Holland won't budge on conditions

In order for an interim EU trade deal to be implemented, Holland insists that Belgrade must arrest Mladic. Alternatively, there should be a positive report on Serbia's cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen said. Holland won't budge on conditions Verhagen stated that unless one of the two happens, his country will not allow the Interim Trade Agreement, a part of the SAA, to come into force. He told Novi Sad's Dnevnik newspaper that expectations heard in Belgrade and from some leading EU institutions' figures, that this agreement might be approved in September, are doubtful. "Essentially, nothing has changed, the conditions for the Interim Agreement to be implemented, just as for the ratification of the SAA [in EU states] remain the same. Either Mladic in the Hague Tribunal, or [Chief Hague Prosecutor Serge] Brammetz's report that Serbia is fully cooperating," Verhagen was quoted as saying. The Dutch foreign minister also reminded that his country's position remains clear and firm since April 2008, when Serbia and the EU signed the SAA. Immediately after the signing, the association agreement was suspended. "Then, we said that the Interim Agreement and the ratification process can start only once Serbia arrests Ratko Mladic, that is, once it has achieved full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal. If Serbia arrests Mladic and provides Brammertz with evidence that it is fully cooperating, then anything's possible," said he. In case there is a positive outcome, the diplomat continued, "not only will the Interim Agreement come into force, but a decision on the start of the ratification process of the SAA in the member states will also be made". "Brammertz has at his disposal all the instruments to give an objective appraisal of Serbia's cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, and he knows very well what efforts Serbia is making to arrest the remaining fugitives, how many documents arrive from Serbia, what kind of access to archives there is and can he get all the necessary witnesses for the ongoing processes," Verhagen continued. He also commented on the European Commission and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana's recommendations for the interim deal to be allowed by saying that while the issue was discussed, there was no pressure on his country. "All the same, we are not making a list of how many countries in the EU share our position, but it certainly cannot influence our stance on the full cooperation with the Hague, of which stance there has been ample evidence in the past," Verhagen said.

Holland won't budge on conditions

Verhagen stated that unless one of the two happens, his country will not allow the Interim Trade Agreement, a part of the SAA, to come into force.

He told Novi Sad's Dnevnik newspaper that expectations heard in Belgrade and from some leading EU institutions' figures, that this agreement might be approved in September, are doubtful.

"Essentially, nothing has changed, the conditions for the Interim Agreement to be implemented, just as for the ratification of the SAA [in EU states] remain the same. Either Mladić in the Hague Tribunal, or [Chief Hague Prosecutor Serge] Brammetz's report that Serbia is fully cooperating," Verhagen was quoted as saying.

The Dutch foreign minister also reminded that his country's position remains clear and firm since April 2008, when Serbia and the EU signed the SAA. Immediately after the signing, the association agreement was suspended.

"Then, we said that the Interim Agreement and the ratification process can start only once Serbia arrests Ratko Mladić, that is, once it has achieved full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal. If Serbia arrests Mladić and provides Brammertz with evidence that it is fully cooperating, then anything's possible," said he.

In case there is a positive outcome, the diplomat continued, "not only will the Interim Agreement come into force, but a decision on the start of the ratification process of the SAA in the member states will also be made".

"Brammertz has at his disposal all the instruments to give an objective appraisal of Serbia's cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, and he knows very well what efforts Serbia is making to arrest the remaining fugitives, how many documents arrive from Serbia, what kind of access to archives there is and can he get all the necessary witnesses for the ongoing processes," Verhagen continued.

He also commented on the European Commission and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana's recommendations for the interim deal to be allowed by saying that while the issue was discussed, there was no pressure on his country.

"All the same, we are not making a list of how many countries in the EU share our position, but it certainly cannot influence our stance on the full cooperation with the Hague, of which stance there has been ample evidence in the past," Verhagen said.