Eurocommissaris Patten bezoekt Belgrado (en)

The Commissioner for External Relations, Chris Patten, will visit Serbia and Montenegro on 5 October together with High Representative Javier Solana to discuss plans to help Serbia and Montenegro speed up progress on its way to the EU through a so-called "twin-track" approach. Commissioner Patten will also urge political leaders to fully cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). He will meet political figures from all levels of government, including State Union President Svetozar Marovic, Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovic, Serbian President Boris Tadic, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and Deputy Prime Minister Miroljub Labus and Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic.

On the eve of his visit, Commissioner Patten said: "Serbia and Montenegro has to make important choices. The "twin track" model is an offer from our side to help the country come closer to the EU, but to make this work we need a constructive attitude from all sides. With the accession of ten new Member States, we have shown that we reward political and economic reforms. The EU does not want Serbia and Montenegro to fall behind its neighbours, and I hope that all partners will now take this new offer as a chance to step up reform efforts, and take rapid action on all outstanding issues such as cooperation with ICTY, which remains a fundamental prerequisite for deepened relations with the EU".

The visit follows EU Foreign Ministers' discussions in early September. While the EU remains firmly committed to the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, the poor functioning of this State Union is holding up progress under the Stabilisation and Association Process which prepares countries of the Western Balkans for closer integration with the EU. This would mean dealing with the two republics on specific policies which they conduct separately, notably trade and economic policies, while continuing to work with the State Union where it is the competent authority.

Commissioner Patten will report back on this matter to the EU Council of Ministers on 11/12 October.

The visit will also provide an opportunity to discuss the current political situation in Serbia and Montenegro, in particular the need for a stronger pro-European consensus of all democratic parties. With regard to the situation in Kosovo, Commissioner Patten will be stressing the importance of all communities participating fully in the forthcoming elections, including the Kosovo Serbs.

For further information see:

The EU's relations with the state of Serbia and Montenegro:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/see/fry/index.htm