SNS “to focus on EU, Kosovo, Russia”

Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) leader Tomislav Nikolic told Moscow-based daily Izvestiya he was in favor of the EU and development of relations with Russia. “On one hand I advocate Serbia’s membership in the EU but at the same time I as a politician intend to do everything in order to develop relations with Russia. We want a reconstruction of the state in the legal area in accordance with the EU standards. Simultaneously, I am convinced of a necessity to deepen the contacts with Russia,” he said. SNS “to focus on EU, Kosovo, Russia” The daily writes that the SNS could win the upcoming parliamentary elections in Serbia. The SNS leader is a consistent proponent of rapprochement with Russia and his victory in the elections will most likely open a new stage in the Russian-Serbian relations, Izvestiya writes, adding that this primarily includes the construction of the South Stream gas pipeline. Nikolic also complained about compromises that had been made in the negotiations with Pristina. “It should be honestly said that Serbia can hardly control Pristina now. But Pristina cannot control events in Kosovska Mitrovica either. That is why compromises should be looked for, though we have drifted away from a realistic possibility to solve Kosovo issues in the last several years,” the SNS leader stressed. When asked what compromises he was ready to make in order solve the Kosovo issue, bearing in mind the decision to grant Serbia the EU candidate status, he said he “is now ready to say which compromises SNS is not ready to accept”. “We have a very strong request – if a condition for the EU is renouncing of Kosovo we will stop all negotiations immediately,” he explained. “Serbs are connected to Russia with their religion, history and culture and in the most difficult moments we turn to Moscow,” Nikolic told the daily. “I want to point out one more time that we want to be a new EU member but without joining NATO and without giving up on Kosovo,” he was quoted as saying. When asked what Serbia expected from the upcoming presidential elections in Russia and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, if he won the elections, the SNS leader said that Putin was the first post-Soviet politician who showed he understood Serbia’s problems and “who made it clear that Russia will be a safe partner”. “It will not be an exaggeration to say that he causes more positive emotions in Serbia than our own president. If he took part in the elections he would certainly defeat President Boris Tadic. I would still stand a chance but I think I would lose too,” he stressed. He pointed out that the SNS wanted Serbia to be “Russia’s stronghold in Europe”. According to him, Serbia is counting on the South Stream project but the relations between Serbia and Russia should not end there. Nikolic stated that Serbia did not need Russia’s help but its investments instead in order to restore the economy and renew production and agriculture. “Not only Russian, but also Chinese investors show their interest in Serbia. The interest is founded – there are many opportunities for large-scale business,” he concluded. Tomislav Nikolic (Tanjug, file) Beta

SNS “to focus on EU, Kosovo, Russia”

The daily writes that the SNS could win the upcoming parliamentary elections in Serbia.

The SNS leader is a consistent proponent of rapprochement with Russia and his victory in the elections will most likely open a new stage in the Russian-Serbian relations, Izvestiya writes, adding that this primarily includes the construction of the South Stream gas pipeline.

Nikolić also complained about compromises that had been made in the negotiations with Priština.

“It should be honestly said that Serbia can hardly control Priština now. But Priština cannot control events in Kosovska Mitrovica either. That is why compromises should be looked for, though we have drifted away from a realistic possibility to solve Kosovo issues in the last several years,” the SNS leader stressed.

When asked what compromises he was ready to make in order solve the Kosovo issue, bearing in mind the decision to grant Serbia the EU candidate status, he said he “is now ready to say which compromises SNS is not ready to accept”.

“We have a very strong request – if a condition for the EU is renouncing of Kosovo we will stop all negotiations immediately,” he explained.

“Serbs are connected to Russia with their religion, history and culture and in the most difficult moments we turn to Moscow,” Nikolić told the daily.

“I want to point out one more time that we want to be a new EU member but without joining NATO and without giving up on Kosovo,” he was quoted as saying.

When asked what Serbia expected from the upcoming presidential elections in Russia and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, if he won the elections, the SNS leader said that Putin was the first post-Soviet politician who showed he understood Serbia’s problems and “who made it clear that Russia will be a safe partner”.

“It will not be an exaggeration to say that he causes more positive emotions in Serbia than our own president. If he took part in the elections he would certainly defeat President Boris Tadić. I would still stand a chance but I think I would lose too,” he stressed.

He pointed out that the SNS wanted Serbia to be “Russia’s stronghold in Europe”. According to him, Serbia is counting on the South Stream project but the relations between Serbia and Russia should not end there.

Nikolić stated that Serbia did not need Russia’s help but its investments instead in order to restore the economy and renew production and agriculture.

“Not only Russian, but also Chinese investors show their interest in Serbia. The interest is founded – there are many opportunities for large-scale business,” he concluded.