European Commission Vice President Jacques Barrot, in charge of Justice, Freedom and Security officially presented the Roadmap on visa liberalisation with Serbia in Belgrade yesterday (7 May). The Roadmap gives clear indications to the Serbian authorities on the measures that need to be taken in order to grant visa free travel to all Serbian citizens.

"The time of isolation for Serbia is over" said Vice President Jacques Barrot when presenting the Roadmap in Belgrade. "With the recently signed Stabilisation and Association Agreement this Roadmap constitutes the opening of the doors of the EU to all citizens of Serbia and their welcoming in the great family of a united Europe. I attach the greatest importance to facilitating people to people contacts between Serbia and the EU, as this will increase mutual understanding and improve our relations in all fields. But facilitating travelling to the EU is in particular important to the younger generation in a country where 70% of the young people have never travelled abroad."

"But the roadmap offers more advantages to the Serbian citizens", VP Barrot continued, "as it will encourage Serbia to implement relevant reforms and reinforce cooperation at regional level and with the EU in areas such as strengthening the rule of law, fighting organised crime and corruption. It will also increase Serbia's administrative capacity in border control and security of documents by introducing biometric data."

Since 1 January 2008, Serbian citizens enjoy the benefits of a visa facilitation agreement with the European Union. This agreement provides simplified conditions for visas, including a waiving of a visa fee for a broad range of categories of citizens including students, sportsmen and sportswomen, cultural workers, journalists, people visiting family members living in the EU, people in need of medical treatment, economic operators working with EU companies, etc. Up to 80% of Serbian citizens can currently be exempt of a visa fee. People who pay for visa are charged the special reduced rate of 35 euros instead of 60 euros.

Yet the EU sent another strong message of openness/encouragement to all Serbian citizens. On 30 January 2008 the dialogue on visa liberalisation was launched. The General Affairs and External Relations Council of 28 January 2008 welcomed this step and invited the Commission to present detailed roadmaps setting clear benchmarks to be met by all the countries in the region in order to gradually advance towards visa liberalisation. The Roadmap presented to Serbia officially today is the first in line.

The Roadmap follows a balanced approach setting benchmarks which are realistic and achievable in the near future. It sets clear requirements for the reforms to be implemented in key areas such as security of documents, border management, fight against illegal migration, fight against organised crime and corruption and fundamental rights.

The process will be closely monitored by the Commission assisted by Member States' experts. The Commission will report regularly on the implementation of the Roadmap and will consider the possibility to present a proposal for the lifting of the visa obligation for Serbian citizens.