Head of the EU Delegation in Serbia Vincent Degert said Wednesday that the European Commission (EC) will present its opinion on Serbia's EU membership application by October 12.

After a meeting of EU ambassadors in Smederevo, Degert told reporters that now is the key moment when the EC is evaluating Serbia's progress and reforms carried out in preparation for the next steps in the European integration process.

The political situation in Serbia is constantly evaluated and this will be the key year, Degert said.

EU expert missions are visiting Serbia on a regular basis, and right now a mission is evaluating the status of minorities and human rights, Degert noted.

We are also involved in issues related to supporting the new government in further steps toward European integration, Degert concluded.