At the ninth sitting of the European Integrations Committee, held on 4 December, the Committee members were briefed on the priorities of the European Union Chair. The ambassadors of France Jean-Francois Terral, and the Czech Republic Hana Hubackova, as well as the Head of the European Commission Delegation, Josep Llovers were the Committee’s guests. The sitting was chaired by Laslo Varga.

Ambassador Terral, representative of the country currently chairing the European Union, stressed that France advocates the expansion of the Union and that Serbia, as the most important country of the region, has come the furthest among the Western Balkan countries currently in the process of stabilisation and accession to the EU. All the countries which joined the EU had previously to undergo a reception procedure and after gaining the status of membership candidate Serbia can expect negotiations which mean “closure of chapter 35”, i.e. adoption of EU rules and standards in many areas. When Serbia will gain EU membership depends on the fulfillment of these obligations.

The Czech Republic as the 2009 EU Chair, and Sweden after it, will have four priorities, a packet of measures on climate policies and environmental protection, priorities in the agricultural sector, while in the foreign policy sector it will deal with the issues of EU military and observation missions in the world. However, their first priority is facing the economic crisis, felt by all countries, said Ambassador Terral.

Ambassador Hubackova stressed that the Czech Republic will present its programme of European Union chairmanship in January 2009, but that its goal will be “Europe without borders”. She listed three priorities of the Czech EU chair, competition, climate changes and energy, as well as European security. Its priorities will also include transatlantic cooperation and cooperation with Eastern European countries, as well as the accession of countries of the Western Balkans region. Concerning this, she said that they are expecting several membership applications from countries of the Western Balkans region in 2009.

The Czech Ambassador particularly stressed that Serbia has the administrative capacity for a speedy European integration and visa liberalisation and recommended a more expedient adoption of laws from this area.

The Head of the European Commission Delegation in Serbia, Josep Lloveras emphasised that all that was accomplished and the areas which need to be better regulated in line with the European agenda were clearly listed in the European Commission’s recent Report on Serbia’s progress and approach to the EU. The Report stated that there is a chance for Serbia to receive the status of candidate for EU membership and visa liberalisation in 2009, due to its central position in the region and important security role. However, that depends on its progress on fulfilling the pre-conditions for EU accession, Lloveras repeated, and suggested a continued effort on changing Serbia’s world image.