Brussels, 28/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - The report by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and by the European Commission on high level dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo and on Belgrade's political and economic reforms is due to be presented to the Council on 16 April. This announcement was made on 27 February by the deputy director general of DG Enlargement at the European Commission, Jooste Korte, during a conference with the former Serbian president, Boris Tadic.
Korte said that one can but be optimistic about the second part of the report on the country's economic and social reforms, adding that the government has put forward quite a long list of significant reforms taken or due to be taken in the near future. He also pointed out that a key condition is the sustainable and visible improvement in relations with Kosovo, with which Serbia has begun dialogue under the auspices of the EU.
Korte expressed the hope that the report would recommend that a date be set for opening talks, adding that the Commission is very keen on the Council setting a date for the talks. He stated how optimistic he felt, while adding that nothing has yet been decided; nothing is clear for now. However, what has happened to date can make a real contribution to the possibility of finding a decision on opening talks during the European Council of 27 June 2013, Korte added.
The Council on 11 December last called in its conclusions for the European Commission and High Representative Ashton to prepare a report on Serbia for this spring, for evaluation by 30 June, with a view to the possible opening of membership negotiations (see EUROPE 10750). (CG/transl.jl)