EC delegation welcomes Serbia's progress

BELGRADE Representatives of Serbia and of the European Commission (EC) held a plenary meeting of the Enhanced Permanent Dialogue (EPD) on Tuesday in Belgrade. They reviewed the progress Serbia made in meeting political criteria for joining the European Union (EU). EC delegation welcomes Serbia's progress The two parties focused on reviewing key EU related priorities, in particular the state of democratic institutions, the judiciary and fight against corruption, human rights and the protection of minorities as well as the respect for international obligations. The meeting at the Palace of Serbia was chaired by Serbian government's European Integration Office Director Milan Pajevic and Director for the Western Balkans in the European Commission Directorate General for Enlargement Pierre Mirel. The two parties put special emphasis on the Action Plan aimed at addressing the findings of the Commission 2012 Progress report and on the national plan for integration of the Republic of Serbia into the European Union for the period 2013-2017, a joint statement reads. The current meetings make a valuable contribution to the forthcoming joint report of the European Commission and the EU High Representative, to be issued in the course of April 2013, and it is expected that Serbia' readiness to take a new step in the process of EU accession will also be discussed. The Commission expressed encouragement on the commitment of the Serbian authorities to delivering results in implementing reforms, says a statement released by the Serbian government's EU Integration Office. The Commission welcomed the progress achieved by Serbia over the past year including since the constitution of a new government in July 2012, adding that the country is aiming at opening accession negotiations as soon as possible and is actively preparing itself for achieving this objective. When it comes to the key priority of progress towards a visible and sustainable improvement of relations with Kosovo, the Commission commended the constructive engagement of Serbia in the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina. Serbia should also continue to constructively engage in regional cooperation and strengthen relations with neighboring countries, the Commission added. The Commission particularly stressed the crucial role the parliament has to play from now on in the legislative process and in oversight of the executive. The Commission also expressed encouragement on the commitment of the Serbian authorities to delivering results in the reform of the judiciary and the fight against corruption. These are crucial areas in the enlargement process, and key priorities for Serbia's European path. Stepping up efforts in the area of anti-discrimination and inclusion of vulnerable groups as well as ensuring the effective implementation of their rights were also highlighted as an area to be tackled as a matter of priority. The Serbian government reaffirmed its strong commitment to continue implementing its December 2012 Action Plan aimed at addressing the findings of the Commission 2012 Progress report and all reforms envisaged thereby, so that the country could get a date for the beginning of the EU accession talks as soon as possible. The government representatives also highlighted the progress in the implementation of the Media Strategy, and drafting of a law on public information and electronic media. The Commission retained that threats against journalists, human rights defenders and LGBT population as well as little results in investigations on these crimes still raise concerns. Furthermore, Commission also reminded that the protection of minorities, including the Roma, is closely monitored throughout Serbia's EU integration path and that the existing legal framework's implementation needs to be fully and consistently ensured throughout Serbia. Tanjug

EC delegation welcomes Serbia's progress

The two parties focused on reviewing key EU related priorities, in particular the state of democratic institutions, the judiciary and fight against corruption, human rights and the protection of minorities as well as the respect for international obligations.

The meeting at the Palace of Serbia was chaired by Serbian government's European Integration Office Director Milan Pajević and Director for the Western Balkans in the European Commission Directorate General for Enlargement Pierre Mirel.

The two parties put special emphasis on the Action Plan aimed at addressing the findings of the Commission 2012 Progress report and on the national plan for integration of the Republic of Serbia into the European Union for the period 2013-2017, a joint statement reads.

The current meetings make a valuable contribution to the forthcoming joint report of the European Commission and the EU High Representative, to be issued in the course of April 2013, and it is expected that Serbia' readiness to take a new step in the process of EU accession will also be discussed.

The Commission expressed encouragement on the commitment of the Serbian authorities to delivering results in implementing reforms, says a statement released by the Serbian government's EU Integration Office.

The Commission welcomed the progress achieved by Serbia over the past year including since the constitution of a new government in July 2012, adding that the country is aiming at opening accession negotiations as soon as possible and is actively preparing itself for achieving this objective.

When it comes to the key priority of progress towards a visible and sustainable improvement of relations with Kosovo, the Commission commended the constructive engagement of Serbia in the EU-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Priština.

Serbia should also continue to constructively engage in regional cooperation and strengthen relations with neighboring countries, the Commission added.

The Commission particularly stressed the crucial role the parliament has to play from now on in the legislative process and in oversight of the executive.

The Commission also expressed encouragement on the commitment of the Serbian authorities to delivering results in the reform of the judiciary and the fight against corruption. These are crucial areas in the enlargement process, and key priorities for Serbia's European path.

Stepping up efforts in the area of anti-discrimination and inclusion of vulnerable groups as well as ensuring the effective implementation of their rights were also highlighted as an area to be tackled as a matter of priority.

The Serbian government reaffirmed its strong commitment to continue implementing its December 2012 Action Plan aimed at addressing the findings of the Commission 2012 Progress report and all reforms envisaged thereby, so that the country could get a date for the beginning of the EU accession talks as soon as possible.

The government representatives also highlighted the progress in the implementation of the Media Strategy, and drafting of a law on public information and electronic media.

The Commission retained that threats against journalists, human rights defenders and LGBT population as well as little results in investigations on these crimes still raise concerns.

Furthermore, Commission also reminded that the protection of minorities, including the Roma, is closely monitored throughout Serbia's EU integration path and that the existing legal framework's implementation needs to be fully and consistently ensured throughout Serbia.