Tadić calls for flexibility over Kosovo

Tadić calls for flexibility over Kosovo

“Possible independence of Kosovo might stir up fresh tensions in Europe, which is why Serbia believes that the province needs a very creative and flexible solution,” Tadić said.

According to Beta news agency, the meeting held behind closed doors involved an exhaustive discussion over the Kosovo issue, as European social-democratic and socialist parties’ leaders expressed concern over the difficulties in the status settlement process.

EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana spoke at length of the possibility to incorporate Serbia in the European integrations, but without making any concrete announcements or offers.

Tadić said after the meeting that “Serbia, at this critical moment of its history, was defending its integrity in a European manner without adhering to violence, struggling to reach a fair and peaceful solution.”

He underlined that Serbia appreciated European values and advocated stability in the region. He also announced that Serbia would launch “a diplomatic offensive” once UN special Kosovo envoy Martti Ahtisaari presented his finalized status proposal in the UN Security Council Monday.

Tadić said that Belgrade was planning to hold talks with all permanent UN SC members over the issue of Kosovo, reiterating Serbia’s position that “Kosovo’s independence was unacceptable for it would violate the international law and disturb the stability in the region.”

The Serbian President stressed the urgency of finding a compromise for Kosovo, reminding that Serbia set its course towards the European Union.