Serbia, EU initial association agreement

The EU and Serbia have initialed the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA). Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic initialed the agreement on behalf of the government, and EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn on behalf of the EU at a ceremony this afternoon, that was also attended by President Boris Tadic. Serbia, EU initial association agreement Tadic said that the SAA was a major recognition of a European Serbia and proof that Serbia had the capacity to become a fully-fledged European country. He added that citizens would in future be able to build their lives according to European standards and values. Djelic told B92 earlier that the initialing of the agreement would be a step towards Serbia’s candidacy for the EU. “The initialing of the agreement and the signing of the Readmission Agreement are only the first steps towards our goal, which is to become an EU membership candidate by the end of next year,” Djelic said. Rehn stressed that the initialing was Serbia’s first concrete step towards EU membership, and that it would give real economic benefits, stimulate investment, create new jobs, and increase the security of its citizens. The wording of the text was agreed upon in September, and Belgrade has been awaiting initialing since October, though this was postponed following a negative evaluation of cooperation between Serbia and the Hague Tribunal. A positive Hague evaluation was the main criterium for initialing, while full Hague cooperation remains the condition for the signing of the agreement. Tadic, Djelic, and Rehn at the SAA initialing (FoNet)

Serbia, EU initial association agreement

Tadić said that the SAA was a major recognition of a European Serbia and proof that Serbia had the capacity to become a fully-fledged European country. He added that citizens would in future be able to build their lives according to European standards and values.

Đelić told B92 earlier that the initialing of the agreement would be a step towards Serbia’s candidacy for the EU.

“The initialing of the agreement and the signing of the Readmission Agreement are only the first steps towards our goal, which is to become an EU membership candidate by the end of next year,” Đelić said.

Rehn stressed that the initialing was Serbia’s first concrete step towards EU membership, and that it would give real economic benefits, stimulate investment, create new jobs, and increase the security of its citizens.

The wording of the text was agreed upon in September, and Belgrade has been awaiting initialing since October, though this was postponed following a negative evaluation of cooperation between Serbia and the Hague Tribunal. A positive Hague evaluation was the main criterium for initialing, while full Hague cooperation remains the condition for the signing of the agreement.