Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between Serbia and the EU has entered into force today, as the EU informed Belgrade, on 24 July, that the SAA ratification process was completed in the Member States.

Application of the SAA will be followed by the setting-up of the bodies where Serbia and the EU will have their representatives: the Stabilisation and Association Council, the Stabilisation and Association Board and the Parliamentary Committee for Stabilisation and Association. Upon the entry into force of the SAA, the Interim Trade Agreement with the EU has ceased to apply and the deadlines set at the beginning of its application on 1 January 2009 will be respected without interruption even after its termination. 

With the entry into force of the SAA, Serbia has become an associate member of the EU, which is an important step in the further process of European integration of Serbia.