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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbia urges EU to stop setting new accession requirements

Belgrade, 7 November 2008

Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic today stated that the European Commission’s report on Serbia’s progress has affirmed for the first time that Serbia can acquire EU candidate status during 2009 if it meets the necessary preconditions such as full cooperation with the Hague tribunal.

Pierre Mirel and Bozidar Djelic

Author: Tanjug

At a joint press conference with Director of the EU Enlargement Directorate for the Western Balkans Pierre Mirel, Djelic said that the report affirms that Serbia can be included in the Schengen “white list” next year it implements administrative reforms.

The Minister stressed that according to the European Commission the global financial crisis will not affect the provision of non-refundable loans to Serbia worth €1 billion from the EU pre-accession funds for the period 2007–2013.

According to Djelic the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank will allocate €500 million of favourable loans for infrastructure in the Western Balkans, above all in Serbia.

The European Commission affirmed that Serbia is to start implementing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU on January 1, while the EU will also do so, as soon as the tribunal’s Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz affirms that Serbia is fully cooperating with the Hague tribunal.

Djelic added that Serge Brammertz will probably report that Serbia is fully cooperating with the Hague tribunal if it makes concrete moves regarding the Ratko Mladic case.

Djelic expressed hope that Serbia and the international community will find an acceptable solution regarding the EULEX mission in Kosovo before the UN Security Council session, adding that negotiations in this respect are to be held at the UN.

Serbia will continue its policy of preserving territorial integrity in peaceful, diplomatic ways and will never recognise Kosovo's independence, stressed Djelic, reiterating that Serbia wants to speed up the EU integration process.

He also announced that Serbia will continue negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation during the weekend, while the final meeting will be held on November 10, followed by a press conference on November 11.

According to Djelic, it is in Serbia’s interest to obtain the IMF’s support, since it will mean that Serbia is a hospitable environment for investment and it is also an opportunity for obtaining additional EU funds.

Djelic added that the agreement between Serbia and the IMF ensures the EU’s macro financial support to Serbia.

Having submitted the European Commission’s report to the Serbian government today, Mirel stressed that the EU will not set any additional preconditions for Serbia's EU integration.

He pointed out that the report puts great emphasis on the visa issue and affirms that EU members will be recommended to abolish visas for every country in the Western Balkans, depending on the amount of progress they have each made.

According to the report, EU enlargement is of top importance for stability in the region and the rest of Europe, and it will not be affected by the global financial crisis.

He said that the EU accepted Serbia’s terms regarding the EULEX mission in Kosovo, adding that it has to be accepted by the UN Security Council, be status-neutral and not based on the Ahtisaari plan.

According to him, it is of top importance to reach an agreement in order to deploy the EULEX mission in Kosovo to the benefit of all Kosovo inhabitants.

Mirel also pointed out that the European Commission assessed that the rule of law and the judiciary are very weak in Kosovo, therefore it is up to EULEX to make it stronger and protect all citizens, above all national minorities.