Europees Economisch en Sociaal Comité versterkt betrekkingen met Servische maatschappelijke organisaties (en)

CES/08/116

18 December 2008

The EESC strengthens its relations with Serbian civil society organisations

On 15 and 16 December 2008, a delegation of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) went to Belgrade to present the opinion adopted on "EU-Serbia relations: the role of civil society".

The delegation, led by Mr Seppo Kallio, vice-president of the EESC, met with Serbian political authorities, including the Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Mr Rasim Ljajic, and civil society organisations (CSOs).

A hearing with the main Serbian civil society organisations, social partners and NGOs, was held on Tuesday 16 December, with the support of the Delegation of the European Commission in Belgrade and the participation of Ms Milica Delevic, Director of the Serbian European Integration Office.

The participants stressed that most of the EESC opinion's recommendations touched on the right issues. Nevertheless, the pace of the process of integrating into the EU as well as the question of the political will of Serbian leaders remained crucial concerns of civil society organisations. They also pointed out that the Serbian Economic and Social Council still was not functioning satisfactorily.

The participants considered that the establishment of a Joint Consultative Committee between the EESC and Serbian CSOs would be a significant step towards a better dialogue among CSOs themselves as well as a useful tool for involving them in the process of integrating into the EU.