Italy to "assist Serbia in EU negotiations"

BELGRADE Italy's Deputy FM Marta Dassusu announced support for Serbia in its negotiations with the EU, which she believes will begin no later than January of next year. Dassu, who was this week on an official visit to Serbia, pointed out the significance of the Brussels agreement and the local elections in Kosovo. Italy to "assist Serbia in EU negotiations" "Italy will provide technical support to Serbia in connection with ten of the 35 chapters, which would open during the negotiations with the EU," she told the Belgrade-based daily Blic. The Italian minister explained that the technical assistance would primarily be related to the chapter concerning internal affairs, justice and human rights, but that it would also extend to agriculture, sanitary and phyto-sanitary control and other areas. "At the summit in Ancona the two foreign ministers will, in a joint statement, emphasize the support that Italy wants to give to Serbia's EU integration," said Dassu. She announced that the third bilateral summit of Italy and Serbia in Ancona on October 15 will confirm the importance of the strategic partnership between the two countries, while two agreements will be signed - one concerning extradition procedure, and one in the field of transport. When asked whether the local elections in Kosovo have an impact on the start of negotiations between Serbia and the EU, she said that these elections will be very important and that the EU, which mediates in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, expects them to be "fully inclusive in the north and among the Serb community." "The manner in which the elections will pass will be a kind of a thermometer that will show how the dialogue between the two sides is taking its course. We are confident that the two sides will be ready to implement the agreement that was signed in April and that negotiations on Serbia's EU association will begin no later than January of next year." "There are no other requirements. The only requirement is implementation of the agreement from April. Real progress remains to be achieved in the coming weeks on the integration of the judiciary and the police force," explained Dassu. Asked whether the negotiations can begin in December, she said that after the EU summit on December 18-19, "any date could be in circulation." As for the role of adviser to the Serbian government taken on by former Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, Dassu said this was "appropriate", particularly where it concerned key chapters 23 and 24, because he previously served as EU commissioner for the area. (Tanjug) Blic Tanjug

Italy to "assist Serbia in EU negotiations"

"Italy will provide technical support to Serbia in connection with ten of the 35 chapters, which would open during the negotiations with the EU," she told the Belgrade-based daily Blic.

The Italian minister explained that the technical assistance would primarily be related to the chapter concerning internal affairs, justice and human rights, but that it would also extend to agriculture, sanitary and phyto-sanitary control and other areas.

"At the summit in Ancona the two foreign ministers will, in a joint statement, emphasize the support that Italy wants to give to Serbia's EU integration," said Dassu.

She announced that the third bilateral summit of Italy and Serbia in Ancona on October 15 will confirm the importance of the strategic partnership between the two countries, while two agreements will be signed - one concerning extradition procedure, and one in the field of transport.

When asked whether the local elections in Kosovo have an impact on the start of negotiations between Serbia and the EU, she said that these elections will be very important and that the EU, which mediates in the dialogue between Belgrade and Priština, expects them to be "fully inclusive in the north and among the Serb community."

"The manner in which the elections will pass will be a kind of a thermometer that will show how the dialogue between the two sides is taking its course. We are confident that the two sides will be ready to implement the agreement that was signed in April and that negotiations on Serbia's EU association will begin no later than January of next year."

"There are no other requirements. The only requirement is implementation of the agreement from April. Real progress remains to be achieved in the coming weeks on the integration of the judiciary and the police force," explained Dassu.

Asked whether the negotiations can begin in December, she said that after the EU summit on December 18-19, "any date could be in circulation."

As for the role of adviser to the Serbian government taken on by former Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, Dassu said this was "appropriate", particularly where it concerned key chapters 23 and 24, because he previously served as EU commissioner for the area.