Foreign media on candidacy decision

Western media commented the decision of the Serbian government to apply for candidate status for becoming a member of the European Union. International media groups stressed that Serbia has made a lot of progress in its European integration this year. Foreign media on candidacy decision Radio Deutsche Welle stated that 2009, “according to the words of European and Serbian officials, was one of the most successful as far as the question of the country’s European integration is concerned.” In the first half of the year, Serbia worked on fulfilling needed conditions for visa liberalization and began the unilateral implementation of the interim trade agreement with the EU, Deutsche Welle reminded, adding that there were earlier positive statements from EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn regarding the hard work of the Serbian government in achieving needed reforms, in which he commended the clear European orientation of the country. The radio station stated that the first important EU decision for Serbia was the one for visa liberalization. It added that Serbia decided to apply for candidacy despite opinions from several EU countries recommending Serbia wait until the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) is unfrozen as well. Radio Free Europe also mentioned Rehn’s statements that it is “completely logical for Serbia to ask for candidate status for EU membership” and that Serbia has a European perspective with a final goal of joining the EU. Croatian news agency HINA and Macedonian agency MIA also reported on Serbia’s decision to apply for EU candidate status.

Foreign media on candidacy decision

Radio Deutsche Welle stated that 2009, “according to the words of European and Serbian officials, was one of the most successful as far as the question of the country’s European integration is concerned.”

In the first half of the year, Serbia worked on fulfilling needed conditions for visa liberalization and began the unilateral implementation of the interim trade agreement with the EU, Deutsche Welle reminded, adding that there were earlier positive statements from EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn regarding the hard work of the Serbian government in achieving needed reforms, in which he commended the clear European orientation of the country.

The radio station stated that the first important EU decision for Serbia was the one for visa liberalization. It added that Serbia decided to apply for candidacy despite opinions from several EU countries recommending Serbia wait until the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) is unfrozen as well.

Radio Free Europe also mentioned Rehn’s statements that it is “completely logical for Serbia to ask for candidate status for EU membership” and that Serbia has a European perspective with a final goal of joining the EU.

Croatian news agency HINA and Macedonian agency MIA also reported on Serbia’s decision to apply for EU candidate status.