"Recognition of Kosovo not condition for talks"

I hope you get the message yes it is not a condition for talks but it will be a condition for entry.

BRUSSELS -- The recognition of Kosovo "had never been set, nor formulated, as a condition for Serbia to start the process of admission into the European Union".

Finally some clear words that hopefully will put an end to the speculations and propaganda of some Serbian politicians who try to tell the Serbian people the opposite.

It's very interesting what do Albanians think about it...

It is important to know what is omitted and what is being said...for example:

"The recognition of Kosovo "had never been set, nor formulated, as a condition for Serbia to start the process of admission into the European Union"."

Yes, it is not a condition to START the process but it might be to be CONCLUDED into EU.

Sincerely,

Time for Nikolic to weave thru the crap. At least he will tell the Serbian people the true intention here. His first question should not be how to continue the talks, but rather will that condition ever be set forth? if so.. walk away. With Greece, Spain, Ireland all in trouble, and France really wanting to break up the EU its not worth the trouble. Even if it were to remain together.. id say the same. Remain status neutral..outside the EU, and defend its territory of Kosovo and Metohija. Let's see how these coward albos defend when "world supervision" leaves. There are many alternatives , and Kostunica is right, being neutral is the best approach for the Serbian people after years of abuse from European and other outside powers.

I can't understand why recognition should ever be a condition of entry. What's stopping the EU from accepting Serbia without Kosovo, then Kosovo at a later date? It's really up to Serbia to join when eligible. She may refuse should most member countries still recognize Kosovo as an independent country at that point, but that decision would be hers.

This recognition issue will never be resolved where Serbs and Albanians are concerned, as I am quite sure that Serbia would never recognize Kosovo's independence. But life for both countries will go on. Taiwan has never been recognized by China; Turks and Greeks continue to share Cyprus; Georgia can forget about ever reclaiming South Ossetia; Republika Srpska will forever be a territory within BiH...there are plenty of examples of these "frozen" conflicts.

Kosovo may never achieve "full" independence in the sense that it gains UN membership and so on, and it may never take control of Serb-controlled municipalities in the north, but as long as it builds a strong-enough economy and decent quality of life for its citizens, what does it matter? The rest is really academic.

I bet we'll see the same debates going on here on B92 ten, twenty, thirty years from now. Nikolic, Thaci, Dodik and all the rest will be long gone, but all the usual B92 posters will still be trading insults (some of us from nursing homes).

BRUSSELS -- The recognition of Kosovo "had never been set, nor formulated, as a condition for Serbia to start the process of admission into the European Union".

Finally some clear words that hopefully will put an end to the speculations and propaganda of some Serbian politicians who try to tell the Serbian people the opposite.
(Comm. Parrisson, 13 June 2012 15:17)
Sometimes I have to wonder if common sense is just missing in Serbia. Serbia has come to every hurdle and the EU has said it is not a prerequisite for Serbia to recognize Kosovo and then there is this huge political debate on whether the EU is requiring recognition.
Until there is a formed EU consensus no such requirement can be made.
However, each individual state of the EU must support Serbia's final admission into the EU (which will be years down the road). To expect there will be 22 or possibly more EU states that are also working on an independent Kosovo being part of the EU that will suddenly say ok if the only way you will join is if we give up our position that Kosovo is independent is just plain dumb.
Serbia can go through the rest of its life without recognizing Kosovo, but the EU has made it clear that there will be no more territorial disputes admitted. So yes Serbia will have to resolve that dispute. If you think you have the possibility of creating an environment that would cause the Albanian population to rejoin Serbia, go for it but I am sure you are wasting time.

Momcilo, 13 June 2012 17:10
I have to ask this. Seriously, do you expect with 22 countries not only recognizing Kosovo as independent, but establishing diplomatic ties, and investing in the development and encouraging a pathway to EU for Kosovo itself- they are going to suddenly drop all that and say OK Serbia step inside with your claims on Kosovo?? If your answer is yes, and truly a yes, I am totally amazed.

(sj, 14 June 2012 12:48)
Funny you just described more than 50% of the countries comprising the UN!
You also do not have to have a diplomatic office within the country or embassy to have diplomatic relations with the govt.

The answer to this question is simple. If the EU had the MONEY then yes it would be a condition, but the EU is living off Chinese loans and what they have said is true in that it will not be a condition for entry – a huge change from a couple of years ago where they were openly demanding recognition. However, let’s face it with all the financial problems placed at Brussels’ door does anyone think that there will be an EU?
If it somehow does survive it will be such a lose group that it would be of no advantage to anyone. The chances are that it will fold completely.

(a New Day, 14 June 2012 08:49)
The vast majority of those countries have only recognized Kosovo and don’t even have a diplomatic mission in Pristina. It was done because of their alliance with the US and nothing more; they don’t care one bit about Albanians or Serbs. They can withdraw recognition as quickly as they recognized.
Kosovo cannot function as a state as it does not have the essential elements to do just that and theses talks with Belgrade are to allow free movement of people to seek jobs. Remember that the people from Kosovo will not be allowed to look for work in the EU and Brussels has already made that very clear so it leaves one place – Serbia proper. No one will invest in Kosovo as there is nothing to invest.
I clearly recall watching HTV Dnevnik about 5 months ago and the then Croatian PM Kosor visited a new plant (I can’t recall where in Croatia) and one man asked her on TV why hasn’t the government made an effort to attract firms to open businesses in Croatia. She said both her and past administrations have made efforts but companies will not relocate because “we are a small country and it’s not economical to move to Croatia”. Croatia has a population of 4.2 million and Kosovo has 1.2; I think you can see why I said no investment in Kosovo.
The EU no longer has the money to continue to pay for Kosovo and is looking for a face saving way out. However, if you see it otherwise or see how Kosovo can stand on its own two feet I’d love to hear about it.

(a New Day, 15 June 2012 08:19)
I can list you all the countries that will swear on a Bible that Kosovo has been a country for the last 100 years. And why do I say that? It’s because they all follow the United States of Windbags. What you have to ask is how Kosovo can survive as a country – forget joining with Albania as the EU would let you all die of a horrible death rather than have an Islamic state in Europe.
That is the logic you have to follow not rhetoric from one or the other side.

BRUSSELS -- The recognition of Kosovo "had never been set, nor formulated, as a condition for Serbia to start the process of admission into the European Union".

Finally some clear words that hopefully will put an end to the speculations and propaganda of some Serbian politicians who try to tell the Serbian people the opposite.

Time for Nikolic to weave thru the crap. At least he will tell the Serbian people the true intention here. His first question should not be how to continue the talks, but rather will that condition ever be set forth? if so.. walk away. With Greece, Spain, Ireland all in trouble, and France really wanting to break up the EU its not worth the trouble. Even if it were to remain together.. id say the same. Remain status neutral..outside the EU, and defend its territory of Kosovo and Metohija. Let's see how these coward albos defend when "world supervision" leaves. There are many alternatives , and Kostunica is right, being neutral is the best approach for the Serbian people after years of abuse from European and other outside powers.

It's very interesting what do Albanians think about it...

The answer to this question is simple. If the EU had the MONEY then yes it would be a condition, but the EU is living off Chinese loans and what they have said is true in that it will not be a condition for entry – a huge change from a couple of years ago where they were openly demanding recognition. However, let’s face it with all the financial problems placed at Brussels’ door does anyone think that there will be an EU?
If it somehow does survive it will be such a lose group that it would be of no advantage to anyone. The chances are that it will fold completely.

It is important to know what is omitted and what is being said...for example:

"The recognition of Kosovo "had never been set, nor formulated, as a condition for Serbia to start the process of admission into the European Union"."

Yes, it is not a condition to START the process but it might be to be CONCLUDED into EU.

Sincerely,

(a New Day, 14 June 2012 08:49)
The vast majority of those countries have only recognized Kosovo and don’t even have a diplomatic mission in Pristina. It was done because of their alliance with the US and nothing more; they don’t care one bit about Albanians or Serbs. They can withdraw recognition as quickly as they recognized.
Kosovo cannot function as a state as it does not have the essential elements to do just that and theses talks with Belgrade are to allow free movement of people to seek jobs. Remember that the people from Kosovo will not be allowed to look for work in the EU and Brussels has already made that very clear so it leaves one place – Serbia proper. No one will invest in Kosovo as there is nothing to invest.
I clearly recall watching HTV Dnevnik about 5 months ago and the then Croatian PM Kosor visited a new plant (I can’t recall where in Croatia) and one man asked her on TV why hasn’t the government made an effort to attract firms to open businesses in Croatia. She said both her and past administrations have made efforts but companies will not relocate because “we are a small country and it’s not economical to move to Croatia”. Croatia has a population of 4.2 million and Kosovo has 1.2; I think you can see why I said no investment in Kosovo.
The EU no longer has the money to continue to pay for Kosovo and is looking for a face saving way out. However, if you see it otherwise or see how Kosovo can stand on its own two feet I’d love to hear about it.

I hope you get the message yes it is not a condition for talks but it will be a condition for entry.

Momcilo, 13 June 2012 17:10
I have to ask this. Seriously, do you expect with 22 countries not only recognizing Kosovo as independent, but establishing diplomatic ties, and investing in the development and encouraging a pathway to EU for Kosovo itself- they are going to suddenly drop all that and say OK Serbia step inside with your claims on Kosovo?? If your answer is yes, and truly a yes, I am totally amazed.

(a New Day, 15 June 2012 08:19)
I can list you all the countries that will swear on a Bible that Kosovo has been a country for the last 100 years. And why do I say that? It’s because they all follow the United States of Windbags. What you have to ask is how Kosovo can survive as a country – forget joining with Albania as the EU would let you all die of a horrible death rather than have an Islamic state in Europe.
That is the logic you have to follow not rhetoric from one or the other side.

I can't understand why recognition should ever be a condition of entry. What's stopping the EU from accepting Serbia without Kosovo, then Kosovo at a later date? It's really up to Serbia to join when eligible. She may refuse should most member countries still recognize Kosovo as an independent country at that point, but that decision would be hers.

This recognition issue will never be resolved where Serbs and Albanians are concerned, as I am quite sure that Serbia would never recognize Kosovo's independence. But life for both countries will go on. Taiwan has never been recognized by China; Turks and Greeks continue to share Cyprus; Georgia can forget about ever reclaiming South Ossetia; Republika Srpska will forever be a territory within BiH...there are plenty of examples of these "frozen" conflicts.

Kosovo may never achieve "full" independence in the sense that it gains UN membership and so on, and it may never take control of Serb-controlled municipalities in the north, but as long as it builds a strong-enough economy and decent quality of life for its citizens, what does it matter? The rest is really academic.

I bet we'll see the same debates going on here on B92 ten, twenty, thirty years from now. Nikolic, Thaci, Dodik and all the rest will be long gone, but all the usual B92 posters will still be trading insults (some of us from nursing homes).

BRUSSELS -- The recognition of Kosovo "had never been set, nor formulated, as a condition for Serbia to start the process of admission into the European Union".

Finally some clear words that hopefully will put an end to the speculations and propaganda of some Serbian politicians who try to tell the Serbian people the opposite.
(Comm. Parrisson, 13 June 2012 15:17)
Sometimes I have to wonder if common sense is just missing in Serbia. Serbia has come to every hurdle and the EU has said it is not a prerequisite for Serbia to recognize Kosovo and then there is this huge political debate on whether the EU is requiring recognition.
Until there is a formed EU consensus no such requirement can be made.
However, each individual state of the EU must support Serbia's final admission into the EU (which will be years down the road). To expect there will be 22 or possibly more EU states that are also working on an independent Kosovo being part of the EU that will suddenly say ok if the only way you will join is if we give up our position that Kosovo is independent is just plain dumb.
Serbia can go through the rest of its life without recognizing Kosovo, but the EU has made it clear that there will be no more territorial disputes admitted. So yes Serbia will have to resolve that dispute. If you think you have the possibility of creating an environment that would cause the Albanian population to rejoin Serbia, go for it but I am sure you are wasting time.

(sj, 14 June 2012 12:48)
Funny you just described more than 50% of the countries comprising the UN!
You also do not have to have a diplomatic office within the country or embassy to have diplomatic relations with the govt.