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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

SAA contributes to Serbia’s policy on Kosovo-Metohija

Belgrade, 29 December 2007

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic said today that the text of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) initialled with the EU contributes to Belgrade’s policy on Kosovo-Metohija and is in complete accordance with the Resolution on protection of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order of Serbia.

File photo of Bozidar Djelic

Author: Tanjug

In an interview for the news agency Tanjug, Djelic pointed to the fact that it is precisely by signing the SAA that we are fighting for Kosovo-Metohija and a strong, stable Serbia. He added that in the preamble of this document it is sought from Serbia and the EU to respect international law, the UN Charter, principles of the OSCE and the Helsinki Final Act.

It is demanded that these documents which are fundamental to the defence of Serbia’s territorial integrity should be respected, said Djelic and added that this means the SAA through the preamble explicitly supports defence of Serbia’s territorial integrity.

According to Djelic, article 135 of this agreement mentions that part of Serbia – Kosovo-Metohija – is under international supervision according to the UN SC Resolution 1244, and Serbia insists upon implementation of this resolution and in no way does it prejudice the solution to the issue of the status of the province.

The agreement clearly states that negotiating sides, which are all members of the EU, or the European Commission, must resolve the status issue in accordance with the Resolution 1244, and this resolution it self at three points establishes the sovereignty of Serbia over Kosovo-Metohija, said Djelic.

Speaking about suggestions by the international community that the EU could send a civilian mission to Kosovo-Metohija despite Serbia’s opposition, the Deputy Prime Minister said that any such mission would have to be approved by a Security Council resolution.

He said that Serbia’s aim is to sign the SAA by the end of January, and added that various statements made and conclusions reached at the EU Summit held in December indicate that Serbia is expected to give full cooperation to the Hague Tribunal.

Services which are entrusted with cooperation with the tribunal are doing their work and everyone is making efforts to prove dedication to successfully concluding cooperation with the tribunal, which includes arresting and handing over of indictees who are still at large, said the Deputy Prime Minister.

Djelic expressed expectation that if there is consensus within the EU the SAA could be signed by January 28 in Brussels at the regular meeting of the EU council, at the foreign minister level.

According to Djelic, implementation of the economic part will begin the moment the agreement is signed, which is of the greatest importance for Serbia, since it will be the clearest possible signal to all businesspeople in the country and abroad that Serbia is going in the direction which is predictable, stable and safe for investments.

Above all, it is important that Serbian citizens feel secure, that they see new jobs being created and work done on liberalisation of the visa regime so that we could all travel within Europe without limitations, explained Djelic.

He said that the upcoming year could be without comparison in the history of any country’s association with the EU, since Serbia expects to acquire candidate status within a mere 11 months from signing the SAA.

He recalled that Serbia’s action plan envisages that by the end of June the country answers an EU questionnaire consisting of nearly 4,000 questions and to complete the national plan for harmonisation with EU legislation, so that by the end of 2008 it could officially become a candidate for EU membership.

In the framework of the European agenda, Serbia’s goal is also to get included in the White Schengen List, which would allow Serbian citizens visa free travel to countries signatory to the Schengen Agreement, said Djelic and added that one of the measures which is part of this goal is issuance of new passports, which will begin at the latest by April 9.

Speaking about the distribution of EU funds from the IPA, from which a sum of nearly €1 billion has been approved to Serbia until 2011, Djelic said that this non-repayable assistance will be used for various development projects.

He said that among others there is also the modernisation of emergency medical services in which some €10 million is to be invested; nearly €40 million will be set aside for development of local infrastructure, €2.5 million in anticorruption and more than €10 million for professional requalification of citizens.

He said that EU information centres will be opened in cities in Serbia, so that citizens and institutions are acquainted with the manner in which EU funds function and make it possible for them to apply for these funds.