EU: Serbian and Montenegrin mandates modified

EU: Serbian and Montenegrin mandates modified

Serbian and Montenegrin mandates have been adopted without debate, in the form in which they were submitted by the European Commission in July. The modified mandates were expected to be adopted in September.

That they have been adopted this early is an apparent signal that the EU is willing to accelerate and encourage the strengthening of the democratic and pro-reform forces, especially in Serbia, faced with internal difficulties and the painstaking process of solving the Kosovo status question.

The European commission stressed that its recommendation to the Council of Ministers to adopt the separate mandates “has no bearing on the European Commission decision dated May 3 to cancel the Stabilization and Association talks with Serbia, until it fulfils its obligation of full cooperation with the Hague tribunal”.

Rehn welcomes EU expediency

EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn welcomed the early adoption of SAA negotiations mandate for Serbia, and the adoption of a new mandate for the independent Montenegro. Beta news agency reports that Rehn’s spokeswoman Christina Nagy said that Rehn stressed his view that the early mandate adoption signaled the EU’s clear desire to achieve a European future for the Western Balkans.

“Now that all the technicalities have been dealt with, the EU is ready to renew the talks with Serbia as soon as the full cooperation between the government there and the Hague tribunal has been established”, the EU commissioner said.

A very important decision

Serbian European Union Association Office chief Tanja Miščević said that the adopting of the mandate is a very important political sign from the European Commission and the member countries of the EU.

“It should especially be noted that the adoption of this mandate is very important, as is the fact that the Finnish Presidency feels the political need to help Serbia and Montenegro as well.” Miščević said.

However, Miščević said that the adoption of the mandate does not mean that the discussions will resume right away. She told B92 that the last remaining technical elements of the European Commission, to fulfill all obligations to the Hague Tribunal, must be taken care of, adding that on that very day Serbia can continue its stabilization and association discussions.