Brussels, 16/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission judged 2013 as “a historic year” for relations between the European Union and Serbia, with the decision to open accession negotiations on 28 June and the entry into force of the stabilisation and association agreement (SAA) on 1 September.
The first SAA Council will take place on 21 October.
While Serbia has taken important measures to stabilise its relations with Kosovo, the Commission reiterates in its 2013 progress report that “continued visible and sustainable progress in the normalisation of relations with Kosovo, including the agreements reached so far, will remain essential”. “It is important that Serbia continues to encourage wide participation of Kosovo Serbs in the forthcoming local elections in Kosovo” on 3 November, the Commission adds.
Similarly, the Commission states that Serbia “has reinvigorated the momentum of reforms” with, inter alia, the adoption of action plans in the areas of justice, the fight against corruption and against discrimination, and the decriminalisation of defamation. However, Serbia will have to sustain over time the reform momentum in “key areas” of the rule of law - judicial reform, anti-corruption policy, the independence of key institutions including the judicial apparatus, and reform of the public administration. The same goes for the freedom of the media, anti-discrimination policy, the protection of minorities (LGBT and Roma) and the business environment. In addition, Belgrade must agree to make significant efforts to restructure its economy.
Serbia continued to focus on aligning with EU legislation, with inter alia the updating of the national plan for the adoption of the acquis. However, “it will be important that Serbia redoubles its efforts to align with the EU legislation with particular attention to the effective implementation of adopted legislation”, the report stipulates. (CG/transl.fl)