One of the primary agricultural goals in Serbia is integration into the common EU agricultural policy, and fulfilment of the second condition of the Copenhagen Agreement, that being competitiveness in such an environment.
The EU offers all types of aid, which increase with the approaching EU membership and the implementation of set goals. Not a single step can be omitted, nor can other paths be taken except the one followed by countries that have now become members. The feasibility study is just one great step through which the European Commission informs its member states that Serbia-Montenegro is a suitable candidate for negotiations on stabilisation and association.
The feasibility study means continuation of financial aid to Serbian agriculture through the CARDS programme and trade preferentials, that is favourable treatment on the EU market, as well as further demanding and patient work of all those employed in the agricultural sector.
It also implies the formal initiation of the process of fulfilment of three economic criteria from the set of Copenhagen Criteria related to all sectors including agriculture:
- the creation and functioning of a market economy capable of integrating into market economies of other member countries; - the ability to withstand competition, in order to prevent the country’s economy from being destroyed through an inflow of imported goods after joining the large free market; - the adjustment to the entire set of EU rules and practices known as acquis communitaire;
In order to fulfil these criteria we have to:
- continue implementing reforms in the area of agriculture; - adopt good laws, compatible with those of the EU, impartially and successfully; - adopt competition regulations harmonised with EU laws because a common market cannot exist without the right of competition applicable to all; - define the dynamics of reduction of custom duties and other levies enabling agricultural manufacturers in Serbia to adapt and be more efficient; - establish transparent and efficient customs and inspection procedures; - raise standards of quality and security so as to have quality and not just low prices as an advantage; - harmonise veterinary and phytosanitary systems with EU systems in order for Serbian agricultural producers to export agricultural goods on a larger scale; - establish an agency for rural development and payments in accordance with the EU capable of conducting agricultural budget payments and active participation in the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy; - secure loans and non-repayable funds so that the agricultural sector will be in a position to invest; - provide a competent advisory service;
The association process envisages a permanent dialogue with the EU. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management began such a dialogue with the European Commission in May 2004 with negotiations on trade preferentials, intensively working on four CARDS projects in 2004 and 2005 as well as defining five new CARDS projects whose realisation will begin in 2006.
The EU offers all types of aid, which increase with the approaching EU membership and the implementation of set goals. Not a single step can be omitted, nor can other paths be taken except the one followed by countries that have now become members. The feasibility study is just one great step through which the European Commission informs its member states that Serbia-Montenegro is a suitable candidate for negotiations on stabilisation and association.
The feasibility study means continuation of financial aid to Serbian agriculture through the CARDS programme and trade preferentials, that is favourable treatment on the EU market, as well as further demanding and patient work of all those employed in the agricultural sector.
It also implies the formal initiation of the process of fulfilment of three economic criteria from the set of Copenhagen Criteria related to all sectors including agriculture:
- the creation and functioning of a market economy capable of integrating into market economies of other member countries; - the ability to withstand competition, in order to prevent the country’s economy from being destroyed through an inflow of imported goods after joining the large free market; - the adjustment to the entire set of EU rules and practices known as acquis communitaire;
In order to fulfil these criteria we have to:
- continue implementing reforms in the area of agriculture; - adopt good laws, compatible with those of the EU, impartially and successfully; - adopt competition regulations harmonised with EU laws because a common market cannot exist without the right of competition applicable to all; - define the dynamics of reduction of custom duties and other levies enabling agricultural manufacturers in Serbia to adapt and be more efficient; - establish transparent and efficient customs and inspection procedures; - raise standards of quality and security so as to have quality and not just low prices as an advantage; - harmonise veterinary and phytosanitary systems with EU systems in order for Serbian agricultural producers to export agricultural goods on a larger scale; - establish an agency for rural development and payments in accordance with the EU capable of conducting agricultural budget payments and active participation in the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy; - secure loans and non-repayable funds so that the agricultural sector will be in a position to invest; - provide a competent advisory service;
The association process envisages a permanent dialogue with the EU. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management began such a dialogue with the European Commission in May 2004 with negotiations on trade preferentials, intensively working on four CARDS projects in 2004 and 2005 as well as defining five new CARDS projects whose realisation will begin in 2006.