Brussels, 06/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 5 May, Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle highlighted three key priorities for Serbia in the coming months - economic governance and reforms to strengthen the Serbian economy; the rule of law, including the fight against corruption and the reform of public administration; and the continued commitment to normalisation of relations with Pristina, regional cooperation and reconciliation. The European and Serbian sides therefore discussed the implementation of the agreement with Belgrade and its relationship with chapter 35 (other issues).
Füle stated that Belgrade has made impressive progress on the path of European integration. In his view, while ten years ago at the time of the 2004 EU enlargement, “the integration of Serbia into the EU seemed a very distant project, today it's a very clear outlook. And I'm fully convinced that Serbia has the ability to make this outlook a reality quite quickly”.
Füle therefore announced that he expected Serbia's action plans on chapters 23 (judiciary and fundamental rights) and 24 (justice, freedom and security) to be presented under the Greek Presidency - in other words, before the end of June. “We have discussed how to interact so that later this year Serbia can deliver these action plans so that we can open these chapters soon at the beginning of 2015”, he told press.
Elsewhere, Füle summed up the progress on the screening process. The screening of seven chapters has already been concluded and seven others are at different stages. “By the end of the Greek Presidency (30 June) we should have 18 chapters [out of the 35 negotiation chapters] either already examined or in the process of being so”, he said. “This impressive number proves the administrative capacity and political resolve to progress on the reforms”, he said. Füle stated that the EU was fully committed to helping Belgrade with the necessary reforms, with technical expertise and targeted financial support.
Serbia hopes for opening of first chapters in October. On its side, according the website of the Serbian government, the prime minister hoped that the first chapter of the negotiations might be opened in October, “including chapters 32 (financial control) and 35 (other issues), followed by discussions on chapters 23 and 24”. “I believe that we have managed to convince them through our responsible and serious approach that Serbia can (…) accomplish its share of the work by 2019”, he added, implying possible accession by this date.
High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton went to Belgrade on 28 April, following the appointment of the new Serbian government (see EUROPE 11069). (CG)