Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on EU-Serbia relations: the role of civil society
Date: 2008-05-29
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: EU relations, European integration, Serbia, company constituted under civil law, economic situation, foreign policy, political situation

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Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on EU-Serbia relations: the role of civil
society

(2008/C 224/29)

In a letter dated 18 July 2007, Commissioner Margot Wallström and Commissioner Olli Rehn asked the
European Economic and Social Committee, to draw up an exploratory opinion on

EU-Serbia relations: the role of civil society.

The Section for External Relations, which was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the
subject, adopted its opinion on 5 May 2008. The rapporteur was Mr Seppo Kallio.

At its 445th plenary session, held on 28-29 May 2008 (meeting of 29 May), the European Economic and
Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 74 votes to 9 with 10 abstentions.

1. The conclusions of the opinion

The recommendations to European Union (EU) institu-

1.1
tions and bodies:

— To support the Serbian government in the elaboration of a

strategy for the development of civil society (1).

— To increase support, also in financial terms, to civil society
organisations in Serbia in order to maintain their indepen-
dence from government and ensure the sustainability of the
projects they run.

— To create more appropriate and efficient financial support
schemes in order to shorten long application and decision-
making procedures. This applies also to the new facility
established by the European Commission (EC) to promote
civil society development and dialogue. Support should be
available for a broad range of interested organisations and
be flexible in terms of responding to their needs.

— To distinguish between NGOs and social partners in terms

of the creation and adoption of support strategies.

— To support programmes focused on the capacity-building of
social partners in order to strengthen their capability to an
effective social dialogue.

— To support systematically those projects run by civil society
organisations and focusing on the promotion of the idea of
European integration within the whole society. A systematic
debate on the issues concerning European integration
should encompass all parts of society, including civil society.
for a broader range of activities
In this regard, support
within the National Convention on the European Union in
Serbia, which includes representatives of both governmental
and civil society organisations, should be considered.

(1) According to the definition of the European Economic and Social
Committee, the term ‘civil society’ encompasses the employers' organi-
sations, employees' organisations, as well as other non-governmental
organisations and interest groups.

— To support projects aiming at transferring know-how and
experience from the EU Member States to Serbia. The contri-
bution of the ‘new’ Member States from Central and Eastern
Europe might be of real added value. The importance of
‘twinning projects’ should be given greater recognition and
support by the EU institutions. The newly established facility
promoting civil
society development and dialogue can
provide support for such activities.

— To enable the representatives of civil society organisations
from Serbia to visit the EU institutions and participate free
of charge in conferences and events organised by the EU.

— To strengthen support

to the regional networks of civil
society organisations in the Western Balkans and to develop
regional programmes. Specific attention should be paid to
the intensification of the dialogue between the Serbian and
Kosovar (2) civil society organisations in order to overcome
the communication gap between the Serbian and Kosovar (2)
governments.

— To maintain a systematic dialogue with other donors in
order to provide civil society organisations in Serbia and the
Western Balkans as a whole with a well targeted, efficient,
effective and well-timed assistance.

— To make the Delegation of the EC in Serbia more visible in
the eyes of the representatives of civil society organisations,
as well as the citizens of Serbia.

— To establish a systematic and structured dialogue among the
representatives of civil society organisations and the EC
Delegation in Serbia in order to have direct information on
the state of Serbian civil society.

— To organise regular meetings with the representatives of civil
society organisations in order to react with greater flexibility
to their expectations and needs.

(2) Kosovo being under UNSCR 1244.

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The recommendations to the European Economic and

1.2
Social Committee (EESC):

1.4
Serbia:

The recommendations to civil society organisations in

— To create a Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) between the
EESC and Serbian civil society organisations in order to
promote and support civil dialogue in Serbia. In the absence
of the appropriate legal basis — the Stabilisation and Asso-
ciation Agreement (SAA) — the EESC might establish an
interim JCC with the same goals until the signing and ratifi-
cation of the SAA.

— To participate actively in the new People to People Dialogue
Programme managed by the EC's Directorate-General
for
Enlargement: the EESC could prepare and organise study
visits within the EU (especially in Brussels) for representa-
tives of Serbian civil society organisations.

— To enable representatives of Serbian civil society organisa-
tions to visit the EESC and to become acquainted with its
activities.

1.3

The recommendations to the Serbian authorities:

— To pass the Law on Civil Society Associations and corre-
sponding legislation, especially tax legislation, as soon as
possible.

— To develop a strategy for the development of civil society:
this would create the basis for a viable civil society as a
necessary element of a mature democratic society. The
strategy should be developed in close cooperation with civil
society organisations.

— To maintain a systematic dialogue on the issues concerning
civil society organisations with their representatives. The
government's approach towards civil society should be more
inclusive.

— To introduce various incentives to civil society organisations,
including financial ones, in order to support their develop-
ment and the sustainability of their activities. A transparent
grant scheme that allows civil society organisations to apply
for grants financed from the state budget should be devel-
oped.

— To support the maintenance of a regular tripartite social
dialogue and ensure the proper functioning of the Serbian
Economic and Social Council (SESC) according to the law.
This should be based on the regular participation of all
ministries concerned in the meetings of the SESC.

— To ensure correct and effective implementation of the visa
facilitation and readmission agreements with the EU and
to continue the
implement necessary reforms in order
process of visa liberalisation. Visa free travel is crucial for
enhancing contacts between Serbian civil society organisa-
tions and their counterparts in the European Union.

— To establish an institutionalised platform for regular meet-

ings and exchange of ideas.

— To improve the managerial skills of the representatives of
civil society organisations through their participation in
various training programs.

— To increase the number of representatives of the national
and ethnic minorities in projects developed by the Serbian
civil society organisations.

— To increase the emphasis on regional cooperation, possibly
by looking into learning from and collaborating with civil
society organisations in EU Member States, especially with
those from Central and South-Eastern Europe.

— To enhance cooperation with the media and to improve
their public image by promoting the projects and achieve-
ments of civil society organisations.

The recommendations to Serbian and Kosovar (3) civil

1.5
society organisations:

— To make every effort

to
in order
improve cooperation and people-to-people contacts between
Kosovar (3) and Serbian civil society organisations.

to maintain and/or

2. Background of the opinion

2.1 The EU goals in the Western Balkans and Serbia

The Western Balkans is among the top regional priorities of the
EU's foreign policy. The main goal of the EU in the Western
Balkans is to increase regional stability and prosperity. The
preparation of the Western Balkan countries for EU membership
can be mentioned as an equally important goal. To achieve the
latter, the EU is using specific instruments of pre-accession assis-
tance.

The Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) was created in
order to assist the countries of the region on their way to the
EU. The signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement
(SAA)
is considered to be a significant step towards full EU
membership. As of May 2008, five out of six Western Balkan
countries had signed an SAA. While Croatia is already nego-
tiating its accession to the EU, the Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, with its status of candidate country, has not yet
started accession negotiations. Serbia signed its SAA in Luxem-
bourg on 29 April 2008. Bosnia and Herzegovina has
completed the negotiations and has initialled its SAA, but has
not yet signed it.

(3) Kosovo being under UNSCR 1244.

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2.2 The state and role of civil society organisations in Serbia

2.2.1 The par ticular role of NGOs

Civil society organisations and NGOs in particular played an
important role in the overthrow of the Milošević regime, since
they managed to mobilise a significant part of the population in
order to make democratic changes. Since 2000, NGOs have
been undergoing a process of transformation, characterised by
the redefinition of their programmes, goals and priorities. Since
the Republic of Serbia is undergoing a difficult process of poli-
tical, economic and social transformation, NGOs — and espe-
cially those dealing with democratisation and human rights —
are playing a crucial role in the democratisation of Serbian
society. The significant contribution of some NGOs was note-
worthy especially during the last presidential elections held in
January-February 2008. In addition, NGOs have played a signifi-
cant role in the process of spreading European values and
bringing Serbia closer to the EU.

2.2.2 The need for a dialogue with civil society

In this regard, the need for an intensive dialogue between civil
society organisations on the one hand and the Serbian govern-
ment on the other should be highlighted. Despite the introduc-
tion of various forms of consultation between the government
and civil society organisations (4), a systematic civil dialogue still
does not exist in Serbia. The establishment of such a dialogue is
in the vital interest of Serbian society as a whole and of civil
society organisations in particular. It is also in the interest of the
EU, since a viable and strong civil society is one of the precondi-
tions for successful EU integration.

3. Political developments in Serbia

3.1 The current political situation

Since the year 2000, when a democratic and pro-integration
oriented government replaced the regime of former President
Slobodan Milošević, Serbia has had to deal with the process of
political, economic and social transformation. A problematic
economic transition, the issue of the final status of Kosovo (5) as
well as the populist usage of national prejudices and stereotypes
by selected political leaders has contributed to the radicalisation
of the Serbian political scene. This did not concern only the
opposition, but to some extent also the outgoing government
led by the Prime Minister, Vojislav Koštunica. The involvement
of the media in these processes should not be forgotten, since
the majority of journalists and broadcasters are far from being
truly independent. The recent presidential elections saw the re-
election of the incumbent President, Boris Tadić, who represents
the moderate stream in Serbian politics. However, the conti-

(4) Regular consultations of civil society organisations have been under-
taken in several areas, e.g. European integration, poverty reduction or
youth policies, and by several governmental or official bodies, e.g. the
Presidency of Serbia, the Serbian European Integration Office, the
Ministry of Social Policy and Labour,
the Serbian Chamber of
Commerce or the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities.

(5) Kosovo being under UNSCR 1244.

nuing instability in the governmental coalition and tensions
between the Democratic Party of Serbia of Vojislav Koštunica
and the Democratic Party of Boris Tadić, which escalated after
the declaration of independence of Kosovo (5) in February 2008,
led to the resignation of the Prime Minister, Vojislav Koštunica.
Early parliamentary elections were held on 11 May 2008.

3.2 Political relations with the EU, Russia and the neighbouring

countries

EU integration presupposes the fulfilment of the Copenhagen
criteria, Stabilisation and Association Process conditionality and
the other conditions and requirements set by the EU. Serbia has
not fulfilled all the conditions and requirements but showed
good administrative capacity in the process of negotiations for
the SAA with the EU and in the implementation of the neces-
sary reforms. In November 2007 the EU initialled the SAA. The
signing of the SAA was, however, undermined by the lack of
cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the
former Yugoslavia (ICTY). In order to examine ways of deli-
vering rapid progress the EU agreed to set up a Task Force. On
the other hand, the European Commission called on Serbia to
reaffirm its commitment
ties with the European
to closer
Union (6). Cooperation with the ICTY remains one of the most
important preconditions for further development of EU-Serbia
relations, also after the signing of the SAA. Another influential
factor shaping EU-Serbia relations will be the ability of
the
Serbian government to separate the issue of the final status of
Kosovo (5) from the process of European integration.

Relations between Serbia and Russia have become more and
more intensive. This is partly due to the Kosovo (5) status issue,
since the Russian Federation has consistently backed the Serbian
positions. On the other hand, the level of economic cooperation
is increasing as well — the most remarkable sign of such devel-
opment is the increasing interest of Russian investors in the
Serbian economy.

Though a certain improvement has been achieved in the last
few years, not all relations between Serbia and its neighbouring
countries are satisfactory. Relations with the EU neighbours of
Serbia — Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania — can be charac-
terised as very good. The same applies to relations with Monte-
negro and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Rela-
tions between Serbia and Croatia are good, though there are still
some open issues, for instance concerning the return of refugees
to Croatia. Relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina are shaped to
a large extent by the specific relationship between Serbia and
the Republika Srpska. The greatest tensions obviously lie in the
relations between Serbia and Kosovo (5), especially since the
province's declaration of independence.

(6) Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and
the Council — Western Balkans: Enhancing the European Perspective,
Brussels, 5.3.2008, COM(2008) 127.

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3.3 The role of Serbia in the stabilisation and development of the

Balkans

Serbia, however,
Herzegovina. Serbian imports are headed by Russia (10).

is the neighbouring Republic of Bosnia and

Serbia is an important country in the Western Balkans and an
important partner for the EU in the region. Due to the involve-
ment of the Serbian leaders and army in all the Balkan wars in
the 1990s, the reputation of Serbia in the region is a relatively
negative one. The only way to improve this image in the region
is through the improvement of good relations with all its neigh-
bours and active participation in various regional
initiatives,
with the help of the EU.

The economic cooperation of Serbia with its neighbours,
including trade relations, will be affected positively by the imple-
mentation of the new Central European Free Trade Agreement,
which was signed by the Western Balkan countries and Moldova
in 2006. The creation of the free trade area in the Western
Balkans has been one of
the pre-accession
process.

the priorities of

4. Economic developments in Serbia

4.1 The current state of the economy in Serbia

4.5 Foreign direct investment and the largest investors in the Serbian

economy

Due to its political and economic isolation, resulting from the
character of the Milošević regime, the country's economic devel-
opment slowed down during most of the 1990s. Since 2000,
however, the Serbian economy can be characterised as a typical
economy in transition, with sustainable growth (5,7 % in 2006
compared with 6,2 % in 2005). The growth in GDP has been
accompanied by a decrease in inflation, which reached 10 % in
2007 (7). The indisputable economic advantages of Serbia
encompass a quite big market potential, a favourable geogra-
phical location, duty free access to the markets of South-Eastern
Europe, the EU, Russia and the USA, as well as an educated and
skilled labour force.

Serbia's pro-investment oriented policy has attracted the atten-
tion of many foreign investors. In 2006 the total amount of FDI
was the highest in the region (EUR 3,4 billion) (11). The biggest
flows of investments were directed to financial services, trade,
manufacturing, real estate, public administration and transport.
The largest investors are predominantly the countries of the EU,
with Greece occupying first place (12).

Despite the increasing number of
the Serbian
market still has great potential for further development in this
field.

investments,

4.2 The privatisation process

The share of the private sector remains relatively low when
compared to the EU average. The private sector accounts for
about 55 % of total output and 60 % of total employment (8). A
comparatively low share of the private sector negatively affects
the competitiveness of the Serbian economy, especially products
and services. Further privatisation and restructuring of state and
public-owned companies is therefore a must for further develop-
ment of the Serbian economy.

4.3 The main sectors of the Serbian economy

The main sectors of the Serbian economy are,
in descending
order, services, industry, agriculture and construction. According
to the Serbian Investment and Export Promotion Agency the
most dynamic sectors of the economy are agriculture, IT, wood
processing, furniture making, energy, automobiles, textiles, elec-
tronics and pharmaceuticals (9).

4.4 Foreign Trade

The European Union is the biggest trade partner for Serbia.
Among the top ten biggest export partners of Serbia there are
six EU member states. The most important export partner of

(7) National Bank of Serbia, www.nbs.yu.
(8) Serbia 2007 Progress Report, European Commission, Brussels,

6.11.2007, SEC(2007) 1435.

(9) Serbian Investment and Export Promotion Agency, www.siepa.sr.gov.

yu.

5. The current state and role of civil society organisations

5.1 Common problems and challenges

Three main problems can be identified: fiscal status; the urban-
rural gap; increasing competition instead of cooperation.

Quite problematic is the fact that the tax legislation in Serbia
does not distinguish civil society organisations from other for-
profit organisations. Accordingly, civil society organisations are
treated in the same way as small enterprises — they have to pay
taxes from the donations they receive, while only a few on them
are exempted from VAT obligations. Moreover, the existing tax
policies of the Serbian state do not stimulate any form of giving
to civil society organisations.

Another problem is the enduring urban-rural divide. Most civil
society organisations are concentrated either in Belgrade or in
two or three other big cities, while the countryside lacks experi-
ence with them. This results in the general population's low
awareness of civil society and the activities of civil society orga-
nisations.

(10) Statistical Yearbook of Serbia 2006, www.webzrs.statserb.sr.gov.yu;
European Commission data www.ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/bilateral/
data.htm.

(11) www.wiiw.at/e/serbia.html.
(12) Southeast Europe Investment Guide 2007, www.seeurope.net/files2/

pdf/ig2007/Serbia-pdf.

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The third problem — increasing competition between civil
society organisations instead of cooperation — leads to tensions
and weakens their potential positions vis-à-vis the Serbian
authorities.

passed in parliament without being discussed on the Council's
floor.

5.2 Cooperation with Serbian authorities: the lack of civil dialogue

Most civil society organisations are still not perceived as part-
ners by the Serbian authorities, especially those focusing on
certain sensitive issues (e.g. war crimes, mass graves etc.). The
cooperation of civil society organisations with the central
government or local governments rests on an ad hoc basis,
since the government seems not to be eager to establish a part-
nership with civil society organisations. On the one hand, this is
due to the lack of legislation regulating the relationship between
civil society organisations and the government, and on the other
hand, the absence of a political will to involve civil society orga-
nisations more intensively in the consultations and preparation
of selected strategic documents should also be taken into
account. Another fact to be underlined is that the Serbian state
adopts a rather selective approach to civil society organisations.

5.3 Social partners

5.3.1 Social dialogue

Though an effective social dialogue is one of the preconditions
for successful economic transformation, the role of the social
partners in Serbian society remains relatively weak. After the
Labour Law came into force in 2005, the General Collective
Agreement ceased to apply. The same is true for all special
collective agreements concluded before 2001. Another change
connected with the new legal regulation is that the Government
does not participate in the conclusion of
the new General
Collective Agreement anymore, but continues to play an active
role in the conclusion of several sectoral and special collective
agreements. The representative trade unions and employers'
associations, which are now in charge of negotiations on the
new General Collective Agreement, have not succeeded in
reaching agreement so far. The conclusion of a new General
Collective Agreement therefore remains one of the most impor-
tant preconditions for enhancing social dialogue in Serbian
society.

The Social and Economic Council of the Republic of Serbia,
established in 2005 by the Law on the Social and Economic
Council, provides an institutional basis for tripartite negotia-
tions. However, the Council is facing several problems that have
had a negative impact on its activities. Firstly, the scarcity of
financial resources should be mentioned. Despite the increasing
funding from the state budget, the lack of financial resources
negatively influences the work of the Secretariat and prevents
the Council from setting up an adequate number of working
groups and organising regular meetings. Another problem is the
irregular attendance of the representatives of the social partners
at the Council's meetings. As a result, some draft laws are

5.3.2 The Serbian employers' organisations

The Union of Employers of Serbia (UPS) is the main national
organisation of employers. Unlike the trade unions, UPS has
enjoyed good cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and
Social Policy.
It participates regularly in the activities of the
Social and Economic Council of the Republic of Serbia. Never-
theless, the fact that most of the biggest firms active in Serbia
are not members of UPS weakens the legitimacy of the organisa-
tion within the context of social dialogue. UPS has been partici-
pating in the work of
the South-Eastern Europe Employers'
Forum and of the International Organisation of Employers. The
international dimension of the UPS's activities is going to be
strengthened after it has received observer status in BusinessEu-
rope. UPS is also expected to join the Mediterranean Union of
Employers in June 2008.

5.3.3 The cur rent
unions

situation and role of

the trade

The trade unions are more heterogeneous. Overall, there exist
about 20 000 trade unions in Serbia at all levels, from company
to national level. Most of them belong to the two main national
confederations, Independence (Nezavisnost) and the Confedera-
tion of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia (SSSS). Joint action
is often lacking. Another related problem is the lack of coopera-
tion among trade unions. Though the role of trade unions is
considered to be relatively weak in Serbia, their active participa-
tion in collective negotiations in the public sector and public
enterprises shows that their role in strengthening the social
dialogue is not to be underestimated. As for the international
activities of the Serbian trade unions, both Nezavisnost and
SSSS are members of the International Trade Union Confedera-
tion and take part in the European Trade Union Confederation
Balkans Forum.

5.4 The situation within the various interest groups

5.4.1 An unsatisfactor y legal environment

Despite various statements of the post-2000 Serbian govern-
ments and their commitments to adopt a new law on citizens
associations, the work of the non-profit organisations, as well as
their relations with the Serbian state remain unregulated. In fact,
the legal status of the various interest groups, and particularly
the NGOs, is regulated by the State Law on the Association of
Citizens into Associations, Social Organisations and Political
Organisations founded already in the Socialist Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia and the Republic (Serbian) Law on Social Organi-
sations and Citizens' Associations from 1982, amended in
1989 (13).

(13) Zdenka Milivojević Civil Society in Serbia. Suppressed during the 1990s —
gaining legitimacy and recognition after 2000. Civicus Civil Society Index
Report for Serbia. (Belgrade, 2006).

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In 2006, the Government of Serbia adopted the Draft Law on
Civic Associations. This text, which was harmonised with the
positions of the representatives of various interest groups, has
not made it to Parliament to be adopted. The Draft Law simpli-
fies the procedure for the registration of civic associations and
foresees that an association may acquire property and assets
through charges of membership fees, voluntary contributions,
donations and gifts, etc. It also provides for the state or local
self-government bodies to give grants and donations to various
interest groups. However, the Law on Civic Society Associations
would not solve all the problems concerning their legal and
economic status. A whole set of additional laws will therefore be
needed.

problems. As for examples of positive development, particular
mention should be made of environmental organisations.

Economic problems are crucial since they concern the basic
viability of most NGOs. They receive funding only for a limited
number of projects and for a limited time period, mostly from
foreign sources. As a result, many of them lack specialisation
and have to focus on various projects with a very different
focus. This affects not only their professional reputation, but
makes them difficult to overcome vital problems threatening
their existence.

5.4.2 The role and coverage of small and medium-
sized enter pr ises (SMEs), agr icultural organisa-
tions and consumers' organisations

6. The role of civil society organisations in EU integration

6.1 Civil society organisations and the process of European integration

It can be argued that the representatives of SMEs and agri-
cultural organisations suffer from the same problems as trade
unions — counter-productive fragmentation and competition
— which prevent them from establishing powerful pressure
groups. The high level of corruption guarantees some organisa-
tions better access to state bureaucracy than others. Political
closeness and the geographical locations of these organisations
can be mentioned as another divisive factor. Although the
number of consumers' organisations is smaller when compared
to SMEs and agricultural organisations, their problems are more
or less similar.

5.4.3 NGOs in Serbian society

The Serbian NGO sector was becoming stronger in the second
half of the1990s, after the end of the Bosnian war. The NGOs
played a crucial role in the overthrow of the Milošević regime in
2000 by mobilising the citizens and taking part in the negotia-
tions with the anti-Milošević opposition. The pro-election
campaign named ‘Izlaz 2000’ was a very successful project of
different NGOs, showing the importance of the NGO sector in
the process of democratic change.

Since 2000 the position of NGOs in Serbian society has
changed. The NGO sector is overcoming a process of transfor-
mation. Moreover, some NGOs suffer from a lack of enthusiasm
due to the slower pace of reform than was expected after the
changes in 2000. Another problem is the split in the attitude of
the NGOs towards cooperation with the government — while
some of them remain consistently in opposition to the govern-
ment, others try to find ways to cooperate with it. To some
extent, the NGO sector became weakened also due to the fact
that some NGOs leaders joined politics after 2000 and stopped
it can be concluded that while
their activities. In this regard,
some NGOs intensified their activities, a significant part of them
failed to meet the criteria regarding further professionalisation
and specialisation in their work and faced some significant

A number of civil society organisations in Serbia already play a
crucial role in the process of raising public awareness on the EU
and European integration. By organising public lectures and
seminars and distributing leaflets and other materials focusing
on the EU and related issues, civil society organisations contri-
bute to information campaigns on the EU especially in rural and
less developed areas. Though civil society organisations have
sometimes differed in their attitudes, e.g. in the case of stressing
the full cooperation of Serbia with the ICTY as a precondition
for the reopening of the SAA negotiations in Spring 2007 —
the presidential elections held in January-February 2008 found
them united in their opinion. An overwhelming majority of civil
society organisations opted for a European perspective for
Serbia and helped to increase the participation of the voters in
the elections.

The closer cooperation of the government with the employers'
organisations, trade unions and other interest groups would
contribute even more to the better preparedness of the popula-
tion in Serbia for EU accession. However, the further involve-
ment of civil society organisations in a substantial dialogue with
the government requires greater transparency and the regular
provision of relevant documents and information.

6.2 Civil society organisations and regional cooperation

The improvement in regional cooperation and good relations
with the neighbouring countries represent key preconditions for
a successful integration into the EU. Civil society organisations
already play an important role in stabilising relations and brid-
ging the gaps among the countries in the region. In this regard,
the improving cooperation between the Serbian and Croatian
civil society organisations can be mentioned as a very positive
example. By improving cooperation among themselves and
pushing joint projects, civil society organisations will be better
prepared to face regional problems and meet regional chal-
lenges. Moreover, successful results of cooperation among civil
society organisations on a regional basis may serve as an

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regional political

inspiration for
leaders. Though contacts
among civil society organisations are developing year by year,
the current status quo is far from being satisfactory, mainly
because of still existing political obstacles and scarcity of finan-
cial funds, including EU funds. In this regard, support for grass-
roots regional
initiatives may be one of the possibilities for
enhancing cooperation among civil society organisations in the
region.

6.3 International activities of Serbian civil society organisations

The inclusion of the Serbian civil society organisations in joint
projects realised with partner organisations either from the
region or from outside can improve people-to-people contacts
and renew relationships broken during the war. In this regard, a

certain positive development has been achieved in many fields.
Cooperation and networking has been developed especially in
the case of civil society organisations focusing on human rights,
the environment or in the case of women's
protection of
groups. For the further development of civil society and civil
society organisations, the positive results of cooperation among
the Serbian associations and their counterparts from the new
Member States of the EU should be highlighted as well.

The inclusion of civil society organisations in foreign policy
activities should not be underestimated. The more intensive
cooperation between official diplomacy on the one hand and
public diplomacy on the other can contribute to the improve-
ment of Serbian foreign policy and influence positively the
process of European integration.

Brussels, 29 May 2008.

The President

of the European Economic and Social Committee

Dimitris DIMITRIADIS