EU enlargement "cannot be completed without Serbia"

BELGRADE Franco Frattini has said that the EU enlargement cannot end before Serbia becomes a member state, as Serbia is already a part of Europe. The former Italian foreign minister has recently been appointed as an adviser to the Serbian government, and was on Monday evening addressing a gathering marking five years since the founding of the Serb Progressive Party (SNS). EU enlargement "cannot be completed without Serbia" "Despite difficulties in the crisis, the European unification has yet to be completed - it continues. Serbia deserves the fully-fledged membership in the EU as it is an essential part of the European unification. Serbia is already a part of Europe in historic, political and human terms," Frattini said. The fully-fledged membership in the European family is the only option for Serbia, he said. Frattini noted that Serbia is carrying out all the reforms for its own sake and its own prosperity, but that is also in the interest of the EU as it will contribute to stability of the entire region. A prosperous and stable Serbia will have a domino effect on the entire region, Frattini concluded. The European Commission's latest report on Serbia's progress is very encouraging and constitutes a confirmation of everything that Serbia has done, he noted. "You will do much more as that is important for a better life in Serbia, and not because we are imposing that on you," he said. According to him, the visa-free regime for Serbian citizens was the first confirmation that the EU's doors are open and voices confidence that the measure will be irrevocable. He noted that he had come to Belgrade at the invitation of First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and commended him for efforts he has been investing in bringing the SNS closer to European People's Parties which make up the largest group in the European Parliament. Judiciary and EU integration Minister of Justice and State Administration Nikola Selakovic met on Monday with Franco Frattini, and discussed with him issues relating to the judiciary and Serbia's further activities along the path toward the EU. Frattini, who also served as vice-president of the European Commission, commended the reforms that Serbia had taken in the field of judiciary, the Ministry of Justice said in a release. The European Commission's positive annual report on Serbia's progress constitutes an excellent basis for further entry talks, he noted. Frattini underscores that the next steps that the Ministry of Justice and State Administration will undertake will have to be aimed at implementing strategies and laws, and creating conditions for Serbian citizens to feel positive effects of the reforms that are being carried out in the justice system. Minister Selakovic noted that in the previous period, the Ministry had worked on amendments to the Law on the Organization of Courts, the Law on Judges and Law on the Public Prosecutor's Office which would be tabled for parliamentary debate soon. Selakovic added that the work on a law on free legal assistance and a law on mediation in resolving disputes was under way. Courts in Serbia are faced with a great number of unresolved cases, legal proceedings that take too long, he said, voicing confidence that the adoption of new laws, and the start of work of notaries public would clear up those problems. It is necessary to establish the system of responsibility and criteria for assessing performance in the judiciary, strengthen judges' independence and prosecutor's autonomy so that the justice system be as efficient and fair as possible, Selakovic and Frattini agreed. Tanjug

EU enlargement "cannot be completed without Serbia"

"Despite difficulties in the crisis, the European unification has yet to be completed - it continues. Serbia deserves the fully-fledged membership in the EU as it is an essential part of the European unification. Serbia is already a part of Europe in historic, political and human terms," Frattini said.

The fully-fledged membership in the European family is the only option for Serbia, he said.

Frattini noted that Serbia is carrying out all the reforms for its own sake and its own prosperity, but that is also in the interest of the EU as it will contribute to stability of the entire region.

A prosperous and stable Serbia will have a domino effect on the entire region, Frattini concluded.

The European Commission's latest report on Serbia's progress is very encouraging and constitutes a confirmation of everything that Serbia has done, he noted.

"You will do much more as that is important for a better life in Serbia, and not because we are imposing that on you," he said.

According to him, the visa-free regime for Serbian citizens was the first confirmation that the EU's doors are open and voices confidence that the measure will be irrevocable.

He noted that he had come to Belgrade at the invitation of First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić and commended him for efforts he has been investing in bringing the SNS closer to European People's Parties which make up the largest group in the European Parliament.

Judiciary and EU integration

Minister of Justice and State Administration Nikola Selaković met on Monday with Franco Frattini, and discussed with him issues relating to the judiciary and Serbia's further activities along the path toward the EU.

Frattini, who also served as vice-president of the European Commission, commended the reforms that Serbia had taken in the field of judiciary, the Ministry of Justice said in a release.

The European Commission's positive annual report on Serbia's progress constitutes an excellent basis for further entry talks, he noted.

Frattini underscores that the next steps that the Ministry of Justice and State Administration will undertake will have to be aimed at implementing strategies and laws, and creating conditions for Serbian citizens to feel positive effects of the reforms that are being carried out in the justice system.

Minister Selaković noted that in the previous period, the Ministry had worked on amendments to the Law on the Organization of Courts, the Law on Judges and Law on the Public Prosecutor's Office which would be tabled for parliamentary debate soon.

Selaković added that the work on a law on free legal assistance and a law on mediation in resolving disputes was under way.

Courts in Serbia are faced with a great number of unresolved cases, legal proceedings that take too long, he said, voicing confidence that the adoption of new laws, and the start of work of notaries public would clear up those problems.

It is necessary to establish the system of responsibility and criteria for assessing performance in the judiciary, strengthen judges' independence and prosecutor's autonomy so that the justice system be as efficient and fair as possible, Selaković and Frattini agreed.