Serbia - Co-operation with ICTY hastens EU candidature
Overview:
The arrest of Ratko Mladic marks a huge improvement in Serbia's co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). As this is a key condition of Serbia's EU integration it now seems assured of gaining “official candidate” status by the end of the year. Whether it is also gets a date to start Accession negotiations is less certain and will depend on implementation of key reforms. Parliament has approved the removal of “blank resignations” of deputies. A method for checking the election of judges during the controversial reform of the judiciary has been agreed with the EU. Talks with Kosovo on "technical" issues have started. However, a long-delayed law on restitution of property must also be passed to maximise Serbia's chances of getting that start date by the end of the year.