Today The European Movement in Serbia celebrates 17 years since its founding. A group of intellectuals founded the European Movement in Serbia in 1992 to counteract the ruling ideology of nationalism and isolation, in order to promote the idea of European values. With the change of 2000, the European Movement becomes an organization active in empowering the European ideas and values in Serbia.  

In the European Movement’s seventeenth year of existence, the year in which we celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the fall of Berlin Wall and five years of the fifth EU enlargement, the Lisbon Treaty was finally ratified, document which is of key importance for further development and future EU enlargements.      

The European Movement in Serbia has been working intensively since 2004 on introducing our citizens to European institutions, cultures and nations, and, through various projects, made possible for over 2000 Serbian citizens –students, pupils, farmers – to visit the EU countries.    

We are therefore expressing our joy and sincerely salute the announced and long awaited visa liberalization. Freedom of movement will be the first, tangible benefit of Serbia’s EU accession, available to all the citizens who, in great numbers, support Serbian EU integration process. The expected decision is a confirmation that Serbia is welcome in Europe, but it is also the result of serious reforms which prove that it is possible to answer to high standards and criteria, if political will and consensus exist.        

We also hold that the implementation of the Interim Trade Agreement and the start of Stabilization and Association Agreement ratification would give an additional stimulus to further reforms and introduce the country to next stage of integration.   

However, there is still much hard work ahead of us in order to accomplish the mission of the European Movement in Serbia – a democratic Serbia in a united Europe. Hence, on this occasion, we would like to remind that it is necessary to fulfill all the required conditions, for the sake of Serbia in Europe and the welfare of its citizens. First and foremost, to complete the cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal at The Hague, but also, to improve the regional cooperation, the fight against corruption and organized crime, and conditions for economic progress…    

Contact

European Movement in Serbia
Kralja Milana 31,
11000 Belgrade
Serbia
Tel.: + 381 11 3640-174
Fax +381 11 3640-202
Web: http://www.emins.org/
E-mail: office@emins.org