For the good of Europe give Serbia a chance

For the good of Europe give Serbia a chance This event was hailed by many European leaders as a watershed for relations between Serbia and the European Union. It has often been said that deeds, not words, are expected from Serbia. The same can now be said of our European partners. As recent death threats to Serbia's democratic leaders and violent ultranationalist demonstrations in Belgrade show, great challenges lie ahead. If the ruling coalition, led by President Boris Tadic, is to press on with its ambitious reform agenda, the EU must understand that Serbians expect from it swift and fair actions, but not privileges. The EU helped a few weeks ago by signing with us the Stabilization and Association Agreement and providing a tough but fair roadmap for visa liberalization. This new policy of disciplined partnership between the EU and Serbia yields much better results than the old one, based on conditionality and sanctions. A fair EU policy towards Serbia must comprise implementation of the SAA followed by candidate status, a visa-free travel regime within the Schengen zone and respect for international law on Kosovo. First, Serbia and the rest of the region should be brought closer to Europe rapidly. Implementation of the SAA is dependent on a positive report by Serge Brammertz, chief prosecutor with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. That could be the only logical outcome of his visit to Belgrade later this month. Candidate status for Serbia and possibly other western Balkans countries can be reached toward the end of the French EU presidency or in the next one, under the Czechs. As further proof of our EU commitment, our government is sending back our ambassadors to EU countries that recognized the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo. Second, visa-free travel should become a reality over the next 12 months. We must convince people in the west that this move will not endanger them. This is why a tough visa liberalization roadmap is welcome, with conditions regarding biometric passports, improvements to the legal framework, information technology investments and airport security. Serbia will use its presidency of the Roma decade - an initiative by east European countries to integrate the Roma people - to demonstrate that issues regarding the largest European minority require a pan-European approach and funding. Third, let us all respect international law and order. Serbia is rightly expected to abide by it where the ICTY is concerned, even though recent rulings setting free a Bosniak (Naser Oric) and a Kosovo Albanian (Ramush Haradinaj) suspected of war crimes against Serbs outraged all those who seek justice. Serbia expects the rest of the world to respect international law as well on Eulex - the EU Rule of Law Mission - and, more generally, Kosovo. We are starting a wide ranging dialogue with the United Nations Mission in Kosovo to redefine the international presence in Kosovo under a legal, UN authority. There cannot be a sustainable solution on Kosovo without Belgrade. Debate at the September UN General Assembly, during which a consultative opinion will be asked from the International Court of Justice on the legality of the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo, will be the first steps along that path. We could be at the beginning of a unique period of political stability in the western Balkans, with pro-European governments leading Serbia and countries in the region. The EU can either use this chance to strengthen democracy and integrate the region into the mainstream or squander it by dealing only with internal issues. Finally, both the EU and Serbia can reap large benefits from the emerging regional economic boom. Serbia has, for all its difficulties, attracted over USD 15bn of foreign direct investment since 2001, half of it during the past two years. More is to come, with over EUR 7bn in infrastructure investments, initial public offerings for telecommunications, pharmaceutical and power companies and real estate developments. Growth is to continue at 6-7 per cent, making up for significant yet controllable current account deficits. Serbia is ready to provide a crucial contribution to peace and stability in the Balkans. Let us seize this moment. We will do our part, firmly and professionally. Just give Serbia the chance to perform, with clear and fair rules, and we can all share in our success. This article by the deputy prime minister originally appeared on the Financial Times website Bozidar Djelic (FoNet, file) The arrest and extradition of Radovan Karadzic, the former Bosnian Serb leader, shows that the new Serbian government is serious about meeting its international obligations. Bozidar Djelic "Serbia is ready to provide a crucial contribution to peace and stability in the Balkans. Let us seize this moment. We will do our part, firmly and professionally."

For the good of Europe give Serbia a chance

This event was hailed by many European leaders as a watershed for relations between Serbia and the European Union. It has often been said that deeds, not words, are expected from Serbia. The same can now be said of our European partners.

As recent death threats to Serbia's democratic leaders and violent ultranationalist demonstrations in Belgrade show, great challenges lie ahead. If the ruling coalition, led by President Boris Tadić, is to press on with its ambitious reform agenda, the EU must understand that Serbians expect from it swift and fair actions, but not privileges.

The EU helped a few weeks ago by signing with us the Stabilization and Association Agreement and providing a tough but fair roadmap for visa liberalization. This new policy of disciplined partnership between the EU and Serbia yields much better results than the old one, based on conditionality and sanctions.

A fair EU policy towards Serbia must comprise implementation of the SAA followed by candidate status, a visa-free travel regime within the Schengen zone and respect for international law on Kosovo.

First, Serbia and the rest of the region should be brought closer to Europe rapidly. Implementation of the SAA is dependent on a positive report by Serge Brammertz, chief prosecutor with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. That could be the only logical outcome of his visit to Belgrade later this month.

Candidate status for Serbia and possibly other western Balkans countries can be reached toward the end of the French EU presidency or in the next one, under the Czechs. As further proof of our EU commitment, our government is sending back our ambassadors to EU countries that recognized the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo.

Second, visa-free travel should become a reality over the next 12 months. We must convince people in the west that this move will not endanger them. This is why a tough visa liberalization roadmap is welcome, with conditions regarding biometric passports, improvements to the legal framework, information technology investments and airport security.

Serbia will use its presidency of the Roma decade - an initiative by east European countries to integrate the Roma people - to demonstrate that issues regarding the largest European minority require a pan-European approach and funding.

Third, let us all respect international law and order. Serbia is rightly expected to abide by it where the ICTY is concerned, even though recent rulings setting free a Bosniak (Naser Orić) and a Kosovo Albanian (Ramush Haradinaj) suspected of war crimes against Serbs outraged all those who seek justice. Serbia expects the rest of the world to respect international law as well on Eulex - the EU Rule of Law Mission - and, more generally, Kosovo.

We are starting a wide ranging dialogue with the United Nations Mission in Kosovo to redefine the international presence in Kosovo under a legal, UN authority. There cannot be a sustainable solution on Kosovo without Belgrade. Debate at the September UN General Assembly, during which a consultative opinion will be asked from the International Court of Justice on the legality of the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo, will be the first steps along that path.

We could be at the beginning of a unique period of political stability in the western Balkans, with pro-European governments leading Serbia and countries in the region. The EU can either use this chance to strengthen democracy and integrate the region into the mainstream or squander it by dealing only with internal issues.

Finally, both the EU and Serbia can reap large benefits from the emerging regional economic boom. Serbia has, for all its difficulties, attracted over USD 15bn of foreign direct investment since 2001, half of it during the past two years. More is to come, with over EUR 7bn in infrastructure investments, initial public offerings for telecommunications, pharmaceutical and power companies and real estate developments. Growth is to continue at 6-7 per cent, making up for significant yet controllable current account deficits.

Serbia is ready to provide a crucial contribution to peace and stability in the Balkans. Let us seize this moment. We will do our part, firmly and professionally. Just give Serbia the chance to perform, with clear and fair rules, and we can all share in our success.

This article by the deputy prime minister originally appeared on the Financial Times website