Fuele: First two chapters may open by end of year

NEW YORK - EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele believes that there is a chance for Brussels and Belgrade to cross an important threshold before the year ends and to open the first two of 35 policy chapters which Serbia must address to join the EU.

"I think we still believe that would be possible before the end of this year," Fuele said in an interview for Wall Street Journal.

Nevertheless, he warned that progress depends on the member states as well as Belgrade, since EU capitals must okay the move.

Fuele said that the chapters dealing with regional affairs (Chapter 35) and financial controls (Chapter 32) are most likely to be opened first.

"EU member states, especially Germany, have pushed the EU to focus on justice and rule-of-law issues at the start of accession talks, noting the problems the EU's newest members have had with this," Wall Street Journal reported.

Fuele, who is due to leave the post in October, said that Brussels is working with Serbia on this matter and hopes to open the chapters on the judiciary and fundamental rights (Chapters 22 and 23) early next year. Nevertheless, progress in other areas is also necessary, he said.

Photo Tanjug/S. Ilic (archive)