National Assembly Speaker Nebojsa Stefanovic shared his pleasure at meeting Mr Daul and at the Serbian officials’ recent frequent contacts with European Union officials, which he believes to be a sign of encouragement to the Serbian Government, Parliament and citizens and proof that Serbia has chosen the right road leading to the European Union.
Speaker Stefanovic said he expected the decision to officially launch negotiations to be made in December, adding that he was pleased by the positive assessment Commissioner Fule and other European dignitaries gave of the explanatory “screening” of chapter 23 of the talks, relating to the rule of law and the judiciary. The Parliament takes its future role in the European Union talks very seriously, said Stefanovic adding that the chief negotiator has been selected, as have the negotiating team and minister in charge of European integration, and concluding with information on the Parliament’s harmonisation of the text of the resolution and creation of a committee on stabilisation and EU accession. According to the National Assembly Speaker, the Parliament should develop its capacities in preparation to taking active part in the process, adding that it would define the Parliament’s role in the talks, especially as regards the Assembly’s oversight role.
Speaker Stefanovic also said that Serbia remains strongly committed to combating corruption and crime, reminding that the Parliament had adopted an anti-corruption strategy and action plan based on the principle of zero tolerance for corruption.
The Chairman of the European People's Party Parliamentary Group at the European Parliament, Joseph Daul said that he had personally taken part in the talks with several candidate countries which are now part of the European Union and shared the experience he gained from said talks. Daul stressed that negotiations and harmonisation in the spheres of the judiciary and the rule of law are vital and the entire negotiation process with Serbia would depend on the success of that part of the talks and the application of European standards. Speaking of his impressions of the current, especially economic situation in Serbia, Daul highlighted the challenges posed by the high unemployment rate, relative underdevelopment of the small and medium-sized enterprise sector and the need to harmonise the fiscal and social policy, recommending that Serbia consider adopting the Austrian model for small and medium-sized enterprises and the North European country model for social policy. Finally, Daul noted the need for judiciary reform which would significantly facilitate the EU talks and help speed up economic recovery.
Speaker Stefanovic agreed with Daul’s observations, noting that reforms are underway and adding that the Government is preparing a set of anti-crisis measures including a cut in subsidies, stimulating tax measures for employment especially of young people and development of potentials of several economic branches among them the development of agriculture and tourism, energy and mining.