Year 2010

The EU's enlargement process has gained new momentum since the Commission adopted its last progress reports, notwithstanding the many other challenges the Union faces. The entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty ensures that the EU can pursue its enlargement agenda, while maintaining the momentum of European integration. However, many challenges persist. In some enlargement countries the reform momentum has slowed down. All need to focus on good governance, improving the rule of law, speeding up economic reform and improving their capacity to adopt and implement the acquis. The EU's commitment to the enlargement process reflects the Member States' conviction that it is in the mutual interest of the Union and the aspirant countries. This straight-forward message needs to be presented and explained clearly to the public in order to strengthen understanding and support for enlargement. The EU's enlargement process contributes to stability in Europe and to the security and well-being of its citizens.

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 mid-September 2009 to early October 2010.

Progress is measured on the basis of decisions taken, legislation adopted and measures implemented. As a rule, legislation or measures that are under preparation or are awaiting parliamentary approval have not been taken into account. This approach ensures equal treatment across all reports and permits an objective assessment.

The right to protection of personal data as part of the right to privacy is a basic human right. Under modern conditions this right is more vulnerable. The development of science and technology, especially the development of modern communications, the introduction of new information systems and creating databases in all fields, apart from the undisputed beneficial effects, has created conditions for new forms of violation of rights of privacy or misuse of personal data. Starting from the fact that in modern society there is much that is a serious threat to privacy rights, and thus many other human rights, the Republic of Serbia needs a strategic approach, using the experience and support of the international community to provide appropriate legal and factual conditions for the development and operation of national capacities for the protection of personal data.