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We shall intensify accession negotiations with Croatia with timely completion in mind. We will maintain an appropriate pace in negotiations with Turkey and we will make as much progress as is feasible with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, once the name issue is resolved in the best possible manner, something we’re optimistic about. Of course, we will pay particular attention to the countries of the region that have submitted their applications for candidate status, namely Albania, Montenegro, and Serbia. Each of them will be evaluated according to its own merits, but with the intention that all will make substantive progress during the semester and to ensure that none of them is left behind. This is a particular concern of Spain’s in regard to Serbia. Finally, I note that, for obvious reasons, we shall give special attention to Bosnia-Herzegovina. This country is facing at present more difficulties in the region and deserves our support. There must be a transition to a stronger EU presence in the country, which may in the future replace the Office of the High Representative, and Bosnia-Herzegovina should move toward constitutional reforms that make it a functional state whose constitution is in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights. Overcoming these challenges will help the country in its European integration process. The Spanish Presidency will organize a ministerial conference with all countries in the region next May in Sarajevo and there will be an opportunity to review the progress of the integration process and what further steps can be made in that process to accelerate its completion. The Lisbon Treaty came became effective on December 1st, 2009 and Spain, as the country presiding over the EU, has an obligation to implement it. How important is the Lisbon Agreement for further development of the EU? The Lisbon Treaty is the result of a long process of successful negotiations, thanks to the shared efforts of governments, European institutions, and citizens. It is now up to us to firmly and rigorously implement it. This is the Spanish Presidency’s main responsibility. The citizens of Europe should notice as soon as possible that the Union has entered a new period. The Lisbon Treaty provides a new institutional framework for the EU, allowing us to have more efficient structures, and to consolidate our efforts for further enlargement of the Union, bringing it closer to European citizens. Spain will fully support the new High Positions created by the Treaty, the Permanent President of the European Council, and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy so that they an exercise their competencies in the best possible conditions. We shall foster ongoing cooperation with the High Representative, specifically in connection with those areas linked to foreign relations, which will remain under the responsibility of the rotating Presidency, such as the enlargement policy, trade or justice, and domestic affairs. We shall also collaborate on a permanent basis with the new European Commission and the European Parliament, both being the cornerstones of the new institutional scheme. Furthermore, in agreement with it, we shall foster prompt incorporation of additional members to the Parliament. Launching the European External Action Service will be one of the main priorities of the rotating Presidency. The Lisbon Treaty lays the foundations for the creation of the European External Action Service, the instrument geared to provide further coherence and efficiency to the European Union’s external action. The creation of this Service, consisting of officials from the Commission, the Council’s General Secretariat, and Member States, also shows the Union’s intention to reinforce its role in world affairs. It will be the responsibility of the Spanish Presidency to collaborate with the High Representative and the European Parliament to promote the enactment of necessary legal rules for the establishment of the European External Action Service and to ensure its rapid implementation. But the Lisbon Treaty presents many other important new features aimed at bringing the Union closer to its citizens. Spain will work to launch the new solidarity clause, which calls for joint action between the Union and Member States in case of terrorist attack or natural or manmade disasters, urging the Union to mobilize for this purpose all instruments at its disposal, including military resources. The Presidency will also work on implementing the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, will promote the EU’s signing of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and will develop the European Citizens’ Initiative to deepen the democratic character of the Union and to give citizens a say on which areas they want the EU to legislate. Bearing in mind your recent statement that Spain will resolutely help Serbia on its way toward the EU, could you tell us what concrete steps you plan to take in this respect in 2010? Spain believes that the integration process of this region should be further accelerated in line with the EU Council conclusions of December 2009. The EU Council reaffirmed a clear EU perspective for Serbia. Very positive steps have been taken with regard to Serbia during the last weeks of 2009, and Spain is particularly glad that this happened. We believe that under these circumstances all conditions are set to move rather quickly in the Serbian integration process. Spain will do everything necessary to promote rapid progress in this issue, but of course it will be up to all EU members to decide on future steps, in particular with regard to the application for candidate status submitted on December 22 of last year. I have said before that it is our belief that conditions have been met for advancement on the ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement when the Council takes up the issue next June. If this is so, again I believe that we could move rather quickly, particularly taking into account the important administrative capacity of Serbia, as recognized by the General Affairs Council last December. But again this will depend on the collective will of all 27 EU members and on Serbia’s meeting all well-known conditions. Spain will spare no efforts in pursuing this goal. What does Serbia have to do in order to become an EU member? Serbia knows all too well what needs to be done in the process of adapting its laws and structures to become a member of the European Union. It has been making very steady progress over the past months, as recognized by the European Commission itself in its reports. This is very encouraging, but a lot remains to be done. I am speaking from experience, since it took a long time for Spain to become an EU member. The criteria and standards to be met are well-known and I am sure that Serbia will be up to the challenge. In your opinion, was Serbia’s timing for applying for EU candidacy the right one? Applying for membership in the EU is a very important political decision. I gather that in doing so at the end of last year, the Serbian government clearly wanted to show all EU members its political commitment and determination to join the European family. Application was a sovereign decision that we understood as such. Other countries in the region had already applied for candidate status. It was all too natural that Serbia should follow. Having the Interim Agreement unblocked in Brussels was an additional encouragement to follow suit. How significant will re-activating the Interim Trade Agreement with the EU be for Serbia? Serbia has been implementing the Interim Agreement already for a year on a unilateral basis. This has been another proof of Serbia’s political commitment under difficult circumstances. It will greatly help to form its track record with a view to assessing Serbian performance in its integration process. I hope that the Interim Agreement will bring benefits to both parties and will contribute to bringing Serbia and the EU closer. Spain is one of the countries that haven’t recognized Kosovo’s sovereignty. The Spanish Foreign Minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos, said recently that the country would stick to its decision about not recognizing Kosovo as independent. Many say that Spain’s approach to the Kosovo issue stems from the country’s own experiences. What is your view of the Kosovo sovereignty? Spain’s stance on the Kosovo issue is all too well-known in the international community and among our other partners in the EU. It is a principled position stemming from our view on the current state of international law. We believe that our position is respected in all circles, as we respect everyone else’s. We are looking forward to the advisory opinion that will be rendered by the International Court of Justice later this year. Indeed, we made a formal declaration at the beginning of the rotating Presidency, stating that our position regarding Kosovo would not change during our tenure and that nothing that might be said or done in this period should be construed as recognition of independence. We hope that the advisory opinion will open a new phase in solving the issue in a viable and sustainable manner. We will continue to work constructively to ensure peace and stability in the whole region, including over the territory of Kosovo. You believe that Serbia could be granted EU candidacy status even if the Kosovo issue is not definitely resolved. Does that mean that the saying ‘both Europe and Kosovo’ have a future? The integration of the whole region in the European Union is a clearly-set agenda and we are all working towards that goal in Bosnia-Herzegovina is facing at present more difficulties in the region and deserves our supportCorD 68 / February 2010 1314 CorD 68 / February 2010the EU. Stability in the region and in Kosovo is extremely important for us. That is why we have been supporting the EULEX mission in Kosovo, which promotes consolidation of the rule of law in the territory, and we believe that its socio-economic development is crucial for its own stability and that of Europe. The integration of the whole region will need to be subject to a wide consensus by all EU members. It has been reiterated to Serbia, not only by us but by other countries in the EU as well, that recognizing Kosovo would not be a precondition to enter the EU. At the same time we will need to ensure that the EU perspective benefits everyone in the region, but not at the expense of Serbia’s interests exclusively. This is at least the Spanish position. In the past few years Spain has become one of the most important investors in Europe, including in Serbia. Do Spanish investors still find Serbia attractive enough as a market and do they view it as one of the regional centres? Unfortunately, Spain and its companies have been traditionally absent from the Serbian market. We used to focus more on other European markets, Latin America, the United States, or Northern Africa. Now his is changing. In a time of crisis our companies need to continue diversifying their markets and their interests abroad. From this perspective Serbia is becoming one of the biggest attractions in the making and I am sure that our companies will continue to learn about the very promising prospects of investing in Serbia, a country that we hope will soon join the European Union. Whoever invests here rst will have an important edge, and it is my duty to disseminate this and the opportunities that are offered by the Serbian economy, where so many things remain to be done to bring it closer to European standards. That is what I try to achieve on a daily basis. You said that Spanish companies were quite interested in investing in the development of transport infrastructure and the utilization of renewable resources in Serbia. Have there been any business contacts in that respect? Spanish companies play a prominent role in certain areas of business around the world, such as large public infrastructure and engineering, transportation, banking, renewable energy and environmental management, and some high-end technologies. Our worldwide success is not confined to Zara or Springfield and I believe that further contact between us in these sectors could be of mutual benefit, particularly because the Serbian economy and its infrastructure are set to be modernized in the coming years. Indeed, there are contacts under way, particularly in the fields of wind energy, railway material, public infrastructure works, and waste management, to name but a few. I will continue to make every effort possible to open our investors’ eyes of to a very promising market in the backbone of the Balkans and to a very relevant prospective partner in the European Union. What does the Serbian government need to do in order to attract as many foreign (including Spanish) investors as possible? Serbia, as any other country aspiring to join the European Union, needs to continue to adapt to our European standards. Passing legislation is very important for adapting the business environment. The ecent adoption of a by-law on feed-in tariffs for renewable energies is a relevant example. More should be done in this regard, but we understand this is part of a process. Ensuring the rule of law at all levels is crucial. Foreign companies should always be allowed to have equal access to courts, and not only this, they should be reassured that legal procedures and guarantees are equal for all and are effective. These are processes that should be completed before accession. On the other hand, I have to say that Spanish companies already settled here or planning businesses in the coming future have had rather positive experiences in the Serbian business environment.
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We shall intensify accession negotiations with Croatia with timely completion in mind. We will maintain an appropriate pace in negotiations with Turkey and we will make as much progress as is feasible with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, once the name issue is resolved in the best possible manner, something we’re optimistic about.