"Serbia without both EU and Kosovo"

Daniel,

You make me laugh with your "emerging powers".

That's way in the future. True power comes with responsibility for peace and stability, which translates into recognizing Kosovo, whether you like Albanians or not.

You and other Serbs are under the impression that US and EU support Kosovo because they favor Albanians. They are just choosing the only stabilizing solution. Thankfully it also happen to be the just and moral solution. Sometimes freedom wins.

Politics, games and analysts. The Americans seem to live in another world. They would be better off staying out of European politics.

"Blackmail Serbia with EU membership", what else needs to be said? In my humble opinion, Serbia should reject any hypocritical offers from the US/EU, and its rotten membership, and tell them "Kosovo will always be Serbia". Belgrade has many friends around the world, it should talk to the DC and Brussels as equals, not as servants. If you get on your knees Serbia, you will never get up. Just ask the Albanians what that is like.

Serbia must not bow down to foolish threats. Stand strong and fight. In the end, Serbia will be respected for her honorable stance. She's making great inroads with China, India, Brazil, and other emerging powers. Why prostrate yourself to the old when you can stand up honorably along with the new powers and Russia.

I think "blackmail" was a pretty accurate choice of words. Ultimately, that is probably exactly what will happen, but it is good to see it out and in the open for the rest of the world to see how the US conducts the business of politics all over the world.

"Everything was well until this point. What blackmail? Blackmail happens when you don't want something to come out and somebody else makes you do stuff, or give money to keep your secret. How does that apply to the situation of Serbia?" (KU)

-- Probably through some US initiative to force integration of northern Kosovo into Pristina's dysfunctional institutions. The statements are somewhat vague, and I doubt the US has the clout to determine the course of action in the EU. But at the same time, Washington has taken an increasingly hardline approach to Kosovo after the ICJ to the point of interpreting the legal victory as a winner-take-all situation. That cannot be the case, especially when the north continues to remain definitively off Pristina's grid and the K-Albanian government is reeling under multiple cases of corruption. Some form of compromise is required for both Belgrade and Pristina to move forward, and I see Jeremic's initiatives at the UN to regain some diplomatic leverage. Nothing for a reversal of fortune, but enough to gain support for a compromise even in the absence of status talks.

If the US is stubborn enough to deny Serbia both Kosovo (which it has all but already lost) and the EU (to which the current government was elected to pursue), it will have succeeded in destroying any goodwill there is in Serbia.

Even if it means that Serbia is denied entry into the european union it should never accept an independent Kosovo. It's about pride and what we as Serbs believe in. Do we beleive that someone can bomb us and take part of our territory and then expect us to accept that just because they are more powerful? Serbia is a proud nation and should continue to be so. With or without being a EU member. Europe and America need stability in the Balkans more then we do so let's see who need who the most.

I think Serbia has them upset. Snatch and grab did not work. What is next? Kosovo belongs to Serbia. It is their holy land. No one can take your property and get away with it. Albanians say they want to destroy Serbia? Serbia stand tall and hold on to what is rightfully yours. A lot of people shaking in their shoes right now.

Serbia must not bow down to foolish threats. Stand strong and fight. In the end, Serbia will be respected for her honorable stance. She's making great inroads with China, India, Brazil, and other emerging powers. Why prostrate yourself to the old when you can stand up honorably along with the new powers and Russia.
(Daniel, 11 August 2010 15:42)
Whether Serbia aligns itself with EU or Russia etc it is going to cost big and Serbia will never be an equal, just a "tag along" like the little kid that tags along with the big boys, wanting to be one but never really part of the group.
Go with EU and give up what is already lost, Kosovo. Certainly no one still believes Serbia actually has any possession of Kosovo.(You can choose to call it an independent state or a UN protectorate, but you cannot claim it as part of Serbia)
Or you can choose to ride on the Russian coat tails at much greater expense. Loss of the state oil company for pennies on the dollar is just the tip of the iceberg.

But like the article says the Serbian stance of No EU without Kosovo may just come true NO EU and NO Kosovo.
Whether BRIC or EU it will be without Kosovo.
And being totally enclosed within the EU and being a rogue state will never bring success to Serbia.

"..blackmail Serbia additionally with EU membership.."

Everything was well until this point. What blackmail? Blackmail happens when you don't want something to come out and somebody else makes you do stuff, or give money to keep your secret. How does that apply to the situation of Serbia? Serbia is not being blackmailed, just being told how to behave, just as Albanians are. Basically these people called westerners don't wish Serbs and Albanians to fight anymore, they've given a name to their wish, called it "stability in the region". Being told what to do is not the same as blackmail.

“[...]Serbia is in a less favorable position following the ICJ advisory opinion on the Kosovo Albanian UDI, and that it is no longer being offered accelerated EU integration in exchange for cooperation on Kosovo.”

“Based on the debate in the Serbian parliament, and the statements of FM Vuk Jeremić that Serbia will not confront Brussels and Washington over Kosovo, there is belief that there has finally been progress in Serbia's position[...]”

Now isn’t what I was saying all the time: Serbia understands only the language of arrogance and force.

EU was spoiling Serbia for over 10 years now since 1999 and Serbia instead of understanding it as carrot, as good will on contrary she is doing everything she can to make even bigger trouble and mess.

When you shot them the door they start realising their very great limits and finally become more serious.

I do not believe that the Kosovo Albanians are capable to manage an own state without having the European Union pumping hundreds of millions Euro into the Kosovo every year.

"Serbia without both EU and Kosovo"... then EU without Serbia and their balkan stability pact down the toilet.

Punishing Serbia is punishing Serbia's neighbors.

Is Brussels going to rely on Bg & Ro as being central to Balkans stability instead? They can't even clean up their back yard.

Don't bother to mention the energy and transport infrastructure that is essential to Balkan (i.e. development) and that Serbia is the shortest trade route to europe etc. etc. Serbia out=Kosovo out too, self-defeating no if the point of the pressure is to get Serbia to give up Kosovo? What an ridiculous and short sighted 'analysis'.

Kesic is simply talking out of his hat.

THE EU IS BUYING TIME !!
if the eu thought 90% of serbian voters were for eu membership maybe an instant offer could be made to serbia. it is impossible for eu to do that and have a anti eu government elected shortly thereafter.

just look at the fiat deal recently perfect example of why the eu needs to have serbia join. as a non eu country that far west in europe the fiat type deals will come more and more very soon and thats hard to explain to the bulgarias romanias and greeces of the eu.

"Nothing for a reversal of fortune, but enough to gain support for a compromise even in the absence of status talks."

Wait wait Mike..."compromise in the absence of status talks"? I hope this happens, I hope they compromise in the absence of status talks. That's what those "dysfunctional" institutions of Pristina have been asking for the last years: "compromise, but not about status". You (and hopefully Jeremic) are converging towards Hyseni's position? If yes, congrats, better late than ever. I hope a lesson comes out of this: During the last two years a lot of energy was waisted in vain, only to fall back to the position "let's talk about whatever it is possible to talk about". About the north, about war damages and repayment, about missing people and refugees, about churches and cultural heritage.

By the way, speaking of the north. Any news from the investigations on who killed that doctor some weeks ago? with a bomb...What about those who shot that other guy in the legs in front of his house? Any news on who they are or why they shot him?

Since we're asking about things thrown at us from the media and then left hanging there (we're shown only half of the story), what about the yellow house? Was that guy Dick Marty supposed to come out with his report in July? Did he come out with the results of his investigation?

Serbia should not give up on Kosovo. If that means no EU, then so be it. EU is a Ponzi scheme anyway. And Kosovo is not about winning or loosing. What will be remembered in the end is who put up a bitter fight.

"Serbia without both EU and Kosovo"What you trying to do Mr.Obrad Kasic?Scare Serbs in to the submission.Serbs can live without EU but not without Kosovo.Legally you can not do it.However, you can do it using military power if that is what you are contemplating. West (EU&USA) signed document which they apparently,can not live with,that document is UNSC Resolution 1244.USA and EU used the military forces (NATO)to enter Serbia with signed documents UNSC Resolution 1244 and Kumanovo agreement so they have to do it again,this time apparently without any legal document.Headquarter of Serbian Orthodox Church and its Monasteries can not be in the foreign Country.No self respected Serb of any political party would ever sign any document which would physically separate our Kosovo churches and Monasteries from mother country Serbia.Solution could be found for Kosovo Albanians other then sovereign State they insist on.

It is true that it doesn't seem likley Serbia could ever join the EU without accepting defeat in Kosovo, that doesn't mean that this fantasy project "2nd Albanian state" is a given reality.

I believe that all this pressuring Serbia, giving carrots and saying your almost there and just trying to close the issue for good is because the West knows time is not on their side. It would only hurt the K.Albanians and the West if this turns into a froezen conflict.

Is joining this club worth giving up Serbian land? Especially when you would be blind to not see that this club is not the paradise they sell to the people in the Balkans. Truth of the matter is the West was rich before the EU, created the EU and therefore run the EU. The Balkans will historically gain the absolute least when it comes to joining the EU when its all set and done, which is probably sooner than later.

Just wait, it will all fall into place soon.

Ruben and others, I was born and raised in the US, in a real American power unlike a fake power such as New York; I'm a Washingtonian. New Yorkers think too much of themselves. My mother is Serbian, not my father, but I respect Serbia's position because it makes sense. I did not respect Milosevic but from the start I saw the deception in the break up of Yugoslavia. There was a storyline that the "then" US government followed. Unfortunately, although that storyline was good in the 1990s, it no longer holds. Then it was that all Serbs are criminal baby killers. As time went on, and Milosevic was defeated, a new government emerged, a government willing to appease the West but not give up Kosovo. This makes everything more difficult for Albanians and their supporters. Now they have to make villains out of good guys. This has been much more difficult as Vuk and Tadic are harder to hate. Neither is Milosevic and both seek to do no more than re-start negotiations. Yet, that storyline doesn't fit into the original storyline. Thus, you all try to portray them as evil reincarnations of Milosevic. You are so pathetic. I'd have more respect for you if you could for once admit your errors. All honest and good people can admit their mistakes. You cannot. I know that's what some Americans teach you (not to admit your mistakes) but as an American, I can play that game way better than you can. In the end you will lose and lose big. You will never have full independence. Until Russia and China change their minds, and that's not happening any time soon, you will NEVER BE A UN MEMBER. I couldn't give a flying #@$% what your pathetic friends tell you but you will always be an outsider unless you tuck your tails and negotiate with Serbia. You will never be a member of the EU either. You will be left in a perpetual European ghetto. Sorry.

If I had a cent for every “analyst” the US rolls out to give a prediction I’d be a very rich man.

There is a real problem in Washington with people in these organisations that are so far out touch with reality that Alice in Wonderland roams their corridors.

The ordinary Serbian people are only too well aware that joining the EU and its so called “huge benefits” is a myth straight out of a Walt Disney movie. I have had two very close relatives come back from Serbia in the last 4 weeks and they say that the average Serb knows about the so called benefits to join the EU.

They are well aware that there is no “Pot of Gold’ at the end of the rainbow once in the EU. They are well aware that the other eastern European countries have not become billionaires since joining that promised land of milk and honey. The average Serb knows that the only people to benefit in Serbia will be the politicians promoting this idea.

I repeat again and again the US has nothing left in its arsenal but its big mouth. Here is my challenge to the United States of Windbags, why don’t you try and reverse the Depression you have in that country and why don’t you try and find work for the 40 million currently unemployed instead of creating more hot air and making global warming worse.

“America could now pressure Belgrade with a demand to "bring to reason" Serbs in northern Kosovo”

Pressure Serbia with what? Why has the US of Windbags not pressured Serbia before? I’ll tell you what has happened, the ICJ ruling has not brought the desired out come and now it’s we will talk Serbia to death.

Pressure away boys, if you can, ha, ha, ha. From a mighty country to this, how pathetic!

Peggy

Americans have no gains from their stance in supporting Albanians but one,SUPORTING FREEDOM and DEMOCRACY all over the world. And that is what USA is all about.
======================

Not even Americans believe that garbage any more.

You and other Serbs are under the impression that US and EU support Kosovo because they favor Albanians. They are just choosing the only stabilizing solution. Thankfully it also happen to be the just and moral solution. Sometimes freedom wins.
(Ruben-NYC, 11 August 2010 16:42)
====================
We know that US doesn't favour Albanians or anyone else but themselves. How many times do we have to say it here?
We also know that the US is not doing this for stability too.
Serbs can threaten instability as well as you can so what then? Both sides threatening war if they don't get their way. Which way would the US go? You guessed it. Their own way. The way of power and profit.

Peggy

Americans have no gains from their stance in supporting Albanians but one,SUPORTING FREEDOM and DEMOCRACY all over the world. And that is what USA is all about.
You would not understand that much.
All the Albanians have said and done for centuries especially since 1913 is being lords in their ancestral lands.
And as for the Serbs war talk, we had war talk and deeds from Serbs without much headway for themselfs.
If Serbs make war again, than the only solution for Serbia would be to divide it into a Croat sector,Albanian sector, and Muslim sector.
And then we might just might have peace with Serbs.

there is one thing that B92-providers and most of the folks posting here still do not seem to realize.

the EU or we could also call it EUSSR needs Serbia more than Serbia needs the EU.

that´s something we do not need to argue about - it´s quite clear though.

the real question is: will the current serbian regime betray serbian national interests in order to get a warm place at Washingtons bosom?

let´s all hope they won´t since the serbian poeple has repeatedly shown that ruling elites can be swept away faster than they can escape.

if Serbia wants to keep KiM, there is nothing that can prevent that.

despite all of that nonsense that is often presented in this foreign-paid "news-platform" and many rather ridiculous postings ( just remember "PRN" ) time is on Serbia´s side.

and those who work against Serbia know that. that´s the rason for all those fabricated "advisory opinions", B92-articles and so on that are trying to create the impression as if Serbia is losing...

that´s not the case.
the US are losing. and that even faster than expected.

'Wait wait Mike..."compromise in the absence of status talks"? I hope this happens, I hope they compromise in the absence of status talks. That's what those "dysfunctional" institutions of Pristina have been asking for the last years: "compromise, but not about status". You (and hopefully Jeremic) are converging towards Hyseni's position? If yes, congrats, better late than ever. I hope a lesson comes out of this: During the last two years a lot of energy was waisted in vain, only to fall back to the position "let's talk about whatever it is possible to talk about". About the north, about war damages and repayment, about missing people and refugees, about churches and cultural heritage.'

You didn't read it properly. Mike said 'support of compromise without status talks'. As in not enough to make Pristina negotiate but enough to show that most of the world does not approve of Kosovo's secession.

Serbia does not and will never "need" anyone. Let's put that out right.Why doesn't the southern U.S. recede from the union? Why don't we become our own country? BECAUSE IT'S ILLEGAL. This particular topic irritates me. No one needs to bend over for the E.U.. NO ONE.

Jovan

Would you please elaborate why "EU need Serbia more than Serbia needs the EU"?

I am curious, perhaps Serbia's vast oil fields, or friendly, neighbour-loving, rich population, or sea ports? Sorry for being sarcastic, but I wonder what are the reasons I (as an EU citizen) need you or other Serbs within our team.

I agree, though vice-versa.

Why does Serbia need the EU more than the EU need Serbia?

KU, I really can't see Serbia pushing for "status" talks after the ICJ. Yes the court ruled its not illegal to secede, so yes we have to acknowledge that Kosovo is no longer part of Serbia (and one doesn't need a court ruling to see that. All we have to do is notice the absence of Belgrade-based institutions in Albanian-dominant areas. I know, surprise surprise). But at the same time, the court did not say Kosovo has a legal right to exist as a state - or at least as the state it currently is right now. Lots of issues need to be sorted out like internal sovereignty, decentralization, mobility et al. All of this, I think, is part of a plan for negotiation regardless of status. The "status" is basically the letterhead.

But let's say that after all is said and done Belgrade and Pristina sit down to talks without status. Belgrade still can extract many concessions: retention of representation in Serb municipalities, Serbian citizenship for Serbs, special access to cultural landmarks, etc. Additionally, if (and I emphasize *if*) Belgrade has enough support from the international community, it could even push Kosovo to obtaining a special "neutral" status that defines it as separate from Serbia, but not a full-fledged state - maybe something like Taiwan, which would solve the problem of partial recognition and allow Pristina by way of EULEX to focus on more important things like working for greater political transparency and economic modernity.

I'm no expert on what will happen, and at the end the day Belgrade may just opt for a simple land swap. Who knows.

But yes, I cannot see a resumption of "status" talks in light of the ICJ ruling. That ruling, if anything, kept Kosovo on the map. *How* it looks on said map, and *how* it functions is still up for debate.

Finally, I agree with the unanswered questions you mentioned. We get a lot of what happened, but we never hear about if something was resolved, or if anything's been done about it.

"after this is all over, we need to do one thing. Sit down and write a list of whatever agreements the two parts will have [...] Then compare that list with the Ahtisaari plan and write down the differences with the A. plan" (KU)

-- The interesting thing is that even if the A Plan were implemented to the letter today, if everything went as smoothly as Washington had erroneously predicted two years ago, Kosovo would still be a severely weakened state because the plan was designed to make Kosovo as such. As it stands, the K-Albanians had to make some significant concessions in order to get the big powers to support their secession movement. Yet even this doesn't seem to be enough because the A Plan assumes all people in Kosovo would have agreed to the terms and would have recognized themselves as a united citizenry. Interestingly enough, there are enough parallels with Kosovo 2008 with Kosovo 1998-99 and Croatia/Krajina 1991: a majority assuming the minority will simply go along without actually consulting what the minority wants/fears/believes.

The main problem we find is that the US still thinks the A Plan is the be-all end-all approach and has almost consciously ignored the statements from both Belgrade and more importantly Mitrovica that the Serb minority does not accept the terms. Therefore, if the powers that be want to keep Kosovo on the map, if they say they have the legal leverage to push forward, and if they acknowledge Belgrade’s readiness to cooperate, they’re going to have to make a number of additional concessions for the sake of Kosovo’s status. And in many respects, these concessions are simply acknowledgement of the status quo which highlights both sides accomplishments and limitations. Even if status isn’t in the cards, Belgrade played its hand remarkably well in generating enough doubt over Kosovo to support a reexamination.

(miri, 12 August 2010 21:06)

What people like you don’t understand is that Serbs don’t have to accept anything and there are lots more cards to play – opps! the US did not tell the Albanians that one; did they? So far its been going around and around in circles and will continue to do so, forever if Belgrade so desires. You guys don’t get it after now going on 12 years.
The ICJ opinion was nothing but a “dog’s breakfast” manipulated by the US. Here is also some more sad tidings for you – next UN Secretry General will be appointed by Asia and the next lot of judges on the ICJ will also come from Asia.
As far as Russia is concern don’t hold your breath waiting for that to happen. Wake me up when it looks like changing.

to all who question why eu needs serbia !!!

serbia is not better then other countries but serbia does have 100,000's of people in several countries in balkans ..bosnia..montenegro..croatia..macedonia -serbia is the wild card for regional cooperation in the balkans and its influence can easily be underestimated..but hey dont worry the eu understand this influence very well.

second the eu cannot afford a serbia russia turkey alliance with serbia being almost walking distance from most of the eu.

third visit belgade ...then go to sofia or tirana or even a baltic country serbia is a far more western leaning society by nature makes no sense for the eu to leave out one of the largest western leaning markets in the balkans while a albania or lithuania is offered/given membership..the eu is pragmatic after all..

Serbia must not bow down to foolish threats. Stand strong and fight. In the end, Serbia will be respected for her honorable stance. She's making great inroads with China, India, Brazil, and other emerging powers. Why prostrate yourself to the old when you can stand up honorably along with the new powers and Russia.
(Daniel, 11 August 2010 15:42)

Daniel,

Before you artificially inflate Serbia's worth to the countries you mentioned, you must first ask yourself what can Serbia offer these countries. Once you have awakened from your optimistic but highly unrealistic dream, you will soon realize there is nothing unique about Serbia. At most, probably Serbia can offer cheap labor, but that is plentiful throughout the Balkans. In the end the people of Serbia will be sorely disappointed and find themselves once again taken advantage of. Beside this fact, why would Serbs travel half way around the world only to find themselves treated as second class outsiders. Therefore, it would be extremely hazardous to the economic health of Serbia pass up the opportunity to join the EU.

"Jovan

Would you please elaborate why "EU need Serbia more than Serbia needs the EU"?

I am curious, perhaps Serbia's vast oil fields, or friendly, neighbour-loving, rich population, or sea ports? Sorry for being sarcastic, but I wonder what are the reasons I (as an EU citizen) need you or other Serbs within our team.
(Hruz, 12 August 2010 16:27) "

mentioning only Serbia´s geo-political position amidst the southern part of the EU should actually be enough for you, but...

...well, I could write down a lot more, but the mere fact that you are calling yourself the member of a "team", while you are only a kind of "dogsbody" for those who really make the decisions, as for example Germany and France, lets me doubt in your capability to get it straight.
you may go on fooling yourself, although I do not believe that you really are a Hungarian, but simply a provocateur who wants to provoke some anti-hungarian agitation ( you obviously failed with that aim ). as I said, I could write down a longer list of reasons, but I think that you wouldn´t understand at all...

so, just go on writing about oil-fields, sea-ports and all those wanna-be-sarcasm displaying ideas... you are at least entertaining us here.

thanks for that, mr."EU-citizen"... =)

Would you please elaborate why "EU need Serbia more than Serbia needs the EU"?

I am curious, perhaps Serbia's vast oil fields, or friendly, neighbour-loving, rich population, or sea ports? Sorry for being sarcastic, but I wonder what are the reasons I (as an EU citizen) need you or other Serbs within our team.
(Hruz, 12 August 2010 16:27

I have asked this same question and oly side answer something about trucks having a short rout to drive :). Serbia does not offer anythig that Bulgaria, Rumania, Albania, Macedonia do not. Cheep labor, educated people.

But this comes from Serbias diaspora who think they are better and have not lived in Serbia, Serbia is a debt stricken country who is begging for investment from EU countries. They think china will invest but when they do they bring chinise people to work look at Algeria and Maroco and u see how many people from those countries work in Chinise funded projects.

Sorry Serbian people you need EU much much more than they need u, i dont see Germany or UK or any eu country begging to join but your Leaders lie to you that you are the best and u will join with fast process.

Fiat deal is a joke, so is Nis so is south stream look Ukrain how Rich they are with russion pipe as only pipe and nothing :)

Mike,

after this is all over, we need to do one thing. Sit down and write a list of whatever agreements the two parts will have, whatever concessions as you say there will be (Serbian citizenship for Serbs, decentralization etc etc). What the Albanians get on one side and what the Serbs get on the other. Then compare that list with the Ahtisaari plan and write down the differences with the A. plan and on the side the time and the energy it took to get those differences. And then evaluate if spending all this time and energy was worth it for the Serbs of Kosovo (and for the Albanians too), not for Jeremic, for Jeremic of course it was worth it. When the time comes.

" The main problem we find is that the US still thinks the A Plan is the be-all end-all approach and has almost consciously ignored the statements from both Belgrade and more importantly Mitrovica that the Serb minority does not accept the terms.
(Mike, 12 August 2010 17:50)

The Serb minority will have to accept the terms, there is no other way. That's the whole point of A-Plan. If they don't K-Albanians can change their terms too. A-plan is the beginning and the end of this story, it's the compromised plan that Mr. Ahtisaari came up after years of dealing with the issue. You seem to go round and round the same thing as if Belgrade still have any power to make any changes to A-Plan. That ship has sailed long time ago. You refused A-plan in its entirety when it was proposed. You could have negotiated changes to it back then. Now it's the time to accept it in its entirety. Concessions for Belgrade are over and partition that you are so "sneakily" suggesting ain't going to happen either. Personally I believe that swapping of North with P. Valley would have been the best solution, now even that one is impossible because the West who sponsored K-Independence won't allow it and the reason is that Belgrade is in such weak position after ICJ.

We had a long discussion on what was going to happen if ICJ did not vote in Belgrade favor. I think it's time to remind you that at this point Belgrade has no cards in its possession to play with K. anymore and as for Russia's veto it won't last forever. Don't take my word for it, just look at the trend of events for the past two years.

Jovan,

You still owe me the explanation of Serbia being a gift for EU. I am scared to read your comment boiling with rage, calling me anti Hungarian provocateur, please read my comment again and show me where I write the word "Hungary" and how I can provoke anti Hungarian feelings.

I clearly see your Freudian slip of the tongue as you display anti Hungarian feelings without Hungary being mentioned in this topic at all. (although there is a little similarity, Hungary entered EU wothout Vojvodina which is still part of Serbia)

So, I am still waiting to be explained why I need Serbians in EU as my team members.

"just look at the fiat deal recently perfect example of why the eu needs to have serbia join. "

Correction: 'why ITALY needs to have Serbia join.'
(Amer, 12 August 2010 00:50)

```the business climate and regulations of italy is the same as in other eu countries. if you dont think serbia will find ways to be much more advantageous/business friendly/cheaper for companies to do business in serbia you really are kidding yourself...being a contrarian has its perks !

no Hruz... you´re wrong again.

I owe you absolutely nothing, and certainly no further explanation.

better take care about the oil-fields, sea-ports and so on...

just in case I should have mixed you up with another of these desperate Serbia-haters, if you are not hungarian, then just forget that part of my contribution here... but please do not bore us to death with layman-psychology, you know that "freudian-slip"-thing...
it´s just too cheesy.

but the bottom-line still is: you are exaggerating Serbia´s need to join the EU by far.

and there is nothing serious you are writing, only nonsense, about oil-fields and sea-ports...

let´s leave it at that, I don´t feel the need to teach you what you could learn by simply taking a look on a EU-map.

but that,I am afraid, is far too much demanded for a sophisticated EU-"team-member"...

"just look at the fiat deal recently perfect example of why the eu needs to have serbia join. "

Correction: 'why ITALY needs to have Serbia join.'

M.
America is not going to go away cause you wish so. America is THE DADDY!!
Put that in your head. Europeans need someone to tell them what to do. If it wasn't America...there wasn't gonna be any Europe left today, or it was going to be a very gloomy poor looking Europe.
You need to learn history and business in order to understand that . Go to school. !

o all who question why eu needs serbia !!!

serbia is not better then other countries but serbia does have 100,000's of people in several countries in balkans ..bosnia..montenegro..croatia..macedonia -serbia is the wild card for regional cooperation in the balkans and its influence can easily be underestimated..but hey dont worry the eu understand this influence very well.

second the eu cannot afford a serbia russia turkey alliance with serbia being almost walking distance from most of the eu.

third visit belgade ...then go to sofia or tirana or even a baltic country serbia is a far more western leaning society by nature makes no sense for the eu to leave out one of the largest western leaning markets in the balkans while a albania or lithuania is offered/given membership..the eu is pragmatic after all..
(benzo, 13 August 2010 04:44)

Benzo If u still belive in Russiaon Union just ask poland, CZ, Slovakia or Baltic countries how nice it is.

Poland Begging USA for Base or just some Military presence same for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Russia does not do anything but leach countries look what is going with Serbia Nis and pipe road or Ukrain.

Russia is not even good fer her own citizens and i dear dear anyone here to compare EU and USA treatment of its citizens with Russia


And yes please tell us what will SERBIA bring to EU and not Serbia with Russia.

THis is ike saying lets play Basketball but let me bring my older Friend to help

Jovan


Beleive me, I need no lecture on EU, I have a post graduate degree in EU law, which means I am not only perfectly clear what EEC and later on EU was about but much deeper, the decision making mechanisms, policies and also the accession process that SRB is going through. I agree, EU is getting diluted already with the RO, BG accession of 2007 which was a bad joke, but as you say, there was stategic need to have access to the Black Sea and the East (oil pipes), just like the similarly poor and unprepared Greek accession in 1980 which was also a mockery of the EEC principles that time, but a geo-strategic decision. You can see how "far" Greece has gone in 30 years with all the structural funds.

Daniel,

You make me laugh with your "emerging powers".

That's way in the future. True power comes with responsibility for peace and stability, which translates into recognizing Kosovo, whether you like Albanians or not.

You and other Serbs are under the impression that US and EU support Kosovo because they favor Albanians. They are just choosing the only stabilizing solution. Thankfully it also happen to be the just and moral solution. Sometimes freedom wins.

I think Serbia has them upset. Snatch and grab did not work. What is next? Kosovo belongs to Serbia. It is their holy land. No one can take your property and get away with it. Albanians say they want to destroy Serbia? Serbia stand tall and hold on to what is rightfully yours. A lot of people shaking in their shoes right now.

Serbia must not bow down to foolish threats. Stand strong and fight. In the end, Serbia will be respected for her honorable stance. She's making great inroads with China, India, Brazil, and other emerging powers. Why prostrate yourself to the old when you can stand up honorably along with the new powers and Russia.
(Daniel, 11 August 2010 15:42)
Whether Serbia aligns itself with EU or Russia etc it is going to cost big and Serbia will never be an equal, just a "tag along" like the little kid that tags along with the big boys, wanting to be one but never really part of the group.
Go with EU and give up what is already lost, Kosovo. Certainly no one still believes Serbia actually has any possession of Kosovo.(You can choose to call it an independent state or a UN protectorate, but you cannot claim it as part of Serbia)
Or you can choose to ride on the Russian coat tails at much greater expense. Loss of the state oil company for pennies on the dollar is just the tip of the iceberg.

But like the article says the Serbian stance of No EU without Kosovo may just come true NO EU and NO Kosovo.
Whether BRIC or EU it will be without Kosovo.
And being totally enclosed within the EU and being a rogue state will never bring success to Serbia.

“[...]Serbia is in a less favorable position following the ICJ advisory opinion on the Kosovo Albanian UDI, and that it is no longer being offered accelerated EU integration in exchange for cooperation on Kosovo.”

“Based on the debate in the Serbian parliament, and the statements of FM Vuk Jeremić that Serbia will not confront Brussels and Washington over Kosovo, there is belief that there has finally been progress in Serbia's position[...]”

Now isn’t what I was saying all the time: Serbia understands only the language of arrogance and force.

EU was spoiling Serbia for over 10 years now since 1999 and Serbia instead of understanding it as carrot, as good will on contrary she is doing everything she can to make even bigger trouble and mess.

When you shot them the door they start realising their very great limits and finally become more serious.

Even if it means that Serbia is denied entry into the european union it should never accept an independent Kosovo. It's about pride and what we as Serbs believe in. Do we beleive that someone can bomb us and take part of our territory and then expect us to accept that just because they are more powerful? Serbia is a proud nation and should continue to be so. With or without being a EU member. Europe and America need stability in the Balkans more then we do so let's see who need who the most.

"Blackmail Serbia with EU membership", what else needs to be said? In my humble opinion, Serbia should reject any hypocritical offers from the US/EU, and its rotten membership, and tell them "Kosovo will always be Serbia". Belgrade has many friends around the world, it should talk to the DC and Brussels as equals, not as servants. If you get on your knees Serbia, you will never get up. Just ask the Albanians what that is like.

Politics, games and analysts. The Americans seem to live in another world. They would be better off staying out of European politics.

Serbia must not bow down to foolish threats. Stand strong and fight. In the end, Serbia will be respected for her honorable stance. She's making great inroads with China, India, Brazil, and other emerging powers. Why prostrate yourself to the old when you can stand up honorably along with the new powers and Russia.

"Serbia without both EU and Kosovo"... then EU without Serbia and their balkan stability pact down the toilet.

Punishing Serbia is punishing Serbia's neighbors.

Is Brussels going to rely on Bg & Ro as being central to Balkans stability instead? They can't even clean up their back yard.

Don't bother to mention the energy and transport infrastructure that is essential to Balkan (i.e. development) and that Serbia is the shortest trade route to europe etc. etc. Serbia out=Kosovo out too, self-defeating no if the point of the pressure is to get Serbia to give up Kosovo? What an ridiculous and short sighted 'analysis'.

Kesic is simply talking out of his hat.

"Everything was well until this point. What blackmail? Blackmail happens when you don't want something to come out and somebody else makes you do stuff, or give money to keep your secret. How does that apply to the situation of Serbia?" (KU)

-- Probably through some US initiative to force integration of northern Kosovo into Pristina's dysfunctional institutions. The statements are somewhat vague, and I doubt the US has the clout to determine the course of action in the EU. But at the same time, Washington has taken an increasingly hardline approach to Kosovo after the ICJ to the point of interpreting the legal victory as a winner-take-all situation. That cannot be the case, especially when the north continues to remain definitively off Pristina's grid and the K-Albanian government is reeling under multiple cases of corruption. Some form of compromise is required for both Belgrade and Pristina to move forward, and I see Jeremic's initiatives at the UN to regain some diplomatic leverage. Nothing for a reversal of fortune, but enough to gain support for a compromise even in the absence of status talks.

If the US is stubborn enough to deny Serbia both Kosovo (which it has all but already lost) and the EU (to which the current government was elected to pursue), it will have succeeded in destroying any goodwill there is in Serbia.

"..blackmail Serbia additionally with EU membership.."

Everything was well until this point. What blackmail? Blackmail happens when you don't want something to come out and somebody else makes you do stuff, or give money to keep your secret. How does that apply to the situation of Serbia? Serbia is not being blackmailed, just being told how to behave, just as Albanians are. Basically these people called westerners don't wish Serbs and Albanians to fight anymore, they've given a name to their wish, called it "stability in the region". Being told what to do is not the same as blackmail.

THE EU IS BUYING TIME !!
if the eu thought 90% of serbian voters were for eu membership maybe an instant offer could be made to serbia. it is impossible for eu to do that and have a anti eu government elected shortly thereafter.

just look at the fiat deal recently perfect example of why the eu needs to have serbia join. as a non eu country that far west in europe the fiat type deals will come more and more very soon and thats hard to explain to the bulgarias romanias and greeces of the eu.

"Nothing for a reversal of fortune, but enough to gain support for a compromise even in the absence of status talks."

Wait wait Mike..."compromise in the absence of status talks"? I hope this happens, I hope they compromise in the absence of status talks. That's what those "dysfunctional" institutions of Pristina have been asking for the last years: "compromise, but not about status". You (and hopefully Jeremic) are converging towards Hyseni's position? If yes, congrats, better late than ever. I hope a lesson comes out of this: During the last two years a lot of energy was waisted in vain, only to fall back to the position "let's talk about whatever it is possible to talk about". About the north, about war damages and repayment, about missing people and refugees, about churches and cultural heritage.

By the way, speaking of the north. Any news from the investigations on who killed that doctor some weeks ago? with a bomb...What about those who shot that other guy in the legs in front of his house? Any news on who they are or why they shot him?

Since we're asking about things thrown at us from the media and then left hanging there (we're shown only half of the story), what about the yellow house? Was that guy Dick Marty supposed to come out with his report in July? Did he come out with the results of his investigation?

I think "blackmail" was a pretty accurate choice of words. Ultimately, that is probably exactly what will happen, but it is good to see it out and in the open for the rest of the world to see how the US conducts the business of politics all over the world.

Jovan

Would you please elaborate why "EU need Serbia more than Serbia needs the EU"?

I am curious, perhaps Serbia's vast oil fields, or friendly, neighbour-loving, rich population, or sea ports? Sorry for being sarcastic, but I wonder what are the reasons I (as an EU citizen) need you or other Serbs within our team.

"Serbia without both EU and Kosovo"What you trying to do Mr.Obrad Kasic?Scare Serbs in to the submission.Serbs can live without EU but not without Kosovo.Legally you can not do it.However, you can do it using military power if that is what you are contemplating. West (EU&USA) signed document which they apparently,can not live with,that document is UNSC Resolution 1244.USA and EU used the military forces (NATO)to enter Serbia with signed documents UNSC Resolution 1244 and Kumanovo agreement so they have to do it again,this time apparently without any legal document.Headquarter of Serbian Orthodox Church and its Monasteries can not be in the foreign Country.No self respected Serb of any political party would ever sign any document which would physically separate our Kosovo churches and Monasteries from mother country Serbia.Solution could be found for Kosovo Albanians other then sovereign State they insist on.

Peggy

Americans have no gains from their stance in supporting Albanians but one,SUPORTING FREEDOM and DEMOCRACY all over the world. And that is what USA is all about.
You would not understand that much.
All the Albanians have said and done for centuries especially since 1913 is being lords in their ancestral lands.
And as for the Serbs war talk, we had war talk and deeds from Serbs without much headway for themselfs.
If Serbs make war again, than the only solution for Serbia would be to divide it into a Croat sector,Albanian sector, and Muslim sector.
And then we might just might have peace with Serbs.

I do not believe that the Kosovo Albanians are capable to manage an own state without having the European Union pumping hundreds of millions Euro into the Kosovo every year.

Would you please elaborate why "EU need Serbia more than Serbia needs the EU"?

I am curious, perhaps Serbia's vast oil fields, or friendly, neighbour-loving, rich population, or sea ports? Sorry for being sarcastic, but I wonder what are the reasons I (as an EU citizen) need you or other Serbs within our team.
(Hruz, 12 August 2010 16:27

I have asked this same question and oly side answer something about trucks having a short rout to drive :). Serbia does not offer anythig that Bulgaria, Rumania, Albania, Macedonia do not. Cheep labor, educated people.

But this comes from Serbias diaspora who think they are better and have not lived in Serbia, Serbia is a debt stricken country who is begging for investment from EU countries. They think china will invest but when they do they bring chinise people to work look at Algeria and Maroco and u see how many people from those countries work in Chinise funded projects.

Sorry Serbian people you need EU much much more than they need u, i dont see Germany or UK or any eu country begging to join but your Leaders lie to you that you are the best and u will join with fast process.

Fiat deal is a joke, so is Nis so is south stream look Ukrain how Rich they are with russion pipe as only pipe and nothing :)

" The main problem we find is that the US still thinks the A Plan is the be-all end-all approach and has almost consciously ignored the statements from both Belgrade and more importantly Mitrovica that the Serb minority does not accept the terms.
(Mike, 12 August 2010 17:50)

The Serb minority will have to accept the terms, there is no other way. That's the whole point of A-Plan. If they don't K-Albanians can change their terms too. A-plan is the beginning and the end of this story, it's the compromised plan that Mr. Ahtisaari came up after years of dealing with the issue. You seem to go round and round the same thing as if Belgrade still have any power to make any changes to A-Plan. That ship has sailed long time ago. You refused A-plan in its entirety when it was proposed. You could have negotiated changes to it back then. Now it's the time to accept it in its entirety. Concessions for Belgrade are over and partition that you are so "sneakily" suggesting ain't going to happen either. Personally I believe that swapping of North with P. Valley would have been the best solution, now even that one is impossible because the West who sponsored K-Independence won't allow it and the reason is that Belgrade is in such weak position after ICJ.

We had a long discussion on what was going to happen if ICJ did not vote in Belgrade favor. I think it's time to remind you that at this point Belgrade has no cards in its possession to play with K. anymore and as for Russia's veto it won't last forever. Don't take my word for it, just look at the trend of events for the past two years.

Serbia should not give up on Kosovo. If that means no EU, then so be it. EU is a Ponzi scheme anyway. And Kosovo is not about winning or loosing. What will be remembered in the end is who put up a bitter fight.

there is one thing that B92-providers and most of the folks posting here still do not seem to realize.

the EU or we could also call it EUSSR needs Serbia more than Serbia needs the EU.

that´s something we do not need to argue about - it´s quite clear though.

the real question is: will the current serbian regime betray serbian national interests in order to get a warm place at Washingtons bosom?

let´s all hope they won´t since the serbian poeple has repeatedly shown that ruling elites can be swept away faster than they can escape.

if Serbia wants to keep KiM, there is nothing that can prevent that.

despite all of that nonsense that is often presented in this foreign-paid "news-platform" and many rather ridiculous postings ( just remember "PRN" ) time is on Serbia´s side.

and those who work against Serbia know that. that´s the rason for all those fabricated "advisory opinions", B92-articles and so on that are trying to create the impression as if Serbia is losing...

that´s not the case.
the US are losing. and that even faster than expected.

Ruben and others, I was born and raised in the US, in a real American power unlike a fake power such as New York; I'm a Washingtonian. New Yorkers think too much of themselves. My mother is Serbian, not my father, but I respect Serbia's position because it makes sense. I did not respect Milosevic but from the start I saw the deception in the break up of Yugoslavia. There was a storyline that the "then" US government followed. Unfortunately, although that storyline was good in the 1990s, it no longer holds. Then it was that all Serbs are criminal baby killers. As time went on, and Milosevic was defeated, a new government emerged, a government willing to appease the West but not give up Kosovo. This makes everything more difficult for Albanians and their supporters. Now they have to make villains out of good guys. This has been much more difficult as Vuk and Tadic are harder to hate. Neither is Milosevic and both seek to do no more than re-start negotiations. Yet, that storyline doesn't fit into the original storyline. Thus, you all try to portray them as evil reincarnations of Milosevic. You are so pathetic. I'd have more respect for you if you could for once admit your errors. All honest and good people can admit their mistakes. You cannot. I know that's what some Americans teach you (not to admit your mistakes) but as an American, I can play that game way better than you can. In the end you will lose and lose big. You will never have full independence. Until Russia and China change their minds, and that's not happening any time soon, you will NEVER BE A UN MEMBER. I couldn't give a flying #@$% what your pathetic friends tell you but you will always be an outsider unless you tuck your tails and negotiate with Serbia. You will never be a member of the EU either. You will be left in a perpetual European ghetto. Sorry.

You and other Serbs are under the impression that US and EU support Kosovo because they favor Albanians. They are just choosing the only stabilizing solution. Thankfully it also happen to be the just and moral solution. Sometimes freedom wins.
(Ruben-NYC, 11 August 2010 16:42)
====================
We know that US doesn't favour Albanians or anyone else but themselves. How many times do we have to say it here?
We also know that the US is not doing this for stability too.
Serbs can threaten instability as well as you can so what then? Both sides threatening war if they don't get their way. Which way would the US go? You guessed it. Their own way. The way of power and profit.

M.
America is not going to go away cause you wish so. America is THE DADDY!!
Put that in your head. Europeans need someone to tell them what to do. If it wasn't America...there wasn't gonna be any Europe left today, or it was going to be a very gloomy poor looking Europe.
You need to learn history and business in order to understand that . Go to school. !

"just look at the fiat deal recently perfect example of why the eu needs to have serbia join. "

Correction: 'why ITALY needs to have Serbia join.'

"just look at the fiat deal recently perfect example of why the eu needs to have serbia join. "

Correction: 'why ITALY needs to have Serbia join.'
(Amer, 12 August 2010 00:50)

```the business climate and regulations of italy is the same as in other eu countries. if you dont think serbia will find ways to be much more advantageous/business friendly/cheaper for companies to do business in serbia you really are kidding yourself...being a contrarian has its perks !

Serbia does not and will never "need" anyone. Let's put that out right.Why doesn't the southern U.S. recede from the union? Why don't we become our own country? BECAUSE IT'S ILLEGAL. This particular topic irritates me. No one needs to bend over for the E.U.. NO ONE.

Jovan,

You still owe me the explanation of Serbia being a gift for EU. I am scared to read your comment boiling with rage, calling me anti Hungarian provocateur, please read my comment again and show me where I write the word "Hungary" and how I can provoke anti Hungarian feelings.

I clearly see your Freudian slip of the tongue as you display anti Hungarian feelings without Hungary being mentioned in this topic at all. (although there is a little similarity, Hungary entered EU wothout Vojvodina which is still part of Serbia)

So, I am still waiting to be explained why I need Serbians in EU as my team members.

KU, I really can't see Serbia pushing for "status" talks after the ICJ. Yes the court ruled its not illegal to secede, so yes we have to acknowledge that Kosovo is no longer part of Serbia (and one doesn't need a court ruling to see that. All we have to do is notice the absence of Belgrade-based institutions in Albanian-dominant areas. I know, surprise surprise). But at the same time, the court did not say Kosovo has a legal right to exist as a state - or at least as the state it currently is right now. Lots of issues need to be sorted out like internal sovereignty, decentralization, mobility et al. All of this, I think, is part of a plan for negotiation regardless of status. The "status" is basically the letterhead.

But let's say that after all is said and done Belgrade and Pristina sit down to talks without status. Belgrade still can extract many concessions: retention of representation in Serb municipalities, Serbian citizenship for Serbs, special access to cultural landmarks, etc. Additionally, if (and I emphasize *if*) Belgrade has enough support from the international community, it could even push Kosovo to obtaining a special "neutral" status that defines it as separate from Serbia, but not a full-fledged state - maybe something like Taiwan, which would solve the problem of partial recognition and allow Pristina by way of EULEX to focus on more important things like working for greater political transparency and economic modernity.

I'm no expert on what will happen, and at the end the day Belgrade may just opt for a simple land swap. Who knows.

But yes, I cannot see a resumption of "status" talks in light of the ICJ ruling. That ruling, if anything, kept Kosovo on the map. *How* it looks on said map, and *how* it functions is still up for debate.

Finally, I agree with the unanswered questions you mentioned. We get a lot of what happened, but we never hear about if something was resolved, or if anything's been done about it.

It is true that it doesn't seem likley Serbia could ever join the EU without accepting defeat in Kosovo, that doesn't mean that this fantasy project "2nd Albanian state" is a given reality.

I believe that all this pressuring Serbia, giving carrots and saying your almost there and just trying to close the issue for good is because the West knows time is not on their side. It would only hurt the K.Albanians and the West if this turns into a froezen conflict.

Is joining this club worth giving up Serbian land? Especially when you would be blind to not see that this club is not the paradise they sell to the people in the Balkans. Truth of the matter is the West was rich before the EU, created the EU and therefore run the EU. The Balkans will historically gain the absolute least when it comes to joining the EU when its all set and done, which is probably sooner than later.

Just wait, it will all fall into place soon.

no Hruz... you´re wrong again.

I owe you absolutely nothing, and certainly no further explanation.

better take care about the oil-fields, sea-ports and so on...

just in case I should have mixed you up with another of these desperate Serbia-haters, if you are not hungarian, then just forget that part of my contribution here... but please do not bore us to death with layman-psychology, you know that "freudian-slip"-thing...
it´s just too cheesy.

but the bottom-line still is: you are exaggerating Serbia´s need to join the EU by far.

and there is nothing serious you are writing, only nonsense, about oil-fields and sea-ports...

let´s leave it at that, I don´t feel the need to teach you what you could learn by simply taking a look on a EU-map.

but that,I am afraid, is far too much demanded for a sophisticated EU-"team-member"...

If I had a cent for every “analyst” the US rolls out to give a prediction I’d be a very rich man.

There is a real problem in Washington with people in these organisations that are so far out touch with reality that Alice in Wonderland roams their corridors.

The ordinary Serbian people are only too well aware that joining the EU and its so called “huge benefits” is a myth straight out of a Walt Disney movie. I have had two very close relatives come back from Serbia in the last 4 weeks and they say that the average Serb knows about the so called benefits to join the EU.

They are well aware that there is no “Pot of Gold’ at the end of the rainbow once in the EU. They are well aware that the other eastern European countries have not become billionaires since joining that promised land of milk and honey. The average Serb knows that the only people to benefit in Serbia will be the politicians promoting this idea.

I repeat again and again the US has nothing left in its arsenal but its big mouth. Here is my challenge to the United States of Windbags, why don’t you try and reverse the Depression you have in that country and why don’t you try and find work for the 40 million currently unemployed instead of creating more hot air and making global warming worse.

“America could now pressure Belgrade with a demand to "bring to reason" Serbs in northern Kosovo”

Pressure Serbia with what? Why has the US of Windbags not pressured Serbia before? I’ll tell you what has happened, the ICJ ruling has not brought the desired out come and now it’s we will talk Serbia to death.

Pressure away boys, if you can, ha, ha, ha. From a mighty country to this, how pathetic!

'Wait wait Mike..."compromise in the absence of status talks"? I hope this happens, I hope they compromise in the absence of status talks. That's what those "dysfunctional" institutions of Pristina have been asking for the last years: "compromise, but not about status". You (and hopefully Jeremic) are converging towards Hyseni's position? If yes, congrats, better late than ever. I hope a lesson comes out of this: During the last two years a lot of energy was waisted in vain, only to fall back to the position "let's talk about whatever it is possible to talk about". About the north, about war damages and repayment, about missing people and refugees, about churches and cultural heritage.'

You didn't read it properly. Mike said 'support of compromise without status talks'. As in not enough to make Pristina negotiate but enough to show that most of the world does not approve of Kosovo's secession.

"after this is all over, we need to do one thing. Sit down and write a list of whatever agreements the two parts will have [...] Then compare that list with the Ahtisaari plan and write down the differences with the A. plan" (KU)

-- The interesting thing is that even if the A Plan were implemented to the letter today, if everything went as smoothly as Washington had erroneously predicted two years ago, Kosovo would still be a severely weakened state because the plan was designed to make Kosovo as such. As it stands, the K-Albanians had to make some significant concessions in order to get the big powers to support their secession movement. Yet even this doesn't seem to be enough because the A Plan assumes all people in Kosovo would have agreed to the terms and would have recognized themselves as a united citizenry. Interestingly enough, there are enough parallels with Kosovo 2008 with Kosovo 1998-99 and Croatia/Krajina 1991: a majority assuming the minority will simply go along without actually consulting what the minority wants/fears/believes.

The main problem we find is that the US still thinks the A Plan is the be-all end-all approach and has almost consciously ignored the statements from both Belgrade and more importantly Mitrovica that the Serb minority does not accept the terms. Therefore, if the powers that be want to keep Kosovo on the map, if they say they have the legal leverage to push forward, and if they acknowledge Belgrade’s readiness to cooperate, they’re going to have to make a number of additional concessions for the sake of Kosovo’s status. And in many respects, these concessions are simply acknowledgement of the status quo which highlights both sides accomplishments and limitations. Even if status isn’t in the cards, Belgrade played its hand remarkably well in generating enough doubt over Kosovo to support a reexamination.

"Jovan

Would you please elaborate why "EU need Serbia more than Serbia needs the EU"?

I am curious, perhaps Serbia's vast oil fields, or friendly, neighbour-loving, rich population, or sea ports? Sorry for being sarcastic, but I wonder what are the reasons I (as an EU citizen) need you or other Serbs within our team.
(Hruz, 12 August 2010 16:27) "

mentioning only Serbia´s geo-political position amidst the southern part of the EU should actually be enough for you, but...

...well, I could write down a lot more, but the mere fact that you are calling yourself the member of a "team", while you are only a kind of "dogsbody" for those who really make the decisions, as for example Germany and France, lets me doubt in your capability to get it straight.
you may go on fooling yourself, although I do not believe that you really are a Hungarian, but simply a provocateur who wants to provoke some anti-hungarian agitation ( you obviously failed with that aim ). as I said, I could write down a longer list of reasons, but I think that you wouldn´t understand at all...

so, just go on writing about oil-fields, sea-ports and all those wanna-be-sarcasm displaying ideas... you are at least entertaining us here.

thanks for that, mr."EU-citizen"... =)

Peggy

Americans have no gains from their stance in supporting Albanians but one,SUPORTING FREEDOM and DEMOCRACY all over the world. And that is what USA is all about.
======================

Not even Americans believe that garbage any more.

o all who question why eu needs serbia !!!

serbia is not better then other countries but serbia does have 100,000's of people in several countries in balkans ..bosnia..montenegro..croatia..macedonia -serbia is the wild card for regional cooperation in the balkans and its influence can easily be underestimated..but hey dont worry the eu understand this influence very well.

second the eu cannot afford a serbia russia turkey alliance with serbia being almost walking distance from most of the eu.

third visit belgade ...then go to sofia or tirana or even a baltic country serbia is a far more western leaning society by nature makes no sense for the eu to leave out one of the largest western leaning markets in the balkans while a albania or lithuania is offered/given membership..the eu is pragmatic after all..
(benzo, 13 August 2010 04:44)

Benzo If u still belive in Russiaon Union just ask poland, CZ, Slovakia or Baltic countries how nice it is.

Poland Begging USA for Base or just some Military presence same for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Russia does not do anything but leach countries look what is going with Serbia Nis and pipe road or Ukrain.

Russia is not even good fer her own citizens and i dear dear anyone here to compare EU and USA treatment of its citizens with Russia


And yes please tell us what will SERBIA bring to EU and not Serbia with Russia.

THis is ike saying lets play Basketball but let me bring my older Friend to help

Jovan


Beleive me, I need no lecture on EU, I have a post graduate degree in EU law, which means I am not only perfectly clear what EEC and later on EU was about but much deeper, the decision making mechanisms, policies and also the accession process that SRB is going through. I agree, EU is getting diluted already with the RO, BG accession of 2007 which was a bad joke, but as you say, there was stategic need to have access to the Black Sea and the East (oil pipes), just like the similarly poor and unprepared Greek accession in 1980 which was also a mockery of the EEC principles that time, but a geo-strategic decision. You can see how "far" Greece has gone in 30 years with all the structural funds.

Mike,

after this is all over, we need to do one thing. Sit down and write a list of whatever agreements the two parts will have, whatever concessions as you say there will be (Serbian citizenship for Serbs, decentralization etc etc). What the Albanians get on one side and what the Serbs get on the other. Then compare that list with the Ahtisaari plan and write down the differences with the A. plan and on the side the time and the energy it took to get those differences. And then evaluate if spending all this time and energy was worth it for the Serbs of Kosovo (and for the Albanians too), not for Jeremic, for Jeremic of course it was worth it. When the time comes.

(miri, 12 August 2010 21:06)

What people like you don’t understand is that Serbs don’t have to accept anything and there are lots more cards to play – opps! the US did not tell the Albanians that one; did they? So far its been going around and around in circles and will continue to do so, forever if Belgrade so desires. You guys don’t get it after now going on 12 years.
The ICJ opinion was nothing but a “dog’s breakfast” manipulated by the US. Here is also some more sad tidings for you – next UN Secretry General will be appointed by Asia and the next lot of judges on the ICJ will also come from Asia.
As far as Russia is concern don’t hold your breath waiting for that to happen. Wake me up when it looks like changing.

to all who question why eu needs serbia !!!

serbia is not better then other countries but serbia does have 100,000's of people in several countries in balkans ..bosnia..montenegro..croatia..macedonia -serbia is the wild card for regional cooperation in the balkans and its influence can easily be underestimated..but hey dont worry the eu understand this influence very well.

second the eu cannot afford a serbia russia turkey alliance with serbia being almost walking distance from most of the eu.

third visit belgade ...then go to sofia or tirana or even a baltic country serbia is a far more western leaning society by nature makes no sense for the eu to leave out one of the largest western leaning markets in the balkans while a albania or lithuania is offered/given membership..the eu is pragmatic after all..

Serbia must not bow down to foolish threats. Stand strong and fight. In the end, Serbia will be respected for her honorable stance. She's making great inroads with China, India, Brazil, and other emerging powers. Why prostrate yourself to the old when you can stand up honorably along with the new powers and Russia.
(Daniel, 11 August 2010 15:42)

Daniel,

Before you artificially inflate Serbia's worth to the countries you mentioned, you must first ask yourself what can Serbia offer these countries. Once you have awakened from your optimistic but highly unrealistic dream, you will soon realize there is nothing unique about Serbia. At most, probably Serbia can offer cheap labor, but that is plentiful throughout the Balkans. In the end the people of Serbia will be sorely disappointed and find themselves once again taken advantage of. Beside this fact, why would Serbs travel half way around the world only to find themselves treated as second class outsiders. Therefore, it would be extremely hazardous to the economic health of Serbia pass up the opportunity to join the EU.

I agree, though vice-versa.

Why does Serbia need the EU more than the EU need Serbia?