EU official: Serbia-EU relations "enter new orbit"

BELGRADE Head of the EU Delegation in Belgrade Michael Davenport said on Wednesday that relations between Serbia and the EU "entered a new orbit." The pace of cooperation went up two gears this year, which is the main message of the European Commission's report on Serbia's progress, he told a news conference. EU official: Serbia-EU relations "enter new orbit" For Serbia, 2013 has been a significant year of achievement when it comes to the integration path, primarily in terms of the "historic progress" in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, but also thanks to the fact that the Stabilization and Association Agreement finally came into force, Davenport said. "We did not step up a gear, but rather went two gears up, we have begun the screening. The next phase is in December when Serbian officials and experts will present plans for harmonization with the EU Acquis," Davenport said. During the press conference, reporters could watch live the address by EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule in Brussels, after which Davenport underscored that on Wednesday the overall message was that the EU is still firmly committed to the enlargement process, but that in the coming period, a greater emphasis would be put on the issues relating to the functioning of economies in the aspirant countries. The EU-facilitated agreement between Belgrade and Pristina, which was reached in spring, was a turning point in the dialogue, and now the realization of the plan for its implementation is being watched, which includes preparations for the forthcoming local elections in Kosovo, he said. Davenport listed the setting up of the framework for the fight against corruption and discrimination, reform of the public sector and judiciary as the results that were assessed positively in the European Commission's report. The reports points to the things that should be done or in which activities should be sped up through the implementation of action plans, he said. Preparations for the first intergovernmental conference now constitute a priority, as it will be held in January next year at the latest, which requires much work, Davenport said. (Tanjug) Tanjug

EU official: Serbia-EU relations "enter new orbit"

For Serbia, 2013 has been a significant year of achievement when it comes to the integration path, primarily in terms of the "historic progress" in the Belgrade-Priština dialogue, but also thanks to the fact that the Stabilization and Association Agreement finally came into force, Davenport said.

"We did not step up a gear, but rather went two gears up, we have begun the screening. The next phase is in December when Serbian officials and experts will present plans for harmonization with the EU Acquis," Davenport said.

During the press conference, reporters could watch live the address by EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule in Brussels, after which Davenport underscored that on Wednesday the overall message was that the EU is still firmly committed to the enlargement process, but that in the coming period, a greater emphasis would be put on the issues relating to the functioning of economies in the aspirant countries.

The EU-facilitated agreement between Belgrade and Priština, which was reached in spring, was a turning point in the dialogue, and now the realization of the plan for its implementation is being watched, which includes preparations for the forthcoming local elections in Kosovo, he said.

Davenport listed the setting up of the framework for the fight against corruption and discrimination, reform of the public sector and judiciary as the results that were assessed positively in the European Commission's report.

The reports points to the things that should be done or in which activities should be sped up through the implementation of action plans, he said.

Preparations for the first intergovernmental conference now constitute a priority, as it will be held in January next year at the latest, which requires much work, Davenport said.