Rehn: Serbia's progress in her own hands

The EU says it is prepared to do all it can to accelerate Serbia’s path to candidate status, as soon as all the required conditions are met, says Olli Rehn. After meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic in Brussels yesterday, the European enlargement commissioner underlined that the deadlines set out in the Serbian plan were ambitious. Rehn: Serbia's progress in her own hands However, he added that provided the conditions were fulfilled, if the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) was implemented and evident results achieved, it would be possible to go ahead to the next stage of the EU integration process—candidacy status and negotiations on membership. “This is a solid plan which they should adopt and which should be implemented by the new parliament and government so that Serbia can make progress on its path to Europe, and so that European reforms can be accelerated,“ Rehn said. “It is important that the SAA comes into force as soon as the required conditions have been fulfilled, because this will open the door to Serbia to receive EU candidate status,“ he added. “It is my pleasure to be in a position to say that the highest level of agreement has been achieved regarding the program on Serbia's admission into the EU and the European goals in that country,“ Rehn pointed out. Djelic pointed out that he expected the swift formation of a socially responsible and pro-European government in Serbia, and voiced belief that a very strong majority would be created in parliament for ratification of the SAA. He added that the creation of a stable government should enable, along with an additional cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, implementation of the SAA with the EU. Djelic also said that that an agreement had been reached with the European Commission to hold a meeting in Brussels on July 10, where Serbia would present its reply regarding the “Road Map” for the abolishment of EU visas for Serbian citizens. Olli Rehn, Bozidar Djelic (FoNet, archive)

Rehn: Serbia's progress in her own hands

However, he added that provided the conditions were fulfilled, if the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) was implemented and evident results achieved, it would be possible to go ahead to the next stage of the EU integration process—candidacy status and negotiations on membership.

“This is a solid plan which they should adopt and which should be implemented by the new parliament and government so that Serbia can make progress on its path to Europe, and so that European reforms can be accelerated,“ Rehn said.

“It is important that the SAA comes into force as soon as the required conditions have been fulfilled, because this will open the door to Serbia to receive EU candidate status,“ he added.

“It is my pleasure to be in a position to say that the highest level of agreement has been achieved regarding the program on Serbia's admission into the EU and the European goals in that country,“ Rehn pointed out.

Đelic pointed out that he expected the swift formation of a socially responsible and pro-European government in Serbia, and voiced belief that a very strong majority would be created in parliament for ratification of the SAA.

He added that the creation of a stable government should enable, along with an additional cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, implementation of the SAA with the EU.

Đelic also said that that an agreement had been reached with the European Commission to hold a meeting in Brussels on July 10, where Serbia would present its reply regarding the “Road Map” for the abolishment of EU visas for Serbian citizens.