Q:
A:
Continuation of Kosovo status negotiations, priority for Serbia
Belgrade,
24 March 2008
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said tonight that the continuation of the Kosovo-Metohija status negotiations is a priority as Serbia has strong historical as well as economic reasons to continue to fight for the preservation of the province within its borders.
Author:
RTS
In an interview with RTS, Kostunica said that some 30 countries have recognised an independent Kosovo, which means that Serbia has achieved success, given that more than 150 countries did not recognise the unilateral independence, hence the message of those saying that negotiations lead nowhere is pointless.
Speaking about relations between Serbia and the EU, he stressed that for Serbia, Europe means partnership and therefore it is only natural that Europe states within which borders it sees Serbia, because the EU respects the integrity of its members, but it has not been specific in Serbia’s case.
The Prime Minister said that Serbia must not accept the dictates of a portion of the international community without question, but should file charges against states that recognised the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo.
I believe we should file charges against these countries. Not start a war, but simply file a legal suit. If there is a legal suit, then you can expect that at one point the other side may revoke its decision, and talks could be resumed, said Kostunica.
Kostunica pointed out that Serbia and the EU have a series of problems, since the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, which Brussels and Belgrade initialled on November 7 last year, comprises guarantees of Serbia’s territorial integrity, whereas now the EU is showing a different position on the matter.
According to him, Brussels and Belgrade must solve many other issues, including the illegal deployment of the EULEX mission to Kosovo.
Kostunica stressed that he does not advocate the cessation of cooperation with the EU, rather that Serbia should act like Switzerland or Norway – namely, it should cooperate, but not become an EU member until the contestable Kosovo-related issues are solved.
According to him, allegations that Serbia will isolate itself unless it succumbs to EU pressures are false, because the same logic would imply that Norway chose self-isolation when it voted against EU entry.
There is no isolation or possibilities of imposing sanctions on Serbia. There is no self-isolation because no state has ever done that, concluded the Prime Minister.
Asked about the health condition of Minister of Interior Dragan Jocic, Kostunica replied that the Minister is feeling much better considering the gravity of his injuries.
Jocic is a man of strong will and I am convinced he will win this battle, added Kostunica.
Speaking about relations between Serbia and the EU, he stressed that for Serbia, Europe means partnership and therefore it is only natural that Europe states within which borders it sees Serbia, because the EU respects the integrity of its members, but it has not been specific in Serbia’s case.
The Prime Minister said that Serbia must not accept the dictates of a portion of the international community without question, but should file charges against states that recognised the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo.
I believe we should file charges against these countries. Not start a war, but simply file a legal suit. If there is a legal suit, then you can expect that at one point the other side may revoke its decision, and talks could be resumed, said Kostunica.
Kostunica pointed out that Serbia and the EU have a series of problems, since the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, which Brussels and Belgrade initialled on November 7 last year, comprises guarantees of Serbia’s territorial integrity, whereas now the EU is showing a different position on the matter.
According to him, Brussels and Belgrade must solve many other issues, including the illegal deployment of the EULEX mission to Kosovo.
Kostunica stressed that he does not advocate the cessation of cooperation with the EU, rather that Serbia should act like Switzerland or Norway – namely, it should cooperate, but not become an EU member until the contestable Kosovo-related issues are solved.
According to him, allegations that Serbia will isolate itself unless it succumbs to EU pressures are false, because the same logic would imply that Norway chose self-isolation when it voted against EU entry.
There is no isolation or possibilities of imposing sanctions on Serbia. There is no self-isolation because no state has ever done that, concluded the Prime Minister.
Asked about the health condition of Minister of Interior Dragan Jocic, Kostunica replied that the Minister is feeling much better considering the gravity of his injuries.
Jocic is a man of strong will and I am convinced he will win this battle, added Kostunica.
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