Q:
A:
Serbia will act to protect its vital interests
Belgrade,
4 February 2010
Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic expressed satisfaction with relations in the region, considering recent history. He said however that Belgrade would respond firmly to steps by certain countries that are attempting to undermine Serbia’s vital national interests.
Author:
www.rts.rs
Serbia had to react to moves by countries that recognised Kosovo in order to prevent further harm to its national interests, said Jeremic in an interview with the Radio Television of Serbia.
We responded cautiously by diplomatic means. I think that we were successful in these efforts because neither our economy nor the public were affected adversely, said Jeremic.
Any sign of yielding concerning this issue would have led to a chain reaction of similar steps by other countries, Jeremic said.
By not reacting to steps taken by countries that have decided to recognise Kosovo, we would be signalling that Serbia has given up its struggle. We must have a clear, principled policy for responding to any attempt at undermining Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Jeremic.
He said that Serbia and Croatia should resolve issues concerning mutual relations.
We want to have the best possible relations with Croatia but we have a number of unresolved questions and problems, said Jeremic, adding that Serbia is willing to resolve these problems. Responding to the question whether Serbia is influencing political figures in Republika Srpska, Jeremic said that Serbia was not interfering in the internal matters of Bosnia-Herzegovina but would not support any violation of the Dayton Agreement or any attempt at breaking up Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Serbia has the capacity to play a leading role in the region, said Jeremic, adding that a stable and strong Serbia with a European future can play a constructive role in the Western Balkans.
Commenting on the ongoing process at the International Court of Justice regarding the legality of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence, Jeremic said that he was hopeful that the Court’s decision would support Serbia’s position, but he warned that many countries were under strong pressure to recognise Kosovo prior to a decision by the Court.
Jeremic said that he hoped that Serbia would acquire EU membership in 2014 but remarked that there was still a long way to go.
I am convinced, however, that we will move on and become a part of the EU together with other Western Balkan countries, said Jeremic.
We responded cautiously by diplomatic means. I think that we were successful in these efforts because neither our economy nor the public were affected adversely, said Jeremic.
Any sign of yielding concerning this issue would have led to a chain reaction of similar steps by other countries, Jeremic said.
By not reacting to steps taken by countries that have decided to recognise Kosovo, we would be signalling that Serbia has given up its struggle. We must have a clear, principled policy for responding to any attempt at undermining Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Jeremic.
He said that Serbia and Croatia should resolve issues concerning mutual relations.
We want to have the best possible relations with Croatia but we have a number of unresolved questions and problems, said Jeremic, adding that Serbia is willing to resolve these problems. Responding to the question whether Serbia is influencing political figures in Republika Srpska, Jeremic said that Serbia was not interfering in the internal matters of Bosnia-Herzegovina but would not support any violation of the Dayton Agreement or any attempt at breaking up Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Serbia has the capacity to play a leading role in the region, said Jeremic, adding that a stable and strong Serbia with a European future can play a constructive role in the Western Balkans.
Commenting on the ongoing process at the International Court of Justice regarding the legality of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence, Jeremic said that he was hopeful that the Court’s decision would support Serbia’s position, but he warned that many countries were under strong pressure to recognise Kosovo prior to a decision by the Court.
Jeremic said that he hoped that Serbia would acquire EU membership in 2014 but remarked that there was still a long way to go.
I am convinced, however, that we will move on and become a part of the EU together with other Western Balkan countries, said Jeremic.
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