Commission recommends opening accession talks with Serbia
The European Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy issued on April 22nd joint reports on the progress in European integration made by Serbia and Kosovo, three days after Belgrade and Pristina struck a landmark deal in the EU-facilitated dialogue.
Given the progress achieved, the Commission recommends to EU member states that negotiations be opened with Serbia on EU accession, and with Kosovo on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU.
“The recommendations to open negotiations for EU membership with Serbia and to open negotiations for an SAA with Kosovo mark a decisive break with the past and a common step towards a European future,” said High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the Commission, Catherine Ashton. ‘Serbia and Kosovo have proved they can both focus on the future rather than staying entangled in the past’ and ‘deserve to move on decisively in their EU perspectives,’ added EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle.
The report on Serbia underlines that Serbia has met the key priority of taking steps towards a visible and sustainable improvement of relations with Kosovo. Serbia has actively and constructively engaged in the EU-facilitated dialogue with Pristina. Implementation of agreements reached in the dialogue has continued, including on integrated border management, representation of Kosovo in regional fora, protection of religious and cultural heritage sites, acceptance of university diplomas, civil registry and on customs stamps. The two sides also agreed to start customs collection and to establish a fund for the development of northern Kosovo.
The report on Kosovo highlights that Kosovo has delivered on a set of short-term priorities of last year’s feasibility study in the fields of rule of law, public administration, protection of minorities and trade. The Commission therefore recommends the opening of the negotiations for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement.
Source: Delegation of the EU to Ukraine
