Although negotiations on EU membership have varied for each country, all of them have gained from positive socio-economic changes since joining the European family, stated at today’s conference "Ten Years in the EU: Lithuanian Achievements in the Euro-Integration Process ". Minister without portfolio in charge of European integration Jadranka Joksimović said that Serbia's only real objective was to become a valued and functional part of the EU and urged its member states to support EU enlargement. "EU Member States should support enlargement because the principles and values for which it stands contribute to the stability of not only the Western Balkans, but the whole Europe", emphasised Joksimovic at a meeting organised by the Embassy of Lithuania in Budapest to mark a decade since 10 new members joined the EU in the largest single expansion. Joksimovic stated that there should be understanding for the fact that some member states have not prioritised the process of expansion primarily because of the presence of an economic crisis. In addition, she pointed out the many benefits of further expansion. "These are the goals that the new Serbian government has set for the future, relating to higher levels of productivity, the fight against poverty, an economy based on education, and environmental protection", said the Minister, adding that it was a challenge for Serbia to take a "clear and sustainable position" in the reshaping balance of the EU and simultaneously create a way to adjust to the policies of Brussels. Speaking about the great EU expansion of 2004, Joksimovic assessed that it was a huge success that met the expectations of its new member states, but also the expectations of countries such as Serbia. Head of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Serbia Michael Davenport expressed his belief that Serbia would achieve its goal of joining the EU "within reasonable time", adding that the offer of membership was just in the reach of our country and that it was up to the state to "secure many benefits from the accession process." Discussing the benefits of membership in the EU, Davenport said that the experience of Lithuania represented "a success story on multiple levels- economically and socially", and that the country would most likely join the Euro zone next year. The former head of the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry Antanas Valionis followed up by saying that accession represents a qualitative leap for every country, including his, and that he expected the same in the case of Serbia. "You need Europe and Europe needs Serbia. You should be aware of the fact that you have many friends in the EU", said Valionis, expressing his confidence that the new Serbian government would take all necessary steps on the path towards Europe. Pointing out that each candidate had its own path to the EU and that negotiation elements have been increasing with every year, Valionis said that its core values have still remained the same. "Today's focus is on negotiating the rule of law, however, the EU is constantly changing, introducing new obligations for candidates", said Valionis. He continued by saying that all reforms conditioned by negotiations influence the modernisation of a country and boost its competitiveness in the market. In this context, he recalled that his country had to make some concessions, including the closure of a nuclear power plant in Lithuania. Deputy Director of the Serbian Integration Office Srdjan Majstorovic said that Serbia in comparison to other candidate countries has a remarkable institutional capacities, but admitted that even they might not suffice for the future negotiations. He noted that the process of negotiations requires coordination from the "central government", adding that exactly such states have been the best prepared for them. "It is up to us to change our society and modernise the country", concluded Majstorovic.