Serbia expects date, not "green light"

If Ms Grubsevic or any other politician wants a date, I suggest that they join e-Harmony or Match.com. This will be far quicker than waiting for Brussels to cuddle up to them.

I truly have a hard time in understanding why Serbia "must" join the EU to survive???? Let me get this straight: 1)most EU countries have as high or higher than Serbia has; 2)How is joining the EU going to benefit our economy.....probably it will benefit only Germany's; 3) does anyone read or KNOW the deep financial crisis in the EU- it is about ready to implode and then Germany will be able to hover over most if not all of Europe and make the other countries subserviant to them.
What's the rush Serbia to become Germany's newest "puppet"???

Serbia will be getting the date so that their People will get
positive outlook for future, finally. I cannot be allowed that
further divisions amongst the existing unity would be an alternative.
Better maintain and let Serbia grow and merge.

Nice comment Helga. Serbia should get well deserved date.

I truly have a hard time in understanding why Serbia "must" join the EU to survive???? Let me get this straight: 1)most EU countries have as high or higher than Serbia has; 2)How is joining the EU going to benefit our economy.....probably it will benefit only Germany's; 3) does anyone read or KNOW the deep financial crisis in the EU- it is about ready to implode and then Germany will be able to hover over most if not all of Europe and make the other countries subserviant to them.
What's the rush Serbia to become Germany's newest "puppet"???
(Rick

Rick,

Joining the EU would bring much needed money, escpecially now that loans are coming due.
It should help reform their judicial and economical system, among others, and help put the country on a new path.

Of course, if they resume as 'business as usual' not much will change.
Their society would need to embrace these changes. Otherwise, it will not work.
Expecting to join and live the good life on someone else's account would be a mistake.

I'm sure, our resident economist, sj, has his/her own take.

If Serbia does not get its date at the end of June, we can assume that the EU was never sincere about offering Serbia a membership in the EU. But rather, that the EU was just dangling the offer in front of Serbia in order get it do something that it was never going to do. It is never going to give up Kosovo.

And let us remember once again that the date is not even a date to actually begin achieving membership, it is only a date to begin discussion of membership. Actually eligibility for membership has yet to be discussed. When Serbian leadership or anyone says that no further conditions ought to be necessary to "get a date", then they are not talking about discussions for terms of membership, they are only talking about getting a date for these discussions. Does everyone see how far Serbia has had to go to get practically nothing? How much further is it going to have to go to get actual membership?

Paul: I don't know if your question was rhetorical but you can bet on about 10 years. Once substantive talks begin it usually takes around 7 years for all Chapters to be opened and closed. After this there follows a recommendation from the Commission followed by a vote of the Council of Ministers (otherwise known as the Council of the European Union)which has one voting member per EU country and which needs to be unanimous. From that point it is usually 12-18 months before the date of entry, assuming a referendum has been held and won. Therefore, if talks start on 1.1.14 I would guess that 1.1.24 or 1.7.23 would be the likely commencement of membership, if the EU still exists. Does that answer the question?

Serbia will be getting the date so that their People will get
positive outlook for future, finally. I cannot be allowed that
further divisions amongst the existing unity would be an alternative.
Better maintain and let Serbia grow and merge.

Nice comment Helga. Serbia should get well deserved date.

I truly have a hard time in understanding why Serbia "must" join the EU to survive???? Let me get this straight: 1)most EU countries have as high or higher than Serbia has; 2)How is joining the EU going to benefit our economy.....probably it will benefit only Germany's; 3) does anyone read or KNOW the deep financial crisis in the EU- it is about ready to implode and then Germany will be able to hover over most if not all of Europe and make the other countries subserviant to them.
What's the rush Serbia to become Germany's newest "puppet"???

If Serbia does not get its date at the end of June, we can assume that the EU was never sincere about offering Serbia a membership in the EU. But rather, that the EU was just dangling the offer in front of Serbia in order get it do something that it was never going to do. It is never going to give up Kosovo.

And let us remember once again that the date is not even a date to actually begin achieving membership, it is only a date to begin discussion of membership. Actually eligibility for membership has yet to be discussed. When Serbian leadership or anyone says that no further conditions ought to be necessary to "get a date", then they are not talking about discussions for terms of membership, they are only talking about getting a date for these discussions. Does everyone see how far Serbia has had to go to get practically nothing? How much further is it going to have to go to get actual membership?

I truly have a hard time in understanding why Serbia "must" join the EU to survive???? Let me get this straight: 1)most EU countries have as high or higher than Serbia has; 2)How is joining the EU going to benefit our economy.....probably it will benefit only Germany's; 3) does anyone read or KNOW the deep financial crisis in the EU- it is about ready to implode and then Germany will be able to hover over most if not all of Europe and make the other countries subserviant to them.
What's the rush Serbia to become Germany's newest "puppet"???
(Rick

Rick,

Joining the EU would bring much needed money, escpecially now that loans are coming due.
It should help reform their judicial and economical system, among others, and help put the country on a new path.

Of course, if they resume as 'business as usual' not much will change.
Their society would need to embrace these changes. Otherwise, it will not work.
Expecting to join and live the good life on someone else's account would be a mistake.

I'm sure, our resident economist, sj, has his/her own take.

If Ms Grubsevic or any other politician wants a date, I suggest that they join e-Harmony or Match.com. This will be far quicker than waiting for Brussels to cuddle up to them.

Paul: I don't know if your question was rhetorical but you can bet on about 10 years. Once substantive talks begin it usually takes around 7 years for all Chapters to be opened and closed. After this there follows a recommendation from the Commission followed by a vote of the Council of Ministers (otherwise known as the Council of the European Union)which has one voting member per EU country and which needs to be unanimous. From that point it is usually 12-18 months before the date of entry, assuming a referendum has been held and won. Therefore, if talks start on 1.1.14 I would guess that 1.1.24 or 1.7.23 would be the likely commencement of membership, if the EU still exists. Does that answer the question?