EP SAA Ratification 'Great' Step in Serbia's EU Integration

Serbian senior statesmen have acclaimed the Wednesday ratification by the European Parliament of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Serbia.

The ratification, together with a resolution promoting Serbian EU integration, was passed with 612 votes in favor and 38 votes against.

The vote was attended by Serbian deputy PM for European Integration Bozidar Djelic.

PM Mirko Cvetkovic has expressed his hopes that the EP ratification will provide a stimulus for EU member states who have not yet ratified the SAA to do so. Up to date, 11 of the 27 members of the EU have signed the agreement.

Cvetkovic stated that the ratification is "great news" for his country and said he expected Serbia to be given the status of a candidate for accession in the second half of 2011.

The implementation of the SAA is not only important in the larger EU integration perspective of Serbia, but also because of the fact that it will create a free trade zone between Bulgaria's neighbor and the bloc.

The resolution on Serbian EU future also included a toned-down statement encouraging Serbia to start reconciliation talks with breakaway province of Kosovo.