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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbia to acquire EU candidate status next year

Belgrade, 8 November 2008

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Ivica Dacic said yesterday following the EU ministerial forum in Zagreb that Serbia can acquire EU candidate status and visa liberalisation next year, depending on the ability and readiness of the Serbian government.

Having participated in the “Judiciary and Interior Affairs – EU and the Western Balkans" forum held on November 6 and 7 in Zagreb, Dacic said that he had had several bilateral meetings with European Commission representatives.

He said that he met with Director General for Justice, Freedom and Security Jonathan Faull and the Interior Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, the next country in line to preside over the EU, from January 1, 2009.

The Minister stressed that Serbia’s progress regarding its judiciary was commended, he also announced that another meeting with EU officials will be held by the end of 2008.

According to him various EU missions are to arrive in Serbia during 2009, to monitor the implementation of new laws, regulations and practices.

He stressed that biometric passports are of top importance for visa regime liberalisation.

Dacic added that another meeting will be held in Sarajevo by the end of the month, adding that the Czech Republic is to hold meetings with the Interior Ministers of neighbouring countries in 2009.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his expectation that Serbia, together with the Czech Republic, will liberalise visa regime.

He added that he agreed with the French Ministers that representatives of the Serbian Ministry of Interior will visit France in order to exchange experiences regarding immigration and other interior issues.

Dacic stressed that he expects further negotiations with Croatian and Bosnia-Herzegovina officials on police cooperation, announcing that he will visit Zagreb again in the following weeks.