“Implementation of agreement will be hard”

BELGRADE Serbia’s Deputy PM Rasim Ljajic has stated that the implementation of the Brussels agreement will be the "hard part". He added that it would be worst if Kosovo Serbs and the Serbian government did not agree on the issue. “Implementation of agreement will be hard” Ljajic told Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) that everybody was aware that the implementation of the agreement would be difficult but that the agreement itself was a big step forward and a reason why Serbia had a good image in the world. “We have shown to a big part of the international community that we can solve difficult issues in a democratic way and that we have changed the pattern of our political behavior. And the international community is aware of difficulties that may arise but it is primarily in our interest to implement the agreement,” he explained. Commenting on the upcoming meeting between representatives of northern Kosovo Serbs and top state officials, the deputy PM said that the worst thing that could happen was for them to have different positions. “We need to find a common denominator because the biggest losers would be them (northern Kosovo Serbs) if they took steps against the state policy. The experience has shown us that it is mission impossible and we need to find patience and ways to persuade them that this is the only right way and continuation of fight for Kosovo Serbs in a different way. This is not a full stop but a comma,” Ljajic pointed out. Commenting on requests to hold a referendum, he saif that it would make sense to invest money and time in it only if Kosovo Serbs would accept the results. “All other reasons are against it,” he said and added that this was the time for the political elite to take responsibility, even though it is not easy. Ljajic pointed out that he did not believe that a possible referendum should be used to change the Constitution because it “is an important political issue that deserves a wider debate”. Rasim Ljajic (Beta, file) Beta

“Implementation of agreement will be hard”

Ljajić told Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) that everybody was aware that the implementation of the agreement would be difficult but that the agreement itself was a big step forward and a reason why Serbia had a good image in the world.

“We have shown to a big part of the international community that we can solve difficult issues in a democratic way and that we have changed the pattern of our political behavior. And the international community is aware of difficulties that may arise but it is primarily in our interest to implement the agreement,” he explained.

Commenting on the upcoming meeting between representatives of northern Kosovo Serbs and top state officials, the deputy PM said that the worst thing that could happen was for them to have different positions.

“We need to find a common denominator because the biggest losers would be them (northern Kosovo Serbs) if they took steps against the state policy. The experience has shown us that it is mission impossible and we need to find patience and ways to persuade them that this is the only right way and continuation of fight for Kosovo Serbs in a different way. This is not a full stop but a comma,” Ljajić pointed out.

Commenting on requests to hold a referendum, he saif that it would make sense to invest money and time in it only if Kosovo Serbs would accept the results.

“All other reasons are against it,” he said and added that this was the time for the political elite to take responsibility, even though it is not easy.

Ljajić pointed out that he did not believe that a possible referendum should be used to change the Constitution because it “is an important political issue that deserves a wider debate”.