Serbia takes a step closer to the EU

On Tuesday, September 9, the Serbian National Assembly ratified a Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union (EU) by a vote of 140-28, bringing Serbia a step closer toward EU accession.  The SAA must now be ratified by the EU Member States, the EU Council of Ministers and the EU Parliament.  According to the EU, the Stabilization and Assocation Process with respect to the countries of the Western Balkans is intended to ensure peace and stability in the region by providing support for the strengthening of democracy and the rule of law and the development of a market economy.  The EU has made Serbia's cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia a key condition of the SAA.

(cgb)