Year 2008

Enlargement is one of the most powerful tools of EU policy. It serves the strategic interests of the EU in terms of stability, security and conflict prevention. It has contributed to increase prosperity and opportunities for growth, improving the main transport links and energy routes, and increased the reputation of the EU in the world. The present enlargement agenda covers the Western Balkans and Turkey, who have been given the perspective of EU membership after fulfilling the necessary conditions. The European perspective has contributed to peace and stability and enabled the partners to face major challenges, such as the Kosovo’s declaration of independence, while preserving regional security. It provides the Western Balkans and Turkey, a great encouragement for the implementation of political and economic reforms. The EU's strategic interest is to maintain the pace of this process on the basis of agreed principles and conditions.

This progress report largely follows the same structure as in previous years. The report:

• briefly describes the relations between Serbia and the Union;
• analyses the situation in Serbia in terms of the political criteria for membership;
• analyses the situation in Serbia on the basis of the economic criteria for membership;
• reviews Serbia’s capacity to implement European standards, that is, to gradually its legislation and policies with those of the acquis, in line with the Stabilization and Association Agreement and the European Partnership priorities.

The period covered by this report is from 1 October 2007 to early October 2008.

Kosovo is dealt with in a separate Progress Report. Progress is measured on the basis of decisions taken, legislation adopted and measures implemented. As a rule, legislation or measures which are under preparation or await parliamentary approval have not been taken into account. This approach ensures equal treatment across all reports and permits an objective assessment. The report is based on information gathered and analyzed by the Commission.

Strategy for Regulatory Reform in Serbia for period from 2008 to 2011 is performed with the aim of creating a favorable economic environment, reduce legal uncertainty and increase the competitiveness of the domestic economy in the world and European markets. In terms of the above, the objectives of the Strategy include the establishment of a regulatory system that:

1. promote economic development and social prosperity;
2. supports national competitiveness, while protecting the public interest;
3. reduce administrative expenses by at least 25% by 2011;
4. speed up and reduce administrative procedures and introduces a "one-stop shop system" and the principle that "Silence of administration" means the approval, wherever possible;
5. improves international credit rating of the Republic of Serbia in terms of quality of business environment, especially in studies of "Doing Business" World Bank and World Economic Forum for a minimum of 20 positions.

Trade Development Strategy of the Republic of Serbia should become a sort of official handbook for the policy and institutional arrangements in the construction sector of the market and trade. Solutions that are adopted in this strategy, fully appreciate the changes that have taken place recently in the market, but also in the European Union. The Strategy recognizes the need of fast integration into the European Union. Crucial role in all of this have the conditions placed upon the candidate country, which are related to market regulation and market institutions. Therefore, in the Strategy such institutional solutions are provided that are in the process of implementing the trade of developed market economies, especially in the trade of the European Union, which reasonably aspire to.

Development of the National Youth Strategy in the Republic of Serbia is the first step towards systematic resolution of the position of youth and one of the priorities of the Government and the priority of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The Government considers it is necessary to develop system solutions to support young people in various fields of social life. The obligation of society is to respect young people and help them to express and realize their possibilities of personal and social well-being. The strategy should determine the state of youth, the possible role of youth in society, as well as ways to establish partnership relations. It is therefore necessary to precisely define: rights, roles and responsibilities, and institutional mechanisms that will open space for youth activities and help them find their place in society.