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Serbia intent on seeking opinion on legality of Kosovo independence
Belgrade,
8 August 2008
Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic stated that Serbia will not give up on its initiative of raising the legality of Kosovo’s independence and recognition by some countries before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
In an interview with Standard, Djelic said that this case will show that our state policy cannot be disputed as it is peaceful and relies on international law and diplomacy.
He stressed that Serbia will never be blackmailed with Kosovo for the sake of its European integration although the EU has no intention to set that as a condition for Serbia.
Such an EU policy does not exist and is not possible since Brussels is not in charge of recognising, or not recognising Kosovo, Djelic said noting that Europe is divided on this issue and cannot formulate a uniform policy.
According to him, through cooperation with The Hague tribunal Serbia has shown it respects international order, but expects from the international community to be likewise in terms of Kosovo.
He said he does not expect that the initiative Serbia plans to launch before the UN General Assembly would affect the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA).
Djelic also expressed expectation that Serbia will be included on the White Schengen List by the end of this year or early next year, but warned that the obstruction of parliament by the opposition could throw this into doubt.
Serbia could get candidate status by December 15 at the last EU summit under France’s presidency or in the first half of 2009, when the Union will be presided over by the Czech Republic.
He stressed that Serbia will never be blackmailed with Kosovo for the sake of its European integration although the EU has no intention to set that as a condition for Serbia.
Such an EU policy does not exist and is not possible since Brussels is not in charge of recognising, or not recognising Kosovo, Djelic said noting that Europe is divided on this issue and cannot formulate a uniform policy.
According to him, through cooperation with The Hague tribunal Serbia has shown it respects international order, but expects from the international community to be likewise in terms of Kosovo.
He said he does not expect that the initiative Serbia plans to launch before the UN General Assembly would affect the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA).
Djelic also expressed expectation that Serbia will be included on the White Schengen List by the end of this year or early next year, but warned that the obstruction of parliament by the opposition could throw this into doubt.
Serbia could get candidate status by December 15 at the last EU summit under France’s presidency or in the first half of 2009, when the Union will be presided over by the Czech Republic.
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