Q:
A:
Numerous benefits for Serbia from candidate status for EU membership
Belgrade,
13 January 2011
Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic said that the candidate status for the EU will increase financial support that Serbia receives by 30% or approximately €70 million per year.
Djelic said in an interview with the Ekonomist magazine that this will open the remaining three parts of the European budget that Serbia now has access to – for agriculture, regional development and human capital.
Besides the financial effect, he explained, our country will be invited, without the right to vote of course, to almost all European forums, which will increase its influence within the EU.
The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that there is no guarantee that Serbia will by the end of 2011 get the candidate status for EU membership, but also reiterated that we will do everything to fulfill that goal.
Our ambition is much greater because in addition to candidate status, we want to get a set date for starting negotiations at the December Summit of EU leaders, stressed Djelic.
Setting a date for starting negotiations will largely depend on the arrest of two remaining indictees wanted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the next two reports of ICTY Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz in June and December, he said.
Serbian representatives have made it clear to European partners that the upcoming dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina must not in any way become a condition for European integration of our country.
He reiterated that it is necessary to find a solution for Kosovo-Metohija for Serbia to enter the EU because the EU will not allow membership to a country that has not fully resolved the issue of its sovereignty and borders.
European path is therefore a strong incentive for both Belgrade and Pristina to reach compromise, he noted.
Djelic said that in 2011 no major changes in purchasing power of citizens should be expected and pointed out that the Serbian government is fully aware of economic reality.
High unemployment and poverty associated with it are currently the biggest problem that Serbia is facing, he said.
The average salary in Serbia is at the level of wages in Bulgaria and slightly higher than the wages in Romania, and the aforementioned countries are members of the EU, said Deputy Prime Minister.
Besides the financial effect, he explained, our country will be invited, without the right to vote of course, to almost all European forums, which will increase its influence within the EU.
The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that there is no guarantee that Serbia will by the end of 2011 get the candidate status for EU membership, but also reiterated that we will do everything to fulfill that goal.
Our ambition is much greater because in addition to candidate status, we want to get a set date for starting negotiations at the December Summit of EU leaders, stressed Djelic.
Setting a date for starting negotiations will largely depend on the arrest of two remaining indictees wanted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the next two reports of ICTY Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz in June and December, he said.
Serbian representatives have made it clear to European partners that the upcoming dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina must not in any way become a condition for European integration of our country.
He reiterated that it is necessary to find a solution for Kosovo-Metohija for Serbia to enter the EU because the EU will not allow membership to a country that has not fully resolved the issue of its sovereignty and borders.
European path is therefore a strong incentive for both Belgrade and Pristina to reach compromise, he noted.
Djelic said that in 2011 no major changes in purchasing power of citizens should be expected and pointed out that the Serbian government is fully aware of economic reality.
High unemployment and poverty associated with it are currently the biggest problem that Serbia is facing, he said.
The average salary in Serbia is at the level of wages in Bulgaria and slightly higher than the wages in Romania, and the aforementioned countries are members of the EU, said Deputy Prime Minister.
-
Belgrade, 29 October 2024State moves to minimise advertising for betting shops
-
Belgrade/Berlin, 28 January 2016Fences cannot stop migrations
-
Belgrade, 7 January 2016Serbia to experience dynamic economic growth in 2016
-
Belgrade, 31 December 2015Serbia will persevere on path of development, reforms
-
Belgrade, 30 December 2015Ground for Serbia’s progress set
-
Belgrade, 28 December 2015
Serbia ready for improvement of cooperation with Russia
-
Belgrade, 22 December 2015Serbia ready to open six more chapters next year
-
Belgrade, 21 December 2015Serbia to be part of EU by 2020
-
Belgrade, 20 December 2015Serbia ready for EU membership by 2019
-
Belgrade, 16 December 2015Chapter 35 not substitute for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue