Serbia needs step up on its decentralization reforms, providing regions and municipalities more autonomy but its efforts towards EU membership have been recognized and well appreciated. These were the main conclusions of the inaugural meeting of the Joint Consultative Committee between the European Committee of the Regions and Serbia.
Local authorities representing on one hand EU regions and cities and on the other hand their counterparts in Serbia met for the first time today in Brussels for opening of this new platform of cooperation, dialogue and exchange of good practices or experiences.
"EU local and regional authorities are here to help and assist you on the application of the principle of subsidiarity in your country on your way to the EU accession" – underlined the JCC Serbia co-chair Dimitrios Kalogeropoulos (EPP/EL). Dejan Jovanović – JCCs co-chair from Serbian SNS party underlined the need for further cooperation as most of the EU legislation and funds are implemented on the local or regional level.
Most of the speakers at the inaugural meeting touched upon the topic of migration. Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Kori Udovicki assured that Serbian authorities are doing their best to enhance capacity of their local authorities to deal with the problem on the ground. European Commission Director Catherine Wendt underlined Serbia's efforts and willingness to help in this area and promised further EU support in this area. Mayor of Oisterwijk, Hans Janssen (EPP/NL) followed up with a presentation on how his city helps 500 asylum seekers in practical terms.
EP rapporteur on Serbia MEP David McAllister (EPP/DE) however expressed his concerns on the application of freedom of media in Serbia and need for further developments in relations with Kosovo. Anna Magyar (EPP/HU), CoR rapporteur on EU enlargement strategy stressed the positive role that multilevel governance can play in the accession talks, naming Vojvodina region as a decentralization success story. While Alin Nica (EPP/RO) underlined both subsidiarity and consultation principles as crucial, wishing Serbia counterparts that they become EU Members by the end of this decade.
Summing up the meeting, CoR President Markku Markkula (EPP/FI) underlined that diversity and decentralization are crucial processes to succeed on the path to EU membership and expressed his hopes that work of the JCC Serbia will bring exposure to the local views on EU enlargement process as well as more unity on Serbia's way towards accession.