Taking note of the communication from the Commission
of 10 November 2015 on the EU Enlargement Strategy and the reports
on Turkey, Montenegro, Serbia, the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, the Council
reaffirmed that enlargement remains a key policy of the European
Union and an investment in the peace, democracy, prosperity,
security and stability of our continent.
In this context, it reiterated the EU's unequivocal
commitment to the European perspective of the Western
Balkans.
It commended Turkey and the Western Balkans, at
present in particular Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, for their efforts in addressing the refugee and
migration crisis, which has seriously affected the
region.
The Council welcomed the major steps Serbia has taken
in the past year which led to the opening of the first chapters of
the EU accession negotiations at the Accession Conference on 14
December 2015. It took positive note of Serbia's submission of its
Action Plans for chapters 23 - Judiciary and fundamental rights,
and 24 - Justice, freedom and security, which should provide clear
guidance for future reforms and for developing a solid track record
in these areas. The Council recalled that progress under these
chapters will need to be made in parallel with progress in
negotiations overall.
Towards reforms: the
Council encouraged Serbia to take this positive momentum forward
and to intensify legislative reforms and their effective
implementation in the key areas of judicial reform, fight against
corruption and organised crime, and freedom of expression and the
media.
Particular attention needs to be paid to the full
respect of fundamental rights, including protection of the most
vulnerable groups, particularly the Roma, as well as to the
effective implementation of legislation on the protection of
minorities, the non-discriminatory treatment of national minorities
throughout Serbia, and tackling discrimination on the basis of
sexual orientation or gender identity. Further progress is also
required in the areas of independence of democratic
institutions, public administration, as well as in developing a
functioning market economy and improving the business
environment.
The Council urged Serbia to swiftly implement its part
of these agreements and to engage constructively with
Kosovo. It would continue to monitor closely Serbia's continued
engagement towards visible and sustainable progress in the
normalisation of relations with Kosovo, including the
implementation in good faith of all agreements reached so far. It
recalled that progress in the process of normalisation of relations
with Kosovo under chapter 35 needs to be made in parallel with
progress in Serbia's accession negotiations, in line with the
negotiating framework.
Regional cooperation:
lastly, the Council considered that Serbia should continue
strengthening good neighbourly relations. It called on Serbia to
progressively align with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy
in line with the negotiating framework.