Q:
A:
Serbia’s EU entry a realistic goal
Belgrade,
29 March 2011
EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule addressed Serbian MPs today stating that Serbia’s arrival to where it belongs, namely in the European family of nations, is a realistic goal within its grasp.
Stefan Fule
Author:
Fonet
Speaking at the Serbian Parliament, Fule stressed that the invitation to address Serbian MPs was a special honour to him and an indicator of the importance which Serbia ascribes to its European future.
He observed that the European Commission’s opinion is a perfect opportunity to move to the next stage, namely the acquisition of candidate status and setting the date for the commencement of talks.
Serbia received a road map, a report determining key priorities which the government incorporated in its Action Plan, and which should now be realised, he recalled.
Fule reiterated that one of the priorities is Serbia’s full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague, noting that this is not only an international, but also a moral obligation. He added that this will be critical to the conclusions which are part of the Commission’s opinion and are important for the decision of all 27 members.
Speaking about priorities, he said that one of them is judicial reform, which will be completed in line with European standards because the citizens of Serbia deserve an independent and impartial judiciary capable of combating corruption and organised crime.
The EU appreciates the beginning of this reform, Fule stressed, pointing out that there are shortcomings, but they are being dealt with and the re-election of holders of judicial functions is to be analysed.
Fight against organised crime and corruption is a priority, Fule said, adding that it takes time to round up the legal framework and make sure there are no grey zones.
He stated it is necessary to pass a bill on financing political parties, in line with EU standards, and a new anti-corruption strategy.
Special attention must be paid to public procurements, as this remit is highly susceptible to corruption, Fule noted.
Full political and financial support to institutions tasked with law implementation is necessary, as well as improvement of their coordination.
Fule underlined that another priority is the change in election legislature, as a basis of transparent democracy, which includes the abolishment of blank resignation letters. He also added that full respect of the sequence of candidates on election lists is necessary because citizens must elect their representatives freely and they must know who they are voting for.
Independent regulatory bodies must be enabled to function properly, legal ambiguities must be resolved and the security of property rights and human rights and freedoms must be ensured, the Commissioner observed.
He recalled that these interior reforms must be implemented over the following weeks and months.
In order to ensure a positive opinion, it is crucial to meet the political criteria, while another significant element is the development in terms of regional cooperation and Kosovo-Metohija, Fule stressed.
In this sense, we appreciate the positive spirit in which the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina was initiated. We would like to see positive steps on the road to meeting the everyday needs of residents in Kosovo, he said.
Fule stressed that special efforts should be invested in the search for sustainable solutions for the inclusion of refugees and IDPs.
Elaborating on the key challenges Serbia is faced with, Fule said that the situation is not easy, especially when so many questions must be resolved in a short period.
The EU is confident that Serbia can achieve this and it is not alone in this undertaking, as the EU is here to offer its expertise, financial backing and guidelines, Fule declared.
Ambassador of the EU delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert and a number of ambassadors from European countries also attended the session.
He observed that the European Commission’s opinion is a perfect opportunity to move to the next stage, namely the acquisition of candidate status and setting the date for the commencement of talks.
Serbia received a road map, a report determining key priorities which the government incorporated in its Action Plan, and which should now be realised, he recalled.
Fule reiterated that one of the priorities is Serbia’s full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague, noting that this is not only an international, but also a moral obligation. He added that this will be critical to the conclusions which are part of the Commission’s opinion and are important for the decision of all 27 members.
Speaking about priorities, he said that one of them is judicial reform, which will be completed in line with European standards because the citizens of Serbia deserve an independent and impartial judiciary capable of combating corruption and organised crime.
The EU appreciates the beginning of this reform, Fule stressed, pointing out that there are shortcomings, but they are being dealt with and the re-election of holders of judicial functions is to be analysed.
Fight against organised crime and corruption is a priority, Fule said, adding that it takes time to round up the legal framework and make sure there are no grey zones.
He stated it is necessary to pass a bill on financing political parties, in line with EU standards, and a new anti-corruption strategy.
Special attention must be paid to public procurements, as this remit is highly susceptible to corruption, Fule noted.
Full political and financial support to institutions tasked with law implementation is necessary, as well as improvement of their coordination.
Fule underlined that another priority is the change in election legislature, as a basis of transparent democracy, which includes the abolishment of blank resignation letters. He also added that full respect of the sequence of candidates on election lists is necessary because citizens must elect their representatives freely and they must know who they are voting for.
Independent regulatory bodies must be enabled to function properly, legal ambiguities must be resolved and the security of property rights and human rights and freedoms must be ensured, the Commissioner observed.
He recalled that these interior reforms must be implemented over the following weeks and months.
In order to ensure a positive opinion, it is crucial to meet the political criteria, while another significant element is the development in terms of regional cooperation and Kosovo-Metohija, Fule stressed.
In this sense, we appreciate the positive spirit in which the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina was initiated. We would like to see positive steps on the road to meeting the everyday needs of residents in Kosovo, he said.
Fule stressed that special efforts should be invested in the search for sustainable solutions for the inclusion of refugees and IDPs.
Elaborating on the key challenges Serbia is faced with, Fule said that the situation is not easy, especially when so many questions must be resolved in a short period.
The EU is confident that Serbia can achieve this and it is not alone in this undertaking, as the EU is here to offer its expertise, financial backing and guidelines, Fule declared.
Ambassador of the EU delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert and a number of ambassadors from European countries also attended the session.
-
Belgrade, 13 August 2025High level of understanding, agreement between Serbia, Austria
-
Belgrade, 13 May 2025Serbia's sincere, firm commitment to European path, reforms and dialogue
-
Belgrade, 13 May 2025Vučić welcomes European Council President in front of Palace of Serbia
-
Belgrade, 16 April 2025New Serbian government voted in
-
Belgrade, 15 April 2025Building unity through dialogue, tolerance, respect for value system
-
Belgrade, 14 April 2025National Assembly speaker convenes session on government election
-
Belgrade, 6 April 2025Đuro Macut nominated as prime minister-designate
-
Belgrade, 2 April 2025Positive trend in growth of trade exchange with UK
-
Belgrade, 19 March 2025Parliament confirms resignation of Prime Minister Miloš Vučević
-
Belgrade, 12 March 2025Vučić welcomes President of Burundi in front of Palace of Serbia