Tadić on EU application, interim trade deal

President Boris Tadic says Serbia would do everything to unblock the Interim Trade Agreement (ITA) with the EU by the end of 2009. This was described as a precondition for submitting an EU membership candidate application. Tadic on EU application, interim trade deal "We will analyze carefully all the messages we get from the EU and do everything to unblock the ITA by the end of the year, but that does not depend on us alone, but on some EU members as well." "Still, we will not criticize anyone, because they all have a responsibility towards their citizens," Tadic told reporters on Monday, during the opening ceremony of the VS Base Jug (South) near Bujanovac. Commenting on a statement by EU Rapporteur for Serbia Jelko Kacin, who said that it was unrealistic of Serbia to apply for EU membership by the end of 2009, Tadic pointed out that many European officials were recommending the exact opposite – to apply for membership immediately. According to Tadic, Serbia will continue its reforms regardless of the messages from the EU and work towards improving its economy and standards that support its society. "The critical thing is not what some EU countries say, but the manner and speed of reforms in Serbia. It is a painful process, but we have to go through with it," Tadic said. Tadic, left, at VS Base Jug today (Tanjug)

Tadić on EU application, interim trade deal

"We will analyze carefully all the messages we get from the EU and do everything to unblock the ITA by the end of the year, but that does not depend on us alone, but on some EU members as well."

"Still, we will not criticize anyone, because they all have a responsibility towards their citizens," Tadić told reporters on Monday, during the opening ceremony of the VS Base Jug (South) near Bujanovac.

Commenting on a statement by EU Rapporteur for Serbia Jelko Kacin, who said that it was unrealistic of Serbia to apply for EU membership by the end of 2009, Tadić pointed out that many European officials were recommending the exact opposite – to apply for membership immediately.

According to Tadić, Serbia will continue its reforms regardless of the messages from the EU and work towards improving its economy and standards that support its society.

"The critical thing is not what some EU countries say, but the manner and speed of reforms in Serbia. It is a painful process, but we have to go through with it," Tadić said.