The preparations of FR Yugoslavia and Serbia for European integration

Project Coordinator: Jelica Minić, Ph. D.
Project Assistant: Nina Lopandić, e-mail: nina.lopandic@emins.org

This project, envisaged to last for years, was initiated in 1999 for the purpose of gathering the expert public and mobilising the general public, under the unfavourable circumstances of the international isolation of FR Yugoslavia, with a view to involving them in activities that would lead to our participation in the process of European integration. Following the political changes in Belgrade next year, the project represented a convenient basis for the preparation of an official strategy of joining the European Union.

Within the framework of the project, supported by the European Commission, the International European Movement and Fridrich Ebert Stiftung, the following activities have been realised:

The publishing of the expert study (in Serbian and English) "The preparations of FR Yugoslavia for European Integration" , edited by Jelica Minić, Ph. D., and Duško Lopandić, Ph. D., including the contributions of 15 prominent experts from the non-governmental sector. The study deals with the fundamental political, economic, and legal issues and sectors whose reform is a precondition for a speedier integration with the EU.

The international conference entitled "The preparations of FRY for European integration" ( July 6, 2001 , Belgrade , the Sava Centre). The conference was organised by EMinS, with the support of the Federal Ministry of FRY and the Fridrich Ebert Foundation. There were 150 participants in the conference.

Along with the accompanying conference documents, a special book has been published by the Institute of Economic Sciences, with the support of Fridrich Ebert Stiftung, entitled "The White Book - The Entry of Central and Eastern European Countries in the Internal EU Market" .

Future activities:

• As a continuation of the publication "Preparations for European Integration", a new study, entitled "Towards Joining the EU" , will be prepared in 2002.
• A series of round-table discussions and seminars will be organised in Serbian towns, with the participation of National Councils of the International European Movement, entitled "The European Forum - Serbia in Europe", in the course of which various topics in connection with European integration (the future of EU, its expansion, the accession of FRY, etc.). The project has received the support of the International Euroepan Movement.