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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

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Candidate status for Serbia possibly during French EU presidency

Belgrade/Paris, 12 October 2007

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozdiar Djelic and French State Secretary for European Affairs Jean-Pierre Jouyet said following today’s talks in Paris that France fully supports Serbia’s EU integration.

Author: Tanjug

Djelic said at a joint press conference that Serbia is doing everything in its power to apprehend all Hague indictees, and added that work is underway regarding exchange of information with the Hague tribunal and several witnesses were released from oath of secrecy in order to appear before the court.

He stressed that Hague Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte was provided all documents which she demanded during her visit to Belgrade, and reiterated that when it comes to cooperation with the Hague tribunal it is not the political will of Serbia in question rather the country’s capacities.

Djelic voiced hope that Del Ponte’s report will allow quicker signing of the Stablisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU and said that Jouyet presented a plan according to which Serbia could get candidate status for entering the EU during the French presidency next year.

Djelic said that good will exists to listen to Serbia’s arguments. He added that dates, such as December 10, are not understood to be unalterable, and could be changed if possible.

He said that Serbia will never agree to any form of independence for Kosovo-Metohija, and added that he presented the flexibility of Serbia’s position in negotiations which are being led by the international troika of envoys, in which he sought French support.

Jouyet said that France wishes to “make maximum use of the potential of negotiations within the set deadline”.

He said that it would be better that the issue of Kosovo-Metohija be resolved prior to Serbia’s entry into the EU, but also stressed that this is not a condition for negotiations on EU association, such as concluding cooperation with the Hague tribunal.

Bearing this condition in mind, France fully supports Serbia’s EU association, said Jouyet.

He expressed satisfaction with the fact that the SAA between the EU and Serbia is in the final phase, and emphasised the political will of France for it to be finalised.

Djelic and Jouyet also discussed relaxation of the visa regime with Serbia.

Djelic said that Serbia must fulfill legal, operative and informational conditions, regarding which he informed his collocutors with reforms which Serbia is implementing in this area. We are satisfied to see that there is a pragmatic will regarding this question and there is no wish to block Serbia’s way, rather it is being seen when Serbia will fulfill necessary conditions, said Djelic and expressed the conviction that Serbia will succeed in being included in the White Schengen List during the next 18 to 24 months.

Commenting on bilateral relations, he said that there is excellent cooperation in culture and economy.

Djelic recalled that imports from France into Serbia increased by 30% this year, and Serbia’s exports to France also increased by 40%. He added that Serbia wishes to develop relations with France as much as possible.

He said that he talked about future cooperation with French companies in the domain of infrastructure, and expressed conviction that companies such as the energy company EDF, and France Telecom will soon be among Serbia’s important strategic partners. Djelic said that this would increase investments into Serbian infrastructure.

During the three day visit to France, Djelic will meet with France’s Minister of Immigration and Integration Brice Hortefeux, State Secretary for Foreign Trade Herve Novelli, and will also hold a number of meetings with representatives of the business and economy sector.