Belgrade – Not too ambitious to expect that Serbia can complete accession negotiations with the European Union for six years, says head of the state negotiating team Tanja Miščević.
“For four years we can technically complete the negotiations, and then remain two years to ratify the treaty, both here and in the 28 member states. In my opinion, it is not too ambitious,” said Miščević to the weekly NIN.
She announced that at the opening of accession negotiations, and the intergovernmental conference of Serbia and EU on 21 January in Brussels, Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, and First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic will present the official Belgrade position on principles of negotiation.
“They will present the basic elements of the negotiating framework and will be highlighted the most important thing, and that is the rule of law, chapters 23, 24, and, of course chapter 35, related to the continued normalization of relations with Pristina. Already on 22 January begins the first screening of this chapter, “explained Tanja Miščević.
She added that “so far no one knows” what will include specifically the chapter 35. “Here we saw the space to suggest questions for the continuation of the process of normalization. Whether the technical working group meetings will continue to be held, or discussions at a high political level in the framework of negotiations on Chapter 35, for now no one knows,” said the head of the Serbian negotiating team.
Tanja Miščević has also indicated that there are chapters that are extensive or the alignment cots much, such as energy and the environment. “According to our calculations, 11.6 billion euros costs harmonization in this area. And Serbia and the EU give money. Wastewater collectors, filters in power plants or switch to the new system, all of this costs a lot. What is important, that you do not need to fully synchronize until the time of entry into the EU, but it depends on the opportunities and money,” said Miščević.
White Schengen
The announcement that, beginning of January will become effective mechanism to suspend visa liberalization, which applies and to Serbia, Tanja Miščević specified that this will happen on 9 January, and that “no one, so far, have launched any initiative”.
