Q:
A:
Serbia continues to defend territorial integrity
Belgrade,
17 August 2010
Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic stated today that a small number of influential EU members decided to exert pressure on Serbia before and during the debate in the UN General Assembly about Kosovo-Metohija and Serbia’s resolution on its southern province.
File photo of Bozidar Djelic
Author:
Tanjug
In an interview for Radio Television Serbia, Djelic said that the instrument of pressure is Serbia’s candidacy for the EU which requires a consensus of all member states, before Serbia’s request is forwarded to the Council of Ministers.
From the moment the Lisbon Agreement was adopted last December, the step that includes forwarding the application for candidacy by several countries, including Serbia, has become a political issue, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasised, adding that it has become clear since then that this will not be a simply technical step, but one that requires political consensus.
Unfortunately, bearing in mind the development of the situation regarding Kosovo, a small number of influential countries wants to link our candidacy with the issue of our province’s status, Djelic warned.
He noted that those who think they can exert pressure on Serbia in this way will soon realise that this policy will not yield any results.
This is not because Serbia is an unreasonable country, but on the contrary, we are acutely aware that we need the support of large powers, and especially the EU in order to develop our country in the long-term for the benefit of its citizens and economy, he underlined.
On the other hand, being a democratic country, Serbia has the right to defend its territorial integrity and there are no reasons why it should be made the only UN country in whose case unilateral secession is being justified.
This is why I think that within a week or a month we will meet with much greater understanding, including from those who are trying to force us to act against our will, he maintained.
Djelic reiterated that Serbia has a clear policy that a consensus of Belgrade and Pristina is the most direct way to re-establish European unity over the province’s issue, adding that in this sense, Serbia desires to be part of a solution acceptable to all.
From the moment the Lisbon Agreement was adopted last December, the step that includes forwarding the application for candidacy by several countries, including Serbia, has become a political issue, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasised, adding that it has become clear since then that this will not be a simply technical step, but one that requires political consensus.
Unfortunately, bearing in mind the development of the situation regarding Kosovo, a small number of influential countries wants to link our candidacy with the issue of our province’s status, Djelic warned.
He noted that those who think they can exert pressure on Serbia in this way will soon realise that this policy will not yield any results.
This is not because Serbia is an unreasonable country, but on the contrary, we are acutely aware that we need the support of large powers, and especially the EU in order to develop our country in the long-term for the benefit of its citizens and economy, he underlined.
On the other hand, being a democratic country, Serbia has the right to defend its territorial integrity and there are no reasons why it should be made the only UN country in whose case unilateral secession is being justified.
This is why I think that within a week or a month we will meet with much greater understanding, including from those who are trying to force us to act against our will, he maintained.
Djelic reiterated that Serbia has a clear policy that a consensus of Belgrade and Pristina is the most direct way to re-establish European unity over the province’s issue, adding that in this sense, Serbia desires to be part of a solution acceptable to all.
-
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