1. The experiences of Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia with the screening for Chapter 18 - Statistics
PGSC, Kruševo
18-19 October 2018

2. Serbia and EU 2009 - Serbia applied for EU membership
Serbia was granted EU candidate status
European leaders at the meeting in Brussels decided to start accession negotiations with Serbia in January 2014
Beginning of accession negotiations
Serbia completed the screening process
Serbia has 14 chapters opened, two have been temporarily closed (CH 25 and CH 26)

3. Screening phases Explanatory screening Bilateral screening
Screening report

4. Actors in screening process
European Commission
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Serbia to the European Union
Ministry of European Integration of the Republic of Serbia
Negotiation Team of the Republic of Serbia
35 Negotiation Groups

5. Negotiating Group 18 - Statistics
Representatives from SORS
24 members from Ministries and other government agencies
Representatives of Ministry of European Integration of the Republic of Serbia

6. Explanatory screening
Explanatory screening is the first stage of the screening process where the European Commission presents the EU acquis divided into chapters.
In this phase representatives of every Chapter could see what is expected from them in perspective of adopting acquis.
No formal report is produced after this meeting

7. Preparation for Explanatory screening
Distribution of responsibilities for EU regulations in the field of statistics (Screening Agenda and Eurostat Compendium)
Coordination with other institutions
Meetings with representatives of other institutions (dealing with EU regulations where responsibles are not clearly defined institution)
Proposal and final list of questions for Explanatory screening
Support from MONSTAT

8. Screening Agenda Statistical infrastructure: 34 EU regulations;
Classifications and registers: 14 EU regulations;
Agriculture and fisheries: 45 EU regulations;
Energy and environment: 27 EU regulations;
International trade in goods: 13 EU regulations;
Science, technology and innovation: 9 EU regulations;
Economy and finance: 92 EU regulations;
Industry, services and tourism: 61 EU regulations;
Population and social conditions: 86 EU regulations;
Transport: 31 EU regulations.
Total: 412 EU regulations

9. Explanatory meeting Luxembourg, 20th and 21st of May 2014
Delegation of the Republic of Serbia had 24 members
Representatives of European Commission presented 33 presentations during the meeting
Delegation of the Republic of Serbia had 55 questions for representatives of European Commission

10. Bilateral screening Country’s delegation presents:
the current level of alignment of the national legal framework with the EU legal framework for each of the given chapters,
as well as the plans for further alignment
It is important to provide European Commission with a comprehensive, precise and realistic picture of the situation in the country regarding CH 18. It allows to detect problems and difficulties that may occur during the negotiations!

11. Preparation for Bilateral screening
The same Agenda is followed as during the explanatory screening
Presentations for bilateral screening according to the Agenda (38 presentations – English version)
Documentations for bilateral screening (English version)
Working meetings

12. Bilateral meeting Luxembourg, 25th and 26th of November 2014
Serbian delegation had 37 members
Serbian delegation presented 38 presentations during the meeting
Representatives of European Commission had 51 question for Serbian delegation
List with additional questions had been sent to SORS after meeting
Debrifing for Chapter 18 for civil society

13. Screening Report
European Commission adopted screening report for CH 18 on 27 February 2017
The conclusion of the Screening report for CH 18 was:
Serbia can be considered to be sufficiently prepared for negotiations on this chapter. Therefore, Commission recommends the opening of accession negotiations with Serbia on Chapter 18 – Statistics.
Screening report without OBM (opening benchmarks)

14. Challenges EU legislation (Chasing a moving target!)
Coordination and cooperation with other institutions
Documentation
Time frame
Active participation in the work of 16 other Negotiating Groups

15. Lesons learned Familiarize SORS with the acquis
Monitoring of changes in EU legislation
Good cooperation with representatives from other institutions
Good ground for future activities
Fields where SORS had to make more effort
Strong overall coordination was crucial

16. Remarks
Be realistic
Detect problems and difficulties that may occur during the negotiations
Send your best staff at the meetings

17. Post screening
European Commision invited Serbia to present Negotiation position for Chapter 18 (23 February 2017)
Serbian Government adopted Negotiation position for Chapter 18 (14 February 2018)
Waiting for opening Chapter 18

18. Thank you for your attention!