Serbia

Serbia is linked to the EU through the Stabilization and Association Process, which is the contractual framework of cooperation, which aims at stabilizing the partners of the Western Balkans, their transition to a market economy, the promotion of regional cooperation and the preparation for their eventual accession to the EU. E. The Stabilization and Association Agreement (SSC) was signed with the EU. in 2008 but entered into force only in 2013 as its ratification by all K-Ms was pending. Until the entry into force of the SSS. with the country, Serbia's relations with the EU governed by the Interim Agreement which entered into force in 2010. Moreover, after appropriate reform measures were taken by Belgrade, the EU decided to issue visas to Serbian nationals on 19 December 2009.

Serbia has been a candidate country for EU membership since March 2012 and started accession negotiations on 21 January 2014 during the Greek Presidency. To date, 18 trading Chapters have been "opened" for trading, while 2 of them have been temporarily "closed".

The European Commission emphasizes in its 2020 Report on Serbia the need to intensify reform efforts in the critical areas of the rule of law, fundamental rights, democratic institutions and justice, and to promote with Kosovo. At the same time, the Commission emphasizes the importance of improving Serbia's compliance with EU decisions on CFSP issues, as it remains low. Furthermore, the Commission notes that, although the Serbian Government has continued to characterize the European perspective as a strategic goal for the country, more emphasis should still be placed on communicating this message more clearly and unequivocally.

Greece supports Serbia's accession process and is in favor of advancing its accession negotiations, on the basis of the country's progress in meeting the prerequisites set by the accession process, based on the principle of "own performance" and the country's pace of adaptation to the EU acquis. It is also noted that in the margin of the General Affairs Council of June 22, i.e. an Intergovernmental Conference with Serbia was convened.

We, also, provide practical support to Serbia for the acceleration of its accession process and in this regard, we have signed on 31/7/2010, a Memorandum of Cooperation with Serbia.