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Predetermined outcome is best way for talks on Kosovo to fall through
Belgrade,
26 September 2007
Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg today and voiced concern over statements of some politicians which prejudge the outcome of talks on the Kosovo-Metohija future status and said that this is the best way to make the talks fall through.
Following a meeting with European Commission’s Vice-President Günter Verheugen, Chairwoman of the European Parliament's Delegation Southeast Europe Doris Pack and several members of the European Parliament, Djelic stressed that statements of certain politicians are not helping the negotiating process but will cause it to fall through.
All officials I talked with said they have finally realised how important the issue of Kosovo-Metohija is for Europe and how carefully it must be resolved. This strengthens Serbia’s position since everyone is ready to hear our arguments, explained Djelic.
He also explained the Serbian proposal for the province’s status to his collocutors and told them that Serbia is ready to offer a number of attributes and functions to the province, but will not accept the creation of another state on its territory.
Everyone wants to preserve and strengthen stability and democracy in Serbia and they listen very attentively to our arguments, said the Deputy Prime Minister.
After meeting with European deputies and participation in the working group of the European Parliament for the Western Balkans, he stressed that there is a growing interest in details of the Serbian proposal of Kosovo-Metohija status settlement.
Djelic noted that the atmosphere toward Serbia is changing for the better and added that 95% of MPs’ questions concerned Kosovo-Metohija and Serbian proposal for the province’s status.
They showed most interest in how Belgrade sees solution for fiscal and monetary policy, customs crossings, armed forces, police and judiciary in the case that Kosovo does not become independent, he said.
Just a few months ago there were no such questions as independence was seen as unavoidable, the Deputy Prime Minister pointed out.
Asked how they can help resolve the province’s status issue, Djelic responded that the best way would be to present the Serbian position in their home countries as well as to countries whose presidents and foreign ministers want to underestimate the negotiations by prejudging their outcome.
Djelic stressed that he told his collocutors that strategic partnership with Russia is equally important for Serbia and for the EU, adding that Russia does not ask for privileges but for an opportunity to take part in tenders in Serbia under same terms as everyone else.
Serbia could be a bridge between Russia and the EU, Djelic also said and announced he will soon visit France, United States and Germany.
All officials I talked with said they have finally realised how important the issue of Kosovo-Metohija is for Europe and how carefully it must be resolved. This strengthens Serbia’s position since everyone is ready to hear our arguments, explained Djelic.
He also explained the Serbian proposal for the province’s status to his collocutors and told them that Serbia is ready to offer a number of attributes and functions to the province, but will not accept the creation of another state on its territory.
Everyone wants to preserve and strengthen stability and democracy in Serbia and they listen very attentively to our arguments, said the Deputy Prime Minister.
After meeting with European deputies and participation in the working group of the European Parliament for the Western Balkans, he stressed that there is a growing interest in details of the Serbian proposal of Kosovo-Metohija status settlement.
Djelic noted that the atmosphere toward Serbia is changing for the better and added that 95% of MPs’ questions concerned Kosovo-Metohija and Serbian proposal for the province’s status.
They showed most interest in how Belgrade sees solution for fiscal and monetary policy, customs crossings, armed forces, police and judiciary in the case that Kosovo does not become independent, he said.
Just a few months ago there were no such questions as independence was seen as unavoidable, the Deputy Prime Minister pointed out.
Asked how they can help resolve the province’s status issue, Djelic responded that the best way would be to present the Serbian position in their home countries as well as to countries whose presidents and foreign ministers want to underestimate the negotiations by prejudging their outcome.
Djelic stressed that he told his collocutors that strategic partnership with Russia is equally important for Serbia and for the EU, adding that Russia does not ask for privileges but for an opportunity to take part in tenders in Serbia under same terms as everyone else.
Serbia could be a bridge between Russia and the EU, Djelic also said and announced he will soon visit France, United States and Germany.
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