The EU has four principles of a new methodology for Serbia’s accession to the European Union, Tanjug has learned.
The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Oliver Varheji, will present today in Brussels to the EU member states a document proposing a way to apply the new, revised methodology in Serbia’s accession process.
The so-called “Non-paper”, which Tanjug had insight into, emphasizes that the proposed changes, within the revised methodology, must be applied within the existing negotiating framework and with the consent of Serbia, which Belgrade insisted on.
It is added that the revised methodology must be in the mutual interest of both Serbia and the member states. The document presents four basic principles of the future process of Serbia’s accession process to the EU.
First, it insists on the credibility of the process and puts even more focus on rule of law reforms. It states that “new chapters should not be closed until the transitional criteria in fundamental chapters 23 and 24 are met”.
The second principle implies “stronger political governance of the accession process”, which should give member states a greater role in monitoring and reviewing the progress made in Serbia.
“Intergovernmental conferences and the Stabilization and Association Council should serve to strengthen the dialogue between member states and Serbia, with clear guidelines on the key reform processes necessary for progress,” the Commission’s text reads.
The first such Serbia-EU Intergovernmental Conference should serve to clarify the application of the new methodology and planning, and “Serbia could also open clusters if it meets the opening criteria, and member states agree that significant progress has been made in the rule of law.”
The third principle of the revised methodology emphasizes the importance of accelerating the dynamism of Serbia’s accession negotiations with the EU, which should be achieved through the opening of several chapters included in six clusters.
Corrective measures in case of problems during negotiations
Serbia has so far opened all chapters from the first so-called “fundamental” cluster, and the European Commission proposes to start assessing the country’s readiness in each of the remaining clusters as soon as possible in order to identify the basic shortcomings and guidelines for their opening.
It is emphasized once again that “in parallel with the preparation for the opening of chapters by clusters”, work will be done on reports on the country’s progress in the field of rule of law, which will be an additional condition for new steps in the accession process.
At the same time, the acceleration of integration measures during the harmonization of Serbia with EU policies and standards is the most important.
The European Commission singled out the predictability of the process as the fourth principle of Serbia’s future accession path.
The text of the proposal, which Tanjug had an insight into, insists that the EU “be clearer in its expectations” than Serbia so that the country can focus on concrete next steps on the path to accession, on the criteria for closing the chapter or priority reforms.
Within this principle, “corrective measures in case of problems during the negotiations” are also proposed, which refers to sanctioning serious stagnation or possible setbacks in the implementation of reforms.
According to the new revised methodology, the annual reports of the European Commission should remain crucial in the analysis of Serbia’s progress on the path to EU accession.
After the European Commission presents its proposal today on concrete steps in the future process of Serbia’s accession, individual EU member states should also declare themselves on that, BiF reports.
