Dutch parliament gives green light for SAA ratification

The Dutch parliament’s European Affairs Committee approved the ratification of Serbia’s Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU.

This is according to MP Henk Jan Ormel.

Ormel expressed great satisfaction that the committee decided to start the ratification process, but noted that Serbia needed to continue acting responsibly toward the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) if it wanted to see the process completed.

“I am very satisfied with today’s decision. What I tried and failed to do two weeks ago, the European Affairs Committee accepted today,” Ormel, who proposed that the Committee start the ratification process, said.

The next step is submitting a written proposal to the government, which the parliament will do after September 15, because it is about to break for the summer, he specified.

Afterwards, the Dutch government also needs to give a written response, and then the proposal can be put on the parliament’s agenda.

Ornel said he did not except the process would be completed before December.