"Russia has interest in prosperous Serbia"

Russian Ambassador Aleksandr Konuzin says his country sees Serbia's prosperity as its own interest. The newly appointed top Russian diplomatic representative to Belgrade also said that Serbia needs to assess how to achieve prosperity. "Russia has interest in prosperous Serbia" “If you believe that the EU membership will elevate the standard of living of the people and that you will be able to take advantage of the international cooperation during the EU integration, then - go ahead,” Konuzin said in an exclusive interview with Tanjug agency Monday, the first since he has assumed his duties. The Russian ambassador assessed that Serbia's further progress towards the European Union is possible only if based on mutual respect and equality, which, “according to many in Belgrade, is not the case at this point, because Serbia's membership is conditioned with abandoning a part of her territory.” Konuzin explained that last November, when the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) was signed, Brussels and Belgrade governed themselves according to these principles. “Dramatic events occurred in the meantime. 18 countries out of the 27 EU member states agreed with the illegal disintegration of Serbia and recognized the unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence, supporting the separatists,” the Russian diplomat said. After that, the EU sent a mission to Kosovo with the goal of strengthening Kosovo's statehood, contrary to the will and objections of the authorities of Serbia, Konuzin continued. “Can we talk about mutual respect in this situation? Why the EU wishes to the other side something it certainly would not wish on itself,” the ambassador wondered. Considering all these facts, Konuzin concluded, it is clear that Serbia is "actually faced with an ultimatum from the European Union". Aleksandr Konuzin (Tanjug)

"Russia has interest in prosperous Serbia"

“If you believe that the EU membership will elevate the standard of living of the people and that you will be able to take advantage of the international cooperation during the EU integration, then - go ahead,” Konuzin said in an exclusive interview with Tanjug agency Monday, the first since he has assumed his duties.

The Russian ambassador assessed that Serbia's further progress towards the European Union is possible only if based on mutual respect and equality, which, “according to many in Belgrade, is not the case at this point, because Serbia's membership is conditioned with abandoning a part of her territory.”

Konuzin explained that last November, when the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) was signed, Brussels and Belgrade governed themselves according to these principles.

“Dramatic events occurred in the meantime. 18 countries out of the 27 EU member states agreed with the illegal disintegration of Serbia and recognized the unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence, supporting the separatists,” the Russian diplomat said.

After that, the EU sent a mission to Kosovo with the goal of strengthening Kosovo's statehood, contrary to the will and objections of the authorities of Serbia, Konuzin continued.

“Can we talk about mutual respect in this situation? Why the EU wishes to the other side something it certainly would not wish on itself,” the ambassador wondered.

Considering all these facts, Konuzin concluded, it is clear that Serbia is "actually faced with an ultimatum from the European Union".