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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Two thirds of Serbian citizens support EU integration

Belgrade, 18 June 2009

Director of the EU Integration Office Milica Delevic today stated that almost 61% of Serbian citizens support Serbia’s EU integration.

Milica Delevic

Author: Fonet

At a press conference presenting the results of the survey concerning Serbian citizens’ stance regarding Serbia’s EU integration, carried out in May, Delevic said that although some decrease has been recorded, a majority of citizens still believe that Serbia’s future lies within the EU.

She said that 17% of citizens would vote against Serbia’s EU membership and 14% would refrain from voting at the moment.

According to the survey 82% of citizens believe that visa liberalisation is of great importance for our country, 10% think that it is not important at all and 8% do not have any opinion on the issue.

Delevic explained that that since last December nothing has changed but since 2002 citizens’ support for Serbia’s EU integration has fallen to the lowest level.

The greatest support was recorded in December 2003, she said.

As for the average speed of Serbia’s EU integration process on a scale of 1–7, citizens believe that Serbia is moving towards the EU with an average speed of 2.6 and should move much faster, i.e. 4.7.

A majority of Serbian citizens, 76% of them, are aware that cooperation with the Hague tribunal is a condition for EU integration while 21% think that the Kosovo issue is an obstacle.

A total of 66% citizens think that the EU will impose new conditions for Serbia while 24% said that the conditions are clearly defined, she said noting that 11% gave no answer.

Delevic said that 17% hope that visas will be abolished this year, 27% think this will happen in 2010, 20% think this will take place in 2011 while 12% think that visas will be never be abolished.

49% said visa liberalisation matters to them while 33% said visa abolition is not important while 85% said they did not travel to the Schengen zone last year.

52% expect that life in the EU will make life better for the young, 44% expect better employment, and 40% hope to travel to the EU, while 30% see EU integration as a chance to settle the situation in Serbia.