Rupel: Serbia to sign SAA in January

"He said that he does not believe that Serbia wants a future outside of the European Union."

he should believe when he is sitting in a church.

fact is, Kosovo is serbian territory, reaffirmed in UNSC 1244, and in the serbian constitution.

that´s what really count´s Rupel.

“Kosovo and Serbia are two different stories. Slovenia will be a strong lawyer for Serbia.”

HaHa.. Mr Rupel, Serbia does not need lawyers from Slovenia, and by the way Kosovo I Metohija is Serbia itself. There are no two different stories.

I can see one sad story only. The sad story is the way of Slovenian approach to Kosovo and Metohija problem. So be it! Serbians do not have any illusions to Slovenian “good” intensions.

Just a reminder Mr. Rupel, one of the first retaliation measures by Serbian government towards countries that recognise illegal independence proclamation of Kosovo I Metohija will be nationalisation of all investments and freezing of all accounts that belongs to countries that recognise it. We know what is most sensitive point for Slovenians. Mr. Rupel, Slovenia will be cut off from East market, including Russia.

Slovenia, thank you but no thank you. Please don’t be the champion of Serbian Interests in European Union. History shows you weren’t always friendly toward your eastern cousins (and by always I mean, ever). Please spare us of your empty rhetoric, false promises and further alienation of Serbian territories. Don’t you realize that by helping secessionist movements in Serbia you are making your consumer market smaller? Only we the Serbs and few other poor nations in the neighborhood are buying you cheap products.

Ahmet....
The only reason Slovenia pulled out, is because it didn't need an albatross around it's neck...

It saw everything east of the Danube as an economic liability...
Kosovo, and Macedonia being at the front of the pack..

Well Mr Rupel, of course, this adopted resolution is for local use. This resolution is concerned of Serbia and not Bangladesh and thus it is for local use and has local character. The resolution is a document that will oblige Serbia to take certain steps in case of Kosovo independence and there is nothing to be worried and in that case the resolution is for local purposes. However, Mr Ruperl even though the majority of Serbian citizens want to join the EU you fail to say under what conditions those citizens want to be part of the EU. I don't know why many EU countries just believe that Serbia would be more than happy to join EU? That is an arogant opinion and I trully hope that this resolution will prove that Serbia wants to join EU but under certain conditions. The another thing is that according to recently poll on the EU joining, 75% of people said NO to the EU if Kosovo has to be ripped away from Serbia. And as you mentioned Mr Rupel Kosovo and the EU joining should be two separated processes.

If you look only at the money then of course Serbia should give it up. Kosovo is the second poorest place in Europe, only Albania has more poverty. But Kosovo is good at corruption, number two in Europe actually. Second only too...Albania.

But this is not about money. It is about Kosovo beeing the soul of Serbia. Only a negotiated solution is acceptable. If the negotiations go on for 50 years, then let them. It is better with 50 years of negotiations than 1 day of war.

Mr. Rupel is a wise man and greate visionery.
When Milosevic disolved Kosova assambly and sent oppresive police and military forces in Kosova, Slovenia was the first one to pull out its own police from Kosova and they started preparing to live Yugoslavia once and for all. The whole thing strted in Kosova and it will end with Kosova becoming a soverign state.
B the way Jovan, the resolution passsed in Serbian parlament is only to feed local politics as Mr. Rupel amongst many other western polticians that have said it already.

On the one hand Serbs threaten that they'll jump into Russia's arms if EU supports Kosova's independence, on the other hand they are anxious to sign an SAA agreement with EU.

Yesterday's resolution in the Serbian Parliament is a complete joke. It is similar to the Slobo's resolution just before the Rambouillet conference that Kosova was Serbia's internal affair. One week after that resolution, Serbia's delegation was in France talking with the KLA under international mediation. Yesterday's resolution is the same. I will take it and other threats seriously, when Serbia withdraws from the SAA agreement, as well as from PfP (Partnership for Peace) program with NATO. For as long as Serbia doesn't withdraw from these agreements, its threats that it will force Serbia to move eastwards will always ring hollow.

As for me personally, I would love to see Serbia cut its ties with Europe and become a Russian satellite. That would be a very entertaining show to watch.

Zoran just e reminder if serbia is to nationalize foreign investments then EU and the world will retaliate and make the life of ordinary serbs miserable. Russian goods/oil can’t be delivered wirelessly to serbia without going through EU countries, you think serbia can raise tariffs imagine what EU can do to serbia. Remember embargo,.. ?
It easy for you to say this and that while enjoyed comfort of western countries. And if you don’t like it you can always go to Russia.

Serbia is only to sign the SAA, it is not joining the EU yet. Why is everybody getting so worked up? When an article like this comes up, everyone starts talking about the big picture, when it is just a baby step in a course of many baby steps.

Mladen,

You are guided by your emotions and you resort to polemics.
You should know that Slovenia has a broad market in Europe and their products are competitive. You buy their products not out of love but because they represent a good deal. Boycotting those product would only hurt you.

Hi Adrian and Peter. I personally don't believe in economic embargos and sanctions. They don't work in the Balkans because the people there are better smugglers than cops. Thus, I don't see one coming.

However, are water and electricity considered part of Serbia-Kosovo trade? I think this is one area where Serbia needs to jack up the prices.

As a response to rethort to my earlier statement.
Somoene stated that I am guided by my emotions and polemics. It could not be further from the truth. I am 30 years old. I’ve left Bosnia as a refugee of the war and settled in United States. I’ve lost everything as result of the war in Bosnia but I’ve found new life in United States.Today I am married to muslim woman whom I love dearly. I am successful businessman as well as profesional soldier who is still serving United States Army. I also travel to Serbia, Kosovo(a) , and many other republics of former Yugoslavia and Europe. Dear Sir/Ma’am; I’m not sure how well of a traveled indivudual or how versed you are on economics but I promise you that Slovenian products sell like crap within European Union. You can find them on shelfs next to products produced in China, Thailand, Vietnam and other third world countries. Slovenia plays extremly minor role within European Union and does not carry much weight behind its decisions. The only major players within EU are UK, Germany and France; rest are just silent observesrs without much say in international politics. I hope to God that Serbia will never be part of European Union. We as a country should look up to countryes like Switzaland not rest of the European Union.

We don't need or want Slovenia to help us with anything.

"Kosovo would be hit harder than that than Serbia would, initially, because Kosovo relies heavily on Serbia (second biggest trading partner). Cut that off and the economy falls even harder in Kosovo. Won't be so entertaining for the average Kosovar if they have to rely on economic giants like Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro during that critical time, will it? "

Peter, I'm not sure that Serbia is the second biggest trading partner for Kosova anymore. The trend in the past years has been on the decline. For example, according to the data from the Statistical Office of Kosova (SOK),
http://www.ks-gov.net/ESK/esk/pdf/english/economic/external_trade/ext_trade_sep_07.pdf
in Sept 2006, export/import with Serbia were respectively 26.5 and 15.7 percent. In Sept 2007, they were respectively 13 and 13.6 percent. So there is a sharp decline. EU is the biggest trading partner of Kosova with 30%, then Macedonia with 17%, and Switzerland 16%. Serbia has only slightly more trade with Kosova than Albania has with 10%. And don't forget that Serbian products are priviledged because there is no import/export tariffs applied on them right now.
So, even if Serbia totally shuts down the border, it won't be a cataclysmic event. It's only 13% of the trade. We'll survive.

"As for me personally, I would love to see Serbia cut its ties with Europe and become a Russian satellite. That would be a very entertaining show to watch.
(Adrian Gashi, 28 December 2007 20:16) "

Kosovo would be hit harder than that than Serbia would, initially, because Kosovo relies heavily on Serbia (second biggest trading partner). Cut that off and the economy falls even harder in Kosovo. Won't be so entertaining for the average Kosovar if they have to rely on economic giants like Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro during that critical time, will it?

Serbia probably won't end up cutting ties with anyone, it would be economic suicide, I doubt the people would vote in Kostunica again if he approved such a move.

He want to see Serbia in Europe. He hopes for Serbia to sign the SAA and move ahead with stabilization. He want to see majority rule the minority of Serbs. We all know that Slovenia supports Kosova Independence, independence that minority of Serbs care at most. He want to see Serbia prosper and he wants to see the majority of Serbs move freely in Europe in contrary with the wish of the minority of Serbs. People like him are always a danger to minority in Serbia.

I doubt that nationalisation would take place, althought, it's hard to say what laws would be respected.

Hey guys stop! I think that we should go full steam ahead in the EU. Even trade Kosovo for a faster acception! Because if we get in first before Kosovo (if I'm not mistaking in the rules of EU membersihip) and become full members before it we can blockade it's admission as Kosovo and force the addmision of Kosovo as a province of Serbia!

I am all for this to be over! Let NATO and EU rule over them from now on. They know they will never be independent. They will always be under someone's boot. They think that they are trading worse for better?
With their gray economy, ties to AL Qaida, drug and human trafficing, do they really think NATO will ever leave?After so called "independence" they will put their boot down and show them who the boss is. Good luck our southern neighbors!

Mr. Rupel is a wise man and greate visionery.
When Milosevic disolved Kosova assambly and sent oppresive police and military forces in Kosova, Slovenia was the first one to pull out its own police from Kosova and they started preparing to live Yugoslavia once and for all. The whole thing strted in Kosova and it will end with Kosova becoming a soverign state.
B the way Jovan, the resolution passsed in Serbian parlament is only to feed local politics as Mr. Rupel amongst many other western polticians that have said it already.

He want to see Serbia in Europe. He hopes for Serbia to sign the SAA and move ahead with stabilization. He want to see majority rule the minority of Serbs. We all know that Slovenia supports Kosova Independence, independence that minority of Serbs care at most. He want to see Serbia prosper and he wants to see the majority of Serbs move freely in Europe in contrary with the wish of the minority of Serbs. People like him are always a danger to minority in Serbia.

Zoran just e reminder if serbia is to nationalize foreign investments then EU and the world will retaliate and make the life of ordinary serbs miserable. Russian goods/oil can’t be delivered wirelessly to serbia without going through EU countries, you think serbia can raise tariffs imagine what EU can do to serbia. Remember embargo,.. ?
It easy for you to say this and that while enjoyed comfort of western countries. And if you don’t like it you can always go to Russia.

Mladen,

You are guided by your emotions and you resort to polemics.
You should know that Slovenia has a broad market in Europe and their products are competitive. You buy their products not out of love but because they represent a good deal. Boycotting those product would only hurt you.

On the one hand Serbs threaten that they'll jump into Russia's arms if EU supports Kosova's independence, on the other hand they are anxious to sign an SAA agreement with EU.

Yesterday's resolution in the Serbian Parliament is a complete joke. It is similar to the Slobo's resolution just before the Rambouillet conference that Kosova was Serbia's internal affair. One week after that resolution, Serbia's delegation was in France talking with the KLA under international mediation. Yesterday's resolution is the same. I will take it and other threats seriously, when Serbia withdraws from the SAA agreement, as well as from PfP (Partnership for Peace) program with NATO. For as long as Serbia doesn't withdraw from these agreements, its threats that it will force Serbia to move eastwards will always ring hollow.

As for me personally, I would love to see Serbia cut its ties with Europe and become a Russian satellite. That would be a very entertaining show to watch.

"He said that he does not believe that Serbia wants a future outside of the European Union."

he should believe when he is sitting in a church.

fact is, Kosovo is serbian territory, reaffirmed in UNSC 1244, and in the serbian constitution.

that´s what really count´s Rupel.

“Kosovo and Serbia are two different stories. Slovenia will be a strong lawyer for Serbia.”

HaHa.. Mr Rupel, Serbia does not need lawyers from Slovenia, and by the way Kosovo I Metohija is Serbia itself. There are no two different stories.

I can see one sad story only. The sad story is the way of Slovenian approach to Kosovo and Metohija problem. So be it! Serbians do not have any illusions to Slovenian “good” intensions.

Just a reminder Mr. Rupel, one of the first retaliation measures by Serbian government towards countries that recognise illegal independence proclamation of Kosovo I Metohija will be nationalisation of all investments and freezing of all accounts that belongs to countries that recognise it. We know what is most sensitive point for Slovenians. Mr. Rupel, Slovenia will be cut off from East market, including Russia.

Well Mr Rupel, of course, this adopted resolution is for local use. This resolution is concerned of Serbia and not Bangladesh and thus it is for local use and has local character. The resolution is a document that will oblige Serbia to take certain steps in case of Kosovo independence and there is nothing to be worried and in that case the resolution is for local purposes. However, Mr Ruperl even though the majority of Serbian citizens want to join the EU you fail to say under what conditions those citizens want to be part of the EU. I don't know why many EU countries just believe that Serbia would be more than happy to join EU? That is an arogant opinion and I trully hope that this resolution will prove that Serbia wants to join EU but under certain conditions. The another thing is that according to recently poll on the EU joining, 75% of people said NO to the EU if Kosovo has to be ripped away from Serbia. And as you mentioned Mr Rupel Kosovo and the EU joining should be two separated processes.

Ahmet....
The only reason Slovenia pulled out, is because it didn't need an albatross around it's neck...

It saw everything east of the Danube as an economic liability...
Kosovo, and Macedonia being at the front of the pack..

Slovenia, thank you but no thank you. Please don’t be the champion of Serbian Interests in European Union. History shows you weren’t always friendly toward your eastern cousins (and by always I mean, ever). Please spare us of your empty rhetoric, false promises and further alienation of Serbian territories. Don’t you realize that by helping secessionist movements in Serbia you are making your consumer market smaller? Only we the Serbs and few other poor nations in the neighborhood are buying you cheap products.

If you look only at the money then of course Serbia should give it up. Kosovo is the second poorest place in Europe, only Albania has more poverty. But Kosovo is good at corruption, number two in Europe actually. Second only too...Albania.

But this is not about money. It is about Kosovo beeing the soul of Serbia. Only a negotiated solution is acceptable. If the negotiations go on for 50 years, then let them. It is better with 50 years of negotiations than 1 day of war.

I doubt that nationalisation would take place, althought, it's hard to say what laws would be respected.

Serbia is only to sign the SAA, it is not joining the EU yet. Why is everybody getting so worked up? When an article like this comes up, everyone starts talking about the big picture, when it is just a baby step in a course of many baby steps.

Hey guys stop! I think that we should go full steam ahead in the EU. Even trade Kosovo for a faster acception! Because if we get in first before Kosovo (if I'm not mistaking in the rules of EU membersihip) and become full members before it we can blockade it's admission as Kosovo and force the addmision of Kosovo as a province of Serbia!

I am all for this to be over! Let NATO and EU rule over them from now on. They know they will never be independent. They will always be under someone's boot. They think that they are trading worse for better?
With their gray economy, ties to AL Qaida, drug and human trafficing, do they really think NATO will ever leave?After so called "independence" they will put their boot down and show them who the boss is. Good luck our southern neighbors!

As a response to rethort to my earlier statement.
Somoene stated that I am guided by my emotions and polemics. It could not be further from the truth. I am 30 years old. I’ve left Bosnia as a refugee of the war and settled in United States. I’ve lost everything as result of the war in Bosnia but I’ve found new life in United States.Today I am married to muslim woman whom I love dearly. I am successful businessman as well as profesional soldier who is still serving United States Army. I also travel to Serbia, Kosovo(a) , and many other republics of former Yugoslavia and Europe. Dear Sir/Ma’am; I’m not sure how well of a traveled indivudual or how versed you are on economics but I promise you that Slovenian products sell like crap within European Union. You can find them on shelfs next to products produced in China, Thailand, Vietnam and other third world countries. Slovenia plays extremly minor role within European Union and does not carry much weight behind its decisions. The only major players within EU are UK, Germany and France; rest are just silent observesrs without much say in international politics. I hope to God that Serbia will never be part of European Union. We as a country should look up to countryes like Switzaland not rest of the European Union.

We don't need or want Slovenia to help us with anything.

"As for me personally, I would love to see Serbia cut its ties with Europe and become a Russian satellite. That would be a very entertaining show to watch.
(Adrian Gashi, 28 December 2007 20:16) "

Kosovo would be hit harder than that than Serbia would, initially, because Kosovo relies heavily on Serbia (second biggest trading partner). Cut that off and the economy falls even harder in Kosovo. Won't be so entertaining for the average Kosovar if they have to rely on economic giants like Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro during that critical time, will it?

Serbia probably won't end up cutting ties with anyone, it would be economic suicide, I doubt the people would vote in Kostunica again if he approved such a move.

"Kosovo would be hit harder than that than Serbia would, initially, because Kosovo relies heavily on Serbia (second biggest trading partner). Cut that off and the economy falls even harder in Kosovo. Won't be so entertaining for the average Kosovar if they have to rely on economic giants like Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro during that critical time, will it? "

Peter, I'm not sure that Serbia is the second biggest trading partner for Kosova anymore. The trend in the past years has been on the decline. For example, according to the data from the Statistical Office of Kosova (SOK),
http://www.ks-gov.net/ESK/esk/pdf/english/economic/external_trade/ext_trade_sep_07.pdf
in Sept 2006, export/import with Serbia were respectively 26.5 and 15.7 percent. In Sept 2007, they were respectively 13 and 13.6 percent. So there is a sharp decline. EU is the biggest trading partner of Kosova with 30%, then Macedonia with 17%, and Switzerland 16%. Serbia has only slightly more trade with Kosova than Albania has with 10%. And don't forget that Serbian products are priviledged because there is no import/export tariffs applied on them right now.
So, even if Serbia totally shuts down the border, it won't be a cataclysmic event. It's only 13% of the trade. We'll survive.

Hi Adrian and Peter. I personally don't believe in economic embargos and sanctions. They don't work in the Balkans because the people there are better smugglers than cops. Thus, I don't see one coming.

However, are water and electricity considered part of Serbia-Kosovo trade? I think this is one area where Serbia needs to jack up the prices.