Lawmakers in Serbia on Monday approved a law to return property confiscated by communist authorities after the Second World War, which is an important gesture in its efforts to join the European Union. However, the heirs of the property even complain that this act does not undo the injustice.
117 of 154 lawmakers in Parliament backed this proposal.
The intention is for Serbia to enter the union later this year.
George Ilic, an important Serbian artist who is one of the thousands who have waited decades to recover the confiscated fortunes, said the law is not enough.
The owners or their heirs - an estimated 150,000 people - are invited to apply for the return of property or compensation no later than 2014.
In my opinion, even though Serbia is making very important efforts and already using the euro, talking about Serbia joining the EU at the end of the year is too rushed. Serbia still needs time too settle and accomplish the needed conditions to join the EU. But I find the original plan to join in 2014 that the Serbian government designing pretty possible to happen if they manage to resolve the domestic problems and the extensive reforms. Also I think it’s important to point out that The Serbian government has declared that the status of the Kosovo region should not be tied with the EU negotiations.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/serbia-passes-restitution-law-as-part-of-eu-reform-but-heirs-say-bill-is-not-enough/2011/09/26/gIQA62m1yK_story.html
I think that the Serbian attempt to enter the European union this year might be a bit rushed as Paloma has pointed out.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion the serbian efforts have to be valued because that clearly shows how willing it is to join the European Union. That`s why, i see the addition in 2014, as a possible fact.
About the approval of the restitutuion law, it might not be enough, but it is a beginning. Here, in Spain, few years ago, the law for the historical memory about the Spanish Civil War, caused a lot of controversy and it is diffciult to make everyone happy, and even more in a such a sad and hard aspect as it is the war. However, as i have said it is one step forward to progress and to finally go into he European Union.