The Annual Progress Report and the Growth Plan represent a roadmap for the reforms that Serbia should implement, and the business community can play an important role in supporting reform efforts, advocacy and oversight. That is why the Annual Progress Report of the European Union on Serbia was presented to the representatives of the business community.

The event was held at the European House in Belgrade, and the Report was discussed by Emanuele Giaufret, the EU Ambassador to Serbia, and Tanja Miščević, Minister for European Integration.

According to Ambassador Giaufret, the Report positively assessed economic progress, regional policy, adoption of the Anti-Corruption Strategy and the continuation of reforms in the judiciary. The management of migratory flows, the contract with Frontex, as well as the fact that Serbia committed to harmonizing its visa policy with the EU visa policy are also positive, said Giaufret.

“To be more specific about the reforms that are ahead of us, where the EU will continue to stand by Serbia and provide support through technical assistance and financial support. In the last 10 years, 4 billion euros in grants were allocated to Serbia”, the Ambassador said.

The rule of law is very important for the business community and the activities on improvement of the professionalism and capacity of the judiciary continue, Minister Miščević said inter alia.

Speaking about the recommendation of the EU from  last year that were not implemented, she said that there is no progress in the area of our focus, which is public administration, and stated that there is no progress in the area of freedom of expression either.

“Today marks the last day of operations of the Regulatory Body for Electronic Media based on the old law”, said Miščević and expressed her hope that the election process will begin. She also stated that the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications is considering the amendments of two laws, in order to harmonize them with the EU Audio-Visual Directive.

In order to achieve greater export, Serbia needs to comply with food safety standards, added the Minister and stated that the biggest disappointment is that no progress was achieved in Chapter 33 in the accession negotiations.

Andrea Hochhuber, Head of European Integration, Economic and Trade Section in the EU Delegation to Serbia, spoke about the Annual Progress Report, and took part in the panel “EU Accession and Growth Plan: Drivers of Serbia’ Economic Growth?”, together with Nenad Đurđević, Advisor to the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia, Sanja Ivanić, Secretary General of the Council of European Business Associations and Chambers in Serbia and Dragana Đurica, Secretary General of the European Movement in Serbia.