EC official to discuss visa liberalization

European Commission Western Balkans Director Pierre Mirel will meet with Serbian officials to discuss progress in the liberalization of the visa regime. The European Commission prepared a report in which it will be stated how far along each country of the Western Balkans is on the road towards visa liberalization. It is expected that the report will be ready by May 18. EC official to discuss visa liberalization The stance of Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn was repeated in Brussels, with the hope that the countries making the most progress will be on the white Schengen list by the beginning of next year. Director of the Serbian government’s European Integration Office Milica Delevic told B92 that according to the signals of the EC, Serbia is expected to get a positive assessment of completing its obligation on the road map towards visa liberalization. “The meeting of the Enhanced Permanent Dialogue at which Mr. Mirel will participate begins tomorrow and that is a regularly planned meeting of dialogue with the European Commission. This time we will talk about the criteria for democracy, rights, human rights, protection of minorities and national questions and international obligations,” she said. “We will also present the latest report on implementing the integration plan, and that is a good way for the Commission to get a good look into how much and what has been done since the last meeting, and to prepare for the annual report which we are preparing to send to the European Commission,” Delevic added. “As far as visa relaxations are concerned, all the obligations on the road map have been completed, for the most part. Based on what was done and what we have heard as comments from European officials, we hope for a positive evaluation, but we are waiting to see what it will be like, once the report has been published,” she told B92. European Commission (EC) Director Pierre Mirel, in charge of the Western Balkans, made a statement ahead of his visit to Belgrade on Monday, saying that he will convey to Serbian officials the support of the EC along Serbia's path to integration with Europe. Mirel said he was coming to Belgrade to express the strong determination of the EC to be with Serbia on its progress toward European integrations. He said he would encourage the local leaders to continue with the reforms and to fulfill the conditions that would make this future real. Mirel is due to meet with Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, Frist Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic and Deputy Premier Bozidar Djelic. Tomorrow, the EC official will take part in a session of the Enhanced Permanent Dialogue between the EC and Serbia.

EC official to discuss visa liberalization

The stance of Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn was repeated in Brussels, with the hope that the countries making the most progress will be on the white Schengen list by the beginning of next year.

Director of the Serbian government’s European Integration Office Milica Delević told B92 that according to the signals of the EC, Serbia is expected to get a positive assessment of completing its obligation on the road map towards visa liberalization.

“The meeting of the Enhanced Permanent Dialogue at which Mr. Mirel will participate begins tomorrow and that is a regularly planned meeting of dialogue with the European Commission. This time we will talk about the criteria for democracy, rights, human rights, protection of minorities and national questions and international obligations,” she said.

“We will also present the latest report on implementing the integration plan, and that is a good way for the Commission to get a good look into how much and what has been done since the last meeting, and to prepare for the annual report which we are preparing to send to the European Commission,” Delević added.

“As far as visa relaxations are concerned, all the obligations on the road map have been completed, for the most part. Based on what was done and what we have heard as comments from European officials, we hope for a positive evaluation, but we are waiting to see what it will be like, once the report has been published,” she told B92.

European Commission (EC) Director Pierre Mirel, in charge of the Western Balkans, made a statement ahead of his visit to Belgrade on Monday, saying that he will convey to Serbian officials the support of the EC along Serbia's path to integration with Europe.

Mirel said he was coming to Belgrade to express the strong determination of the EC to be with Serbia on its progress toward European integrations.

He said he would encourage the local leaders to continue with the reforms and to fulfill the conditions that would make this future real.

Mirel is due to meet with Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić, Frist Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Ivica Dačić and Deputy Premier Božidar Đelić.

Tomorrow, the EC official will take part in a session of the Enhanced Permanent Dialogue between the EC and Serbia.