"EU enthusiasm dampened, membership priority"

New pressure from the EU has significantly reduced the ruling Serbian coalition's EU enthusiasm, writes Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti. Still, joining the union remains the primary goal of the Cvetkovic cabinet, according to the article. "EU enthusiasm dampened, membership priority" Such is the mood in all the ruling parties, whose officials are saying the government will continue to play the Brussels card, despite the fact that blackmailing chips have showed up on the table. Deputy PM and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic recently clearly stated that it was better to part ways with the EU in time - if recognizing Kosovo were to be set as a condition to join. Adding that membership was our national interest, Dacic still warned on Monday: "Some countries negotiated fishing quotas for years, therefore nobody can take away our right to protect our state and national interests. We must be ready for Kosovo to be set as a condition, and in that case we must say clearly what our political position is." But the Socialist Party (SPS) leader's direct warnings are not looked at favorably by coalition partners the Democrats (DS), who are saying that "anger does not help". Meanwhile, Mladjan Dinkic's G17 Plus and United Regions of Serbia (URS) want a "realistic" approach, and seem to be more restrained after announcements that Kosovo might be set as a condition, writes the daily. "I've always been a euro-realist," claims URS high ranking official Suzana Grubjesic. "The most important thing is to have Serbia arranged according to European standards, and the least important thing is which year it will formally join the EU." Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO) official Srdjan Sreckovic told the newspaper that membership remained the government's strategic decision, "rather than some irrational desire". "Membership itself does not solve our problems, but it helps in building an economically strong and politically influential country, however, the EU must not be an excuse not to solve short-germ difficulties on which the citizens' quality of life depends." But SDPS party leader and Labor Minister Rasim Ljajic is certain "the story about Europe" will no longer bring in votes. "The story about the path to the EU is no longer bringing in votes, and all those who play only that card are making a mistake. The people know that there will be no joining the EU any time soon and that a long period of time is ahead of us," he warned. Jelena Trivan of the Democratic Party (DS), however, says there will be no u-turns in the government policy toward the EU. But Serbian voters are increasingly skeptical toward the idea. A government poll in early June showed the lowest percentage of support - 53 percent - for Serbia to join the EU recorded in the last nine years.

"EU enthusiasm dampened, membership priority"

Such is the mood in all the ruling parties, whose officials are saying the government will continue to play the Brussels card, despite the fact that blackmailing chips have showed up on the table.

Deputy PM and Interior Minister Ivica Dačić recently clearly stated that it was better to part ways with the EU in time - if recognizing Kosovo were to be set as a condition to join.

Adding that membership was our national interest, Dačić still warned on Monday:

"Some countries negotiated fishing quotas for years, therefore nobody can take away our right to protect our state and national interests. We must be ready for Kosovo to be set as a condition, and in that case we must say clearly what our political position is."

But the Socialist Party (SPS) leader's direct warnings are not looked at favorably by coalition partners the Democrats (DS), who are saying that "anger does not help".

Meanwhile, Mlađan Dinkić's G17 Plus and United Regions of Serbia (URS) want a "realistic" approach, and seem to be more restrained after announcements that Kosovo might be set as a condition, writes the daily.

"I've always been a euro-realist," claims URS high ranking official Suzana Grubješić. "The most important thing is to have Serbia arranged according to European standards, and the least important thing is which year it will formally join the EU."

Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO) official Srđan Srećković told the newspaper that membership remained the government's strategic decision, "rather than some irrational desire".

"Membership itself does not solve our problems, but it helps in building an economically strong and politically influential country, however, the EU must not be an excuse not to solve short-germ difficulties on which the citizens' quality of life depends."

But SDPS party leader and Labor Minister Rasim Ljajić is certain "the story about Europe" will no longer bring in votes.

"The story about the path to the EU is no longer bringing in votes, and all those who play only that card are making a mistake. The people know that there will be no joining the EU any time soon and that a long period of time is ahead of us," he warned.

Jelena Trivan of the Democratic Party (DS), however, says there will be no u-turns in the government policy toward the EU.

But Serbian voters are increasingly skeptical toward the idea. A government poll in early June showed the lowest percentage of support - 53 percent - for Serbia to join the EU recorded in the last nine years.