At its session held on 9 February, the European Integrations Committee endorsed the Report on the implementation of the Action Plan for the Realisation of European Partnership Priorities, submitted by the Government of the Republic of Serbia.

In accordance with the Resolution on Joining the European Union, the Government of the Republic of Serbia has requested that the EU Integration Office to prepare reports, at three-month intervals, of the implementation of the Action Plan for the Realisation of European Partnership Priorities, and submit them to the National Assembly for inspection.

The Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, Miroljub Labus, was invited to attend the Committee’s session; Mr Labus informed the deputies and journalists present of the activities of the Government relating to EU accession carried out thus far. He stressed that all conditions for a positive assessment of a Feasibility Study, save co-operation with the Hague Tribunal, had been fulfilled. Positive assessment of a Feasibility Study is expected in March, while talks on EU accession are scheduled to begin in September 2005, Labus said.

The Deputy Prime Minister put great emphasis on the creation of a strong negotiating structure to continue talks with the European Union in an appropriate manner. Mr Labus cited agreement between Belgrade and Podgorica on the functioning of the state union, as well as passage of a new Serbian Constitution, as special conditions without which the talks would not be possible.

The session was also attended by representatives of the EU Integration Office and the European Movement. At the request of Committee member Gordana Comic, the report from the session is to be forwarded to all deputies.