European Union | 20.12.2009

Serbia formally announces bid to join European Union

Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Serb President Tadic has made European integration a priority

On the same day the EU officials lifted visa restrictions for three Balkan states, Serbia has announced its official application to join the European Union.

Serbia's application to join the European Union now goes to Sweden, who currently holds the rotating EU presidency.

Belgrade had said it would apply for membership to the 27-nation bloc last month, but had since been debating the timing of the application.

Serb President Boris Tadic said EU officials have discussed his country's potential membership, and he expressed optimism for his country's bid.

"This is a great day for Serbia and its citizens," he said, adding that "no one can doubt the road that Serbia has taken: Serbia is going towards European integration."

EU leaders divided on support

While several EU countries including Germany, Italy and Greece have backed Belgrade's bid, some key members such as the United Kingdom and the Netherlands have reservations.

The former Yugoslav republic has been under pressure to increase cooperation with the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague, and the Dutch have been blocking Serbia's bid due to certain war crimes fugitives still being at large.

Belgrade's announcement came on the same day that the EU opened its borders to Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia for visa-free travel within the so-called Schengen zone.

Citizens of the three Balkan states can now travel more easily to all EU countries but the UK and Ireland, as well as Norway, Switzerland and Iceland.


acb/dpa/AFP
Editor: Andreas Illmer

FROM dw