Jeremić voices strong criticism of U.S., EU

Serbia's European future is at risk because of moves by some EU countries, Vuk Jeremic says. The foreign minister from the ranks of President Boris Tadic's Democrats (DS) was speaking in Brussels today when he said that some EU states' decision to recognize Kosovo Albanians' unilateral declaration of independence has distanced Serbia from the Union, doing "permanent damage" to its relations with the EU. Jeremic voices strong criticism of U.S., EU "Relations between Serbia and some EU members are jeopardized and I cannot see how we could accelerate our efforts toward Europe," Jeremic said, in the first comment of the kind coming from his party. Jeremic also said that Brussels has put Belgrade in a situation where it "had no choice". "Serbia is refusing to accept the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo and still has sovereignty over that province," the foreign minister said, advocating continued negotiations. Jeremic also accused the U.S. administration of exerting "great pressure on EU governments", and added this was the "decisive factor" in some European countries' decision to recognize Pristina's proclamation. "This is another catastrophic mistake of the U.S. administration which makes the world less safe, less stable," Jeremic was quoted. He condemned yesterday's unrest in northern Kosovo by saying that Belgrade "does not and never will support violence", but added that "understanding must be shown for Serbs and their feelings of being betrayed by those they considered friends, allies, and democrats." "We will fight for what we see as legitimate. We will not tolerate this illegal act of secession," Jeremic said, and repeated Serbia will not use its forces in the province, "since violence cannot solve any crisis". Earlier in the day, Jeremic was attending a Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament meeting in Strasbourg. This comes a day after his participation in an OSCE session in Vienna, as Jeremic continues to tour international organizations in order to reaffirm Serbia's opposition to any of them accepting Kosovo into their membership. Serbia is also backed by Russia, a permanent UN Security Council member, in making sure that Kosovo, although bilaterally recognized by a number of countries, does not become a UN member. B92 brings you the full text of Jeremic's Strasbourg address here. Vuk Jeremic (Beta)

Jeremić voices strong criticism of U.S., EU

"Relations between Serbia and some EU members are jeopardized and I cannot see how we could accelerate our efforts toward Europe," Jeremić said, in the first comment of the kind coming from his party.

Jeremić also said that Brussels has put Belgrade in a situation where it "had no choice".

"Serbia is refusing to accept the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo and still has sovereignty over that province," the foreign minister said, advocating continued negotiations.

Jeremić also accused the U.S. administration of exerting "great pressure on EU governments", and added this was the "decisive factor" in some European countries' decision to recognize Priština's proclamation.

"This is another catastrophic mistake of the U.S. administration which makes the world less safe, less stable," Jeremić was quoted.

He condemned yesterday's unrest in northern Kosovo by saying that Belgrade "does not and never will support violence", but added that "understanding must be shown for Serbs and their feelings of being betrayed by those they considered friends, allies, and democrats."

"We will fight for what we see as legitimate. We will not tolerate this illegal act of secession," Jeremić said, and repeated Serbia will not use its forces in the province, "since violence cannot solve any crisis".

Earlier in the day, Jeremić was attending a Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament meeting in Strasbourg.

This comes a day after his participation in an OSCE session in Vienna, as Jeremić continues to tour international organizations in order to reaffirm Serbia's opposition to any of them accepting Kosovo into their membership.

Serbia is also backed by Russia, a permanent UN Security Council member, in making sure that Kosovo, although bilaterally recognized by a number of countries, does not become a UN member.

B92 brings you the full text of Jeremić's Strasbourg address here.