Serbia

22 out of 35 chapters have been opened (including all chapters under cluster 1 on the fundamentals of the process and cluster 4 on Green agenda and sustainable connectivity), two of which are provisionally closed.

Opening of cluster 4 on Green agenda and sustainable connectivity

Opening of cluster 4 on Green agenda and sustainable connectivity (comprising of 4 negotiating chapters: chapter 14 – Transport policy, chapter 15 – Energy, chapter 21 – Trans-European networks, and chapter 27 – Environment and climate change)

The first political Intergovernmental Conference under the revised enlargement methodology is held to provide political steer to the accession process

Commission adopts an Economic & Investment Plan to support and bring the Western Balkans closer to the EU.

Revised methodology

Revised methodology, presented by the Commission, to drive forward the enlargement process with a stronger political steer and in a more credible, predictable, dynamic way.

Opening of Chapter 4 – Free movement of capital.

Opening of Chapter 9 – Financial services.

Opening of Chapters 17, Economic and monetary policy, and 18, Statistics.

Opening of Chapters 13, Fisheries, and 33, Financial and budgetary provisions.

The European Commission adopts its strategy for ‘A credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans’.

Opening of Chapters 6, Company law, and 30, External relations.

Opening of Chapters 7, Intellectual property law, and 29, Customs Union.

Opening of Chapters 20, Enterprise and industrial policy, and 26, Education and culture.

Chapter 26, Education and culture, provisionally closed.

Opening of Chapters 5, Public procurement, and 25, Science and Research.

Chapter 25, Science and Research, provisionally closed.

Opening of Chapters 23 “Judiciary and fundamental rights” and 24 “Justice, freedom and security”.

Opening of Chapters 32 “financial control” and 35 “other issues – Item 1: Normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo*”.

1st EU-Serbia Intergovernmental Conference held.

Council adopted the negotiating framework with Serbia and agreed to hold the 1st Intergovernmental Conference with Serbia in January 2014.

Entry into force of the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Agreement.

European Council endorsed the Commission’s recommendation to open negotiations with Serbia.

European Council confirms Serbia as a candidate country.

European Commission delivers its Opinion on Serbia’s EU membership application, granting candidate status based on one key priority.

Serbia replies to Commission questionnaire.

EU members decide to start SAA ratification process.

Serbia applies for EU membership.

Visa requirement lifted for Serbs travelling to Schengen countries.

Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) and Interim agreement on trade and trade-related issues are signed in Luxembourg.

Council adopts revised European partnership for Serbia.

Agreements on visa facilitation and readmission enter into force.

SAA with Serbia is initialled.

SAA negotiations resume, after Serbia commits to cooperating fully with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

SAA negotiations called off, because Serbia’s co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia has not improved.

Negotiations launched for Stabilisation and Association Agreement.