, as a lot remains to be done. Vučić said he expects that Serbia will sign an agreement with the Internation Monetory Fund in June at the latest and added that the agreement with the World Bank has already been made. The Prime Minister stressed out that the opening of Chapters 23 and 24 next year will be a clear signal that we want to bring order into our contry and its legal system. According to Vučić, the rule of law is one the most important things that will boost investments. Big challenges are ahead of Serbia, and that is why it needs help in the process of real reforms, the Prime minister declared and underlined that our country expects from the EU the assistance, as confirmed by Ashton during her visit to Belgrade.