November 17, 2009

Serbian Deputy PM and Interior Minister Ivica Dačić said in Brussels today European Commission Vice-President Jacques Barrault will soon officially propose to the Council of Interior and Justice Ministers of the EU visa liberalization for Serbian, Montenegrin and Macedonian citizens. Pointing out this will be the first practical and tangible benefit for those countries in the European integrations process, he assessed visa liberalization can represent for Serbia an introduction to the unfreezing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement or possible membership in the EU. In talks with the European Parliament Working Group for the West Balkans he emphasized Serbia had achieved very positive assessments of results in the fulfillment of visa liberalization conditions, to take effect on December 19. Pointing out EU membership is a Serbian priority, he said visa liberalization should apply to all the Balkan countries, as that is a condition for stability and prosperity in the region. He took part in a EU ministerial forum dedicated to the rule of law and judicial reforms, which ended today with the adoption of a joint statement on a ban of the use of explosives in countries in the region.