European Union strongly supports Serbian economy reform and expects it to finalise the 2016 economic reform agenda, said Head of EU Delegation to Serbia Ambassador Michael Davenport in an interview with Danas daily, published 1 February 2016. He underlined it was very important to consolidate reform in the area of justice, fight against corruption and human rights observance in order to attract investment and improve overall business environment. It is also very important for Serbia to act on European Commission recommendations and create conditions for media freedom. Davenport says that even though the country is getting closer to election period, the process of drafting legislation, action plans and strategies should not be stopped so that they could be adopted and implemented without delay, once the new government and parliament are formed: “This would be the right way for unhindered continuation of European path.”
Belgrade – When it comes to EU path, it is truly of essence for Serbia to maintain and strengthen its reform impetus in 2016. Serbian Government has placed economic reform and fight against corruption high on its agenda. The EU strongly supports economic reform in Serbia. The country is currently in the final stage of drafting the 2016 economic reform programme and is carrying this out in close cooperation with the European Commission. We expect this to be completed soon. Also, we will support economic reform agenda aimed at modernisation of economy, increasing competitiveness and job creation. In order to achieve all of the above, it is crucial to attract new investment, both domestic and foreign, and improve overall business environment in Serbia, which is why it is highly important that in 2016 we see substantial progress in reform consolidation in the area of justice, including prosecution, effective fight against corruption, utmost respect for the rule of law, said in an interview with Danas daily Ambassador Michael Davenport Head of EU Delegation to Serbia, talking about key tasks Serbia should carry out in 2016.
Ambassador also underlines the importance of acting on the recommendations set out in European Commission’s Annual Report concerning conditions for the establishment of media freedom. “All of the above is indeed interrelated,” says Davenport.
When do you expect the opening of next chapters in the process of EU accession?
– As you already know, Serbia opened the first chapters in its EU accession negotiations in December 2015. We hope and expect to see the opening of next chapters. The focus is mainly on the reform of rule of law and, particularly, the implementation of action plans concerning rule fo law already submitted by Serbia. It is now up to EU Member States to make a decision regarding the recommendation made by the European Commission about the opening of chapters 23 and 24 later this year.
You have mentioned the reform process. What do you think about the pace of implementation of reforms in important areas such as the rule of law, fight against corruption and economy?
– We have noted important reforms which have contributed to addressing some of the essential issues in Serbian economy. Above all, I am referring to reforms of labour market, planning system and tackling the long-standing issues of state-owned enterprises, which means taking action towards their restructuring and, consequently, privatisation. Much work has been done in these areas and it is important to consolidate these reforms in 2016.
I believe that action plans for chapters 23 and 24 define, not only the necessary reforms, but also concrete steps, time frames and financial backing of these reforms, in order to move forward the independence of justice, its effectiveness and professionalisation. Also, it is necessary to implement the Action Plan concerning fight against corruption, and make this happen under strong Government leadership, as well as to protect and strengthen the role of independent institutions crucial for successful fight against corruption, adoption and implementation of adequate laws. These institutions include, among others, Anti-Corruption Agency and Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection. As I have already said, improving efficiency and preserving independence of justice and independent bodies is important per se, but it is also of importance to citizens and business operation, in order to attract investors who wish to run their business in a legally predictable environment where the rule of law stands out as the most important feature.
What is your position on current media landscape in Serbia?
– European Commission has made its point about the state of media in Serbia in its Annual Report published in November 2015. I would say the landscape remained largely unchanged since then. It is very important to properly and efficiently enforce the laws adopted in 2014. In this regard, we should have in mind that one of the main goals of those laws is to see the State withdraw from media ownership and make State financing transparent. Naturally, these laws should also govern the process of media privatisation. I hope to see this happen in 2016. Another important recommendation made by the EC states that it is important to strengthen conditions for proper expression of media freedom.
How would you describe your relationship with Serbian officials?
– Never before has the cooperation been this meaningful, regular and fruitful. We, the Delegation as a whole and I personally as its Head, maintain frequent business contacts with all Government ministers who are dealing with issues relevant to Serbian European path, including, of course, Minister in charge of European integration, Head of Serbian negotiating team and Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic. I expect this cooperation to continue in future.
What is your view on the current migrant and refugee crisis and the way Serbia addresses it?
– Serbia has been rightfully commended for the way it had dealt with migrant crisis in the past months. Serbia has managed to secure the passing of unprecedented number of refugees across its territory, without any major issues and incidents, and has therefore been very successful. We were glad we could support Serbia’s efforts and make sure refugees are welcomed well and given necessary assistance. We are very pleased to say that we have allocated some EUR30 million of humanitarian assistance for Serbia, including food, clothing and winterisation of shelters. Our cooperation with Serbia keeps on improving, especially in the follow-up to the leaders’ meeting held in late October in Brussels, participated in by Serbian Prime Minister, among others. Serbian officials also regularly take part in video conferences discussing this issue.
In facing this crisis successfully, it is necessary to underline the role of domestic and international NGOs and Serbian Red Cross, which played an important role in responding to migrant crisis. It must be noted that this is an ongoing challenge and we expect to continue our cooperation with Serbia in overcoming it.
What is your view on Serbian foreign policy, including its relations with Russia?
– Last year, Serbia did an excellent job in presiding the OCSE, including the organisation of the final Ministerial Council in December, participated in by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. Having in mind its candidate country status and the fact that it has already opened the first negotiating chapters, the EU believes Serbia will uphold and pursue the common foreign policy. We expect Serbia to progressively align its foreign policy with the EU. Serbia develops its relations with Russia just as any other European country, including EU Members States. Traditionally, its trade relations with Russia are strong. But I am confident that Serbia can make this all work, in a way that does not compromise Serbia’s European path and EU accession.
What do you expect from the next stage of Brussels-facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina?
– Last week we had a meeting at the highest political level. On 27 January, two prime ministers met in Brussels under the auspices of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. The meeting went well and yielded concrete results. Above all, they agreed to continue the implementation of the agreements reached so far in the dialogue, but alos made a decision to move the dialogue forward and discuss topics of mutual interest, including transport.
“Elections are part of a democratic process”
Do you think early elections would affect Serbian European path?
– Elections are part of the constitutional process in any democratic country, including Serbia. Current Government has set EU accession as its top strategic priority and any government in future may expect support from the EU provided it shares the same goal. The period ahead should not stop civil servants, experts in various areas and independent bodies from drafting laws, action plans and strategies, so that they could be swiftly adopted and implemented once the new government and parliament are formed. This would be the right way for unhindered continuation of European path.
(Originally published in Danas daily on 1 February 2016)
