“Implementation of trade deal in March”

Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn said the EU will begin implementing the Interim Trade Agreement with Serbia in March.

Izvor: FoNet

Wednesday, 25.02.2009.

11:45

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Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn said the EU will begin implementing the Interim Trade Agreement with Serbia in March. The trade deal is part of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) which Brussels suspended immediately upon its signing in late April last year, pending Belgrade's full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal. “Implementation of trade deal in March” After a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers earlier this week, Asselborn said that “as soon as next month, we will be able to pass a decision for ratifying the association agreement and the beginning of the implementation of the interim trade agreement.” “Only a few other pieces need to fall into place,” he said in an interview with Novi Sad daily Dnevnik. Asked whether the optimism is based on indications that Holland might change its stance that Belgrade must extradite Ratko Mladic before the agreement is ratified, Asselborn did not give a clear answer. “I do not want to go into details as not to compromise the chances, but I can confirm that it is absolutely possible. In March we have several meetings at which such a decision could be passed,” said the foreign minister. “In March we will discuss again, not only Serbia, but Montenegro and Albania if they apply for EU membership by then,” he said. Asked whether this is a suggestion that Serbia should be applying as well, Asselborn said that “Serbia, in order have its application of membership make any sense, must finish the story with the Hague Tribunal and wait for a decision by the council of ministers for the ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA).”

“Implementation of trade deal in March”

After a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers earlier this week, Asselborn said that “as soon as next month, we will be able to pass a decision for ratifying the association agreement and the beginning of the implementation of the interim trade agreement.”

“Only a few other pieces need to fall into place,” he said in an interview with Novi Sad daily Dnevnik.

Asked whether the optimism is based on indications that Holland might change its stance that Belgrade must extradite Ratko Mladić before the agreement is ratified, Asselborn did not give a clear answer.

“I do not want to go into details as not to compromise the chances, but I can confirm that it is absolutely possible. In March we have several meetings at which such a decision could be passed,” said the foreign minister.

“In March we will discuss again, not only Serbia, but Montenegro and Albania if they apply for EU membership by then,” he said.

Asked whether this is a suggestion that Serbia should be applying as well, Asselborn said that “Serbia, in order have its application of membership make any sense, must finish the story with the Hague Tribunal and wait for a decision by the council of ministers for the ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA).”

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