Minister: Serbia is under great pressure

BELGRADE Serbia is under great pressure when it comes to the dialogue with Pristina, Serbian Justice and Public Administration Minister Nikola Selakovic has stated. “But I am confident that the government will make the best possible and the least unfavorable decision in the coming days and that every move will be in the interest of its citizens,” he added. Minister: Serbia is under great pressure "Many believe that we will agree to everything just to get a date for the start of the EU accession talks. They even think that we entered into the negotiations with Pristina for the sake of the date. Both are misconceptions. Serbia wants a historical agreement on Kosovo-Metohija, in order for our people to stay there and survive. This is an important moment for reaching a solution for future generations. This is why we have a historic responsibility," Selakovic told Belgrade-based daily Vecernje novosti. The minister added that the citizens could be peaceful and that Serbia's senior officials would be up to the task in the difficult days. "The pressure put on our country, the government, the president and the first deputy prime minister is huge," Selakovic noted. As he put it, the Belgrade-Pristina talks are the most important political issue at this moment, and the issue of a possible cabinet reshuffle will not be opened until the outcome of the dialogue is known. Selakovic believes that exaggerated media stories about the reshuffle and elections can only make Serbia's political and negotiating position more complicated. Nikola Selakovic (Tanjug, file) Tanjug

Minister: Serbia is under great pressure

"Many believe that we will agree to everything just to get a date for the start of the EU accession talks. They even think that we entered into the negotiations with Priština for the sake of the date. Both are misconceptions. Serbia wants a historical agreement on Kosovo-Metohija, in order for our people to stay there and survive. This is an important moment for reaching a solution for future generations. This is why we have a historic responsibility," Selaković told Belgrade-based daily Večernje novosti.

The minister added that the citizens could be peaceful and that Serbia's senior officials would be up to the task in the difficult days.

"The pressure put on our country, the government, the president and the first deputy prime minister is huge," Selaković noted.

As he put it, the Belgrade-Priština talks are the most important political issue at this moment, and the issue of a possible cabinet reshuffle will not be opened until the outcome of the dialogue is known.

Selaković believes that exaggerated media stories about the reshuffle and elections can only make Serbia's political and negotiating position more complicated.