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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Political agreement with EU – contract on Serbia’s European future

Brussels, 29 January 2008

Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic stated last night that the political agreement which the EU offered Serbia is in fact a contract for a European future comprising the key elements of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), as well as other elements beyond the SAA.

File photo of Vuk Jeremic

Author: Tanjug

In a statement to the Tanjug news agency following a meeting with EU top officials in Brussels, Jeremic explained that these other elements which go further than the SAA are visa regime liberalisation, cooperation in education and other issues, and ultimately EU membership.

This is all part of the agreement on political cooperation that has been offered to Serbia. Serbia must make a choice in a democratic manner and it is up to Serbian citizens to choose whether they want their place in the EU. I am certain they will choose all the good things arising from our EU membership, as well as opt for us to be where all other European nations are, stressed the Minister.

He noted that the EU voted unanimously for Serbia’s EU entry and it is now up to Serbia to decide democratically whether it will accept the offer to become part of the European family.

Yesterday was a very hard day from a diplomatic point of view, but we made a diplomatic breakthrough and achieved a consensus in the EU, which stood behind the offer for Serbia’s EU membership, said Jeremic.

According to him, the text of the agreement which the EU offered Serbia bears the signatures of all 27 member countries and the only signature still missing is Serbia’s.

He also pointed out that European diplomats clearly stated they are awaiting the outcome of presidential elections in Serbia scheduled for February 3, and stressed that the EU has made an offer to Serbia and is now awaiting the response on February 3.

At a joint press conference with EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security Javier Solana, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn and Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dimitri Rupel, Jeremic voiced hope that Serbian citizens will choose a European road that will enable the signing of a temporary political agreement on February 7, which the EU has offered to authorities in Belgrade.

This agreement is in fact an invitation to Serbia to join the European family of nations. The fact that the signing has been scheduled for February 7 makes a lot of sense because you cannot step through the European door unless you really want to, said the Minister.

According to him, the people of Serbia will have the opportunity to democratically choose whether they want to step through the door which the EU opened yesterday.

He voiced belief that Serbian citizens will opt for the European road and that after February 3 Serbia will be in a position to go to Brussels again on February 7 and sign this crucial agreement offered to Serbia by 27 states.