Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative (RAI)

The Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) is the EU’s policy framework for the countries of the Western Balkans - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo under UNSC Resolution 1244/99. The main elements of this long-term commitment to the region were proposed in a Commission Communication (COM (99) 235 of 26 May 1999).

The Zagreb Summit (24/11/2000) set the seal on the SAP, by gaining the region’s agreement in a Final Declaration to a clear set of objectives and conditions.The SAP supports the Western Balkan countries’ development and preparations for future EU membership by combining three main instruments: the Stabilisation and Association Agreements, autonomous trade measures and substantial financial assistance. Regional co-operation constitutes a cornerstone of the SAP. The Stabilisation and Association Agreements are tailored to the circumstances of each country.

The European Council of Thessaloniki (19-20 June 2003) confirmed the European perspective of the Western Balkans countries as well as the SAP as the policy framework of their EU course all the way to their future accession and endorsed the Thessaloniki Agenda. All the Western Balkan countries have the prospect of joining the EU (an objective most recently endorsed by the June 2005 European Council).

SEE member countries of the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative are at various stages on their road towards the EU:

- Albania signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU on 12 June 2006 in Luxembourg. The SAA with Albania entered into force on 1 April 2009. Albania submitted its application for EU membership on 28 April 2009 and delivered replies to the Commission's Questionnaire on 15 April 2010.

- Regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina the negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) were launched in November 2005. The SAA was initialled on 4 December 2007. On 16 June 2008 the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) which will enter into force once its ratification process has been completed.

- After about one year of negotiation with the Commission, Montenegro signed on 15 October 2007 the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Community and its Member States. On 15 October 2007 Montenegro signed the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) which entered into force on 1 May 2010. Montenegro submitted its application for EU membership on 15 December 2008. Montenegro's replies to the Commission's Questionnaire were delivered on 9 December 2009.

- The Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) between the EU and Serbia was initialled on 7 November 2007, in Brussels. On 29 April 2008, the EU and Serbia signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA). On 22 December 2009, Serbia submitted its application for EU membership.

- As confirmed by the Thessaloniki Summit in June 2003, Kosovo is firmly anchored in the framework of the Stabilisation and Association Process, the EU policy which applies to the Western Balkans.

- Moldova has concluded with European Union a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) aiming to strengthen democracy and develop its economy through cooperation in a wide range of areas and through political dialogue. This agreement entered into force on July 1st, 1998.