Tadić: Serbia's goal is SAA

President Boris Tadic was in Vienna Tuesday for talks with high Austrian and EU officials. The conclusion of technical talks with the European Union was a big success for Serbia,however, the country wants to continue its EU integration, Tadic said, after meeting with Austrian President Heinz Fischer and European Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn. Tadic: Serbia's goal is SAA "Serbia is cooperating with the Hague Tribunal and will do its utmost to bring all indictees to justice. That is our legal and international commitment, because we as a country took part in creating that court," Tadic said. He added that Serbia would be doing its utmost to complete cooperation, even if it had not been set as a condition. "We are not doing it for the Hague or the EU, but for ourselves," Tadic said. Tadic said that, during his conversation with Rehn, he had received an explanation for the deferral of the initialing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with Serbia. He added that there were encouraging signs, and that everyone was waiting for the end of the process and for Serbian initialing and, later, ratification of the agreement with the EU. After Hague Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte’s negative report on Serbian cooperation with the court, the EU postponed the initialing of the stabilization agreement, stating that it would make its decision after Del Ponte’s visit to Belgrade in late October. The president underlined that Serbia's goal was to become a candidate for EU membership by the end of 2008. "Serbia should implement the necessary reforms and work on completing cooperation with the Hague tribunal, while the EU should show good will and energy," Tadic said. Tadic also discussed Kosovo future status with the Austrian president. Boris Tadic and Heinz Fischer

Tadić: Serbia's goal is SAA

"Serbia is cooperating with the Hague Tribunal and will do its utmost to bring all indictees to justice. That is our legal and international commitment, because we as a country took part in creating that court," Tadić said.

He added that Serbia would be doing its utmost to complete cooperation, even if it had not been set as a condition.

"We are not doing it for the Hague or the EU, but for ourselves," Tadić said.

Tadić said that, during his conversation with Rehn, he had received an explanation for the deferral of the initialing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with Serbia.

He added that there were encouraging signs, and that everyone was waiting for the end of the process and for Serbian initialing and, later, ratification of the agreement with the EU.

After Hague Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte’s negative report on Serbian cooperation with the court, the EU postponed the initialing of the stabilization agreement, stating that it would make its decision after Del Ponte’s visit to Belgrade in late October.

The president underlined that Serbia's goal was to become a candidate for EU membership by the end of 2008.

"Serbia should implement the necessary reforms and work on completing cooperation with the Hague tribunal, while the EU should show good will and energy," Tadić said.

Tadić also discussed Kosovo future status with the Austrian president.