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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbia to sign agreements on visa relaxations, readmission by mid September in Brussels

Belgrade, 13 August 2007

Director of the Serbian government’s EU Integration Office Tanja Miscevic said that Serbia should sign the agreements on visa relaxations and readmission by the middle of September in Brussels.

Tanja Miscevic

In a statement to the news agency Tanjug, Miscevic said that these agreements should be signed by September 17 or 18, in the margins of the meeting of ministers of interior of the West Balkans, and stressed that these agreements will be signed on behalf of Serbia by Serbian Minister of Interior Dragan Jocic who led the Serbian negotiation team in the process.

That means implementation of visa relaxations for Serbian citizens and other countries of West Balkans, and also the functioning of a single agreement on readmission with the EU countries, said Miscevic, expressing expectation that the agreements will come into force from January 1, 2008.

According to Miscevic, consent by 27 EU member countries and approval by the European Parliament is a procedural requirement for the signing of the two agreements.

Until the beginning of implementation these agreements should also be ratified in Serbian parliament, she said, recalling that the agreement on visa relaxations is the first step towards establishing a visa free regime with the EU.

Miscevic added that the quality of its implementation is important due to the assessment of Serbia’s eligibility for the White Schengen List, recalling that visa relaxations imply cheaper visas, reduction of necessary documents, and a quicker procedure for issuance of a visa.

The relaxations are envisaged for journalists, experts, state administration, youth, participants in sports and cultural activities, and also for those who wish to visit family members working in the EU, she said.

Miscevic said that the single agreement on readmission legally regulates the issue of accepting responsibility for all citizens of the West Balkan countries who are residing in EU countries illegally.

According to Miscevic, in Serbia’s case it is estimated that the agreement will apply to nearly 150,000 people who will return according to the procedure established.

Miscevic explained that Serbia, according to this agreement, apart from taking responsibility for Serbian citizens will also be accountable for citizens of other countries who entered the EU through its territory.