FM on EU enlargement, Kosovo

Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic was in London on Thursday where he met with his British counterpart William Hague. Jeremic stated afterwards that London will continue to be strongly committed to the EU path of Serbia and entire region. FM on EU enlargement, Kosovo Jeremic discussed with Hague bilateral cooperation of the two countries, abolition of UK visas for Serbians, and Serbia's EU integration. The two ministers said 2011 will be a key year for EU integration of the Western Balkans, the BBC reported. After the meeting Jeremic, together with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov, took part in the lectures at the London School of Economics. The future of Serbia and the Western Balkans in the EU is a strategic priority of the government in Belgrade, Jeremic underlined, adding that some EU member states call for slowing down, or even suspension, of the accession process. "Enlargement fatigue could lead to fatigue in the countries that wish to join the union, and 2010 could be the year that saw the peak of Euro-enthusiasm," he noted. The Serbian minister also supported Turkey's bid to join the EU. According to Jeremic, the three main challenges faced by the Balkans today are the fight against international organized crime, reconciliation principally within the triangle Serbia- Bosnia-Croatia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina whose territorial integrity and sovereignty Serbia supports. Jeremic underlined once again that Serbia will never recognize Kosovo, either directly or indirectly. "The world (at the UNGA), by acclamation, supported the fact that dialogue is the only road to peace in Kosovo. We are looking forward to the start of that dialogue that should begin with less contentious issues. Then, more delicate subjects would be gradually approached. Serbia will have a constructive approach in the establishment of peace between Serbs and Albanians and the reaching of a compromise," the minister added. Jeremic noted that attempts to change the reality on the ground with unilateral moves in order to undermine the announced dialogue, "or to resort to arms", in the worst case scenario - should not be tolerated. Vuk Jeremic (Tanjug, file)

FM on EU enlargement, Kosovo

Jeremić discussed with Hague bilateral cooperation of the two countries, abolition of UK visas for Serbians, and Serbia's EU integration.

The two ministers said 2011 will be a key year for EU integration of the Western Balkans, the BBC reported.

After the meeting Jeremić, together with Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov, took part in the lectures at the London School of Economics.

The future of Serbia and the Western Balkans in the EU is a strategic priority of the government in Belgrade, Jeremić underlined, adding that some EU member states call for slowing down, or even suspension, of the accession process.

"Enlargement fatigue could lead to fatigue in the countries that wish to join the union, and 2010 could be the year that saw the peak of Euro-enthusiasm," he noted.

The Serbian minister also supported Turkey's bid to join the EU.

According to Jeremić, the three main challenges faced by the Balkans today are the fight against international organized crime, reconciliation principally within the triangle Serbia- Bosnia-Croatia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina whose territorial integrity and sovereignty Serbia supports.

Jeremić underlined once again that Serbia will never recognize Kosovo, either directly or indirectly.

"The world (at the UNGA), by acclamation, supported the fact that dialogue is the only road to peace in Kosovo. We are looking forward to the start of that dialogue that should begin with less contentious issues. Then, more delicate subjects would be gradually approached. Serbia will have a constructive approach in the establishment of peace between Serbs and Albanians and the reaching of a compromise," the minister added.

Jeremić noted that attempts to change the reality on the ground with unilateral moves in order to undermine the announced dialogue, "or to resort to arms", in the worst case scenario - should not be tolerated.