What are your general impressions on the current situation in Serbia in the key domains?
Serbia’s process to the European Union is well established and progressing. In terms of negotiations fourteen “chapters” of the accession have been opened and two temporarily closed. Discussions are ongoing in view to open additional chapters before the end of the year. It will be an encouraging signal of progress. It is important to underline that chapters are a negotiating tool and not an objective in se. What is ultimately important is to close chapters as the result of a completed and successful reform process.
Looking at the economy we recognise the work Serbia is doing to implement important reforms, which have restored macroeconomic and fiscal stability. The positive growth of the GDP which Serbia is registering (4,8% in 2018 – IMF) tells that these reforms are also producing growth and employment. At the same time, we encourage Serbia to intensify the reforms needed to make this growth sustainable with a long term impact to secure the job opportunities also for the new generations. Restructuring of large public companies, tackling the high share of informal economy and the para-fiscal charges, better labour standards are among the areas that need to be addressed in a systemic manner. Further efforts are needed to develop the private sector, particularly the SMEs, still hampered by weaknesses in the rule of law and the enforcement of fair competition rules.
Looking at the Rule of Law area we have consistently indicated the need to continue robust reforms, including to have a more professional and depoliticised Public Administration, an independent and efficient judicial system free from political interference, an effective fight against corruption, and an enabling environment for freedom of expression and media freedom. These are areas that Serbia needs to continue to address in a systemic way to progress on its European path.
More generally, the EU accession is a demanding but transformational process to realize the necessary reforms in the economy, in the governance and in the society, which need to happen in parallel. Reforms are needed, not as a “tick-the-box” abstract exercise that would satisfy the EU, but as the necessary process to establish for the Serbian citizens a market oriented economy that produces growth and jobs and a functioning democratic society where Rule of Law and fundamental rights are fully respected.
Becoming member of the European Union should be the priority number one for the whole Country: the government, the Parliament, the business, the citizens. It is a national project that needs the active contribution of the entire society.
Are you satisfied with your cooperation with the Serbian officials?
Yes, we have a very good working relationship and we operate in an open and transparent manner, as good partners always should. We are both involved in a transformational process that goes deep into the life and the future of Serbia. We are in constant contact with the central and local administration to help the reforms progressing. I would also say that the work with the municipalities is also very important, as the large majority of the EU legislation – including agriculture, transport, and environment – is implemented at local level. I have met a number of local administrators during my missions throughout the Country, and I can safely say that they are among our key partners in supporting pro- EU reforms.
Having said that I would like to see a public discourse where the commitment of Serbia towards the European Union and the results we are achieving together are better and more coherently explained to the citizens.
Last month you stressed that there are many shortcomings in the fight against the corruption in Serbia. What should the Serbian authorities to improve the situation in this domain?
I recalled that for 2017 the annual EC report and other international Institutions (GRECO and Moneyval of Council of Europe) indicated a number of steps that Serbia needs to do for a more effective fight against corruption.
Over the course of 2018 a number of initiatives are coming into place. The new “Law on Organization and Jurisdiction of State Authorities in Combating Organized Crime, Terrorism and Corruption“, which entered into force on 1st of March 2018, for example goes in the right direction as it envisages joint work of public prosecutors, judges, police and other public authorities. With the adoption and implementation of this law, Serbia has made a good step forward in the fight against corruption which is a threat to the economy, to efficient and effective public administration and the ordinary life of every citizen. The first results we are seeing are rather positive.
Naturally, there is still a lot of work to establish a fully efficient system to fight corruption. The EU asked in particular, to improve track records on investigations, and final convictions in high-level corruption cases, improve the operational capacity of the anti-corruption institutions, in primis the Anti-Corruption Agency, and to provide effective coordination and resources. More than in other areas implementation is key to achieve the expected results.
What is your assessment of the freedom of expression in this country? Is the EU willing to do more to support the independent and professional media outlets in Serbia; since the EU officials keep insisting on the fact that frees media is one of the key preconditions for the EU membership?
In our last Annual Report we have highlighted the importance of this issue. Since then I found encouraging the commitment both of the government, representative media and journalists’ associations to engage in the drafting of the new Media Strategy. Together with the OSCE mission, the EU Delegation is observing the work of the Working Group. So far the work has been conducted in an inclusive manner, the atmosphere during sessions is constructive, and there is an open dialogue. We encourage both the government and the media professionals to remain committed and to agree on a Strategy that – once implemented – will result in a better and modernised media environment.
At the same time we are also registering concerns coming from media associations in the awarding of public funds for media content serving public interest. As noted in our Annual Report, this process needs to be in line with all the legal provisions, in a transparent and equal manner.
The EU will continue to advocate for an environment that enable freedom of expression in enlargement Countries. In 2017 the European Commission organised the important Media Days conference in Tirana in support for media professionals. Commissioner Hahn opening the 2018 edition in Skopje last September said clearly that in the Western Balkans Strategy, the EU highlighted “the importance of safeguarding fundamental rights, which need not only be respected, but lived, with media freedom and freedom of expression as one of the main pillars.”
Do you think that it is possible for Serbia to fully establish the rule of law by 2023, in order to become the EU member state in 2025?
In opening the negotiations for the accession in 2014 Serbia and the EU agreed to work immediately on the Rule of Law. The formula used is “fundamentals first”. It is the mutual recognition that this is one of the most crucial areas for accession (fundamentals) and where it is necessary to start working immediately because is where most of the work is needed (first). Therefore, Chapters 23 and 24 were the first to be open with an ambitious and comprehensive agenda. To name the most relevant: improving the role of the Parliament in oversighting the executive branch, reforming the Public Administration, reinforcing the development of the civil society, strengthening the independence, impartiality and efficiency of the judicial system, making the fight against corruption more effective, a stronger legislative and institutional framework to uphold human rights, implementing measures to advance regional reconciliation, and enabling an environment to in which freedom of expression can be fully exercise.
The implementation of this agenda is under way. On some areas Serbia is making faster progress, on some it is slower. We are fully aware of the complexity of these reforms and the time needed to implement successfully. A substantial part of EU assistance (not repayable funds) goes exactly in support of this agenda. We are engaged with the widest arrays of players – legislators, judges and prosecutors, government, media and civil society to mention the most active – to help design and implement such an ambitious set of reforms.
On the 2025 timeframe it is important to remember that this should be considered more a ‘horizon’ for the accession negotiations and not a date. Whether the reforms will be achieved by that time (or later or earlier) is entirely in the hands of Serbia who owns the reforms process.
I believe this timeframe is very ambitious but still feasible. Political will, trust and cooperation among the different branches of the State, and the whole society are essential to achieve results. A consistent and coherent message from all the relevant stakeholders in favour Serbia’s integration into the EU is necessary to have the trust of the citizens to support the reforms.
What is your view on the current phase in the Brussels’ Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina? Do you expect any progress in this process in the next few months?
We continue to work intensively with Belgrade and Pristina on a legally binding agreement on comprehensive normalisation. Both sides are fully engaged with the HR/VP Mogherini to define the elements for such an agreement. At the moment technical dialogue is ongoing to schedule a High Level meeting in the coming period with the objective to make tangible results. The EU will announce when such a meeting is confirmed. Timing, agenda and format of the Dialogue is set by the two negotiating sides.
What do you think about the transformation of the Kosovo’s Security Forces into the army, which was initiated last week without the consent of Kosovo’s Serbs?
The development and prosperity of Kosovo is an integral part of the EU Western Balkans agenda. The EU has always called for an inclusive process leading to the adoption of the legislation on the transformation of the Kosovo Security Force, in compliance with the Kosovo constitution and taking into account the interests and concerns of all communities in Kosovo and also all relevant partners, entities and organisations. We call on the Kosovo authorities to ensure an inclusive process.
In your opinion, can Belgrade and Pristina reach legally binding agreement on Kosovo’s issue until November 2019 i.e. during the current term of office of the EU institutions?
Lasting peace between Serbia and Kosovo and in the region as a whole is a top priority. What the EU facilitated dialogue should lead to is a lasting and comprehensive solution, which needs to be achievable and sustainable, based on international law and the EU acquis. Any agreement must be specific and tailor-made, and should not set a precedent. It should also contribute to regional stability and the region’s EU aspirations, as progress in the normalisation is an essential element underpinning the development of relations and cooperation of both Belgrade and Pristina with the EU.
We have consistently underlined that Belgrade and Pristina should be given space for mutually agree on the content of this comprehensive normalisation agreement and without outside interference. We do not speculate on possible elements of a final legally binding agreement, nor do we set time frames. Pace of the process is in the hands of the parties working on the agreement. The EU, as facilitator, encourages and supports both Parties in their efforts.
What do you think about the challenges that the EU is faced up with, such as the Brexit and migration crisis? Do you expect the EU to become stronger in the next few years?
On migration it is evident is that the flow of migrants to Europe has significantly decreased and it is now below the pre-crisis levels of 2014. The number of entries to the EU has also gone considerably down. We no longer have the dramatic situation the region faced in late 2015 and beginning of 2016. The joint response to the crisis over the past years serves as an important lesson. The cooperation with Serbia and Western Balkans has been extremely constructive and helpful. Let’s not forget that migration remains a global and long term challenge that we will need to continue to manage it in full cooperation with Countries of origin, transit and destination.
On UK’s decision to withdraw from the EU, we have consistently and wholeheartedly expressed our regret, but in line with our democratic principles we respect this decision. Negotiations with the UK are ongoing, to ensure that the UK leaves the EU in an orderly fashion. As President Juncker said in his State of the Union speech on September 2018, “the United Kingdom will never be an ordinary third country for us. The United Kingdom will always be a very close neighbour and partner, in political, economic and security terms.”
The European Union went through a number of remarkable challenges throughout its evolution over the last six decades. The EU has always proved its resilience and flexibility to face crisis. Today, it is confronted with new challenges, also expression of the more connected but also more contested world in which we now live. The EU has usually sort out stronger and better prepared after difficult periods. I have no reasons to believe that it will not be the case also this time. Enlargement to Serbia and the Western Balkans should be part of a stronger and global EU.
