Q:
A:
Resolving Kosovo-Metohija status issue, Serbia’s European integration two separate processes
Brussels,
26 June 2007
Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic and European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security Franco Frattini said today in Brussels that the agreement on visa relaxations and readmission between Serbia and the EU will come into force on January 1, 2008.
Author:
Fonet
At a joint press conference, Jeremic and Frattini said that at the same time political dialogue will begin on how to make travel to EU countries visa-free for Serbian citizens.
They stressed that resolving the Kosovo-Metohija status issue, the process of stabilisation and association and candidate status for Serbia cannot be conditions for establishing relaxed visa regime as soon as possible, and later for removing visa restrictions.
Frattini stressed that this is above all a question of political good will and concrete conditions, such as better border security, fight against organised crime and secure travel documents, including the introduction of biometric passports for Serbian citizens.
Frattini and Jeremic also said that next year a centre for submitting visa applications for travel to EU countries will be opened in Belgrade.
Frattini said that the EU is determined to establish visa relaxations, and then to remove visa restrictions completely for Serbian citizens, and added that the policy of Brussels is to establish direct contact between the Serbian people and citizens of EU countries.
The Serbian Foreign Minister reiterated that Serbia’s European future and the future status of Kosovo-Metohija must be treated as separate issues, and stressed that this is the policy of Serbia and the EU.
Jeremic stressed that Serbia will never give up the process of joining the EU, just as it will not abandon its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Therefore, it is Europe and Kosovo. And it cannot be different. This is not just the question of a relaxed visa regime, rather anything which is connected with joining the EU cannot be linked to the future status of Kosovo-Metohija, concluded Jeremic.
They stressed that resolving the Kosovo-Metohija status issue, the process of stabilisation and association and candidate status for Serbia cannot be conditions for establishing relaxed visa regime as soon as possible, and later for removing visa restrictions.
Frattini stressed that this is above all a question of political good will and concrete conditions, such as better border security, fight against organised crime and secure travel documents, including the introduction of biometric passports for Serbian citizens.
Frattini and Jeremic also said that next year a centre for submitting visa applications for travel to EU countries will be opened in Belgrade.
Frattini said that the EU is determined to establish visa relaxations, and then to remove visa restrictions completely for Serbian citizens, and added that the policy of Brussels is to establish direct contact between the Serbian people and citizens of EU countries.
The Serbian Foreign Minister reiterated that Serbia’s European future and the future status of Kosovo-Metohija must be treated as separate issues, and stressed that this is the policy of Serbia and the EU.
Jeremic stressed that Serbia will never give up the process of joining the EU, just as it will not abandon its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Therefore, it is Europe and Kosovo. And it cannot be different. This is not just the question of a relaxed visa regime, rather anything which is connected with joining the EU cannot be linked to the future status of Kosovo-Metohija, concluded Jeremic.
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