"My term in office will on the most part be directed to supporting Serbia's European journey and to help with exchanging experiences," Biscevic said during talks with Serbia's Minister for European Integration, Jadranka Joksimovic, in Belgrade.
The two officials discussed Serbia's European integration process, Croatia's presidency of the EU, advancing relations between the two countries and current regional issues, a press release said.
Biscevic underscored that during its presidency of the EU which ends on 30 June, Croatia would endeavour to ensure an inter-governmental conference to open new negotiations chapters with Serbia.
Joksimovic emphasised the significance of the fact that "during the current presidency of the EU and circumstances with the pandemic, Croatia had maintained the enlargement policy as a priority and organised the EU-Western Balkans Summit via video conference which resulted in the Zagreb Declaration," the press release added.
She added that "Serbia expects the process of accession by candidate countries and potential candidates not to be slowed down," considering circumstances of the pandemic and that a "negotiation framework for membership will be established and respected."
Serbia has opened 18 policy n chapters of which two have been temporarily closed and five are still waiting for Serbia's negotiation position to be delivered with Joksimovic assessing that Serbia has moved a fair way in that process.
She added that "she expects that, alongside its move forward, the European Commission's autumn report and Croatia as the EU chairman will find a way to present Serbia's progress in reforms so that before Croatia's presidency ends, Serbia may open at least some of the chapters it has prepared."
The two officials underscored that despite some outstanding issues "there are many areas for cooperation between Serbia and Croatia to the benefit of citizens particularly through programmes of local and cross-border cooperation with the use of EU funds," and through "important regional infrastructure projects."
Significant enhanced economic cooperation was emphasised with the aim of faster economic recovery of both countries in the post-pandemic period, according to the press release.
Croatia's newly-appointed ambassador to Serbia, Hidajet Biscevic presented his credentials to Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic on May 12.