Politics hold back economy

Politics hold back economy

“We will report positive progress in the area of administrative reforms, institutional capacities and economy which is, as we hear, developing well in Serbia”, Leigh said.

The European Commission's Enlargement director said he did not wish to go into the details of the negative points of the reports, adding it will be published in its entirety on November 8.

“In any case, we will also focus on the problems and hurdles that exist in Serbia. We all know that the most serious problem is of a political nature – insufficient cooperation with the Hague Tribunal.”

Asked about the existence of a Plan B to renew the negotiations with Serbia, Leigh said that “EU remains consistent in its policy of political conditioning toward all the Western Balkans countries, without exception. This was said quite clearly from the start. Therefore, there are no reserve plans to continue talks”, Leigh stressed.

Asked whether there was any chance Serbia might sign the Stabilization and Association agreement this year, Leigh said he was no longer certain this would happen.

“The aim was to have the agreement signed by the end of the year. Unfortunately, even if Serbia were to achieve full cooperation with the Hague right now, we are well behind the schedule. I am no longer convinced we can reach this common goal of ours, but we’re here to try”, Michael Leigh said in the interview.

According to him, there will be “no insurmountable obstacles” in Serbia’s road toward the European integrations after the Hague cooperation condition is met.

The European Commission's Enlargement director added that Serbia had the capacity to accelerate that process.

“Before the talks were suspended, our negotiating team was impressed by Serbia’s professional approach and its institutional capacities”.