Serbia and European integration: Long process of stabilization and adaptation

Abstract

The article describes and analyzes the European integration of Serbia in the last ten years. The author first presents the very framework and phase of the Stabilization and Association Process (SAP), which is precondition for all the other candidates for EU accession. Then, the author analyze the achievements of the Serbian SAP through its most important instruments, such as the Stabilization and Association Agreement, preaccession financial funds (like Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance), the European partnership and regional cooperation. Particular emphasis is placed on analysis of specific obstacles to Serbia towards European integration. These three problems are: the Serbian-Montenegrin relations within the joint federal / state union, (non)cooperation with the Hague tribunal and the problems of Serbia with the Kosovo status issue.