Tag: Stabilisation and Assocation

Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn announced that he will initial a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Serbia today (7 November) – a key step on the country's path to EU accession – despite concerns that Belgrade could be doing more to bring alleged war criminals to justice.

Meeting with EU policymakers in Brussels, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica made it clear that he would not accept a solution on Kosovo found outside the UN. The Western Balkan country is about to seal an agreement that brings it closer to the EU.

The Commission has given the go-ahead to resume talks with Serbia on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), ahead of a visit by the international war crimes tribunal chief prosecutor, Carla del Ponte, this week.

Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn gave a clear signal to Bosnia and Herzegovina, saying that the EU will not consider closer ties unless the country makes progress on reforming its police and co-operating with the UN War Crimes Tribunal.

Ultranationalists gained the most votes in Serbia's general election on 21 January 2007. However, a group of pro-European parties is likely to form Serbia's new government coalition.

On 12 June 2006 Albania signed as the third Western Balkan state a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU. Negotiations on a similar agreement with newly independent Montenegro are underway.

The Commission adopted a Communication on the Western Balkans and European Integration on 21 May 2033, proposing pre-accession type relations with the region. A new European Integration Partnership is to be created under this proposal as an instrument for monitoring the progress of the reform process in the Balkans countries.