"Slovakian position on Kosovo unchanged"

Slovakia's newly-appointed Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak says that his country has not changed its stance on Kosovo's unilateral independence. The former international high representative to Bosnia-Hercegovina stressed that the Western Balkans belonged in the European Union, even in “this turbulent situation.” "Slovakian position on Kosovo unchanged" “The position of the Republic of Slovakia is public and clearly defined. Nothing has changed in the conditions that led to Slovakia's stand (on non-recognition of Kosovo), which is why there is no reason to speak about a change in Slovakia's policy,” Lajcak said in an interview published by daily Vecernje Novosti. The minister said that Serbia could hope to receive candidate status this year and join the EU in the next few years provided it fulfills everything that is being asked of it. “Absolutely. There is no doubt about it. Quite simply, the rules of the game have been clearly defined. Full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal is required. And we know that means Ratko Mladic ending up in The Hague,“ he said. Lajcak said that the European integration of the Western Balkans as a whole could come up for discussion at an informal meeting in the Czech Republic later this month. Miroslav Lajcak (FoNet, archive)

"Slovakian position on Kosovo unchanged"

“The position of the Republic of Slovakia is public and clearly defined. Nothing has changed in the conditions that led to Slovakia's stand (on non-recognition of Kosovo), which is why there is no reason to speak about a change in Slovakia's policy,” Lajčak said in an interview published by daily Večernje Novosti.

The minister said that Serbia could hope to receive candidate status this year and join the EU in the next few years provided it fulfills everything that is being asked of it.

“Absolutely. There is no doubt about it. Quite simply, the rules of the game have been clearly defined. Full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal is required. And we know that means Ratko Mladić ending up in The Hague,“ he said.

Lajčak said that the European integration of the Western Balkans as a whole could come up for discussion at an informal meeting in the Czech Republic later this month.