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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Resumption of talks on joint management of crossings on 10 January at working group level

Belgrade, 6 December 2012

Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said in an interview with the daily newspaper "Vecernje Novosti" that the Serbs from Kosovo-Metohija will be involved in the negotiating process between Belgrade and Pristina in which outstanding issues will be resolved.

The official website of the government brings excerpts of this interview.

The agreement during recent talks in Brussels on the joint management of the administrative crossings:

- We agreed that the joint management will be introduced at four crossings – Jarinje, Brnjak, Merdare and Konculj – and it will enter into force by the end of the year. On Tuesday evening we agreed that the still outstanding issues will not apply, until an agreement is reached. This means that there will be a regime change on the crossings, when the north is concerned. So, customs duties will not be charged, and there will not be a problem with the licence plates.

Suspension of the agreement if the other party interprets the agreement differently:

- If the Pristina side starts enforcing the agreement differently, then we will simply suspend the implementation of the agreement. However, the EU is the guarantor. All was agreed in the presence of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton. I think that Hashim Thaci and I have shown a responsible attitude in this dialogue and that there has been no mutual deception. I believe that it will continue to be so.

How will the agreementapply if it is not accepted in the field?

- Talks on the joint management of the administrative crossings will continue after the New Year holidays, 10 January, at the working group level. Agreement needs to be reached on customs duties and other issues related to this topic. I want to point out that there will be no change in the regime on the crossings.

The protests of Kosovo Serbs:

- There is no reason for any protest or dispute. Based on talks with representatives and conclusions of Serbs from northern Kosovo, I asked for guarantees in Brussels. Their demands have been met, and therefore there is no reason for any opposition. They should trust the government of Serbia and those who negotiate.

Talks on a permanent solution:

- For now we have discussed the implementation of the existing agreements, and the plan is to discuss some political issues next year. Serbia is ready to talk about a permanent solution to the issue of Kosovo. It cannot be expected that our positions are the same, but on the other hand it would not be fair to our descendants to leave them to resolve this issue. We propose to resolve all outstanding issues through dialogue, in the presence of the EU and of course the United Nations. I expect that we have a responsibility to the citizens and peoples, and that after all the conflicts, wars, misunderstanding, we try to make an agreement that would allow a lasting peace.

How will representatives of Kosovo Serbs be involved in the negotiation process?

- The Serbs from Kosovo will be included in the negotiating teams and expert groups. So, they will directly work on those issues such as tariffs, registration plates and the like.