Brussels, 12/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - Noting the progress made by Serbia and Kosovo in their reforms and also in their dialogue, the European Council called on the European Commission and the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, on 11 December, to prepare two separate reports on Serbia and Kosovo for next spring so that they can be assessed before 30 June - under the Irish Presidency - with a view to possibly opening negotiations. The ministers said that if the assessments are positive, the member states will call on the Commission to put forward proposals for an accession negotiation framework with Serbia and an analytical examination of the acquis communautaire, and to give negotiating directives for the stabilisation and association agreement with Kosovo, without prejudice on its status.
The ministers underline the key priority of a sustainable and visible improvement in the relationship between the two countries and the continuation of the dialogue, and they call for fresh progress. “A visible and sustainable improvement in relations between Serbia and Kosovo is needed so that both countries can continue on their respective European paths”, the ministers state. Congratulating the Serbian and Kosovan prime ministers on their engagement in the dialogue, the EU ministers hailed the initial results and expect the two parties to continue and to accelerate their work on all aspects of their relationship. The ministers also called on Belgrade and Pristina to cooperate with the EULEX mission.
Yet besides good neighbourly relations, the countries must also progress in their reforms. The Council stated that Serbia is continuing on its way to fulfilling sufficiently the political criteria and the conditions of the stabilisation and association agreement process. While noting the progress made on judicial reform, the Council encourages Belgrade to “reinvigorate, further develop and implement the reform agenda”, particularly in the areas of the rule of law, the independence of key institutions, and further improving the business environment. It also called for special attention to the protection of minorities. “Serbia should also continue to constructively engage in regional cooperation and strengthen relations with neighbouring countries”, the ministers added.
Kosovo must accelerate its reforms and make progress on a certain number of key sectors - including reform of public administration and consolidation of the rule of law, especially in the fight against organised crime and corruption, and reform in justice and the freedom of expression. Recalling that the EU wants to contribute to the economic and political development of Kosovo by giving it a clear European perspective, the Council welcomed the Commission's endeavours to negotiate a framework agreement with Kosovo on its participation in EU programmes. (CG/transl.fl)