EC chief in Belgrade on candidate status

The European Commission (EC) delegation in Serbia officials say that Serbia's EU membership bid could be considered as early as this January. The delegation chief Vincent Degert says that a meeting of EU foreign ministers will be held this month, and that he expects that Spain will put forward the issue of Serbia's candidature "in the near future". EC chief in Belgrade on candidate status Degert believes that Serbia's membership negotiations could last from three to seven years. "I think the procedure is clear. We must prepare our opinion and send a questionnaire with more than 2,000 questions that Serbia should answer," he said. "We will then study the answers and the commission will prepare its opinion, which then should convince the member countries about how prepared Serbia is. I have no doubts on that issue, but the process takes about a year." "Then, if all are in agreement and ready, we can make the next move, and that is granting a candidate status and starting the negotiations," said the French diplomat. Meanwhile, Belgrade has great hopes pinned on the Spanish EU presidency, which started on January 1. Madrid has on many occasions announced that it would "do all in its power" to help Belgrade join the EU "as soon as possible". Vincent Degert (Beta, file)

EC chief in Belgrade on candidate status

Degert believes that Serbia's membership negotiations could last from three to seven years.

"I think the procedure is clear. We must prepare our opinion and send a questionnaire with more than 2,000 questions that Serbia should answer," he said.

"We will then study the answers and the commission will prepare its opinion, which then should convince the member countries about how prepared Serbia is. I have no doubts on that issue, but the process takes about a year."

"Then, if all are in agreement and ready, we can make the next move, and that is granting a candidate status and starting the negotiations," said the French diplomat.

Meanwhile, Belgrade has great hopes pinned on the Spanish EU presidency, which started on January 1.

Madrid has on many occasions announced that it would "do all in its power" to help Belgrade join the EU "as soon as possible".