The positive assessment of the feasibility study represents an historical event for the Republic of Serbia and the Serbian people because after several decades of stagnation it is confirmation that Serbia is definitely turning towards Europe, the EU, the European community and above all European values. This is an assessment of what the government did in the past year and I would say that this positive assessment of the feasibility study is in fact a positive assessment of this government.
After the positive assessment of the feasibility study, Serbia is making decided steps towards the EU and now it is only a question of time when our country will become part of the European family of nations. However, we still have much to do in order to conclude the agreement on stabilisation and association.
It is important that we have shown ourselves capable of fulfilling certain European standards that are in the best interests of our citizens. I say this because there is sometimes a tendency in the public to assert that we are being forced to do something against our interests. I believe that the introduction of European standards in all key social areas is in the best interest of Serbian citizens.
The positive assessment of the feasibility study was linked in the public with cooperation with the Hague tribunal and I would like to draw attention to the fact that much of the work done in the past year has nothing to do with the Hague tribunal. There is a long list of other things which were done – reforms in the judiciary, economy, social policy and other areas, which were and will continue to be essential conditions regarding EU association.
Cooperation with the Hague tribunal is a small segment of this process and I expect that it will be concluded this year and finally cease to be relevant. I am of the opinion that Serbian citizens are aware that many activities lay ahead, above all related to creating conditions for reducing corruption and dealing with organised crime.
The positive assessment will above all favourably affect employment namely the implementation of the national employment strategy through action plans that will be made after its adoption. I expect that the implementation of the national employment strategy will be a major positive step forward after the positive assessment of the feasibility study.
I would like to underline that one of the aims defined according to the national strategy is the reduction of the unemployment rate in Serbia to 10 percent by 2010. In order to realise this, we have envisaged certain activities as part of the national strategy, and now after this positive assessment we can expect serious and more substantial help in the employment sector than before.
We also expect to achieve important progress in the sector of social protection. Serious reforms of the social protection system in Serbia have been initiated, including a Poverty Reduction Strategy. We also anticipate stronger support and logistical backup in setting up this system, as well as other kinds of support in order to accomplish one of the strategic goals of the government and the Republic of Serbia and that is to drastically reduce poverty in Serbia by 2015.
After the positive assessment of the feasibility study, Serbia is making decided steps towards the EU and now it is only a question of time when our country will become part of the European family of nations. However, we still have much to do in order to conclude the agreement on stabilisation and association.
It is important that we have shown ourselves capable of fulfilling certain European standards that are in the best interests of our citizens. I say this because there is sometimes a tendency in the public to assert that we are being forced to do something against our interests. I believe that the introduction of European standards in all key social areas is in the best interest of Serbian citizens.
The positive assessment of the feasibility study was linked in the public with cooperation with the Hague tribunal and I would like to draw attention to the fact that much of the work done in the past year has nothing to do with the Hague tribunal. There is a long list of other things which were done – reforms in the judiciary, economy, social policy and other areas, which were and will continue to be essential conditions regarding EU association.
Cooperation with the Hague tribunal is a small segment of this process and I expect that it will be concluded this year and finally cease to be relevant. I am of the opinion that Serbian citizens are aware that many activities lay ahead, above all related to creating conditions for reducing corruption and dealing with organised crime.
The positive assessment will above all favourably affect employment namely the implementation of the national employment strategy through action plans that will be made after its adoption. I expect that the implementation of the national employment strategy will be a major positive step forward after the positive assessment of the feasibility study.
I would like to underline that one of the aims defined according to the national strategy is the reduction of the unemployment rate in Serbia to 10 percent by 2010. In order to realise this, we have envisaged certain activities as part of the national strategy, and now after this positive assessment we can expect serious and more substantial help in the employment sector than before.
We also expect to achieve important progress in the sector of social protection. Serious reforms of the social protection system in Serbia have been initiated, including a Poverty Reduction Strategy. We also anticipate stronger support and logistical backup in setting up this system, as well as other kinds of support in order to accomplish one of the strategic goals of the government and the Republic of Serbia and that is to drastically reduce poverty in Serbia by 2015.