Q:
A:
Serbia’s priorities preservation of territorial integrity, EU integration
Belgrade,
17 January 2009
Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic has stated that Serbia’s foreign policy priorities are the struggle to preserve territorial integrity and the continuation of the EU integration process.
File photo of Vuk Jeremic
Author:
Tanjug
In an interview with the Economist, Jeremic said that in 2008 Serbia experienced an attempt at enforcing a solution for the future status of Kosovo which was not in accordance with international law.
He stressed that owing to Serbia’s energetic diplomacy this attempt did not receive adequate institutional support from the international community, adding that Serbia’s struggle in the UN General Assembly was successful and now the issue has been moved to a domain where its chances of success are higher.
That is the domain of international law, which in our opinion was directly violated by the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo, said Jeremic, adding that Serbia’s priorities are the struggle to preserve its territorial integrity and sovereignty by peaceful and diplomatic means.
The Minister suggested that the Cyprus model could be used for resolving this issue and recalled that in 1974 Cyprus was in a similar situation which did not prevent it from becoming part of the EU.
He said that Serbia’s other priorities are EU integration, the defence of its constitutional system and establishing good relations with neighbouring countries in the West Balkans.
He said that Russian support for Serbia’s efforts to defend its constitutional order and safeguard its territorial integrity was in no manner related to the gas arrangement.
He said that even if the agreement had not been signed Russia would have supported Serbia, because these are two separate issues.
He said that when it comes to Kosovo, Russia’s support is based on principle and it was never subject to bargaining.
He stressed that owing to Serbia’s energetic diplomacy this attempt did not receive adequate institutional support from the international community, adding that Serbia’s struggle in the UN General Assembly was successful and now the issue has been moved to a domain where its chances of success are higher.
That is the domain of international law, which in our opinion was directly violated by the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo, said Jeremic, adding that Serbia’s priorities are the struggle to preserve its territorial integrity and sovereignty by peaceful and diplomatic means.
The Minister suggested that the Cyprus model could be used for resolving this issue and recalled that in 1974 Cyprus was in a similar situation which did not prevent it from becoming part of the EU.
He said that Serbia’s other priorities are EU integration, the defence of its constitutional system and establishing good relations with neighbouring countries in the West Balkans.
He said that Russian support for Serbia’s efforts to defend its constitutional order and safeguard its territorial integrity was in no manner related to the gas arrangement.
He said that even if the agreement had not been signed Russia would have supported Serbia, because these are two separate issues.
He said that when it comes to Kosovo, Russia’s support is based on principle and it was never subject to bargaining.
-
Belgrade, 29 October 2024State moves to minimise advertising for betting shops
-
Belgrade/Berlin, 28 January 2016Fences cannot stop migrations
-
Belgrade, 7 January 2016Serbia to experience dynamic economic growth in 2016
-
Belgrade, 31 December 2015Serbia will persevere on path of development, reforms
-
Belgrade, 30 December 2015Ground for Serbia’s progress set
-
Belgrade, 28 December 2015
Serbia ready for improvement of cooperation with Russia
-
Belgrade, 22 December 2015Serbia ready to open six more chapters next year
-
Belgrade, 21 December 2015Serbia to be part of EU by 2020
-
Belgrade, 20 December 2015Serbia ready for EU membership by 2019
-
Belgrade, 16 December 2015Chapter 35 not substitute for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue