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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbian National Strategy draft for EU accession presented

Belgrade, 3 June 2005

Special advisor with the Serbian government’s EU Integration Office Milica Djilas stated today at the presentation of the Serbian National Strategy draft for Serbia-Montenegro’s EU accession that obligations towards the EU should be placed within a broader context, that is the development of society in Serbia.

Author: Tanjug

At a gathering held at the Palace Hotel in Belgrade, it was underlined that the fulfilment of Serbia’s obligations in the process of EU accession is important above all because of the country’s overall development.

Djilas explained that the Strategy offers a development course for Serbia in the next few years and said that this document should clarify what obligations and tasks lay ahead for Serbian politicians and citizens on the path towards the EU.

According to her, most citizens in Serbia are in favour of EU accession, but they largely do not know what awaits them in the process of European integrations. She explained that this is why only a small number of citizens support the specific moves that the country must undertake in order to join the EU.

Djilas reminded that this document was created with an incomplete constitutional framework in Serbia and problems related to the functioning of the state union. She pointed out that one of the basic political conditions for EU accession is the adoption of the new Serbian Constitution, without which a series of other conditions cannot be fulfilled. She added that this Strategy implies a national consensus on joining the EU.

Expert advisor with the EU Integration Office Vladimir Todorovic said that the experience of other countries shows that political conditions are more important than economic ones in the process of EU accession. The most important political conditions that must be fulfilled include the adoption of a new constitution, reform of the judiciary and the security sector, continuing the fight against corruption and strengthening the capacity of legislative authorities.

According to him, the issue of cooperation with the Hague tribunal is slowly becoming a part of the past and people are more interested in other aspects and obstacles on the path towards the EU.

Regarding economic preconditions, the Strategy states that Serbia has a low gross national income, unemployment is around 30 percent, and that the economy is not sufficiently competitive. It also notes a balance of payments deficit, a backwards technological situation in the country and that poverty affects 20 percent of the population.

For overcoming this situation the Strategy prescribes the development of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), a reduction in the trade deficit, and the need to achieve an annual inflation rate of about 5 percent and an annual growth rate of 6 percent.

The presentation of the National Strategy draft was held as part of the project of regular talks with media representatives initiated by the EU Integration Office and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and aimed at preparing the public for the commencement of negotiations on the stabilisation and association agreement with the EU.