Victor Boştinaru welcomes the Commission Opinion on Serbia’s application for membership of the European Union

Victor Boştinaru, Vice-Chairman of the Delegation for the South-East Europe and President of the „Friends of Serbia” informal Group in the European Parliament welcomes the Commission Opinion on Serbia’s application for membership of the European Union.

The Commission analysed Serbia’s application on the basis of the country’s capacity to meet the criteria set by the Copenhagen European Council of 1993 and the conditionality of the Stabilisation and Association Process together with implementing its obligations under the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and the Interim Agreement on trade and trade related matters.

Serbia was deemed able to fulfil the obligations set out in the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and to progress with adoption, implementation and enforcement of the EU acquis, therefore able to assume the obligations of membership.

The MEP stated that: „Serbia presented its application on the 22 of December 2009 and is ready now to be granted with a candidate status. I am glad to see that Serbia’s important progress has been emphasized in the EC Report. The Commission Assessment on Serbia is beneficial for all Western Balkans and shows the EU commitment to the Enlargement. I am optimistic about the future of Serbia, this country is on the right path. I believe that the political courage of the Belgrade leaders and their constant European commitment has to be not only welcomed but also supported by the EU. I am seeing EU membership not only as a goal for Serbia but as a development that is important for the EU’s own interests. Remains that Serbia need to continue its efforts in fighting against corruption and organised crime. There is a need to find concrete results in its dialogue with Kosovo, in order to improve the everyday life of citizens and finding mutually acceptable, peaceful and sustainable solutions for all remaining open issues. The future of Serbia lies in the EU and I hope a date for starting the negotiations for accession is to be given soon.”