PM delivers answers to EC's questionnaire

Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic has delivered the answers Serbia made to the questionnaire of the European Commission (EC) today in Brussels. PM delivers answers to EC's questionnaire They should be used to prepare an opinion on Serbia's request to become a candidate for European Union membership. He will also discuss with EU officials further steps in the reform process, said announcements. Ahead of his trip, Cvetkovic said that the Serbian government was determined to remove all possible obstacles to achieving candidate status for membership in the European Union, which means resolving all the issues indicated in the EC report on Serbia's progress at the end of last year. Cvetkovic pointed to several key objections from Brussels, including the issues of blank resignations, restitution, and cooperation with the Hague Tribunal. The prime minister on Monday also met with President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and with EC President Jose Manuel Barroso. On the second day of the visit, on February 1, Cvetkovic will meet with Vice President of the EC and Commissioner for Justice Viviane Reding. The Serbian delegation to Brussels also includes Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic, Minister of Justice Snezana Malovic and Director of the EU Integration Office Milica Delevic. Delevic commented for the media ahead of her Brussels trip that Serbia "could become a candidate by the end of this year". In order for this to happen, said she, the country should work on different areas, and identified them as "the questionnaire, additional questions and expert missions". Delevic also said that Serbia should "participate in creating a political climate where every member country wants to vote in favor of making Serbia a candidate at the December meeting of the European Council". Cvetkovic and Van Rompuy in Brussels today (FoNet) "EU supports Serbia's European path" The European Union remains committed to the perspective of Serbia's European integration, European Council President Herman van Rompuy said in Brussels Monday, adding that Serbia needs to continue reforms, a constructive approach in the region and fully cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). At a meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic, Van Rompuy reiterated his personal and the EU's commitment to the perspective of European integration of Serbia and the entire Western Balkans region. I use this opportunity to encourage Serbia to continue with important reforms and a constructive approach in the region. I also stress the need for full cooperation with the ICTY, says the release issued by Van Rompuy's office. The possibility of the region getting more money from pre-accession funds was also discussed at the meeting, Tanjug learned in Brussels. The Serbian prime minister and the European Council president also discussed the possibility of European officials, including Van Rompuy, participating at the Serbia-EU summit set for September in Belgrade.

PM delivers answers to EC's questionnaire

They should be used to prepare an opinion on Serbia's request to become a candidate for European Union membership.

He will also discuss with EU officials further steps in the reform process, said announcements.

Ahead of his trip, Cvetković said that the Serbian government was determined to remove all possible obstacles to achieving candidate status for membership in the European Union, which means resolving all the issues indicated in the EC report on Serbia's progress at the end of last year.

Cvetković pointed to several key objections from Brussels, including the issues of blank resignations, restitution, and cooperation with the Hague Tribunal.

The prime minister on Monday also met with President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and with EC President Jose Manuel Barroso.

On the second day of the visit, on February 1, Cvetković will meet with Vice President of the EC and Commissioner for Justice Viviane Reding.

The Serbian delegation to Brussels also includes Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Božidar Đelić, Minister of Justice Snežana Malović and Director of the EU Integration Office Milica Delević.

Delević commented for the media ahead of her Brussels trip that Serbia "could become a candidate by the end of this year".

In order for this to happen, said she, the country should work on different areas, and identified them as "the questionnaire, additional questions and expert missions".

Delević also said that Serbia should "participate in creating a political climate where every member country wants to vote in favor of making Serbia a candidate at the December meeting of the European Council".

"EU supports Serbia's European path"

The European Union remains committed to the perspective of Serbia's European integration, European Council President Herman van Rompuy said in Brussels Monday, adding that Serbia needs to continue reforms, a constructive approach in the region and fully cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

At a meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković, Van Rompuy reiterated his personal and the EU's commitment to the perspective of European integration of Serbia and the entire Western Balkans region.

I use this opportunity to encourage Serbia to continue with important reforms and a constructive approach in the region. I also stress the need for full cooperation with the ICTY, says the release issued by Van Rompuy's office.

The possibility of the region getting more money from pre-accession funds was also discussed at the meeting, Tanjug learned in Brussels.

The Serbian prime minister and the European Council president also discussed the possibility of European officials, including Van Rompuy, participating at the Serbia-EU summit set for September in Belgrade.