Q:
A:
Serbia will not give up on its territorial integrity
Belgrade,
27 June 2007
Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic said in an interview for today’s edition of the Vecernje Novosti daily that Serbia is ready to accept a number of compromise solutions regarding Kosovo-Metohija but will not give up on its preservation of territorial integrity and provision of realistic living conditions for the Serbs in the province.
Bozidar Djelic
The Serbian government’s official web site gives excerpts of the interview.
What kind of epilogue do you anticipate regarding Kosovo-Metohija?
Only two scenarios are possible. The first one is unfavourable and it is a scenario of confrontation with forces wanting to declare independence at all costs, even if they do not get support from the UN Security Council. The other one is a compromise scenario, the chances for which are still slight but are increasing. According to this plan, we would enter a new round of talks, but true talks and not negotiations with a predetermined outcome, which is the case with the current proposal of the USA and EU.
Serbia’s reaction in case of unilateral acknowledgement of Kosovo-Metohija’s independence:
It is certain that Serbia must not let itself be isolated since that would be harmful for state interests.
Will Kosovo-Metohija remain part of Serbia?
Our state policy is obviously beginning to yield results, we see that in the fact that status settlement has been postponed, and two most powerful men in the world are dealing with this issue, Bush and Putin.
As for relatedness of the Kosovo status issue and Serbia’s EU integration:
The Kosovo status settlement and Serbia’s EU integration processes are two separate matters. There is no trading in the sense Kosovo-Metohija in exchange for Europe, nor would we ever agree to that.
As for the new budget:
I am the author of macroeconomic goals within the budget, total revenues and expenditures, as well as its main guidelines. The budget may still be better, but the important thing is that no one is defrauded by it.
Is there a danger of the euro increasing in value?
There isn’t. Foreign currency reserves are at a record level and there is currently no such danger. However, if within a medium term we fail to increase direct investments in our economy we will have problems with the reserves and the exchange rate. The IMF has also noticed that.
The aim of the working group for cooperation with Russia:
Bearing in mind that in the past six years Russian investors have complained about difficulties they are having in our system, we formed a group, which is a sign that we are resolved to improve these relations, to provide a platform for talks between mixed business committees of the two countries. However, it is really naïve to think Serbia is doing trade with Russia only because of its support regarding the Kosovo issue. Russia does not need such privileges, it simply wants the same business terms as those other investors have.
On the Horgos-Pozega concession contract:
I expect the works to begin soon, unless some irregularity is ascertained.
Do you have any other plans for Serbia to link with Europe sooner?
Yes, the formation of one or several cargo centres in Belgrade to make Serbia the logistics base of the Balkans. The previous tender failed but it is now time for a new project if we are to build the capacities as soon as possible.
When will Serbia enter the white Schengen list?
Our goal is end-2008.
The anticipated dynamics of Serbia’s road towards the EU:
By 2009 at the latest Serbia should become a candidate country and by 2014 a member country. By 2012 we must complete all obligations on this road. EU accession by 2014 is a success since many countries will never even get close to the EU and by then we will already have trade, budget and visa privileges. How much investment will come to Serbia by year’s end?
According to the estimates, around €1.5 billion.
What kind of epilogue do you anticipate regarding Kosovo-Metohija?
Only two scenarios are possible. The first one is unfavourable and it is a scenario of confrontation with forces wanting to declare independence at all costs, even if they do not get support from the UN Security Council. The other one is a compromise scenario, the chances for which are still slight but are increasing. According to this plan, we would enter a new round of talks, but true talks and not negotiations with a predetermined outcome, which is the case with the current proposal of the USA and EU.
Serbia’s reaction in case of unilateral acknowledgement of Kosovo-Metohija’s independence:
It is certain that Serbia must not let itself be isolated since that would be harmful for state interests.
Will Kosovo-Metohija remain part of Serbia?
Our state policy is obviously beginning to yield results, we see that in the fact that status settlement has been postponed, and two most powerful men in the world are dealing with this issue, Bush and Putin.
As for relatedness of the Kosovo status issue and Serbia’s EU integration:
The Kosovo status settlement and Serbia’s EU integration processes are two separate matters. There is no trading in the sense Kosovo-Metohija in exchange for Europe, nor would we ever agree to that.
As for the new budget:
I am the author of macroeconomic goals within the budget, total revenues and expenditures, as well as its main guidelines. The budget may still be better, but the important thing is that no one is defrauded by it.
Is there a danger of the euro increasing in value?
There isn’t. Foreign currency reserves are at a record level and there is currently no such danger. However, if within a medium term we fail to increase direct investments in our economy we will have problems with the reserves and the exchange rate. The IMF has also noticed that.
The aim of the working group for cooperation with Russia:
Bearing in mind that in the past six years Russian investors have complained about difficulties they are having in our system, we formed a group, which is a sign that we are resolved to improve these relations, to provide a platform for talks between mixed business committees of the two countries. However, it is really naïve to think Serbia is doing trade with Russia only because of its support regarding the Kosovo issue. Russia does not need such privileges, it simply wants the same business terms as those other investors have.
On the Horgos-Pozega concession contract:
I expect the works to begin soon, unless some irregularity is ascertained.
Do you have any other plans for Serbia to link with Europe sooner?
Yes, the formation of one or several cargo centres in Belgrade to make Serbia the logistics base of the Balkans. The previous tender failed but it is now time for a new project if we are to build the capacities as soon as possible.
When will Serbia enter the white Schengen list?
Our goal is end-2008.
The anticipated dynamics of Serbia’s road towards the EU:
By 2009 at the latest Serbia should become a candidate country and by 2014 a member country. By 2012 we must complete all obligations on this road. EU accession by 2014 is a success since many countries will never even get close to the EU and by then we will already have trade, budget and visa privileges. How much investment will come to Serbia by year’s end?
According to the estimates, around €1.5 billion.
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