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A:
Jeremic calls on EU to unfreeze transitional agreement
Belgrade/Athens,
11 September 2008
Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic today in a statement made in Athens called on the EU to unfreeze the Transitional Trade Agreement with Serbia, considering the fact that Belgrade is cooperating fully with the Hague tribunal.
Author:
Fonet
Following a meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyanni, Jeremic said that the moment for the EU to act has arrived, to unfreeze the transitional agreement and open up the way for Serbia’s integration, since Serbia is cooperating fully with the Hague tribunal, and this has been proven.
I hope that we will have a European consensus on the matter at the next meeting of EU foreign ministers, said Jeremic. He added that Greece will initiate a discussion on the issue of unfreezing the transitional agreement with Serbia at the meeting to be held on September 15.
According to Jeremic, there is no question about the fact that Greece is one of Serbia’s strongest supporters in EU integration.
The Minister said that at the meeting with Bakoyanni he also discussed how to approach countries that unlike Greece are not convinced that Serbia is fully cooperating with the Hague tribunal.
We talked about the Kosovo issue which is one of the biggest security challenges not just on a regional but also on a wider European level, said Jeremic, reiterating that Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence is a flagrant violation of international law.
We should act responsibly and attempt to find an institutional way out of the situation, and this is what Serbia will do at the upcoming 63rd session of the UN General Assembly, by proposing a resolution seeking the opinion of the International Court of Justice and we expect that this opinion will be accepted by the majority of countries in the world, said Jeremic.
He said that he sought support from Greece and full understanding for the initiative was shown.
The EU ministerial meeting will be held next week, and on September 17 there will the first round of voting in the UN General Committee on including items on the agenda being recommended by Serbia and it is then that we will know how things stand. At present we have reason to be optimistic, but the struggle is far from over, said Jeremic.
Bakoyanni confirmed that Greece supports Serbia’s EU integration and stressed that Serbia’s future is in the EU.
Speaking about Kosovo, she said that it is of essential importance that the daily life of people is improved, particularly the minorities regardless of status.
She expressed satisfaction with Serbia’s cooperation with the Hague tribunal and remarked that this will strengthen Serbia’s relations with the EU.
According to Bakoyanni, Serbia should also strengthen relations with NATO, which will lead to peace and stability in troubled areas.
I hope that we will have a European consensus on the matter at the next meeting of EU foreign ministers, said Jeremic. He added that Greece will initiate a discussion on the issue of unfreezing the transitional agreement with Serbia at the meeting to be held on September 15.
According to Jeremic, there is no question about the fact that Greece is one of Serbia’s strongest supporters in EU integration.
The Minister said that at the meeting with Bakoyanni he also discussed how to approach countries that unlike Greece are not convinced that Serbia is fully cooperating with the Hague tribunal.
We talked about the Kosovo issue which is one of the biggest security challenges not just on a regional but also on a wider European level, said Jeremic, reiterating that Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence is a flagrant violation of international law.
We should act responsibly and attempt to find an institutional way out of the situation, and this is what Serbia will do at the upcoming 63rd session of the UN General Assembly, by proposing a resolution seeking the opinion of the International Court of Justice and we expect that this opinion will be accepted by the majority of countries in the world, said Jeremic.
He said that he sought support from Greece and full understanding for the initiative was shown.
The EU ministerial meeting will be held next week, and on September 17 there will the first round of voting in the UN General Committee on including items on the agenda being recommended by Serbia and it is then that we will know how things stand. At present we have reason to be optimistic, but the struggle is far from over, said Jeremic.
Bakoyanni confirmed that Greece supports Serbia’s EU integration and stressed that Serbia’s future is in the EU.
Speaking about Kosovo, she said that it is of essential importance that the daily life of people is improved, particularly the minorities regardless of status.
She expressed satisfaction with Serbia’s cooperation with the Hague tribunal and remarked that this will strengthen Serbia’s relations with the EU.
According to Bakoyanni, Serbia should also strengthen relations with NATO, which will lead to peace and stability in troubled areas.
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