ACQUIS NE UTER

Abstract

Can Serbia be a member of the European Union while also adhering to a policy of military neutrality? This research question is framed with two key considerations in mind. Firstly, Serbia is required to adopt and enforce the Acquis Communautaire within its national legal system as part of the process to become a member. The term acquis signifies a comprehensive set of laws that encompass both primary and secondary legal documents, as well as elements concerning the Common Foreign and Security Policy. This includes Chapter 31, which focuses on political dialogues with the EU, the relationship between the candidate state and EU institutions, engagement with international entities like the UN, OSCE, and Council of Europe, along with regulations pertaining to arms control, European security and defense policies, collaboration with NATO, and efforts against terrorism. Secondly, in 2007 the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia has approved a Resolution designed to protect the republic's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and constitutional order. A pivotal aspect of this resolution is Serbia’s declaration of military neutrality, which is shaped by the historical context of NATO's actions in the region, particularly the 1999 bombing of Serbia conducted without the authorization of the UN Security Council.