“Answers to EC in line with Constitution”

Director of the Office for European Integration Milica Delevic said that Serbia is preparing for the European Commission questionnaire. Delevic said that Serbia was preparing so that it can answer the questionnaire in two to three months, adding that the territory of Serbia would be defined in the answers according to the country's Constitution. “Answers to EC in line with Constitution” The question that is constantly resurfacing is whether Serbia can move ahead in the integration process while the Kosovo status question remains unresolved, and the first formal obstacle could be this question, which looks simple at first glance, writes Belgrade daily Blic today. “We will define our territory according to the Constitution. On the other hand, the territory for which the Serbian government takes responsibility for implementing reforms from the moment that the international administration took over the administration in Kosovo is clearly defined,” Delevic told the newspaper. She said that the EU was preparing to send the questionnaire as soon as the Council of Ministers approves the move, adding that Serbia was preparing by using the questions that were given to Montenegro and Albania. Asked why reforms were being implemented at a noticeably slower pace in the first quarter of this year, Delevic said that part of the problem was the introduction of the table of harmonization, which demands a strict checking of harmonization with EU laws, and also requires more work from the ministries. The formal condition to start the ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between Serbia and the EU will be a positive report on cooperation from the Hague Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz, Delevic said, and added that she hoped that the report would be positive. She said that the implementation of adopted laws was something that changes the lives of the Serbian citizens significantly and brings the country closer to the EU. “The progress report will take into consideration the implementation of all reforms that were adopted this year and last year, and the implementation of the interim trade agreement is also important. The formation of the Council for the Protection of Competition and the intensive work of the Commission for the Control of State Assistance are also important,” Delevic said. She added that the office was pointing to both technical and political questions that were still open, and should be resolved in order for this year’s report to be improved.

“Answers to EC in line with Constitution”

The question that is constantly resurfacing is whether Serbia can move ahead in the integration process while the Kosovo status question remains unresolved, and the first formal obstacle could be this question, which looks simple at first glance, writes Belgrade daily Blic today.

“We will define our territory according to the Constitution. On the other hand, the territory for which the Serbian government takes responsibility for implementing reforms from the moment that the international administration took over the administration in Kosovo is clearly defined,” Delević told the newspaper.

She said that the EU was preparing to send the questionnaire as soon as the Council of Ministers approves the move, adding that Serbia was preparing by using the questions that were given to Montenegro and Albania.

Asked why reforms were being implemented at a noticeably slower pace in the first quarter of this year, Delević said that part of the problem was the introduction of the table of harmonization, which demands a strict checking of harmonization with EU laws, and also requires more work from the ministries.

The formal condition to start the ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between Serbia and the EU will be a positive report on cooperation from the Hague Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz, Delević said, and added that she hoped that the report would be positive.

She said that the implementation of adopted laws was something that changes the lives of the Serbian citizens significantly and brings the country closer to the EU.

“The progress report will take into consideration the implementation of all reforms that were adopted this year and last year, and the implementation of the interim trade agreement is also important. The formation of the Council for the Protection of Competition and the intensive work of the Commission for the Control of State Assistance are also important,” Delević said.

She added that the office was pointing to both technical and political questions that were still open, and should be resolved in order for this year’s report to be improved.