President advises against "euphoria" over EU bid milestone

President advises against "euphoria" over EU bid milestone

"Serbia has long deserved it, has fulfilled many conditions that were very difficult to fulfill, without seeing the exit from the tunnel. The opening of chapters represents symbolism which means that we are still on that European path in the eyes of the EU," Nikolic told the daily Kurir, and added:

"We'll see if the chapters will serve to better regulate the country and for us to become a member of the EU, or possibly, for someone in Europe to show us they do not want us. Still, I think this is an encouraging act. Serbia needs peace, a wise head, a reasonable head."

"I'm not euphoric, this should be accepted wisely and reasonably - the same as when we had the association agreement, or when we become a candidate for membership. It's another success and many more obligations. It's like when you read a big book, going through the first hundred pages, and then another hundred...," Nikolic said.

In comments made on Saturday, carried by the FoNet agency, the president said that Serbia's fight for Kosovo will last very long, but recalled that the same happened to other countries that never recognized secession of their territory.

"If the closing of chapter 35 means that Serbia should accept Kosovo's independence, we will never do that," Nikolic stressed.

He added that he "still does not see how the EU will agree to Serbia becoming a member without recognizing Kosovo."

Nikolic said that Serbia wants good relations both with the EU and with Russia. According to him, Serbia is "surrounded by EU member states" and has "historical ties" with Russia.

Asked whether Serbia would be able to "preserve its friendship with Russia as a member of the EU" Nikolic said that his country can do that - but would probably not be able to preserve the many benefits that Russia grants it now.

"We have a different way of calculating the price and consumption of gas. We owe Russia money for the energy delivered - but we still get energy," Nikolic illustrated his point.

Speaking about the war in Syria, the president said he supported "intensified bombing" of Islamic State positions, and added he would never support bombing of a country that has a "regularly elected" president.

Nikolic added that "NATO and Russia should join forces to destroy this evil (IS) and then leave it up to Syrian citizens to choose their president themselves."