Council Decision (EU) 2018/13 of 18 December 2017 on the position to be adopted on behalf of the European Union within the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Council on the participation of Serbia as an observer in the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights' work and the respective modalities thereof, within the framework of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007

The position to be adopted on behalf of the European Union within the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Council on the participation of Serbia as an observer in the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights' work and the respective modalities thereof, within the framework of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007, shall be based on the draft Decision of the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Council attached to this Decision.

Serbia, as a candidate country, shall participate as an observer in the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, established by Regulation (EC) No 168/2007.

1 The Agency may deal with fundamental rights issues within the scope of Article 3(1) of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 in Serbia to the extent necessary for its gradual alignment with Union law.

2 To that end, the Agency may carry out in Serbia the tasks set out in Articles 4 and 5 of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007.

Serbia shall contribute financially to the activities of the Agency referred to in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 in accordance with the Annex to this Decision.

1 Serbia shall appoint persons complying with the criteria provided for in Article 12(1) of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007 as observer and alternate observer, respectively. They may participate in the works of the Management Board on an equal footing with the members and alternate members appointed by Member States, but without a right to vote.

2 Serbia shall nominate a government official as the National Liaison Officer referred to in Article 8(1) of Regulation (EC) No 168/2007.

3 Within four months of the entry into force of this Decision, Serbia shall inform the European Commission of the names, qualifications and contact details of the persons referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2.

The data supplied to, or emanating from, the Agency may be published and shall be made accessible to the public, provided that confidential information is afforded the same degree of protection in Serbia as it is afforded within the Union.

The Agency shall enjoy in Serbia the same capacity as that accorded to legal entities under Serbia's law.

In order to enable the Agency and its staff to perform their tasks, Serbia shall grant the privileges and immunities identical to those set out in Articles 1 to 4, 5, 6, 10 to 13, 15, 17 and 18 of Protocol No 7 on the privileges and immunities of the European Union, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

The Parties shall each take any general or specific measures required to fulfil their obligations under this Decision and shall notify them to the Stabilisation and Association Council.

This Decision shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date of its adoption.