**Executive Summary:**
Decision No. 1 of the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Council adopts its rules of procedure, following the Stabilisation and Association Agreement which entered into force on September 1, 2013. The decision outlines the chairmanship, meeting procedures, representation, and establishment of committees to ensure the proper functioning and continuity of the association relationship. The first period of chairmanship began with the first meeting and ended on December 31, 2013.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Chairmanship and Meetings:**
* The Stabilisation and Association Council is chaired alternately every 12 months by the EU Foreign Affairs Council President and a Serbian Government representative.
* The Council meets annually at ministerial level, with special sessions possible upon request and agreement.
* Meetings are held at the usual venue for EU Council meetings unless otherwise agreed.
* Secretaries of the Council jointly convene meetings in agreement with the Chairman.
* **Representation and Delegations:**
* Members unable to attend may be represented, with prior notification to the Chairman.
* Members may be accompanied by officials, with the Chairman informed of delegation composition beforehand.
* The European Investment Bank attends as an observer when relevant matters are on the agenda.
* Non-members may be invited to provide information on specific subjects.
* **Secretariat and Correspondence:**
* An EU Council General Secretariat official and a Serbian Mission to the EU official act as joint Secretaries.
* Correspondence is sent to the Chairman at the EU Council General Secretariat.
* Secretaries forward correspondence to the Chairman and circulate it to relevant members.
* **Agendas and Minutes:**
* The Chairman prepares provisional agendas, distributed 15 days before meetings.
* Items for inclusion must be requested 21 days before meetings, with supporting documentation.
* The Council adopts the agenda at the beginning of each meeting; additional items can be added by agreement.
* Draft minutes are prepared by the Secretaries, indicating documentation, statements, decisions, and conclusions.
* Approved minutes are signed by the Chairman and Secretaries and filed in the EU Council General Secretariat archives.
* **Decisions and Recommendations:**
* Decisions and recommendations are made by common agreement.
* They are entitled "Decision" or "Recommendation," followed by a serial number, date, and subject matter description.
* The Chairman signs and the Secretaries authenticate decisions and recommendations, which are then forwarded to addressees.
* **Languages and Expenses:**
* Official languages are those of both Parties.
* The EU and Serbia cover their own participation expenses.
* The EU bears interpreting, translation, and document reproduction costs, except for Serbian language-related expenses, which Serbia covers.
* **Stabilisation and Association Committee:**
* Assists the Council and is composed of representatives from the EU Council, European Commission, and Serbian Government.
* Prepares meetings, implements decisions, and ensures the continuity of the association relationship.
* Its rules of procedure are annexed to the Decision.
* **Joint Consultative Committees:**
* Two committees are established: one with representatives from the European Economic and Social Committee and Serbian social partners, and another with representatives from the EU Committee of the Regions and Serbian local/regional authorities.
* These committees promote dialogue and cooperation and assist the Stabilisation and Association Council.
* Each party covers its own expenses for participation in the meetings.
**Impact Analysis**
* **European Union and Member States:**
* *Impact:* Defines procedures for participation, decision-making, and financial responsibilities within the Stabilisation and Association Council and its associated committees.
* *Action Required:* Adhere to the established procedures for meetings, representation, and documentation.
* **Republic of Serbia:**
* *Impact:* Sets out the framework for Serbia's engagement with the EU in the context of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, including participation in meetings, committees, and covering specific expenses.
* *Action Required:* Ensure representation at meetings, fulfill financial obligations, and participate actively in the established committees.
* **European Investment Bank:**
* *Impact:* Entitled to attend Stabilisation and Association Council meetings as an observer when matters concerning the Bank are on the agenda.
* *Action Required:* Monitor the agenda of the Stabilisation and Association Council meetings and attend when relevant.
* **European Economic and Social Committee and Serbia's social partners and other civil society organisations:**
* *Impact:* Participation in the Joint Consultative Committee, promoting dialogue and cooperation between social partners and civil society organizations.
* *Action Required:* Engage in dialogue and cooperation, prepare for future membership in the EU, and exchange information on issues of mutual interest.
* **Committee of the Regions of the European Union and Serbian local and regional authorities:**
* *Impact:* Participation in the Joint Consultative Committee, promoting dialogue and cooperation between local and regional authorities.
* *Action Required:* Engage in dialogue and cooperation, prepare for future membership in the EU, and exchange information on issues of mutual interest.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: One of the parties in the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, represented by the European Commission and the Council of the European Union.
Republic of Serbia: A country that is party to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union, often referred to as Serbia.
Stabilisation and Association Agreement: An agreement between the European Communities and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Serbia, of the other part.
Stabilisation and Association Council: A council established to oversee the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and Serbia.
Stabilisation and Association Committee: A committee established to assist the Stabilisation and Association Council in carrying out its duties.
European Atomic Energy Community: An international organisation established by the Treaty of Rome in 1957 with the purpose of creating a specialist market for nuclear power in Europe.
European Economic and Social Committee: A consultative body of the European Union
Committee of the Regions of the European Union: A Joint Consultative Committee composed of representatives of the Committee of the Regions of the European Union and of Serbian local and regional authorities is hereby established
2.6.2015 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 135/35
ACTS ADOPTED BY BODIES CREATED BY
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
DECISION No 1 OF THE EU-SERBIA STABILISATION AND ASSOCIATION COUNCIL
of 21 October 2013
adopting its rules of procedure [2015/857]
THE STABILISATION AND ASSOCIATION COUNCIL,
Having regard to the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and its Member
States, of the one part, and the Republic of Serbia (hereinafter referred to as ‘Serbia’), of the other part (hereinafter
referred to as the ‘Agreement’), and in particular Articles 119, 120, 122 and 124 thereof,
Whereas that Agreement entered into force on 1 September 2013.
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
Chairmanship
The Stabilisation and Association Council shall be chaired alternately for periods of 12 months by the President of the
Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States and the
European Atomic Energy Community, and by a representative of the Government of Serbia. The first period shall begin
on the date of the first Stabilisation and Association Council meeting and end on 31 December 2013.
Article 2
Meetings
The Stabilisation and Association Council shall meet at ministerial level once a year. Special sessions of the Stabilisation
and Association Council may be held at the request of either Party, if the Parties so agree. Unless otherwise agreed by
the Parties, each session of the Stabilisation and Association Council shall be held at the usual venue for meetings of the
Council of the European Union on a date agreed by both Parties. Meetings of the Stabilisation and Association Council
shall be jointly convened by the Secretaries of the Stabilisation and Association Council in agreement with the
Chairman.
Article 3
Representation
The members of the Stabilisation and Association Council, if unable to attend, may be represented. If a member wishes
to be so represented, he shall notify the Chairman of the name of his representative before the meeting at which he is to
be so represented. The representative of a member of the Stabilisation and Association Council shall exercise all the
rights of that member.
Article 4
Delegations
The members of the Stabilisation and Association Council may be accompanied by officials. Before each meeting, the
Chairman shall be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each Party. A representative of the
European Investment Bank shall attend the meetings of the Stabilisation and Association Council, as an observer, when
matters which concern the Bank appear on the agenda. The Stabilisation and Association Council may invite
non-members to attend its meetings in order to provide information on particular subjects.L 135/36 EN Official Journal of the European Union 2.6.2015
Article 5
Secretariat
An official of the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union and an official of the Mission of Serbia to
the European Union shall act jointly as Secretaries of the Stabilisation and Association Council.
Article 6
Correspondence
Correspondence addressed to the Stabilisation and Association Council shall be sent to the Chairman of the Stabilisation
and Association Council at the address of the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union.
The two Secretaries shall ensure that correspondence is forwarded to the Chairman of the Stabilisation and Association
Council and, where appropriate, circulated to other members of the Stabilisation and Association Council. Correspond
ence so circulated shall be sent to the Secretariat-General of the Commission, the Permanent Representations of the
Member States and the Mission of Serbia to the European Union.
Communications from the Chairman of the Stabilisation and Association Council shall be sent to the addressees by the
two Secretaries and circulated, where appropriate, to the other members of the Stabilisation and Association Council as
indicated in the second paragraph.
Article 7
Publicity
Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the Stabilisation and Association Council shall not be public.
Article 8
Agendas for meetings
1. The Chairman shall draw up a provisional agenda for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the Secretaries of the
Stabilisation and Association Council to the addressees referred to in Article 6 not later than 15 days before the
beginning of the meeting. The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the Chairman has received
a request for inclusion on the agenda not later than 21 days before the beginning of the meeting, although items shall
not be written into the provisional agenda unless the supporting documentation has been forwarded to the Secretaries
not later than the date of despatch of the agenda. The agenda shall be adopted by the Stabilisation and Association
Council at the beginning of each meeting. An item other than those appearing on the provisional agenda may be placed
on the agenda if the two Parties so agree.
2. The Chairman may, in agreement with the two Parties, shorten the time limits specified in paragraph 1 in order to
take account of the requirements of a particular case.
Article 9
Minutes
Draft minutes of each meeting shall be drawn up by the two Secretaries. The minutes shall, as a general rule, indicate in
respect of each item on the agenda:
the documentation submitted to the Stabilisation and Association Council,
statements requested for entry by a member of the Stabilisation and Association Council,
the decisions taken and recommendations made, the statements agreed upon and the conclusions adopted.2.6.2015 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 135/37
The draft minutes shall be submitted to the Stabilisation and Association Council for approval. When approved, the
minutes shall be signed by the Chairman and the two Secretaries. The minutes shall be filed in the archives of the
General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, which will act as depository of the documents of the Stabili
sation and Association Council. A certified copy shall be forwarded to each of the addressees referred to in Article 6.
Article 10
Decisions and recommendations
1. The Stabilisation and Association Council shall take its decisions and make recommendations by common
agreement of the Parties. The Stabilisation and Association Council may take decisions or make recommendations by
written procedure if both Parties so agree.
2. The decisions and recommendations of the Stabilisation and Association Council, within the meaning of
Article 121 of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, shall be entitled respectively ‘Decision’ and ‘Recommen
dation’ followed by a serial number, by the date of their adoption and by a description of their subject matter. The
decisions and recommendations of the Stabilisation and Association Council shall be signed by the Chairman and
authenticated by the two Secretaries. Decisions and recommendations shall be forwarded to each of the addressees
referred to in Article 6 above. Each Party may decide on the publication of decisions and recommendations of the
Stabilisation and Association Council in its respective official publication.
Article 11
Languages
The official languages of the Stabilisation and Association Council shall be the official languages of the two Parties.
Unless otherwise decided, the Stabilisation and Association Council shall base its deliberations on documentation drawn
up in those languages.
Article 12
Expenses
The European Union and Serbia shall each defray the expenses they incur by reason of their participation in the
meetings of the Stabilisation and Association Council, both with regard to staff, travel and subsistence expenditure and
to postal and telecommunications expenditure. Expenditure in connection with interpreting at meetings, translation and
reproduction of documents shall be borne by the European Union, with the exception of expenditure in connection with
interpreting or translation into or from the Serbian language, which shall be borne by Serbia. Other expenditure relating
to the organisation of meetings shall be borne by the Party hosting the meetings.
Article 13
Stabilisation and Association Committee
1. A Stabilisation and Association Committee is hereby established in order to assist the Stabilisation and Association
Council in carrying out its duties. It shall be composed of representatives of the Council of the European Union and of
representatives of the European Commission, on the one hand, and of representatives of the Government of Serbia on
the other, normally at senior civil servant level.
2. The Stabilisation and Association Committee shall prepare the meetings and the deliberations of the Stabilisation
and Association Council, implement the decisions of the Stabilisation and Association Council where appropriate and,
in general, ensure continuity of the association relationship and the proper functioning of the Stabilisation and
Association Agreement. It shall consider any matter referred to it by the Stabilisation and Association Council as well as
any other matter which may arise in the course of the day-to-day implementation of the Stabilisation and Association
Agreement. It shall submit proposals or any draft decisions or recommendations for adoption to the Stabilisation and
Association Council.L 135/38 EN Official Journal of the European Union 2.6.2015
3. In cases where the Stabilisation and Association Agreement refers to an obligation to consult or a possibility of
consultation, such consultation may take place within the Stabilisation and Association Committee. The consultation
may continue in the Stabilisation and Association Council if the two Parties so agree.
4. The rules of procedure of the Stabilisation and Association Committee are annexed to this Decision.
Article 14
Joint Consultative Committee composed of representatives of the European Economic and Social Committee
and of Serbia's social partners and other civil society organisations
1. A Joint Consultative Committee composed of representatives of the European Economic and Social Committee
and of Serbia's social partners and other civil society organisations is hereby established, entrusted with the task of
assisting the Stabilisation and Association Council with a view to promoting dialogue and cooperation between the
social partners and other civil society organisations, in the European Union and Serbia. Such dialogue and cooperation
shall encompass all relevant aspects of relations between the European Union and Serbia, as they arise in the context of
the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. Such dialogue and cooperation shall be aimed in
particular at:
(a) preparing Serbian social partners and other civil society organisations for activity in the framework of future
membership of the European Union;
(b) preparing Serbian social partners and other civil society organisations for their participation in the work of the
European Economic and Social Committee after the accession of Serbia;
(c) exchanging information on issues of mutual interest, in particular on up-to-date state of play on the accession
process as well as preparation of Serbian social partners and other civil society organisations for this process;
(d) encouraging exchanges of experience, good practices and structured dialogue between a) Serbian social partners and
other civil society organisations and b) social partners and other civil society organisations from Member States,
including through networking in specific areas where direct contacts and cooperation might prove the most effective
way of solving particular problems;
(e) discussing any other relevant matters proposed by any side, as they can arise in the context of implementation of
the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and in the framework of the Pre-accession strategy.
2. The Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1 shall comprise nine representatives of the European
Economic and Social Committee and nine representatives of Serbia's social partners and other civil society organisations.
The Joint Consultative Committee may also invite observers.
3. The Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1 shall carry out its tasks on the basis of consultation
by the Stabilisation and Association Council or, with regard to promoting dialogue between economic and social circles,
on its own initiative.
4. Members shall be chosen to ensure that the Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1 is as faithful a
reflection as possible of the various social partners and other civil society organisations, in both the European Union
and Serbia. Official nominations of Serbian members shall be made by the government of Serbia based on proposals
from social partners and other civil society organisations. Those proposals shall be based on inclusive and transparent
selection procedures among social partners and other civil society organisations.
5. The Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1 shall be co-chaired by a member of the European
Economic and Social Committee and a representative of Serbia's social partners and other civil society organisations.
6. The Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1 shall adopt its Rules of Procedure.
7. The European Economic and Social Committee, on the one hand, and the Serbian Government, on the other hand,
shall each defray the expenses they incur by reason of the participation of their delegates in the meetings of the Joint
Consultative Committee and of its working groups with regard to staff, travel and subsistence expenditure.2.6.2015 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 135/39
8. Detailed arrangements on interpretation and translation costs shall be set out in the rules of procedure of the Joint
Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1. Other expenditure relating to the material organisation of meetings
shall be borne by the Party which hosts the meetings.
Article 15
Joint Consultative Committee composed of representatives of the Committee of the Regions of the European
Union and of Serbian local and regional authorities
1. A Joint Consultative Committee composed of representatives of the Committee of the Regions of the European
Union and of Serbian local and regional authorities is hereby established with the task of assisting the Stabilisation and
Association Council with a view to promoting dialogue and cooperation between the local and regional authorities in
the European Union and those in Serbia. Such dialogue and cooperation shall be aimed in particular at:
(a) preparing Serbian local and regional authorities for activity in the framework of future membership of the European
Union;
(b) preparing Serbian local and regional authorities for their participation in the work of the Committee of the Regions
after the accession of Serbia;
(c) exchanging information on current issues of mutual interest, in particular on up-to-date state of play concerning the
accession process and those policy areas where the Treaties provide that the Committee of the Regions shall be
consulted as well as preparation of Serbian local and regional authorities for these policies;
(d) encouraging multilateral structured dialogue between a) Serbian local and regional authorities and b) local and
regional authorities from the Member States, including through networking in specific areas where direct contacts
and cooperation between Serbian local and regional authorities and the local and regional authorities from Member
States might prove the most effective way of addressing specific topics of mutual interest;
(e) providing regular exchange of information on inter-regional cooperation between Serbian local and regional
authorities and local and regional authorities from Member States;
(f) encouraging exchange of experience and knowledge in the policy areas where the Treaty on the Functioning of the
European Union provides that the Committee of the Regions shall be consulted, between i) Serbian local and
regional authorities and ii) local and regional authorities from Member States, in particular know-how and
techniques concerning preparation of local and regional development plans or strategies and most efficient use of
the pre-accession and Structural Funds;
(g) assisting Serbian local and regional authorities by means of information exchange on the practical implementation
of the principle of subsidiarity in all aspects of life on local and regional level;
(h) discussing any other relevant matters proposed by any side, as they can arise in the context of implementation of
the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and in the framework of the Pre-accession strategy.
2. The Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1 shall comprise seven representatives of the
Committee of the Regions, on the one hand, and seven elected representatives of the local and regional authorities of
Serbia, on the other hand. An equal number of alternate members shall be appointed.
3. The Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1 shall carry out its activities on the basis of
consultation by the Stabilisation and Association Council or, as concerns the promotion of the dialogue between the
local and regional authorities, on its own initiative.
4. The Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1 may make recommendations to the Stabilisation and
Association Council.
5. Members shall be chosen to ensure that the Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1 is a faithful
reflection of the various levels of local and regional authorities in both the European Union and Serbia. Official
nominations of Serbian members shall be made by the government of Serbia based on proposals from organisations
representing local and regional authorities in Serbia. Those proposals shall be based on inclusive and transparent
selection procedures among representatives holding local or regional electoral mandates.L 135/40 EN Official Journal of the European Union 2.6.2015
6. The Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1 shall adopt its Rules of Procedure.
7. The Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1 shall be co-chaired by a member of the Committee of
the Regions and a representative of the local and regional authorities of Serbia.
8. The Committee of the Regions, on the one hand, and the Government of Serbia, on the other hand, shall each
defray the expenses incurred by reason of the participation of their delegates and supporting staff in the meetings of the
Joint Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1, in particular with regard to travel and subsistence expenditure.
9. Detailed arrangements on interpretation and translation costs shall be set out in the rules of procedure of the Joint
Consultative Committee referred to in paragraph 1. Other expenditure relating to the material organisation of meetings
shall be borne by the Party which hosts the meetings.
Done at Luxembourg, on 21 October 2013.
For the Stabilisation and Association Committee
The Chairman
C. ASHTON2.6.2015 EN Official Journal of the European Union L 135/41
ANNEX
RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE STABILISATION AND ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE
Article 1
Chairmanship
The Stabilisation and Association Committee shall be chaired over alternately for periods of 12 months by a representa
tive of the European Commission, on behalf of the European Union and its Member States and the European Atomic
Energy Community, and by a representative of the Government of Serbia. The first period shall begin on the date of the
first Stabilisation and Association Council meeting and end on 31 December 2013.
Article 2
Meetings
The Stabilisation and Association Committee shall meet when circumstances require, with the agreement of both Parties.
Each meeting of the Stabilisation and Association Committee shall be held at a time and place agreed by both Parties.
Meetings of the Stabilisation and Association Committee shall be convened by the Chairman.
Article 3
Delegations
Before each meeting, the Chairman shall be informed of the intended composition of the delegation of each Party.
Article 4
Secretariat
An official of the European Commission and an official of the Serbian Government shall act jointly as Secretaries of the
Stabilisation and Association Committee. All communications to and from the Chairman of the Stabilisation and
Association Committee provided for in this Decision shall be forwarded to the Secretaries of the Stabilisation and
Association Committee and to the Secretaries and the Chairman of the Stabilisation and Association Council.
Article 5
Publicity
Unless otherwise decided, the meetings of the Stabilisation and Association Committee shall not be public.
Article 6
Agendas for meetings
1. The Chairman shall draw up a provisional agenda for each meeting. It shall be forwarded by the Secretaries of the
Stabilisation and Association Committee to the addressees referred to in Article 4 not later than 15 days before the
beginning of the meeting. The provisional agenda shall include the items in respect of which the Chairman has received
a request for inclusion on the agenda not later than 21 days before the beginning of the meeting, although items shall
not be written into the provisional agenda unless the supporting documentation has been forwarded to the Secretaries
not later than the date of dispatch of the agenda. The Stabilisation and Association Committee may ask experts to attend
its meetings in order to provide information on particular subjects. The agenda shall be adopted by the Stabilisation and
Association Committee at the beginning of each meeting. An item other than those appearing on the provisional agenda
may be placed on the agenda if the two Parties so agree.L 135/42 EN Official Journal of the European Union 2.6.2015
2. The Chairman may, in agreement with the two Parties, shorten the time limits specified in paragraph 1 in order to
take account of the requirements of a particular case.
Article 7
Minutes
Minutes shall be taken for each meeting and shall be based on a summing up by the Chairman of the conclusions
arrived at by the Stabilisation and Association Committee. When approved by the Stabilisation and Association
Committee, the minutes shall be signed by the Chairman and by the Secretaries and filed by each of the Parties. A copy
of the minutes shall be forwarded to each of the addressees referred to in Article 4.
Article 8
Decisions and recommendations
In the specific cases where the Stabilisation and Association Committee is empowered by the Stabilisation and
Association Council under Article 122 of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement to take decisions or make
recommendations, those acts shall be entitled respectively ‘Decision’ and ‘Recommendation’, followed by a serial number,
by the date of their adoption and by a description of their subject matter. Decisions and recommendations shall be
made by common agreement between the Parties. The Stabilisation and Association Committee may take decisions or
make recommendations by written procedure if both Parties so agree. The decisions and recommendations of the Stabili
sation and Association Committee shall be signed by the Chairman and authenticated by the two Secretaries and shall
be forwarded to the addressees referred to in Article 4. Each Party may decide on the publication of the decisions and
recommendations of this Stabilisation and Association Committee in its respective official publication.
Article 9
Expenses
The European Union and Serbia shall each defray the expenses they incur by reason of their participation in the
meetings of the Stabilisation and Association Committee, both with regard to staff, travel and subsistence expenditure
and to postal and telecommunications expenditure. Expenditure in connection with interpreting at meetings, translation
and reproduction of documents shall be borne by the European Union, with the exception of expenditure in connection
with interpreting or translation into or from the Serbian language, which shall be borne by Serbia. Other expenditure
relating to the organisation of meetings shall be borne by the Party hosting the meetings.
Article 10
Subcommittees and special groups
The Stabilisation and Association Committee may create subcommittees or special groups to work under the authority
of the Stabilisation and Association Committee, to which they shall report after each of their meetings. The Stabilisation
and Association Committee may decide to abolish any existing subcommittees or groups, lay down or modify their
terms of reference or set up further subcommittees or groups to assist it in carrying out its duties. These subcommittees
and groups shall not have any decision-making powers.