Historically Europeans” “

The union of Serbia and Montenegro was born on 4 February 2003, following the accords signed in Belgrade in March 2002 and also thanks to the pressure of the European Union. On the basis of the accords, the Union is on probation for three years, up till 2006, after which Serbia and Montenegro will decide whether or not to continue their joint process of seeking integration with the EU. On this point SirEurope interviewed Darko Tanaskovic , ambassador of Serbia-Montenegro to the Holy See. Bulgaria and Romania are due to enter the EU in 2007, and Croatia to start EU accession negotiations in the spring. But the Balkan countries applying for EU membership do not yet include Serbia-Montenegro… “We feel ourselves to be Europeans. Ever since it began its process of integration, Europe has been convinced that it cannot breathe without its two lungs, the West and the East, to use a phrase dear to the heart of John Paul II. Without its inclusion of the Balkan area, Europe will never be complete or united”. Why? “We Serbs and Montenegrins feel ourselves Europeans due to our history, our geographical position and especially our mentality and culture. Recent historical events, whose consequences still impact on our life, have in some sense distanced us from Europe. Today we are accepted politically and economically (editor’s note: Serbia-Montenegro has been a member of the Council of Europe since 3 April 2003) but wish to re-enter the big family of the EU. And Europe is well aware of this. There are, of course, the precise accession criteria fixed by the European Council of Copenhagen (see below), which we need to satisfy if this is ever to take place. For the first time, after all the tragedies that we have recently experienced, in part due also to the mistakes of our governments and also due to some ‘incomprehension’ on the part of Europe and the world, I feel that the European institutions are making an effort to facilitate our integration”. The process before Serbia-Montenegro is a long one. But how long? “We are on the road of ‘europeanization’ which will have its duration, it will take years. The important thing is that we arrive at the finishing line and so return to what we are. Over the last two or three years, in particular after the Thessalonica Conference in Greece in 2003, when it was said that one day all the Balkan countries will be in Europe, we have felt confident of the outcome. We would like to have a shorter timetable, but we realize the political difficulties. Serbia and Montenegro are in good standing with Europe”. May the difficulty of beginning full co-operation with the International Court in The Hague represent an obstacle to EU accession? “I’m optimistic about that. We are co-operating with the International Court in The Hague and hope to reach a solution of the outstanding problems within a few months”. What should Europe expect from Serbia-Montenegro? “Security and stability, first of all, and capacity for dialogue as a necessary condition for mutual understanding. In our culture dialogue is not an end in itself but a way of getting to know each other. Europe, as has been underlined on various sides and by many churches, is de-christianized: it awaits a new spiritual impetus from Eastern Europe, which has remained more attached to its religious tradition. This is a first contribution. A second is the stability of the whole Region. European security and stability is inconceivable without that of the Balkan area and the contribution of a central country like our own”. Fact File At the present time Serbia-Montenegro is awaiting a Feasibility Study, planned for the end of March 2005. It this has a positive outcome, it will lead the state Union to the negotiations for the conclusion of an Accord of association and stability. But to be able to obtain a positive Feasibility Study, Serbia and Montenegro will have to collaborate with the International Court in The Hague. The EU has given the Serb government a deadline of March 2005 to demonstrate its willingness to do so. With a view to the start of EU membership negotiations, conformity with the Copenhagen criteria (1993) remains a necessary precondition. These concern: political stabilization of the country; modernization of its industrial and commercial infrastructure; and absorption of the institutional and legislative patrimony of the EU (the so-called “acquis communautaire”). In the political field, stable institutions that “may guarantee democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for minorities” are called for. The second criterion concerns the establishment of a market economy and free competition. As regards the “acquis”, the candidate country must satisfy the various goals and legislation of the EU. The Madrid Council (December 1995) added the request that the administrative structures of the candidate countries be reformed to meet EU standards.