European Commission (EC) announced on Thursday that EC President
Jose Manuel Barroso has invited Serbia to resume talks on the
Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) on 13 June 2007.
"I welcome the progress Serbia has made since the establishment
of the new government in its cooperation with the International
Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)," Barroso was
quoted by an EC press release.
"Achieving full cooperation with the ICTY is not only an
international obligation, but also a key condition on Serbia's road
towards the European Union (EU)," he added.
The EC chief said he encouraged Serbia to continue improving its
cooperation with the Tribunal in The Hague.
Earlier on June 1, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn
confirmed that following an extensive and careful assessment, the
EC can resume negotiations on a Stabilization and Association
Agreement with Serbia.
"Next Wednesday we will hold the next round of talks on this
important agreement, which will bring concrete trade and economic
benefits for Serbia. Implementation of the Stabilization and
Association Agreement will be Serbia's gateway to candidacy for EU
accession," Rehn said.
Last week former Bosnian Serb general Zdravko Tolimir, who is
facing genocide charges, was transferred to the ICTY after being
arrested in eastern Bosnia bordering Serbia. The move was
considered by the EU as Serbia's full cooperation with ICTY.
The European Union suspended the SAA talks with Serbia last
year, after Belgrade failed to meet two deadlines for the
extradition of fugitive war crimes suspects.
(Xinhua News Agency June 8, 2007)
