Tadić: New govt. to hasten EU integration

President Boris Tadic says the formation of a pro-European, socially responsible government will hasten Serbia’s path to the EU. Tadic added that it would also create an opportunity to begin real talks on Kosovo’s future status that could lead to a compromise solution, confirmed in the UN Security Council. Tadic: New govt. to hasten EU integration At a summit of Cooperation Process in South-Eastern Europe leaders, he said that the Western Balkan states were today distinguishable by whether or not they were EU members. “Luckily, this is only a temporary situation, as we all agree that our common future is in the EU,“ said the president, adding that in this sense, regional cooperation was a preparatory step to the region’s full integration within the EU. He said that Serbia’s signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement was of historic importance, and showed that Serbia’s path to the EU had finally been traced. “The decisive victory of pro-European forces at the May 11 elections demonstrates our national consensus that we’re choosing the political course that takes us speedily towards fully-fledged EU membership,“ said Tadic. The president said that regional cooperation was based on the commitment in Europe to settle differences through dialogue, not confrontation, which was why Serbia was determined to find a solution for Kosovo’s status via a historic compromise with the Kosovo Albanians. “That’s why I now believe that more than ever in history, the region has a genuine opportunity to overcome conflict and discord,“ he stressed. Tadic added that he was very happy to express Serbia’s full support to UNESCO’s program, “Cultural Heritage in South-East Europe—Bridges of a Common Future”, that had brought the regional leaders together in Athens. The biggest challenge to human rights was the preservation of Serbia’s cultural heritage in Kosovo that had been under UN administration since 1999, said the president. He reiterated that “over 150 churches and monasteries built in the 14th century were destroyed after attacks by Albanian extremists, and 35 during the Albanian pogrom of the Serbs in 2004.” Tadic said that the most recent example was that of High Decani from which the Albanian local authorities had confiscated land. “That cannot be allowed. Kosovo must not be allowed to become the only place where the law does not have to be enforced. That way there’s no justice, no equality, no way forward,” the president warned. He said that Serbia would take part in the programs outlined in the summit’s declaration, as they were founded on principles of non-violence, tolerance, and respect for cultural diversity. Boris Tadic (FoNet, archive)

Tadić: New govt. to hasten EU integration

At a summit of Cooperation Process in South-Eastern Europe leaders, he said that the Western Balkan states were today distinguishable by whether or not they were EU members.

“Luckily, this is only a temporary situation, as we all agree that our common future is in the EU,“ said the president, adding that in this sense, regional cooperation was a preparatory step to the region’s full integration within the EU.

He said that Serbia’s signing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement was of historic importance, and showed that Serbia’s path to the EU had finally been traced.

“The decisive victory of pro-European forces at the May 11 elections demonstrates our national consensus that we’re choosing the political course that takes us speedily towards fully-fledged EU membership,“ said Tadić.

The president said that regional cooperation was based on the commitment in Europe to settle differences through dialogue, not confrontation, which was why Serbia was determined to find a solution for Kosovo’s status via a historic compromise with the Kosovo Albanians.

“That’s why I now believe that more than ever in history, the region has a genuine opportunity to overcome conflict and discord,“ he stressed.

Tadić added that he was very happy to express Serbia’s full support to UNESCO’s program, “Cultural Heritage in South-East Europe—Bridges of a Common Future”, that had brought the regional leaders together in Athens.

The biggest challenge to human rights was the preservation of Serbia’s cultural heritage in Kosovo that had been under UN administration since 1999, said the president.

He reiterated that “over 150 churches and monasteries built in the 14th century were destroyed after attacks by Albanian extremists, and 35 during the Albanian pogrom of the Serbs in 2004.”

Tadić said that the most recent example was that of High Dečani from which the Albanian local authorities had confiscated land.

“That cannot be allowed. Kosovo must not be allowed to become the only place where the law does not have to be enforced. That way there’s no justice, no equality, no way forward,” the president warned.

He said that Serbia would take part in the programs outlined in the summit’s declaration, as they were founded on principles of non-violence, tolerance, and respect for cultural diversity.