Q:
A:
UK endorses Serbia’s EU integration
Belgrade,
5 November 2008
Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic stated today that so far there is no agreement on the reconfiguration of the international civilian presence in Kosovo-Metohija, adding that Serbia will continue talks with the UN on this issue.
Vuk Jeremic and David Miliband
Author:
Tanjug
At a press conference following the meeting with British Foreign Minister David Miliband, Jeremic stressed that Belgrade’s stance has not altered and that Serbia is ready to talk with the UN under clear terms, which imply that the reconfigured mission remains within Resolution 1244 and status-neutral, as well as to have the UN Security Council’s approval.
Without the Security Council’s approval Serbia is not ready to endorse any international mission in the province, stressed the Minister, reiterating that Serbia wants to reach a solution, has always strived for this goal and will be a constructive partner in the talks.
However there are lines dictated by the Serbian Constitution which the government will not cross, noted Jeremic.
Speaking about bilateral relations between Serbia and the UK he said that Belgrade and London have differing stances on Kosovo’s future status, but the same view as to the European future of the Western Balkans.
He also voiced hope that the relations between Belgrade and the new administration in Washington will an improvement on those which Serbia had with the administration of George W. Bush.
He added he expects more understanding and more room for cooperation with the new administration, adding that the presidential election in the USA is an important event in both the USA and international political history.
Miliband told the press conference that talks on EULEX are underway and said he believes there is room for the two sides to reach an agreement.
He recalled that although not all EU countries have recognised Kosovo, all 27 members’ support the EU mission in the province because the role of EULEX is to protect all citizens in the province and not to decide on its status.
Great Britain has supported and will continue to endorse Serbia’s EU integration, said Miliband, adding that the timeframe for EU accession proposed by Serbian President Boris Tadic is quite feasible.
According to him, Great Britain wants to be friends with all Western Balkan countries and it cares about the prosperity, safety and stability of the region.
Serbia has a government fully committed to joining the EU and we admire the political skills and determination of President Tadic and Minister Jeremic and the manner in which they gained the trust of the Serbian people on the road to the EU, emphasised Miliband.
The foreign ministers also discussed bilateral cooperation between Serbia and the UK, which Miliband said is satisfactory and improving, though there is much to do in the areas of education, economics and politics.
Without the Security Council’s approval Serbia is not ready to endorse any international mission in the province, stressed the Minister, reiterating that Serbia wants to reach a solution, has always strived for this goal and will be a constructive partner in the talks.
However there are lines dictated by the Serbian Constitution which the government will not cross, noted Jeremic.
Speaking about bilateral relations between Serbia and the UK he said that Belgrade and London have differing stances on Kosovo’s future status, but the same view as to the European future of the Western Balkans.
He also voiced hope that the relations between Belgrade and the new administration in Washington will an improvement on those which Serbia had with the administration of George W. Bush.
He added he expects more understanding and more room for cooperation with the new administration, adding that the presidential election in the USA is an important event in both the USA and international political history.
Miliband told the press conference that talks on EULEX are underway and said he believes there is room for the two sides to reach an agreement.
He recalled that although not all EU countries have recognised Kosovo, all 27 members’ support the EU mission in the province because the role of EULEX is to protect all citizens in the province and not to decide on its status.
Great Britain has supported and will continue to endorse Serbia’s EU integration, said Miliband, adding that the timeframe for EU accession proposed by Serbian President Boris Tadic is quite feasible.
According to him, Great Britain wants to be friends with all Western Balkan countries and it cares about the prosperity, safety and stability of the region.
Serbia has a government fully committed to joining the EU and we admire the political skills and determination of President Tadic and Minister Jeremic and the manner in which they gained the trust of the Serbian people on the road to the EU, emphasised Miliband.
The foreign ministers also discussed bilateral cooperation between Serbia and the UK, which Miliband said is satisfactory and improving, though there is much to do in the areas of education, economics and politics.
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