Serbia began its first round of EU membership talks in Brussels on Tuesday.

Neighbouring country Croatia joined the EU last July, but Belgrade still has a long way to go in making the changes in its laws and institutions needed to bring the country in line with the EU. However, Serbian leaders are aiming for six years.

Adviser to the Serbian government Marko Djuric told euronews what joining the EU would mean for the country.

“The process of accession with all its reforms it brings with itself has an effect of healing on our society. So we need it for our own domestic reasons because we want to contribute to a wider European cause,” Djuric said.

However, there is the the thorny issue of the relationship with Kosovo. Serbia has vowed to never formally recognise its former province.

“The fact that we disagree on the status issue does not prevent us from seeking solutions for practical day-to-day functioning and I am sure that such an approach will gradually lead us to a mutually acceptable solution,” Djuric added.