Vol. 577 No. 1
89 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the progress of an EU feasibility study of Serbia and Montenegro; if this will lead to a stabilisation and association agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30401/03]
In early September this year, the Commission began work on a feasibility study on the opening of negotiations for a stabilisation and association agreement with Serbia and Montenegro. This development was made possible by the approval by the state union parliament on 28 August of the action plan on the harmonisation of the economies of the two constituent republics.
Progress in the reform process in Serbia and Montenegro and on economic harmonisation has been delayed by the political instability of recent months. General elections will be held in Serbia on 28 December. The early formation of a new government committed to speeding up the implementation of reforms, and progress on the implementation of the internal market and trade action plan, would help create the conditions for a positive recommendation from the commission's feasibility study. A significant improvement in the level of co-operation with the international criminal tribunal for the former Yugsolavia would also have a positive impact.
I hope that it will prove possible for the Commission to finalise its study during Ireland's EU Presidency. It would then fall to Ireland to guide the issue through its consideration by the Council, with a view to the opening of negotiations. When I met foreign Minister Svilanovic in Brussels on 9 December, I assured him of our willingness to work closely with the democratically elected leaders of Serbia and Montenegro to encourage their efforts to create the conditions for a positive recommendation in the feasibility study next year.
