Non-paper, the EU has new rules for Serbia

Mr. Oliver Varhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement presented in Brussels a document proposing how to apply the new, revised methodology in accession of Serbia to EU, to the EU member states.

Tanjug had an insight into the so-called "non-paper", which emphasizes that all proposed changes, within the revised methodology, must be applied within the existing negotiating framework and with the consent of Serbia, which Belgrade insisted on.
It is important to add that the revised methodology must be of interest to both Serbia and the member states. The document includes four basic principles of the future accession process of Serbia to EU.
The former insists on the credibility of the process and focusing even more on rule of law reforms. It states that new Chapters should not be closed until the transitional criteria in fundamental Chapters 23 and 24 have been met.
The second principle implies "stronger political governance of the accession process", giving member states a greater role in monitoring and reviewing the progress made by Serbia.
"Intergovernmental conferences and the Council for Stabilization and Association should serve to strengthen the dialogue between member states and Serbia, with clear guidelines on key reform processes necessary for progress", the Commission's text reads.
The first such Serbia-EU Intergovernmental Conference should serve to clarify the application of the new methodology and planning, and "Serbia could open clusters provided that opening criteria met, and member states agree that significant progress has been made in the rule of law."
The third principle of the revised methodology emphasizes the importance of accelerating the pace of Serbia's accession negotiations...