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Serbia will not give up Kosovo for EU membership

Belgrade/London, 1 August 2008

Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic said yesterday evening in London that if the EU makes recognition of Kosovo’s independence a condition for Serbia then the Serbian government’s answer will be no.

Jeremic: Serbia will not give up Kosovo for EU membership

Vuk Jeremic

In an interview for the BBC, Jeremic said that he does not expect that the EU will make it a condition for Serbia to recognise Kosovo’s independence for EU integration because that requires consensus which cannot be reached, but even if it were to happen Serbia’s answer will be no.

He reiterated that Serbia’s stance is that Kosovo’s unilaterally declared independence is illegal and is an act of secession from an internationally recognised state, in opposition to the UN Security Council.

We will continue to defend Kosovo. We will use all diplomatic, legal and political means available to a sovereign and independent country to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity, said the Minister.

Commenting on the arrest and extradition of Radovan Karadzic, Jeremic said that cooperation with the Hague tribunal is part of Serbia’s moral and political obligations.

According to Jeremic, the Serbian government has shown clearly and beyond doubt that it is committed to fulfilling its international obligations and is serious when it comes to its European future.

Our European obligations are not just those related to the continuation of European integration. The Serbian government also has a moral obligation towards the world, and most importantly to itself. We really do wish to put the past behind us, and genuinely intend to leave the 90s behind us, said Jeremic.

He added that the Serbian government has cooperated with the Hague tribunal regardless of the conditions put forth for European integration. He recalled that every government since 2000 has closely cooperated with The Hague, and Belgrade has extradited nearly 45 people to the tribunal.

The Foreign Minister said that EU membership is the government’s strategic goal, and added that cooperation with the Hague tribunal is important not only for European integration but also as part of sincere reconciliation efforts in the Balkans.

Jeremic voiced hope that Hague tribunal Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz’s report to be presented in September will be positive and Serbia will be able to continue the process of EU integration.