"SAA could be unblocked by end of year"

EC delegation in Serbia chief Vincent Degert says it is "realistic" to expect that the SAA would be unblocked by the end of the year. The Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between the EU and Serbia was signed in late April 2008, and immediately suspended, pending Belgrade's full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal. "SAA could be unblocked by end of year" "I think we can be reasonable optimists and expect that the EU Council of Ministers will unblock the SAA, if the forthcoming mission of [Chief] Hague Prosecutor Serge Brammertz brings good results," Degert told Belgrade daily Blic. He believes that it is "important for Serbia to prove everything in being done, considering cooperation with the tribunal". "Another important matter is that during November, important visits have been announced by Brammertz, and, as media here are reporting, Dutch Minister Maxime Verhagen, and those will be opportunities to consider the stated facts," the newspaper quoted the EC official as saying. According to the article, he added that all this could lead to the unfreezing of the SAA. As for announcements that Serbia would apply for EU membership by the end of 2009, Degert said it was "not up to him to give advice over such an important state decision", but he reminded that some EU politicians have already pointed out that the position of the commission and presidency on the matter should be considered. The EU, according to Degert, "plans another EUR 1bn for Serbia in the next five years". "The EU wants Serbia to join and we are investing in preparation for that. We are investing in projects that should prepare the economy for joining the single EU market and that is difficult. To create an administration that is efficient and at the service of citizens, a completely independent court system, efficient police turned toward protecting citizens' lives, all that needs to be turned into reality," said he. Degert also stated that "once Serbia becomes candidate" this will signal an important change in the management of the financial resources at the country's disposal, "since then the minister of finance and the EU Integration Office will be given the responsibility to manage the funds".

"SAA could be unblocked by end of year"

"I think we can be reasonable optimists and expect that the EU Council of Ministers will unblock the SAA, if the forthcoming mission of [Chief] Hague Prosecutor Serge Brammertz brings good results," Degert told Belgrade daily Blic.

He believes that it is "important for Serbia to prove everything in being done, considering cooperation with the tribunal".

"Another important matter is that during November, important visits have been announced by Brammertz, and, as media here are reporting, Dutch Minister Maxime Verhagen, and those will be opportunities to consider the stated facts," the newspaper quoted the EC official as saying.

According to the article, he added that all this could lead to the unfreezing of the SAA.

As for announcements that Serbia would apply for EU membership by the end of 2009, Degert said it was "not up to him to give advice over such an important state decision", but he reminded that some EU politicians have already pointed out that the position of the commission and presidency on the matter should be considered.

The EU, according to Degert, "plans another EUR 1bn for Serbia in the next five years".

"The EU wants Serbia to join and we are investing in preparation for that. We are investing in projects that should prepare the economy for joining the single EU market and that is difficult. To create an administration that is efficient and at the service of citizens, a completely independent court system, efficient police turned toward protecting citizens' lives, all that needs to be turned into reality," said he.

Degert also stated that "once Serbia becomes candidate" this will signal an important change in the management of the financial resources at the country's disposal, "since then the minister of finance and the EU Integration Office will be given the responsibility to manage the funds".