Serbia
Serbia
Membership status
Candidate country
Background
Serbia – along with 5 other Western Balkans countries – was identified as a potential candidate for EU membership during the Thessaloniki European Council summit in 2003.
In 2008, a European partnership for Serbia was adopted, setting out priorities for the country's membership application, and in 2009 it formally applied.
In 2010, the process to ratify the Stabilisation and Association Agreement began, and in March 2012 Serbia was granted EU candidate status.
More information on the country's relations with the EU
Interactive timeline
01-10-2004
Council conclusions open up a process for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement
01-10-2005
Negotiations launched for Stabilisation and Association Agreement
07-11-2007
SAA with Serbia is initialled.
01-01-2008
Agreements on visa facilitation and readmission enter into force.
18-02-2008
Council adopts revised European partnership for Serbia
19-12-2009
Visa requirement lifted for Serbs travelling to Schengen countries
22-12-2009
Serbia applies for EU membership
14-06-2010
EU members decide to start SAA ratification process
31-01-2011
Serbia replies to Commission questionnaire
01-03-2012
European Council confirms Serbia as a candidate country