EU to reopen Serbia & Montenegro talks

The EU aims to put Serbia and Montenegro back on track for possible
membership.

EU foreign ministers expressed support on 11 October for
the Commission’s aim to relaunch efforts to put Serbia
and Montenegro back on track for possible EU membership. According
to External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten, the EU “[does] not
want to see Serbia and Montenegro fall behind its
neighbours”. 

The Commission has said that it would relaunch its feasibility
report on whether to open negotiations with Serbia and Montenegro
for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) leading to full
EU membership. Patten said that the Commission report could be
completed by early 2005.

The Council’s decision was preceded by an agreement between
Serbia and Montenegro to negotiate with the EU under a “twin-track”
approach, whereby the two republics would negotiate individually in
areas where they operate separately. These areas include trade and
economic affairs. At the same time, the ultimate goal is to
conclude a single SAA.

Patten emphasised that it remains a “fundamental prerequisite
for deeper relations with the EU” that the two republics “fully
co-operate” with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former
Yugoslavia.

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