branko-serbia

EU Leaders Grant Serbia Candidate Country Status

European integrations of Serbia, an ongoing process for the last nine years, has reached very important level after European Council decided to grant Serbia EU membership candidate status this March. The Council’s decision proved that Serbia has fulfilled major tasks delivered to Belgrade in previous years. With the candidate status Serbia opens new era in its relations with EU. Serbia will become partner country present and active in the EU forums.  Serbian representatives already participated in the session of the EU Military Committee. March 22 is very important date for Serbia having in mind that on that day Board of Directors of the European Defense Agency (EDA) will meet in Brussels making decision in regard to the beginning of negotiations on the Serbian Defense Ministry’s membership in the Agency. EDA membership will contribute to Serbia’s further security reforms no doubt. It will enable Serbia to access funds for research and development of its defense industry, as well as to continue building of its new defense system. It will be confirmation that Serbia is on the right way. That definitely includes the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) integrations as a step towards full EU membership of Republic of Serbia.    

(Published in The Euro Atlantic Quarterly - Bratislava)

Branko Lazic,

March, 2012