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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Conference in Brussels marks beginning of liberalised visa regime for Serbian citizens

Belgrade/Brussels, 30 November 2006

Serbian Minister of Interior Dragan Jocic said today that the ministerial conference on visa relaxations which was held today in Brussels is the first step towards a completely liberalised visa regime for Serbian citizens.

Jocic, who is leading the Serbian team in negotiations with the EU on visa relaxations, said in a statement to the news agency Tanjug that it was concluded in today’s conference that Serbian citizens consider a strict visa regime an injustice and a complication.

He said that the Serbian team pointed to the fact that it is necessary that Serbia and the EU make joint efforts to allow Serbian citizens freedom of movement and travel to EU countries, adding that freedom, security and justice are the heritage of all citizens of Europe.

According to Jocic, the conference which was presided over by European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security Franco Frattini is the first step towards a medium-term plan, which is a visa free travel regime for Serbian citizens.

Jocic added that this meeting was also scheduled because Serbia and other countries of the West Balkans fulfilled an important part of the conditions which were established in 2003 in Thessaloniki, and they are above all, fight against organised crime and corruption, to establish rule of law and secure documents and the withdrawal of armed forces from borders.

He said that the fight against corruption and organised crime has been initiated in Serbia and is continuing. He added that cooperation with other West Balkan countries has been established which is extraordinarily important for Europe as it creates a secure entity.

Jocic recalled that the Serbian police have taken over security of borders from the Serbian army, except on the border with Montenegro, and expressed expectation that the process will be finished by the end of the year.

The Minister said that soon the preparation of new identity cards and passports with biometric data which cannot be forged will begin in Serbia.

Jocic said that a law on travel documents should be adopted, which must be one of the first issues to be dealt with by the new Serbian parliament after elections, so that new secure documents can be issued.

He said that laws on asylum and borders should also be adopted, adding that this was impossible thus far due to the dysfunction of the former state union of Serbia and Montenegro.

Jocic concluded that today’s ministerial conference on beginning negotiations on visa relaxations and yesterday’s invitation to Serbia to enter the Partnership for Peace programme present a recognition of work done by the Serbian government and the country in general.