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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbia may get EU candidate status by end-2008

Belgrade, 3 January 2008

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic gave an interview for today’s edition of the Vecernje Novosti daily and said that Serbia will sign the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU on January 28 and get candidate status by end-2008.

The Serbian government’s official web site gives excerpts of the interview.

What awaits Serbia in 2008 from the political and economic aspects?

First of all, we will strive to have Serbia’s territorial integrity recognised this year as well and to solve the issue of Kosovo-Metohija in a compromised manner at the UN Security Council in line with international law. I expect that on January 28 we will sign the SAA and by the end of the year get the candidate status for the European family of nations. Thus, the EU integration process will become irreversible and no one will ever question the determination of 70% of Serbian citizens to get membership in the EU.

What is the first indicator of Serbia’s road towards Europe?

The Agreement on Visa Relaxations, which came into force on January 1, is of great importance for Serbian citizens. Visas will be more accessible to people who have families abroad, students, scientific workers and businesspeople, however, our goal is to abolish the visa regime with the EU, which may be possible already in late 2008. We will get Serbian passports in April and that is also very significant!

Investments in 2008:

I expect €3–4 billion in 2008. The condition is that Serbia signs the SAA and gives a clear signal that it is a country favourable for investments which offers a stable legal and systemic framework for doing business.

How will an average Serbian citizen live in 2008?

Better than in 2007. The average salary in Serbia is around €350, whereas in Bulgaria, which is an EU member, it is €220. Our citizens can now make long-term plans. We have had a real boom in housing loans, particularly after the tax on the first flat was abolished. We must carry out more improvements, but the fact is that life in Serbia today is better than before.

The possibility that Serbia’s EU candidacy is offered in exchange for Kosovo-Metohija:

The solution to the Kosovo-Metohija status and EU integration are two separate processes. No one can trade Kosovo-Metohija and nothing can be offered to Serbia in return for the province.

Where will Serbia be at the end of this year?

It will be an EU candidate country and on the road to become an economic leader in the region. The growth will be the same as last year, around 7%, and the inflation somewhat lower. Salaries and pensions, which will go up by 12% this month, will continue to grow. As of 2008, Serbia will begin using non-refundable aid of €1 billion from the EU pre-accession fund, which can be used for development projects by 2011. Once we get the EU candidate status, these funds will increase considerably.

On the Stabilisation and Association Agreement:

Our goal is to sign the SAA at the next meeting with EU heads of diplomacy on January 28. This agreement is very important for our country and in the best interest of Serbian citizens. Once we sign it, we will get trade benefits, the opportunity to place veal, wine and sugar in the EU market. For the first time we will have our trademark, plum brandy “Serbian Slivovitz”.

On concluding cooperation with the Hague Tribunal:

I expect that the Hague issue will be finally behind us. What’s more, I hope that all countries in the region will more honestly enter the process of permanent reconciliation.