President "not optimistic" after talks with German FM

President "not optimistic" after talks with German FM

"I cannot say that Mr. Steinmeier told me clearly that the chapters will open by the end of the year. True, he said that he thought conditions would be there for that during the year," Nikolic told the daily Vecernje Novosti on Wednesday.

Asked "what specifically Berlin demands from Belgrade when it comes to Kosovo and Metohija," the president said it was "complete implementation of the Brussels agreement."

He pointed out that he told Steinmeier the agreement also means the formation of a community of Serb municipalities, and that the agreement "does not envisage its setting up to be brought in connection with the Pristina legislation, nor to be in accordance with the Serbian".

"But, why should we reject the Serbian legislation and only be guided by what is written in the laws of Pristina? Well, let them also change a law if we are negotiating," Nikolic said.

Asked whether the German minister "brought up the question of (Serbia's) recognition of Kosovo as a condition," the president stated he heard from Steinmeier that "there is no requirement concerning the recognition of Kosovo and Metohija which influences us not being able to open the chapters."