Press Release: Inaugural Meeting of the EU-FRY Consultative Task Force – Belgrade, 23 July 2001

The first meeting of the EU-FRY Consultative Task Force took place in Belgrade on 23 July 2001. The meeting began with explanations of the EU Stabilisation and Association process, the framework for EU relations with all of the countries of the Western Balkans, and a discussion of the role and working methods of the Consultative Task Force. Discussion then turned to the reform process in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, in particular to compliance with the EU's political and economic conditionality (fundamental principles of democracy, rule of law, human and minority rights, market economy reforms, regional cooperation and compliance with international obligations). There was a general discussion of economic developments, followed by detailed discussion on specific sectors: fiscal reform, banking sector reform, trade and statistics.