By ratifying the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Agreement at the European Parliament's Plenary session on 19 January, Serbia is now one step closer in its path towards the European Union. Although some issues are still to be solved, such as reinforcing Belgrade's full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, this is a positive step on the path to EU membership.

During the European Parliament Plenary session held on 19 January, MEPs approved the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and Serbia, which introduced a new regulatory framework for relations with the Balkan country. In order for the Agreement to enter into force, further to Parliament's approval, the text will then need to be ratified by all member states.

The EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), which opened up trade between the EU and Serbia and holds out the prospect of EU membership, was signed in 2008. However, Member States only started the ratification process in June 2010, being eleven States to have completed ratification so far. By ratifying the Agreement, MEPs also called on the remaining ones to do so swiftly.

By endorsing the Agreement, MEPs recalled that Serbia will need to show full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia as a prerequisite for future membership of the European Union, requested by Serbia in December 2009.

During the debate held on Parliament's plenary session, MEPs stressed the fact that this approval provides an incentive for Serbia to take further steps on its way to the European Union. The Parliament acknowledged the country's achievements made over the last year and remembered the conditions for Serbia to move forward in this process, just as the Council did in October 2010 when agreeing to refer Serbia's application for membership to the European Commission for its evaluation.

The Parliament also urged Serbia to start talks with Kosovo without delay, and welcomed Serbia's willingness to engage in dialogue within the EU framework. The Chamber underlined that the commitment and readiness of both sides to compromise is needed for long-term stability and for improving people's well-being. MEPs also called for the dismantling of the Serbs structures in northern Kosovo, since they represent an obstacle to the decentralization process and prevent the full integration of the Serb community in Kosovo's institutions.