The EU Integration Office stated that at yesterday’s session, the Serbian government adopted a report on the implementation of the National Program for Integration of Serbia into the EU (NPI) for the period October–December 2011.

According to the report, drafted by the EU Integration Office, the NPI was fulfilled 55% in relation to the planned tasks for the fourth quarter of 2011 and taking into consideration the tasks completed in advance.

In terms of adopting bills and by-laws planned for the fourth quarter of 2011, the government’s level of success was 54%, bearing in mind that 45 out of 83 planned regulations have been adopted.

In all, the NPI has been 80% (775/973) fulfilled, taking into account only those regulations scheduled for adoption from July 2008 until December 2011.

The third amended NPI was adopted at the government session.

This document establishes an activity plan for 2012 which will secure further harmonisation of domestic regulations with those of the EU.

Recommendations from the European Commission’s opinion on Serbia’s application for EU membership were taken into account during the revision of the NPI.

The NPI is a precise plan for a harmonisation of domestic legislature with EU legal norms with the aim of achieving the criteria required for EU accession, from political and economic ones to the most detailed EU standards in trade, agriculture, environmental protection, infrastructure and other remits.

The goal of the NPI is to have public institutions programme and implement reforms in the EU accession process in a clear and systemic manner, the statement adds.