Strasbourg, 19/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - With its stabilisation and association agreement with the EU approved by the European Parliament (EP), Serbia has taken a further step forward towards accession to the EU. In adopting the report by Jelko Kacin (ALDE, Slovenia) on Wednesday 19 January, the EP gave the go-ahead to the stabilisation and association agreement (SAA) between the EU and Serbia. The SAA, signed in 2008, seeks to develop trade relations between the EU and this former Yugoslav republic prior to its becoming part of the Union. The SAA has so far been fully ratified by 11 member states and MEPs call on the remainder to pursue ratification without delay. The greatest effort, however, is expected of Belgrade, which is urged to cooperate fully with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).
Dialogue with Kosovo. While welcoming the willingness of Serbia to enter dialogue with Kosovo within an EU framework, MEPs call for the immediate opening of talks between Serbia and Kosovo. The Parliament says that each of the parties has to be committed and ready to compromise to ensure the stability and improve the well-being of the people, and calls for the Serbian parallel bodies in the north of Kosovo, which hinder the decentralisation process and prevent the Serb community from fully integrating in the institutions of Kosovo, to be dismantled.
Visa regime. With Serbian nationals able to travel without visas to any of the Schengen area countries since December 2009, the Serbian authorities have been asked to adopt whatever measures are needed to prevent abuse of the visa exemption system, making sure that Serbian nationals are fully informed of their rights and obligations.
Displaced persons and refugees. Serbia has the highest number of refugees and internally displaced persons in Europe and the situation with regard to housing and poverty is judged to be critical. It is urged, therefore, to do all in its power to find a solution to the refugee problem in the region. As a result of readmission agreements with EU countries, up to 150,000 returnees are expected and their “successful reintegration will require thorough preparations, particularly on the level of local authorities,” MEPs say. (E.H./transl.rt)