Serbia’s prospects of EU accession

On 12 October 2011, the European Union Commission recommended to grant Serbia EU candidate status. It thus recognised the reforms Serbia has been undertaking, and the capture of the last suspected war criminals indicted by the Hague Tribunal (ICTY). On 9 December 2011, the European Council postponed the decision on candidate status to 2012.

As for opening accession neogitations, the Commission set as its main condition that Serbia improve relations with Kosovo. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, which Serbia has not recognised. The EU is faciliating a dialogue aimed at helping the two collaborate on technical issues.