Copy of ALDE: SIGNATURE OF SAA WITH SERBIA OPENS DOOR TO EUROPE

Commenting on the signing of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) between the EU and Serbia on April 29, Jelko Kacin MEP (LDS, Slovenia) and EP rapporteur on Serbia welcomed the EU's flexible approach towards the challenges of stabilising the countries of the Western Balkans, ALDE reported.                                                                

"I hope that the signature will be confirmed by the future government and parliament of Serbia. Signature fulfils the expectations of the vast majority of Serbian citizens, who look to the EU for stability, social security, and development, for their future. I regret that some populist politicians are using this step forward as a means not only to divide Serbs amongst themselves, but also to divide Serbs from their neighbouring countries and from the EU".

Kacin congratulated Serbia for today's achievement and expressed hope that signature of the SAA will be a comprehensive message to Serbian citizens that they are welcome in the EU and expected as soon as they themselves decide on it.

"The EU still needs concrete evidence that Serbia will fulfil its part of the commitment. Ultimately this must include the arrest of Mladic. There can be no impunity for war crimes. These are obligations on which Serbia itself agreed and which are very important for its outlook on the future as well as its perspective on the past."

" I hope that negotiations on the removal of the visa regime will proceed quickly, so that as many citizens as possible may become acquainted with the EU on the basis of their own experiences and opportunities for free movement to the EU without limitations".

"I deeply regret however that Bosnia-Hercegovina was not also able to sign its own SAA today with the EU due to apparent technical difficulties. The explanation for the delay is hard to understand."