EC urges EU to "unblock trade deal"

The EU should unblock the Interim Trade Agreement with Serbia, a new European Commission document states. The EC advocates the move because the authorities in Belgrade have proven their commitment to European integration and further improved cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, even though the two remaining fugitives are still on the run. EC urges EU to "unblock trade deal" The EC makes the recommendations within the section titled “Strategic Document”, which is part of the annual progress report for the Western Balkans on the implementation of reforms leading to EU membership, seen by Beta. “Serbia has invested efforts to apply an ambitious European integration program,” states the report, adding that “Serbia has a capable public administration to achieve substantial progress towards the EU,” which is why it must make use of that capacity to hasten reforms “that will lead to tangible results in key sectors.” The EC also states that “Serbia needs to show a constructive attitude towards Kosovo’s participation in regional trade and cooperation.” “Cooperation with the EULEX rule of law mission has begun, but those efforts need to be stepped up, particularly in terms of EULEX’s activities in northern Kosovo,” the document stresses. New EC delegation head outlines goals Speaking to B92, the new head of the European Commission’s delegation to Serbia, Vincent Degert, said that he was coming to Belgrade “at a crucial moment where the whole region should be moving towards the EU.“ The French diplomat said that he was coming to Belgrade with a desire to help Serbia enter the EU. He added that the Irish “Yes“ to the Lisbon Treaty meant that the issue of enlargement would return to the EU agenda, which was significant to Serbia and the Western Balkans. “Everyone in the EU has clearly voiced their wish to enhance relations with this region (the Western Balkans). It’s in the EU’s interests, as well as in the interests of countries in the region joining the Union,“ explained the new EC head of delegation. “I hope that during my four-year mandate we’ll manage to help Serbia enter the EU, or, at any rate, lay the groundwork to move in that direction,“ he said. Degert cited as his priorities during his four-year mandate reforming the judiciary, bringing administration in line with European standards, and helping combat corruption." Degert said that Serbia was also expected to conduct economic reforms and complete the restitution process. The EC delegation to Serbia will continue to deal with border problems in the region, refugee issues and war crimes. He believes that Belgrade is on the brink of visa liberalization. “We’re expecting a visit by EC experts next week. We’re also expecting a meeting with Interior Minister Ivica Dacic, with whom we’ll be discussing certain necessary details for that process to go smoothly,“ said Degert. The French diplomat was previously the EC’s head of delegation to Zagreb. He has worked for the commission for 22 years and has nine years’ experience in the sphere of enlargement.

EC urges EU to "unblock trade deal"

The EC makes the recommendations within the section titled “Strategic Document”, which is part of the annual progress report for the Western Balkans on the implementation of reforms leading to EU membership, seen by Beta.

“Serbia has invested efforts to apply an ambitious European integration program,” states the report, adding that “Serbia has a capable public administration to achieve substantial progress towards the EU,” which is why it must make use of that capacity to hasten reforms “that will lead to tangible results in key sectors.”

The EC also states that “Serbia needs to show a constructive attitude towards Kosovo’s participation in regional trade and cooperation.”

“Cooperation with the EULEX rule of law mission has begun, but those efforts need to be stepped up, particularly in terms of EULEX’s activities in northern Kosovo,” the document stresses.

New EC delegation head outlines goals

Speaking to B92, the new head of the European Commission’s delegation to Serbia, Vincent Degert, said that he was coming to Belgrade “at a crucial moment where the whole region should be moving towards the EU.“

The French diplomat said that he was coming to Belgrade with a desire to help Serbia enter the EU.

He added that the Irish “Yes“ to the Lisbon Treaty meant that the issue of enlargement would return to the EU agenda, which was significant to Serbia and the Western Balkans.

“Everyone in the EU has clearly voiced their wish to enhance relations with this region (the Western Balkans). It’s in the EU’s interests, as well as in the interests of countries in the region joining the Union,“ explained the new EC head of delegation.

“I hope that during my four-year mandate we’ll manage to help Serbia enter the EU, or, at any rate, lay the groundwork to move in that direction,“ he said. Degert cited as his priorities during his four-year mandate reforming the judiciary, bringing administration in line with European standards, and helping combat corruption."

Degert said that Serbia was also expected to conduct economic reforms and complete the restitution process.

The EC delegation to Serbia will continue to deal with border problems in the region, refugee issues and war crimes.

He believes that Belgrade is on the brink of visa liberalization.

“We’re expecting a visit by EC experts next week. We’re also expecting a meeting with Interior Minister Ivica Dačić, with whom we’ll be discussing certain necessary details for that process to go smoothly,“ said Degert.

The French diplomat was previously the EC’s head of delegation to Zagreb.

He has worked for the commission for 22 years and has nine years’ experience in the sphere of enlargement.