In this context the Commission considers that the Interim Agreement should now be implemented by the EU, followed by the full implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA). The Commission expects Serbia to continue its co-operation with ICTY which should eventually lead to the arrest of the two remaining fugitives, General Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic.
Presenting the progress report for Serbia, Ambassador Vincent Degert said: “Serbia has demonstrated its commitment to bringing the country closer to the EU by building a track record in implementing the provisions of the Interim Agreement with the EU and by undertaking key reforms in a wide number of areas in line with European standards.”
The Annual Report notes that Serbia needs to continue its efforts to carry out and implement EU related reforms and to fully commit itself to the path of European Integration. The EU has for its part shown clear support for these efforts by earmarking substantial financial assistance – €1 billion for the period of 2007-2011 and additional €200 million of micro financial assistance.
The EU is also supporting efforts to bring Serbian people closer to the EU by finalising the visa liberalisation process. The European Commission encourages Serbia to meet the outstanding benchmarks to ensure the endorsement of the Commission’s proposal by the member states and thus make visa free travel a reality by 1 January 2010.
The country faces, at the same time, the difficult requirements of accelerating economic reforms and ensuring sustainability in the public finances. Concerning other challenges, the Progress Report states that the country needs to make further progress in a number of areas, including the effective implementation of existing laws; the improvement of public consultation prior to the adoption of laws; the reform of the judicial system and in reinforcing its capacity to fight against corruption. Furthermore there continue to be concerns about incidents of intimidation of civil society activists, human rights defenders and journalists that are not fully investigated and where the perpetrators are not brought to justice. Serbia needs to demonstrate a more constructive attitude on regional co-operation and issues related to Kosovo.
Together with Serbia the European Commission adopted its annual strategy on EU enlargement and the progress reports for the candidate and potential candidate countries. The strategy highlights the progress the Western Balkans and Turkey made towards European integration during a difficult year of global economic crisis, and spells out the main challenges ahead.
2009 marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and 5 years since the enlargement of the EU to central and Eastern Europe. The prospect of EU accession continues to provide strong encouragement for political and economic reform and reinforces peace and stability. It is in the EU’s strategic interest to keep up this momentum, on the basis of agreed principles and conditions.
The EU enlargement process currently takes place against the background of a deep and widespread recession, which has affected both the EU and the enlargement countries.
