Tadić: Democratization not yet complete

President Boris Tadic says Serbia is developing its democratic potential, but it has yet to cross the critical point of no return in the process. “In the last several years, Serbia has progressed significantly on the road towards European integration, but that road is not perfect and there are a whole set of steps ahead of Serbia which must be fulfilled before it can become a full-fledged EU member-state,” Tadic said. Tadic: Democratization not yet complete Speaking at the “How Many Steps to the European Union” political conference of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Tadic said that last year was very successful as far as European integrations are concerned, but added that the reforms have not been completed. “Serbia has yet to cross the critical boundary, which it must cross as soon as possible in order to strengthen the democratization, institutionalization and modernization processes. There is always a danger of Serbia falling back politically, economically and socially, until this critical border is reached,” Tadic said. He said that the boundary is represented by the point at which it would be clear that Serbia will become an EU member-state in a given set of time. “The goal of Belgrade is to receive a confirmation from Brussels for its candidacy by the end of 2010 during the six-month Spanish EU presidency and to receive candidate status,” Deputy Prime Minister for European Integrations Bozidar Djelic said. “I made a bet with a Bavarian that I would drink more beer than him at the next beer festival in Munich once Serbia entered the white Schengen, so a difficult October awaits me this year,” he joked. German ambassador to Serbia Wolfram Maas said that Serbia’s membership in the EU depends on how fast it will succeed in reforms and strengthen its structures in the legislature and administration, and combat corruption and organized crime. “I’ll tell you a secret, even when you become an EU member-state, the race continues. Europe sets new expectations constantly, however running with company is better,” Maas said. He also said that the groups that do not support Serbia’s European integration are now a minority in the country. Foundation Director Claudia Crawford said that until 2006, the direction in which Serbia was headed was unclear in every election. “That has passed, it is my impression, and now I see more insight into the future. Be convinced that Europe sees it as well, your colleagues in the Bundestag see it and officials of other governments as well, not only in Germany,” she said. It was emphasized at the conference that the great deal of work has been done in the adoption, implementation and acceptance of European laws, standards and values, is the job of the entire society, not just the government. Tadic speaks at the gathering (Beta)

Tadić: Democratization not yet complete

Speaking at the “How Many Steps to the European Union” political conference of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Tadić said that last year was very successful as far as European integrations are concerned, but added that the reforms have not been completed.

“Serbia has yet to cross the critical boundary, which it must cross as soon as possible in order to strengthen the democratization, institutionalization and modernization processes. There is always a danger of Serbia falling back politically, economically and socially, until this critical border is reached,” Tadić said.

He said that the boundary is represented by the point at which it would be clear that Serbia will become an EU member-state in a given set of time.

“The goal of Belgrade is to receive a confirmation from Brussels for its candidacy by the end of 2010 during the six-month Spanish EU presidency and to receive candidate status,” Deputy Prime Minister for European Integrations Božidar Đelić said.

“I made a bet with a Bavarian that I would drink more beer than him at the next beer festival in Munich once Serbia entered the white Schengen, so a difficult October awaits me this year,” he joked.

German ambassador to Serbia Wolfram Maas said that Serbia’s membership in the EU depends on how fast it will succeed in reforms and strengthen its structures in the legislature and administration, and combat corruption and organized crime.

“I’ll tell you a secret, even when you become an EU member-state, the race continues. Europe sets new expectations constantly, however running with company is better,” Maas said.

He also said that the groups that do not support Serbia’s European integration are now a minority in the country.

Foundation Director Claudia Crawford said that until 2006, the direction in which Serbia was headed was unclear in every election.

“That has passed, it is my impression, and now I see more insight into the future. Be convinced that Europe sees it as well, your colleagues in the Bundestag see it and officials of other governments as well, not only in Germany,” she said.

It was emphasized at the conference that the great deal of work has been done in the adoption, implementation and acceptance of European laws, standards and values, is the job of the entire society, not just the government.