Serbian officials react to U.S. – EU summit

Serbian officials react to U.S. – EU summit

While Tadić adviser Vuk Jermić said the summit only reiterated previous statements from the United States and the European Union, Kosovo Coordinating Center chief Sanda Rašković-Ivić condemned the document as meddling into what should be a job for the Security Council.

Jeremić said the news from Washington was not dramatic since it supported Martti Ahtisaari’s efforts, rather than his plan.

“The EU stand on this is not new, and neither is that of the U.S. Perhaps it is even softer now compared to what we heard before. I do not believe there are any new elements here, all sides are underscoring their official positions ahead of a Security Council debate,” Jeremić told journalists.

On the other hand, Rašković-Ivić said she was concerned with what she described as an attempt to impose solutions and ignore Russia, China and other council members.

“This attitude treats the non-permanent Security Council members as vassals. That is humiliating not only for Serbia but for all these countries,” Rašković-Ivić said.

However, both said they saw German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s warning to President George Bush that Germany opposes any unilateral moves over Kosovo as a good sign for Serbia.

Merkel told Bush a Kosovo solution reached outside the UN could lead to deep splits within the European Union.

“I think this statement is positive, warning all sides in the Kosovo status process, and I would say, all Security Council factors, that unilateral moves would have dramatic consequences for the stability of the province and the region,” Jeremić said.

“Angela Merkel’s position pleading for the U.S. and EU to be patient is encouraging,” Rašković-Ivić concluded.