EU: Candidate status maybe next year

Mircea

But then there are Turkey and Macedonia who are EU candidates as well. Turkey has a LONG way to go before they fulfil their requirements (which I think they never will given their lack of progress in certain things) and Macedonia is considerably poorer, less developed and behind Serbia. In fact it's only socio-political problems that Serbia has to overcome before the EU will consider it to be a candidate state.

I think that EU candidacy is a subjective thing, Croatia is a candidate only now when it is economically ahead of Bulgaria and Romania, on the same level as Poland, so there are many criteria to fulfil other than economic. While Serbia is behind the other EU states, it is further ahead of the other Western Balkan states (aside from Croatia) and should be looked at positively when it comes to their prospects.

Mr. Tadic,

Please tell the EU leaders that their excuse of classifying Kosovo as a special case is unjustified. Therefore they have to respect the UN recognized borders of Serbia and adhere to international law.
Also the deployment of EULEX is illegal without UNSC approval. You have to emphasize this to them.

Notice the "If they meet the conditions," that's a HUGE if with EU.


>> “We didn’t want to apply force in Kosovo, even though independence is illegal, we didn’t introduce an economic blockade,”

This is funny. Let's see: you didn't use force (again) because you can't with NATO there, and didn't use an economic blocade because you can't (you'd lose a lot more economically.)

Thank you Mr. Tadic, you are a really nice guy. Who does he think he is kidding

I agree with Peter Sudyka. Serbia is both geographically and culturarily a european state that belongs to Europe in every aspect.

And the economy is not really an issue since EU have already accepted countries that today are poorer than Serbia (Bulgaria) and in 2007 they were much poorer. The same happens with some of the ex-eastern countries that joined the EU in 2004, when they were very poor at that time, poorer than Serbia is today.

So Serbia belongs in the EU and should start negotiations as soon as possible. It belongs much more than some other countries that have already started negotiations (Turkey) and have absolutely nothing to do with Europe, both culturarily geographically and also economically!

serbia you keep falling for the same old lame lies from euro they tell you next month are six months from now and that was last year. and now they say maybe 2009, but you keep believing them because its a amusing game their playing on you.

They will achieve nothing, but I am sure they will have some fancy lunches and dinners and that is all.

The EU should not grant favors or a shortcut to Serbia. Serbia should receive candidate status ONLY WHEN SHE MEETS ALL THE CONDITIONS. I believe that 2009 is too early for Serbia to receive candidate status.

I doubt Serbia will obtain candidate status in 2009. It is too early.

Mircaea, I hope you know that the EU has a historic of letting coutnries join the EU too early.

The concensus is that Bulgaria & Romania joined too early. I mean Bulgaria's funding was suspended because of corruption, and some are considering doing it to your country, Romania.

Not only that but Serbophobes often state the results of Serbian elections as being a valid reason to not allow Serbia membership. Yet by that argument nearly all new EU members should have joined too early do the rise of the far right in Slovenia (last election Slovenian people's party received 20% of the vote), Hungary (i.e. the Magyar Garda), Poland (far right entering parliament and being part of the last government), Slovakia (same as Poland, a major government official said during the campaign: "I would love to take a tank and attack Budapest"), etc.

Jevic,

Tadic will do all that and the EU leaders will tell him "sure Mr Tadic, why not"..As a result Tadic will be a hero even for SRS/DSS and all the Serbs will live like a happy family ever after.

It will be intersting to see what will happen with Kosovo in case of receiving the candidate status. It is known that receiving the candidate status for a country, the accession is very close. So I thing the new Kosovo country whould like to come back in the Mother country - Serbia - to be in EU faster. It's logical?! Cause if they want to joyn separately it will take at least two times longer as Serbia.

Dashnori i Ceces,

When will Albania receive candidate status?

Probably in 2050 or even later!!

I am very confused with the stance of Serbian Government!
One day they say NO to EU and praise Russia and then next day they are very excited that maybe one day they will be a candidate to join the EU family!

My personal wish is that Serbia joins EU,it is for the better of Serbian young generations!
They should say to Russia:We love you but we have to think about our future!

Russia is now stronger and richer then many years ago.But they are not the future for Serbia!

Same time after wishing them well in Europe I would like that Serbia to co-operate more with Kosovan Government so K.Serbs can start being involved in daily activities which are taking place in Kosovo!

Please dear commentators,spare me the usual rhetorics like:"Kosovo je Srbija",etc,it is time to do something for the sake of many million lifes in Kosovo who are living without basic needs for life,like power supply,medicine,etc!
Let's for once treat this issue as human being rather then going on who is right and who isn't!
Life is to short and time is precious!
Gezuar and Ziveli from London!

Mircea

Montenegro is in the same category as Serbia Mircea, at least proportionately speaking, their GDP per capita is the same and their economic performance is also roughly the same, so it is not such a difference.

I do not think that it would be the least bit fair to "consider" serbia as a serious candidate to the EU, before, say, bosnia or Kosovo/a, esp given both the recent history and the way belgrade continues to undercut, directly and indirectly, progress in both of those other countries. it would be illogical, and would reinforce the wrong party, and their worst behavior.

before any such discussion can seriously take place, there must be more than a temporary cease-fire worked out in the balkans -- serbia must reach out to both of their target/victim countries, and attempt to make meaningful amends. in other words, a real sea change.

"So I thing the new Kosovo country whould like to come back in the Mother country - Serbia - to be in EU faster. It's logical?!"

Nice try Maria. Serbia was a horrible foster mom. Albania will get in at the same time as Serbia. Plus, Albanians can still get EU passports from Serbia. Kosovo is still your southern province, right? Many Albanians might take you up on it.

The Greek

"It belongs much more than some other countries that have already started negotiations (Turkey) and have absolutely nothing to do with Europe, both culturarily geographically and also economically!"

I cannot agree with you more. No Turkey in the EU!

I do not think that it would be the least bit fair to "consider" serbia as a serious candidate to the EU, before, say, bosnia or Kosovo/a, esp given both the recent history and the way belgrade continues to undercut, directly and indirectly, progress in both of those other countries.
(roberto, 4 September 2008 02:09)

it's funny how some people would like to see serbia being punished forever - for crimes of a regime that was overthrown nearly a decade ago even. as if all the sanctions, bombings, acts of ethnic cleansing that serbs had to endure (or did you forget that serbs were also forced to leave their homes, dear smart arse?) and application of double standards regarding borders of former yugoslavia were not enough! and especially given that more constructive approach has already brought results. as soon as something of substance was on table there was a positive reaction in serbia. if anything this is a sure sign that this should have happened much earlier.

Strange reactions lately from Brussels...For some burocrats it's arrived the time of..."candidate status !! "
For Moldova,Georgia,Ukraine ,Serbia,Albania,Bosnia ...
Everybody inside !!

Peter,

You are forgeting that Montenegro is ahead of Serbia and will probably receive candidate status before Serbia.

Mircea: "The EU should not grant favors or a shortcut to Serbia."

Of course it should. Europe needs Serbia as much as Serbia neds Europe. As long as Serbia does not burden Europe with loads such as Kosovo and even Bosnia, Serbia should be accepted. At least it has infrastructure. With its petty calculations aimed at collecting higher road taxes Romania forstaw the construction of a bridge at vidin-Calafat and an entire European corridor running as closely as possible to the Serbian border thus staying compatitive after Serbia opens up! But NO, Basescu (even when he was a transport minister) wanted the corridor to pass next to Bucharest. You can not twist geography! Now Serbia will open up and Romania will be avoided by the traffic all togather!

I'm just glad to see that some of your politicians in power are more forward thinking then many of the Serbian posters here.

"It will be intersting to see what will happen with Kosovo in case of receiving the candidate status. It is known that receiving the candidate status for a country, the accession is very close. So I thing the new Kosovo country whould like to come back in the Mother country - Serbia - to be in EU faster"

I think that one day will come soon as far as we become a member of UN,we know exactly what we have to do and that is:Just follow the same course,we have after us biggest powers and that is what will make us stronger.
See you in EU...

They will achieve nothing, but I am sure they will have some fancy lunches and dinners and that is all.

Jevic,

Tadic will do all that and the EU leaders will tell him "sure Mr Tadic, why not"..As a result Tadic will be a hero even for SRS/DSS and all the Serbs will live like a happy family ever after.

Notice the "If they meet the conditions," that's a HUGE if with EU.


>> “We didn’t want to apply force in Kosovo, even though independence is illegal, we didn’t introduce an economic blockade,”

This is funny. Let's see: you didn't use force (again) because you can't with NATO there, and didn't use an economic blocade because you can't (you'd lose a lot more economically.)

Thank you Mr. Tadic, you are a really nice guy. Who does he think he is kidding

The EU should not grant favors or a shortcut to Serbia. Serbia should receive candidate status ONLY WHEN SHE MEETS ALL THE CONDITIONS. I believe that 2009 is too early for Serbia to receive candidate status.

Dashnori i Ceces,

When will Albania receive candidate status?

Probably in 2050 or even later!!

I am very confused with the stance of Serbian Government!
One day they say NO to EU and praise Russia and then next day they are very excited that maybe one day they will be a candidate to join the EU family!

My personal wish is that Serbia joins EU,it is for the better of Serbian young generations!
They should say to Russia:We love you but we have to think about our future!

Russia is now stronger and richer then many years ago.But they are not the future for Serbia!

Same time after wishing them well in Europe I would like that Serbia to co-operate more with Kosovan Government so K.Serbs can start being involved in daily activities which are taking place in Kosovo!

Please dear commentators,spare me the usual rhetorics like:"Kosovo je Srbija",etc,it is time to do something for the sake of many million lifes in Kosovo who are living without basic needs for life,like power supply,medicine,etc!
Let's for once treat this issue as human being rather then going on who is right and who isn't!
Life is to short and time is precious!
Gezuar and Ziveli from London!

I doubt Serbia will obtain candidate status in 2009. It is too early.

Strange reactions lately from Brussels...For some burocrats it's arrived the time of..."candidate status !! "
For Moldova,Georgia,Ukraine ,Serbia,Albania,Bosnia ...
Everybody inside !!

I do not think that it would be the least bit fair to "consider" serbia as a serious candidate to the EU, before, say, bosnia or Kosovo/a, esp given both the recent history and the way belgrade continues to undercut, directly and indirectly, progress in both of those other countries. it would be illogical, and would reinforce the wrong party, and their worst behavior.

before any such discussion can seriously take place, there must be more than a temporary cease-fire worked out in the balkans -- serbia must reach out to both of their target/victim countries, and attempt to make meaningful amends. in other words, a real sea change.

Mr. Tadic,

Please tell the EU leaders that their excuse of classifying Kosovo as a special case is unjustified. Therefore they have to respect the UN recognized borders of Serbia and adhere to international law.
Also the deployment of EULEX is illegal without UNSC approval. You have to emphasize this to them.

serbia you keep falling for the same old lame lies from euro they tell you next month are six months from now and that was last year. and now they say maybe 2009, but you keep believing them because its a amusing game their playing on you.

Mircea

But then there are Turkey and Macedonia who are EU candidates as well. Turkey has a LONG way to go before they fulfil their requirements (which I think they never will given their lack of progress in certain things) and Macedonia is considerably poorer, less developed and behind Serbia. In fact it's only socio-political problems that Serbia has to overcome before the EU will consider it to be a candidate state.

I think that EU candidacy is a subjective thing, Croatia is a candidate only now when it is economically ahead of Bulgaria and Romania, on the same level as Poland, so there are many criteria to fulfil other than economic. While Serbia is behind the other EU states, it is further ahead of the other Western Balkan states (aside from Croatia) and should be looked at positively when it comes to their prospects.

Mircaea, I hope you know that the EU has a historic of letting coutnries join the EU too early.

The concensus is that Bulgaria & Romania joined too early. I mean Bulgaria's funding was suspended because of corruption, and some are considering doing it to your country, Romania.

Not only that but Serbophobes often state the results of Serbian elections as being a valid reason to not allow Serbia membership. Yet by that argument nearly all new EU members should have joined too early do the rise of the far right in Slovenia (last election Slovenian people's party received 20% of the vote), Hungary (i.e. the Magyar Garda), Poland (far right entering parliament and being part of the last government), Slovakia (same as Poland, a major government official said during the campaign: "I would love to take a tank and attack Budapest"), etc.

Peter,

You are forgeting that Montenegro is ahead of Serbia and will probably receive candidate status before Serbia.

Mircea: "The EU should not grant favors or a shortcut to Serbia."

Of course it should. Europe needs Serbia as much as Serbia neds Europe. As long as Serbia does not burden Europe with loads such as Kosovo and even Bosnia, Serbia should be accepted. At least it has infrastructure. With its petty calculations aimed at collecting higher road taxes Romania forstaw the construction of a bridge at vidin-Calafat and an entire European corridor running as closely as possible to the Serbian border thus staying compatitive after Serbia opens up! But NO, Basescu (even when he was a transport minister) wanted the corridor to pass next to Bucharest. You can not twist geography! Now Serbia will open up and Romania will be avoided by the traffic all togather!

I'm just glad to see that some of your politicians in power are more forward thinking then many of the Serbian posters here.

It will be intersting to see what will happen with Kosovo in case of receiving the candidate status. It is known that receiving the candidate status for a country, the accession is very close. So I thing the new Kosovo country whould like to come back in the Mother country - Serbia - to be in EU faster. It's logical?! Cause if they want to joyn separately it will take at least two times longer as Serbia.

"So I thing the new Kosovo country whould like to come back in the Mother country - Serbia - to be in EU faster. It's logical?!"

Nice try Maria. Serbia was a horrible foster mom. Albania will get in at the same time as Serbia. Plus, Albanians can still get EU passports from Serbia. Kosovo is still your southern province, right? Many Albanians might take you up on it.

"It will be intersting to see what will happen with Kosovo in case of receiving the candidate status. It is known that receiving the candidate status for a country, the accession is very close. So I thing the new Kosovo country whould like to come back in the Mother country - Serbia - to be in EU faster"

I think that one day will come soon as far as we become a member of UN,we know exactly what we have to do and that is:Just follow the same course,we have after us biggest powers and that is what will make us stronger.
See you in EU...

I agree with Peter Sudyka. Serbia is both geographically and culturarily a european state that belongs to Europe in every aspect.

And the economy is not really an issue since EU have already accepted countries that today are poorer than Serbia (Bulgaria) and in 2007 they were much poorer. The same happens with some of the ex-eastern countries that joined the EU in 2004, when they were very poor at that time, poorer than Serbia is today.

So Serbia belongs in the EU and should start negotiations as soon as possible. It belongs much more than some other countries that have already started negotiations (Turkey) and have absolutely nothing to do with Europe, both culturarily geographically and also economically!

Mircea

Montenegro is in the same category as Serbia Mircea, at least proportionately speaking, their GDP per capita is the same and their economic performance is also roughly the same, so it is not such a difference.

The Greek

"It belongs much more than some other countries that have already started negotiations (Turkey) and have absolutely nothing to do with Europe, both culturarily geographically and also economically!"

I cannot agree with you more. No Turkey in the EU!

I do not think that it would be the least bit fair to "consider" serbia as a serious candidate to the EU, before, say, bosnia or Kosovo/a, esp given both the recent history and the way belgrade continues to undercut, directly and indirectly, progress in both of those other countries.
(roberto, 4 September 2008 02:09)

it's funny how some people would like to see serbia being punished forever - for crimes of a regime that was overthrown nearly a decade ago even. as if all the sanctions, bombings, acts of ethnic cleansing that serbs had to endure (or did you forget that serbs were also forced to leave their homes, dear smart arse?) and application of double standards regarding borders of former yugoslavia were not enough! and especially given that more constructive approach has already brought results. as soon as something of substance was on table there was a positive reaction in serbia. if anything this is a sure sign that this should have happened much earlier.