Romanian President Klaus Iohannis (L), inspects the honour guard with Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic (R), during their meeting in Belgrade, 16 July 2015. Iohannis is on a one-day official visit to Serbia. Photo EPA/BGNES

Romania clearly supports Serbia's EU goal to join the EU and hopes that membership negotiations between Belgrade and Brussels would begin this year, Romania's President Klaus Iohannis said on on Thursday.

Peace and stability in the Western Balkans are in the interest of Romania and Serbia, the countries in the region, and the entire European Union, Iohannis, on a one-day visit to Belgrade, said at a joint press conference after a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Tomislav Nikolic.

Serbia has been given candidate status but the country has yet to start accession talks. European Parliament President Martin Schulz said in Belgrade on Wednesday that perhaps one chapter in Serbia’s accession negotiations with the EU could be opened by the end of the year.

"The efforts Serbia has invested should be recognized," Iohannis said, according to Tanjug.

Speaking about the bilateral economic ties, Iohannis said that Romania is particularly interested in the cooperation on a project for the construction of a motorway linking Romania’s Timisoara with the Serbian capital.

The Serbian President said that Balkan countries should not only follow the example set by the EU but set one themselves by proving they can collaborate as good neighbours and solve their problems through dialogue.