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Serbia’s goal candidate status in 2010
Belgrade,
29 December 2009
Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said today that Serbia’s central strategic priority next year will be EU membership.
Speaking at a press conference, Jeremic said that Serbia has recovered its confidence and restored its image on the international scene, adding that 2009 was a very successful year.
The Minister said that visa restrictions were removed for Serbian citizens, the interim trade agreement with the EU was unfrozen and the application for EU candidacy was submitted.
Speaking about EU association, Jeremic said that the aim is to start the process for the ratification of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU and for Serbia to acquire candidate status before the end of next year.
He said that Serbia will continue with its earlier foreign policy which relies on relations with Brussels, Moscow, Beijing and Washington.
Speaking about Kosovo-Metohija, Jeremic said that Serbia will remain true to its diplomatic struggle for safeguarding its territorial integrity.
He said that he is convinced that the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is to give its decision regarding the legality of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence, will uphold international law, which clearly supports Serbia’s position. Jeremic said that there is not a lot of scope for exerting pressure on the ICJ, adding that a far fewer than expected number of countries recognised Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence during 2009.
The Minister said that Serbia showed during this year that it is possible for it to move towards Europe and to fight for Kosovo-Metohija at the same time, as it takes a leading role in the Balkans.
Steps such as opening an embassy in the southern Serbian province by any country in the region that has recognised the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo-Metohija will not go without consequences, said Jeremic.
He said that one of Serbia’s neighbours acted in a manner that was not very constructive, adding that Serbia will respond to any such act firmly and wisely.
The Minister stressed that Serbia wishes to establish good neighbourly relations within the region, adding that new consulates will be opened in Montenegro and Croatia, as well as Serbian cultural centres in various countries in the region.
He said that relations within the region are not ideal and that Serbia is doing far more than some other countries to improve them.
He said that Serbia advocates the safeguarding of the territorial integrity of Bosnia-Herzegovina, stressing that Belgrade will accept any solution reached by the concerned sides.
Commenting on the genocide lawsuit filed by Croatia against Serbia, Jeremic confirmed that Serbia is prepared, but that it would be better if things are not taken further.
Speaking about the work of the Foreign Ministry, he said that the process of reform and personnel rationalisation among the diplomatic network was continued this year and that now the Ministry has fewer employee than ever while facing enormous foreign policy challenges.
Jeremic said that during 2009 he met with the foreign ministers of 54 countries and visited 46 countries around the world.
The Minister said that visa restrictions were removed for Serbian citizens, the interim trade agreement with the EU was unfrozen and the application for EU candidacy was submitted.
Speaking about EU association, Jeremic said that the aim is to start the process for the ratification of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU and for Serbia to acquire candidate status before the end of next year.
He said that Serbia will continue with its earlier foreign policy which relies on relations with Brussels, Moscow, Beijing and Washington.
Speaking about Kosovo-Metohija, Jeremic said that Serbia will remain true to its diplomatic struggle for safeguarding its territorial integrity.
He said that he is convinced that the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is to give its decision regarding the legality of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence, will uphold international law, which clearly supports Serbia’s position. Jeremic said that there is not a lot of scope for exerting pressure on the ICJ, adding that a far fewer than expected number of countries recognised Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence during 2009.
The Minister said that Serbia showed during this year that it is possible for it to move towards Europe and to fight for Kosovo-Metohija at the same time, as it takes a leading role in the Balkans.
Steps such as opening an embassy in the southern Serbian province by any country in the region that has recognised the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo-Metohija will not go without consequences, said Jeremic.
He said that one of Serbia’s neighbours acted in a manner that was not very constructive, adding that Serbia will respond to any such act firmly and wisely.
The Minister stressed that Serbia wishes to establish good neighbourly relations within the region, adding that new consulates will be opened in Montenegro and Croatia, as well as Serbian cultural centres in various countries in the region.
He said that relations within the region are not ideal and that Serbia is doing far more than some other countries to improve them.
He said that Serbia advocates the safeguarding of the territorial integrity of Bosnia-Herzegovina, stressing that Belgrade will accept any solution reached by the concerned sides.
Commenting on the genocide lawsuit filed by Croatia against Serbia, Jeremic confirmed that Serbia is prepared, but that it would be better if things are not taken further.
Speaking about the work of the Foreign Ministry, he said that the process of reform and personnel rationalisation among the diplomatic network was continued this year and that now the Ministry has fewer employee than ever while facing enormous foreign policy challenges.
Jeremic said that during 2009 he met with the foreign ministers of 54 countries and visited 46 countries around the world.
