Serbia Steps Closer to EU With Signing of Long-Delayed Pact

Serbia has signed a historic agreement that will bring it closer to coveted European Union membership. But the Balkan country will have to convince its EU partners and its own countrymen that it's ready to join the bloc.

The Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA), a precursor to full EU membership talks, was was signed on Tuesday, April 29, by the EU foreign ministers and Serbia's Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic. Also present was Serbian President Boris Tadic.

Europe hopes that the deal will boost Serbia's pro-European parties ahead of an upcoming parliamentary vote.

But first, the ex-Yugoslav country will have to show it is fully cooperating with the International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague. EU states will not ratify the pact, nor will Serbia get any trade or other benefits until this condition is met.

The SAA sent "a strong signal to Serbia to join us, to come to the EU," said Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel, who chaired the council meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg where the decision was made.

Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, a pro-European member of the government, called the SAA agreement historic and said the decision signaled "an important political statement" which will open the doors to Serbia's EU membership.

"We believe we are irreversibly on the road to EU membership," he told reporters.

This reminds me of the story of Saul, and his conversions on the road to Damacus.

But it may just have a hint of "if you can't beat them, then join them" - but only to corrupt the host from within.....


time will tell if the Slavs are permitted to join the EU gravy train.

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Russian Imperialism is a greater danger to the World today than AlQueda terrorism

I thought you would be happy about this news, but you are arrogant and cynical once again.

We do you want, to wipe Serbia off this planet? What in Earth did Serbia do to you to make you so full of hate?

Serbians have still not realized what Serbia did during the Milosovic years and continue to happily shelter their numerous war criminals and to make a rabidly nationalist political party a major player in Serbian politics. Why should we whole-heartedly applaud the possible inclusion of a barbaric, self-deluded Serbia into a pacifist, humanist (and PC) Europe? I hope the more civilized element of the Serbian population triumphs over the brutes (which is obviously the hope of the EU), but they are playing with the fire of the folks who brought us ethnic cleansing, rape camps and terminal self-delusion.

Congrats. I think everyone involved would be better off if you met their demands and were able to join the EU.

Numerous war criminals? What are you talking about? There is only one more big fish left - Ratko Mladic. Every single other convicted man has been delivered to the Hague tribunal.

You obviously know nothing of Serbia and its people. I see just another CNN poisoned brain-wash in you.

Serbia is now officially in a contract relation with the EU, and your opinion is absolutely irrelevant.

Thanks! I believe the pro-EU parties will win the May elections and continue the path toward EU.

Serbian police have had problems locating Ratko Mladic over the years... But I hope he will meet justice soon enough.

We all know how good the Serbian police are! We have all seen on TV footage - their lack of ability or was it lack of desire? To protect Foreign Embassies from angry Serbian Nationalist mobs, just last month, day after day it occured and they did nothing,

They are corrupt and politically motivated to protect Nationalists war criminals.

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Russian Imperialism is a greater danger to the World today than AlQueda terrorism

I am rarely happy about any news I hear regarding the EU.

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Russian Imperialism is a greater danger to the World today than AlQueda terrorism

That was a direct order from that arsehole Kostunica to move away from the US embassy! It's not up to the police, or their inability. It was an order.