"Even if we recognized Kosovo, EU wouldn't want us"

"Even if we recognized Kosovo, EU wouldn't want us"

Dacic added that "Serbia no longer wants to accept" this policy of moving targets and the constant setting of new conditions for its EU integration.

Asked to comment on a statement made by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic that if Serbia recognized Kosovo - its southern province where ethnic Albanians unilaterally declared independence in 2008 - "it would join the EU in a month," Dacic replied: "It would not. Because there will always be some new conditions."

"When (Ratko) Mladic was arrested and extradited, a month later the question of Kosovo emerged. Before that it was not on the agenda. But, we absolutely no longer want want to accept this policy of moving targets, this constant setting of new conditions... and we do not want to talk about this topic any longer, at all. We said it clearly, and we were told clearly, that there is no condition," Dacic was quoted as saying.

"Maybe someone would want that, bilaterally these countries have already recognized Kosovo, but Serbia has no intention of changing its position when it comes to the independence of Kosovo. We consider ourselves ready for dialogue, but we are not ready for the imposition of any conditions. Nor for ultimatums," he added.

When it comes to the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Dacic said that "the statute of the community of Serb municipalities has not yet been defined because Pristina thinks it should have as little jurisdiction as possible, and is constantly blocking the adoption of the statute."

"So, the implementation of the Brussels agreement, in fact, suits Serbia, Serbia does not hinder its implementation, Pristina does," he said and reiterated that Belgrade "will not change its position on the issue of Kosovo's independence."

Regarding the statement made by EU High Representative Federica Mogherini that Serbia and Kosovo are holding talks "as two states," Dacic said that she "apologized for that remark."

"Apparently she wanted to say 'parties,' and not 'states.' Our prime minister is now talking to the new prime minister in Pristina, I hope that we will be able to together make some steps forward. But not in the direction of (Kosovo's) independence, but rather toward a normalization of relations. Serbia is a constructive factor."

Commenting on the recent signing of the Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) with NATO and Serbia's relations with this alliance, Dacic reiterated that the country does not intend to join NATO, "but keeping in mind that it is surrounded by member countries of NATO, wants to establish partner relations."

"If we are statesmen, we have to be aware that we cannot change the past and see how we can best protect our national and state interests at this moment. Therefore, Serbia leads a balanced foreign policy, because our attitude toward NATO and the CSTO is not just a military issue, it is a political issue. That's why we have a status in NATO within the Partnership for Peace program," he said.

Asked how sustainable this neutral position is, taking into account, among other things, the recent statement by U.S. Ambassador Michael Kirby that Serbs are "a schizophrenic people" because they "look towards Russia with their heart and toward the EU with their head," Dacic said:

"I think it is sustainable. Serbia, that is, the former Yugoslavia, has always been neutral. I do not know if it harmed Switzerland in any way throughout its history, although it has been neutral for two centuries. In this sense, we, of course, are not neutral in relation to the various events of daily politics and geo-strategic games, but we will try our best to to make sure our policy is not 'either-or,' but one that involves joining the European Union and further development of good relations with Russia. We think that this is not mutually opposed."

Dacic, who is the leader of the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), also said he was not in favor of frequent elections and that the country needs political stability, but that Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic "has the right to use the possibility of a government reshuffle to ensure the quality of its work."

"We have cooperated well, and cooperate. I don't think we have had any disagreements or some problems in the foreign-policy aspect, but it is most important that we believe in a common goal around which we gathered. And that is for Serbia to be better and for our people to live the way they deserve. And I'll believe in that goal, regardless of whether I will be in the government," Dacic said.