"Self-isolation talk, worst kind of propaganda"

Serbia's EU integration only with Kosovo as its province does not mean self-isolation, says Vojislav Kostunica. In an interview the daily Politika will carry tomorrow, the prime minister and leader of the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS), says that this is the difference between him and President Boris Tadic (DS). "Self-isolation talk, worst kind of propaganda" The coalition, set up last May with the two parties as the leading forces, fell apart last week. New parliamentary and local ballots have been called for May 11. Now Tadic, in Kostunica's words, is sending out "unequivocal" messages that "Europe has no alternative, while the rest is self-isolation". The very thought that a country might decide to subject itself to self-isolation is inexplicable, he continued, and added that the "worst kind of propaganda" was in fact at work. "Instead of the propaganda, we need to have a serious debate with the EU," the premier said. In his words, while the DSS advocates this discussion, the other side, Tadic and his Democrats, "accept the done deal". "The other side accepts that there must be no obstacles, not even serious negotiations, on the way to EU integration, and that it will all end with us saying, 'we will never recognize Kosovo." "That," Kostunica continued, "means absolutely nothing." "Signing an agreement with the EU, without previously having clearly determined whether the EU recognizes Serbia's international sovereign borders, is one way to indirectly recognize Kosovo," he said. Serbia reacted to recognitions of Kosovo Albanians' unilateral declaration of independence by withdrawing ambassadors from those countries that opted for the move. Kostunica believes that this is not an obstacle to Serbia's adequate defense of her interests. "Recalling of ambassadors is a message that we have a political problem with those countries. Political cooperation with the countries that have recognized the unilateral declaration must be reduced, not out of some kind of revanchism, but simply because we are out to discourage other countries from pursuing that road," Kostunica explained. He also added there was interest to economically cooperate with those states. "This economic cooperation only helps us and what's particularly important, it does not, internationally, have the slightest negative effect on our defense of Kosovo. At the same time, the withdrawal of ambassadors does not affect economic ties," Kostunica said. Vojislav Kostunica (FoNet, archive)

"Self-isolation talk, worst kind of propaganda"

The coalition, set up last May with the two parties as the leading forces, fell apart last week. New parliamentary and local ballots have been called for May 11.

Now Tadić, in Koštunica's words, is sending out "unequivocal" messages that "Europe has no alternative, while the rest is self-isolation".

The very thought that a country might decide to subject itself to self-isolation is inexplicable, he continued, and added that the "worst kind of propaganda" was in fact at work.

"Instead of the propaganda, we need to have a serious debate with the EU," the premier said.

In his words, while the DSS advocates this discussion, the other side, Tadić and his Democrats, "accept the done deal".

"The other side accepts that there must be no obstacles, not even serious negotiations, on the way to EU integration, and that it will all end with us saying, 'we will never recognize Kosovo."

"That," Koštunica continued, "means absolutely nothing."

"Signing an agreement with the EU, without previously having clearly determined whether the EU recognizes Serbia's international sovereign borders, is one way to indirectly recognize Kosovo," he said.

Serbia reacted to recognitions of Kosovo Albanians' unilateral declaration of independence by withdrawing ambassadors from those countries that opted for the move. Koštunica believes that this is not an obstacle to Serbia's adequate defense of her interests.

"Recalling of ambassadors is a message that we have a political problem with those countries. Political cooperation with the countries that have recognized the unilateral declaration must be reduced, not out of some kind of revanchism, but simply because we are out to discourage other countries from pursuing that road," Koštunica explained.

He also added there was interest to economically cooperate with those states.

"This economic cooperation only helps us and what's particularly important, it does not, internationally, have the slightest negative effect on our defense of Kosovo. At the same time, the withdrawal of ambassadors does not affect economic ties," Koštunica said.