Greek FM against Kosovo link to Serbia's EU bid

Greek FM Dora Bakoyannis expressed strong opposition to attempts to link Serbia's EU prospects to Kosovo. "At this crucial moment any attempt to link the European prospects of Serbia with the matter of Kosovo's future status would be counterproductive." Greek FM against Kosovo link to Serbia's EU bid "It would be a mistake to link these two issues," News agencies quoted a Greek foreign ministry press release on Saturday. The foreign minister was answering a question by reporters on whether Serbia's EU prospects should be linked to developments in Kosovo in the form of a criterion. "The western Balkans are undergoing a critical period for their stability, peace and developmental prospects. The Greek proposal to give a new impetus to the rapprochement with the EU of countries in this region, including Serbia, is on the European daily agenda." "Serbia is a country of pivotal importance for regional stability. Its European prospects must acquire a new, tangible impetus: first with the signature of the Stabilization and Association agreement and then, by the end of 2008, with it acquiring the status of an EU candidate-country," Bakoyannis said. Saturday evening, Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis said in Brussels that unilateral moves involving Kosovo should be avoided, "because such actions could undermine efforts aimed at finding an answer". "The means of diplomacy have still not been completely exhausted, even though the negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina ended without a decision, despite in spite of the huge efforts invested by the negotiating Troika," Karamanlis told reporters in the Belgian capital. "In any case, an important discussion is in store at the United Nations Security Council on December 19," he added. "The presidential elections in Serbia must also be taken into consideration," the Greek prime minister said, pointing out that unilateral moves that could undermine efforts aimed at finding a solution, "even at the last minute", should be avoided. "The question of Kosovo's independence was not raised at the summit of the heads of state or government of EU member-states," Karamanlis explained. While defining its stand on Kosovo, Greece will be guided by its interests in the region, Karamanlis said. Dora Bakoyannis (Tanjug)

Greek FM against Kosovo link to Serbia's EU bid

"It would be a mistake to link these two issues," News agencies quoted a Greek foreign ministry press release on Saturday.

The foreign minister was answering a question by reporters on whether Serbia's EU prospects should be linked to developments in Kosovo in the form of a criterion.

"The western Balkans are undergoing a critical period for their stability, peace and developmental prospects. The Greek proposal to give a new impetus to the rapprochement with the EU of countries in this region, including Serbia, is on the European daily agenda."

"Serbia is a country of pivotal importance for regional stability. Its European prospects must acquire a new, tangible impetus: first with the signature of the Stabilization and Association agreement and then, by the end of 2008, with it acquiring the status of an EU candidate-country," Bakoyannis said.

Saturday evening, Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis said in Brussels that unilateral moves involving Kosovo should be avoided, "because such actions could undermine efforts aimed at finding an answer".

"The means of diplomacy have still not been completely exhausted, even though the negotiations between Belgrade and Priština ended without a decision, despite in spite of the huge efforts invested by the negotiating Troika," Karamanlis told reporters in the Belgian capital.

"In any case, an important discussion is in store at the United Nations Security Council on December 19," he added.

"The presidential elections in Serbia must also be taken into consideration," the Greek prime minister said, pointing out that unilateral moves that could undermine efforts aimed at finding a solution, "even at the last minute", should be avoided.

"The question of Kosovo's independence was not raised at the summit of the heads of state or government of EU member-states," Karamanlis explained.

While defining its stand on Kosovo, Greece will be guided by its interests in the region, Karamanlis said.