EU countries push back date for Serbia talks

Report of decisions taken by EU Foreign Ministers at a General Affairs Council, Luxembourg, 24 June 2013.

The Council agreed to recommend to the European Council to open accession negotiations with Serbia by January 2014. The Council also agreed in principle on draft Council decisions authorising the opening of negotiations on a stabilisation and association agreement (SAA) between the European Union and Kosovo, to be adopted on 28 June 2013, following the necessary procedures.

On 28 June 2013, EU leaders approved the opening of accession negotiations with Serbia in January 2014. The way the decision was made left the impression that Germany would lead any future EU enlargement.

• Primary Source

Council of the European Union: Press Release, PRES/13/287: General Affairs Council, Luxembourg, 25 June 2013 http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/genaff/137614.pdf

European Commission: RAPID: PRES/13/613: Remarks of Commissioner Štefan Füle at the press conference after the General Affairs Council's (GAC) meeting in Luxembourg http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-613_en.pdf

European Commission: Enlargement: Countries preparing to join: Kosovo http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/countries/detailed-country-information/kosovo/index_en.htm

https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/countries/detailed-country-information/serbia_en https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/countries/detailed-country-information/serbia_en

ESO: Background information: Serbian, Kosovo leaders to meet ahead of EU summit http://www.europeansources.info/record/serbian-kosovo-leaders-to-meet-ahead-of-eu-summit/

ESO: Background Information: In Serbia appreciating courageous decisions on EU future http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-in-serbia-appreciating-courageous-decisions-on-eu-future/

ESO: Background information: Ashton clinches Kosovo-Serbia deal http://www.europeansources.info/record/ashton-clinches-kosovo-serbia-deal/

EurActiv, 27.06.13: Summit to clear way for accession talks with Serbia in 2014 http://www.euractiv.com/enlargement/eu-leaders-decide-fate-negotiati-news-528930

ESO: Background Information: European Council, Brussels - 27/28 June 2013 http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-council-brussels-27-28-june-2013/

EurActiv, 28.06.13: Germany opens door for Serbia EU accession talks http://www.euractiv.com/enlargement/germany-opens-eu-door-serbia-acc-news-528971

EUObserver, 28.06.13: EU summit marks big moment for Western Balkans http://euobserver.com/institutional/120685

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