Journalists given guide on Serbia's EU process

BELGRADE

An exhibition of photographs titled "Serbia in front of the lens" is on display at the Museum of Practical Arts in Belgrade.

The exhibiton combined the reality which exists in Serbia and the integration process before Serbia, according to Mike Falke, project leader for Serbian legal reform.

The "Negotiating Chapters 23 and 24, What we negotiate" guide, prepared through the German government's support for judicial reforms in Serbia and the euro integration process and the cooperation of the Independent Journalists Association of Serbia, was provided to journalists at the opening ceremony.

"The aim of creating this manual was to offer clear answers to complex questions on Chapters 23 and 24 and to help the media to easily report as intermediaries between the state and citizens," said Mike Falke.

Chapters 23 and 24 do not concern only the judiciary, but relate to other issues such as the fight against corruption, human rights, migration, asylum and borders management.

Minister of Justice and the State Administration of the Republic of Serbia Nikola Selakovic said Serbia is ready to start negotiations on Chapters 23 and 24 and the ministry had been working diligently on the issue.

Luca Bianconi, head of the political department of the European Union (EU) Delegation in Serbia, noted negotiation talks on Serbia's EU accession begin with the opening of these two chapters. "These two chapters contain what could be considered the fundamental principles of democracy. They concern the most sensitive issues of the internal sector and state order of each country," said Bianconi.

Ivana Duric and Sanja Mrvaljevic Nisavic, the authors of the guide, said this project is important as it promotes judicial process reforms, the application of law and promotion of laws to citizens.

"I hope it will be helpful to the media to report on the process and help citizens to understand the process," stated German Ambassador Heinz Wilhelm regarding the guide.

Chapters 23 and 24 of the European Union address the issues of the judiciary and fundamental rights and justice, freedom and security, the fulfillment of which is a necessary condition for EU membership.