Koštunica denies split in DSS

Leader of the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) Vojislav Kostunica says this party is not facing a split into two factions. "There are no rifts in the DSS. What makes that impossible is a very clear and consistent policy. The DSS, like few other parties, is devoted to its policy and ideas, which are the strongest cohesive factor for it," the former prime minister told Beta news agency in an interview today. Kostunica denies split in DSS Kostunica once again commented on the process of formation of the current government after the May ballot, to say that it was crucially influenced by tycoons and influential foreign ambassadors. "It was interesting to observe political and social life at that time, which was conducted between some foreign embassies and some very influential, rich people… In this process, some parties that had no position on EU integration or were against it, overnight turned into pro-EU parties," he said. Kostunica went on to say that this, however, did not create a firm majority, but rather a cumbersome government that fails to produce a united stance on a number of important economic and national issues. The DSS leader also believes that the emergence of a new right wing party, put together by the former Radical deputy leader Tomislav Nikolic, will not influence his party's ratings. Kostunica also commented on the draft statute of Vojvodina by saying that it leads to "some form of statehood". "I think that this draft is not in accordance with the Serbian constitution in some important elements… A whole range of things have been done to either infringe on Serbia's jurisdiction or turn Vojvodina into something it cannot be. It cannot be a republic within a republic." "Therefore, we will present our own proposal for Vojvodina's statute, as well as a legal analysis of this draft that has already been made public," he told the news agency. According to Kostunica, his party has not given up on regionalization as the best solution to the country's even development. He also commented on the strategic energy deal with Russia to say that it is of exceptional importance for Serbia, "in the economic, political and security sense". To dispute this agreement, the DSS leader continued, after it was signed by the country's top officials, is extremely damaging for the Serbo-Russian relations. Kostunica said that the EUR 400mn for a controlling stake in oil monopoly NIS, along with EUR 500mn in investments, was a price harmonized with the Russian partner, and stands as a part of a broader arrangement that spells energy stability and new jobs for Serbia.

Koštunica denies split in DSS

Koštunica once again commented on the process of formation of the current government after the May ballot, to say that it was crucially influenced by tycoons and influential foreign ambassadors.

"It was interesting to observe political and social life at that time, which was conducted between some foreign embassies and some very influential, rich people… In this process, some parties that had no position on EU integration or were against it, overnight turned into pro-EU parties," he said.

Koštunica went on to say that this, however, did not create a firm majority, but rather a cumbersome government that fails to produce a united stance on a number of important economic and national issues.

The DSS leader also believes that the emergence of a new right wing party, put together by the former Radical deputy leader Tomislav Nikolić, will not influence his party's ratings.

Koštunica also commented on the draft statute of Vojvodina by saying that it leads to "some form of statehood".

"I think that this draft is not in accordance with the Serbian constitution in some important elements… A whole range of things have been done to either infringe on Serbia's jurisdiction or turn Vojvodina into something it cannot be. It cannot be a republic within a republic."

"Therefore, we will present our own proposal for Vojvodina's statute, as well as a legal analysis of this draft that has already been made public," he told the news agency.

According to Koštunica, his party has not given up on regionalization as the best solution to the country's even development.

He also commented on the strategic energy deal with Russia to say that it is of exceptional importance for Serbia, "in the economic, political and security sense".

To dispute this agreement, the DSS leader continued, after it was signed by the country's top officials, is extremely damaging for the Serbo-Russian relations.

Koštunica said that the EUR 400mn for a controlling stake in oil monopoly NIS, along with EUR 500mn in investments, was a price harmonized with the Russian partner, and stands as a part of a broader arrangement that spells energy stability and new jobs for Serbia.