LDP opposes declaration, wants change of policy

Two parliamentary groups that back the government but do not participate in the cabinet are either opposed to or will abstain from voting for the Kosovo draft. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will not support the declaration on Kosovo at the Serbian parliament, as it does not imply any changes compared to the wrong policy pursued so far, LDP MP Zoran Ostojic has stated. LDP opposes declaration, wants change of policy "LDP welcomes a change in the policy on Kosovo, but the resolution ahead of us contains no changes. That is why we cannot support it," Ostojic stated at the parliament. He said that "a throe of the old policy" was noticed at the parliament today, adding that he hopes this is only a reflex response. Ostojic expressed hope that this throe of return to the old policy does not mean a beginning of an election campaign where Serbia's EU candidacy will be sacrificed. Ostojic called for a dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, assessing that it would be best for the Serbs in Kosovo if Serbia was a NATO member. Ethnic Minorities Group whip and Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (SVM) leader Balint Pastor stated Saturday that SVM will abstain from voting on the declaration of the situation in Kosovo-Metohija, as the text of the declaration is vague, imprecise and does not specify the measures that the Serbian government may take. “This is a list of wishes, with formulations from 2007, 2006 and 2005, which do not provide any answers to important questions,” Pastor stated at the extraordinary parliament session on the situation in Kosovo. He said he believes it would have been more purposeful if the session had been held behind closed doors, adding that the proposed text of the declaration is not acceptable for SMV, but that he hopes this will not be misinterpreted. Zoran Ostojic

LDP opposes declaration, wants change of policy

"LDP welcomes a change in the policy on Kosovo, but the resolution ahead of us contains no changes. That is why we cannot support it," Ostojić stated at the parliament.

He said that "a throe of the old policy" was noticed at the parliament today, adding that he hopes this is only a reflex response.

Ostojić expressed hope that this throe of return to the old policy does not mean a beginning of an election campaign where Serbia's EU candidacy will be sacrificed.

Ostojić called for a dialogue between Belgrade and Priština, assessing that it would be best for the Serbs in Kosovo if Serbia was a NATO member.

Ethnic Minorities Group whip and Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (SVM) leader Balint Pastor stated Saturday that SVM will abstain from voting on the declaration of the situation in Kosovo-Metohija, as the text of the declaration is vague, imprecise and does not specify the measures that the Serbian government may take.

“This is a list of wishes, with formulations from 2007, 2006 and 2005, which do not provide any answers to important questions,” Pastor stated at the extraordinary parliament session on the situation in Kosovo.

He said he believes it would have been more purposeful if the session had been held behind closed doors, adding that the proposed text of the declaration is not acceptable for SMV, but that he hopes this will not be misinterpreted.