European Union Association Agreement

President Klaus Iohannis on Friday stated that the implementation of the existing agreements between the EU and Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia must remain a priority and that the Union must support this process of implementation by providing technical and financial assistance.

Photo credit: (c) ALEX MICSIK / AGERPRES PHOTO

EC's Kosovo SAA "based on Taiwan model"

BRUSSELS -- The European Commission on Thursday adopted the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) proposal for Kosovo and sent it to the Council for consideration.

However, "it still does not mean that Kosovo could soon become a candidate for membership of the European Union," Tanjug said it learned in Brussels.

BRUSSELS - The European Commission (EC) Thursday adopted the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) proposal for Kosovo and sent it to the Council for consideration, but it still not mean that Kosovo could soon become a candidate for membership of the European Union, Tanjug learned in Brussels.

Bekim Collaku, Kosovo's Minister of European Integration, said the European Commission had adopted a Stabilization and Association Agreement, SAA, proposal with Kosovo  on Thursday and sent it for approval to the Council of European Union.

"We welcome such a decision, which brings Kosovo closer to signing an SAA and closer to EU integration," Collaku told BIRN.

Bosnia made a historic step on its path towards eventual membership of the European club after the EU General Affairs Council on Tuesday approved its long dormant Stabilization and Association Agreement, SAA.

Wigemark announced on Wednesday that the EU will organize a high-level meeting in May with Bosnia's leaders and representatives of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund as the next step in the implementation of the EU's new initiative for Bosnia.

After Bosnian leaders adopted a joint declaration pledging continued support for the EU integration process, the EU's Foreign Affairs Council on Monday activated the country's Stabilisation and Association Agreement, SAA.

Russia's Economic Development Minister Alexey Ulyukayev and EU TRade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom are to hold talks over the implementation of the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement.

Representatives of Ukraine will not be present at the negotiations, ITAR TASS reported.

Ulyukayev stated that he expects '' a frank conversation'' regarding Russia's concerns on the issue.

On a visit to Kosovo, his first since becoming EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn said Kosovo would sign a key stability deal with the EU by the end of the year.

Failure to open first EU chapter is "missed opportunity"

BELGRADE -- Serbia has achieved a lot in terms of laying down good cornerstones for a successful acceleration of its European integration, Tanja Miscevic said on Tuesday.