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A:
Serbia to protect foreign policy priorities
Belgrade,
4 January 2009
Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic today said that the protection of the Serbian Constitution through diplomatic means, the speeding up of the EU integration process and the continuation of good relations with countries in the region are key priorities for Serbian foreign policy.
In an interview with the Politika daily, Jeremic said that the government’s unity should not be questioned.
He pointed out that Serbia will maintain its policy of defence, which implies joint efforts in order to respond to security threats in the region.
As for EU integration, Serbia has already cooperated closely with its neighbours.
Jeremic said that Serbia has good capacity and energy to be the leader in the entire Western Balkans concerning EU integration.
As for Kosovo-Metohija and Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Minister said that these issues can only be solved in cooperation with other countries, added that Serbia’s recognition of Kosovo independence may be a precondition for its acquisition of EU status, which Serbia must prevent, as it could severely hamper its view of the EU.
Some EU members are against Kosovo independence and Serbia can relay on their support, said Jeremic.
Serbia should participate in all regional associations and initiatives where the former Yugoslavia used to have a strong influence, said Jeremic, warning that this year will be hard due to the global financial crisis.
Jeremic expects that the world will cooperate in order to overcome the crisis and recalled that the new American administration will soon be set up, which will help surmount current difficulties.
According to Jeremic, Serbia found solutions to the institutional problems in Kosovo-Metohija, which were explicitly supported by the UN Security Council.
The Minister said that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will soon give its opinion regarding the status of Kosovo-Metohija.
Jeremic said that approximately 50 states will be under strong pressure to recognise Kosovo-Metohija independence and ignore the ICJ’s process.
The Ministry is very active and will try to mitigate and prevent pressure in this respect. We hope we will succeed, concluded the Minister.
He pointed out that Serbia will maintain its policy of defence, which implies joint efforts in order to respond to security threats in the region.
As for EU integration, Serbia has already cooperated closely with its neighbours.
Jeremic said that Serbia has good capacity and energy to be the leader in the entire Western Balkans concerning EU integration.
As for Kosovo-Metohija and Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Minister said that these issues can only be solved in cooperation with other countries, added that Serbia’s recognition of Kosovo independence may be a precondition for its acquisition of EU status, which Serbia must prevent, as it could severely hamper its view of the EU.
Some EU members are against Kosovo independence and Serbia can relay on their support, said Jeremic.
Serbia should participate in all regional associations and initiatives where the former Yugoslavia used to have a strong influence, said Jeremic, warning that this year will be hard due to the global financial crisis.
Jeremic expects that the world will cooperate in order to overcome the crisis and recalled that the new American administration will soon be set up, which will help surmount current difficulties.
According to Jeremic, Serbia found solutions to the institutional problems in Kosovo-Metohija, which were explicitly supported by the UN Security Council.
The Minister said that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will soon give its opinion regarding the status of Kosovo-Metohija.
Jeremic said that approximately 50 states will be under strong pressure to recognise Kosovo-Metohija independence and ignore the ICJ’s process.
The Ministry is very active and will try to mitigate and prevent pressure in this respect. We hope we will succeed, concluded the Minister.
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