"Brussels still has no date for Serbia"

BELGRADE A firm decision has not yet been made at the headquarters of the European Union on the official start of negotiations with Serbia, writes a daily. The desire of the Lithuanian presidency of the EU is that the first intergovernmental conference with Serbia, which would officially open negotiations for membership in the EU, be held on 20 December, but it is not known whether this will be achieved, says a report in the Belgrade-based newspaper Vecernje Novosti. "Brussels still has no date for Serbia" The article stresses that this was stated by "those responsible for the organization of the meeting." Brussels-based spokesman for the Lithuanian presidency Vykintas Pugaciauskas told the paper that they would "do everything to hold the conference by the end of the presidency of Lithuania," but added: "The final decision has not been made. The member-countries are still discussing, both about the content of the negotiating framework, and a date for holding the intergovernmental conference. The result of these talks will be known only at the ministerial meeting on December 16 and 17. Everything before that is just speculation. " "The exchange of arguments among European capitals" will last until the last moment, says the article, and adds: "The afternoon on December 20 after the summit seems ideal for the official start of negotiations with Belgrade, but, for example, Monday 23 is also considered as a possibility, just before the break in the work of European institutions for the Catholic Christmas." The daily writes that well-informed sources said that a date just before the New Year was also possible, as was "the transfer of everything " to January.. That is the latest deadline set by the European Council last summer. The European Commission, which will conduct the negotiations, does not know with certainty when they will be given the starting signal. "The date for holding the first intergovernmental conference will be determine the member states," Peter Stano, a spokesperson for the EU enlargement commissioner, was quoted as saying. They are, however, already prepared for this meeting, "and a similar message to be on standby has been sent to the high-ranking delegation from Belgrade." (Beta, file) Vecernje novosti

"Brussels still has no date for Serbia"

The article stresses that this was stated by "those responsible for the organization of the meeting."

Brussels-based spokesman for the Lithuanian presidency Vykintas Pugaciauskas told the paper that they would "do everything to hold the conference by the end of the presidency of Lithuania," but added:

"The final decision has not been made. The member-countries are still discussing, both about the content of the negotiating framework, and a date for holding the intergovernmental conference. The result of these talks will be known only at the ministerial meeting on December 16 and 17. Everything before that is just speculation. "

"The exchange of arguments among European capitals" will last until the last moment, says the article, and adds: "The afternoon on December 20 after the summit seems ideal for the official start of negotiations with Belgrade, but, for example, Monday 23 is also considered as a possibility, just before the break in the work of European institutions for the Catholic Christmas."

The daily writes that well-informed sources said that a date just before the New Year was also possible, as was "the transfer of everything " to January.. That is the latest deadline set by the European Council last summer.

The European Commission, which will conduct the negotiations, does not know with certainty when they will be given the starting signal. "The date for holding the first intergovernmental conference will be determine the member states," Peter Stano, a spokesperson for the EU enlargement commissioner, was quoted as saying.

They are, however, already prepared for this meeting, "and a similar message to be on standby has been sent to the high-ranking delegation from Belgrade."