Serbs’ requests unrealistic, Belgrade team chief says

Serbia is ready to continue the dialogue as soon as outlines of a solution for the checkpoints are visible, Belgrade team chief Borislav Stefanovic says. He told daily Politika that a date for the continuation of the talks had not been determined yet. Serbs’ requests unrealistic, Belgrade team chief says “How are we going to set a date when we do not have clear indications of the solution,” the team head asked and added that solutions for the administrative crossings “have been discussed for days”. “We talk every day and try to find some solution that will be acceptable to Serbs in northern Kosovo and Metohija, the state of Serbia and the international community,” Stefanovic stressed. He also pointed out that the biggest part of the requests made at the joint session of the four northern Kosovo municipalities was unachievable and politically motivated and that the requests represented political positions of the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) and the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). “Solution for Jarinje and Brnjak is close,” Stefanovic was quoted as saying. He added that it should be discussed how to allow KFOR to bring supplies to its troops “which would ease tensions”. Commenting on parliament’s request to return the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue under the UN auspices, the Belgrade team head pointed to the reality that the resolution that Serbia would submit to the UN Security Council “would never be adopted due to veto of the countries that have recognized Kosovo’s independence”. Stefanovic explained that there was also a general consensus within the Russian Federation that the dialogue should be continued. “That is why everything in their request is unrealistic, regardless of the fact that it looks tempting and that it was maybe possible ten years ago,” he concluded. Borislav Stefanovic (Beta, file)

Serbs’ requests unrealistic, Belgrade team chief says

“How are we going to set a date when we do not have clear indications of the solution,” the team head asked and added that solutions for the administrative crossings “have been discussed for days”.

“We talk every day and try to find some solution that will be acceptable to Serbs in northern Kosovo and Metohija, the state of Serbia and the international community,” Stefanović stressed.

He also pointed out that the biggest part of the requests made at the joint session of the four northern Kosovo municipalities was unachievable and politically motivated and that the requests represented political positions of the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) and the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

“Solution for Jarinje and Brnjak is close,” Stefanović was quoted as saying. He added that it should be discussed how to allow KFOR to bring supplies to its troops “which would ease tensions”.

Commenting on parliament’s request to return the Belgrade-Priština dialogue under the UN auspices, the Belgrade team head pointed to the reality that the resolution that Serbia would submit to the UN Security Council “would never be adopted due to veto of the countries that have recognized Kosovo’s independence”.

Stefanović explained that there was also a general consensus within the Russian Federation that the dialogue should be continued.

“That is why everything in their request is unrealistic, regardless of the fact that it looks tempting and that it was maybe possible ten years ago,” he concluded.