Brussels, 02/12/2004 (Agence Europe) - The Vice Prime Minister of Serbia and Montenegro, Miroljub Labus told the press in Brussels on Thursday that he was pleased with the "progress" made by his country and the "new dynamic" that characterises its relations with the European Union. Mr Labus nonetheless acknowledged that there was a recurrent obstacle to his country's European integration: its lack of cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). After meeting the German Christian Democrat, Doris Pack, who chairs the EP delegation for relations with South East Europe, and Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, Mr Labus was to meet the coordinator for the Stability Pact for South East Europe, Erhard Busek, and Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hubner, as well as EU High Representative for CFSP Javier Solana.
Relations between Serbia-Montenegro and the EU have "new, positive and dynamic" energy and "I trust that we shall not miss this opportunity (…) offering us" a framework for possible EU membership, Mr Labus told the press. In this context, meetings are scheduled in Belgrade in January, especially the visit by Commissioner Rehn and an EPD (Enhanced Parliament Dialogue) mission, he announced. Furthermore, the textile agreement "will be ready next week" and "we are close to a settlement in the sugar affair". Mr Labus was also pleased to note "progress concerning the visa regime", which is a positive message to citizens. Generally speaking, Serbia-Montenegro has made considerable "progress" on the road to political and economic reforms although there is still "some political friction" weighing on these efforts. Another reason for Mr Labus being pleased is the fact that the Balkans are now under the Directorate General (DG) for Enlargement at the European Commission, instead of the DG for External Relations. This, he believes, is a "very clear commitment on the part of Brussels allowing the Balkan States to become candidates tomorrow and finally members of the EU", as soon as they met the conditions set. His only hope is that the EU's "double approach" policy toward his country will remain "an intermediary solution" and that, "from 2007 on", one may return to a single approach.
In addition to these reasons for being pleased, Mr Labus was compelled to admit that the lack of cooperation on the part of Serbia-Montenegro with the ICTY, constantly slammed by the international community, remains a serious obstacle to European integration. "I agree there must be full cooperation with the ICTY", he admitted, assuring that his country was convinced of this need. Although Serbia-Montenegro has made "considerable progress" in several aspects of its cooperation with the ICTY, mainly by assuring the transfer of documents to The Hague and by offering legal protection to persons giving evidence before the ICTY, a great deal remains to be done regarding the transfer of fugitives to the Court. This is a "burden" for Serbia and Montenegro and "if we remove this burden, our membership to the EU will be speedier than hoped", the Serb Vice Prime Minister said. "Do not be surprised if there are good results in the near future", he added, refusing to give any further details.