Negotiator: Priština was "given everything"

Media in Serbia are this morning quoting messages that the Belgrade negotiator in the Kosovo dialogue posted on his profile on a social networking website. Thus, it was reported that Borislav Stefanovic wrote that "all efforts must be invested into finding the best possible solution for Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija". Negotiator: Pristina was "given everything" “We will not give up on Kosovo, or Serbs in Kosovo, but we have to do what is possible in the most adverse circumstances until now and try to preserve our interests to the greatest possible extent,” Stefanovic said, warning that “too much passion and emotion represent a threat to our interests.” “We must persevere, although it is not easy. We must explore all options to find the best possible solution. However, any solution we may reach would be less than we hoped for,” Stefanovic posted on his Facebook profile. “This is not the question of blackmails or EU ultimatums. This is the question of survival of people in Kosovo and Metohija. If we do not negotiate and do our best, they will no longer remain in Kosovo. These talks are about the things that Pristina holds in its hands, given the decisions made by UNMIK, the UN Security Council, omissions of various Serbian authorities,“ Stefanovic underlined. The question remains why UNMIK transferred all jurisdictions over to Pristina so that now they can do whatever they like with IDs and license plates, he wondered. “We are trying to get things out of Pristina's hands. They were given everything before us. These talks have to do with our influence on such decisions, and not with a change in our policy,” Stefanovic said. “We will never recognize Kosovo. We all know that. But then, what? What will keep Serbs down there? That is our interest (to keep them there). And we will persevere. We will take what we can today, so that we do not have any regrets tomorrow,” Stefanovic concluded. Borislav Stefanovic (Tanjug, file) "Consensus on everything" Stefanovic was again in the news this Monday when he said there was consensus in the government and the ruling coalition that everything agreed in Brussels should be implemented. He said this will happen as soon as possible. At the presentation of a document dubbed "An Analysis of Serbia's policy to not take part in international events involving representatives of Kosovo", held at the European Movement premises, Stefanovic said the parliament does not need to pass a new declaration on Kosovo in order for dialogue to resume, but it would be good if it did. "It is not necessary, because even without the document there is a framework for continuing the dialogue. There is a government platform, the decisions reached in Brussels and adopted by the government, as well as several resolutions passed by the parliament," Stefanovic said. He again denied claims the government has not accepted the agreements reached in Brussels, saying adoption is a separate issue from implementation. "Implementation will start as soon as possible. The government will pass decisions on issues such as freedom of movement, the cadaster, civil registries... and implementation will start immediately after," Stefanovic explained. He added that bureaucracy is currently standing in the way of implementation, but that soon "we will all be witnesses to full implementation of all the decisions reached in Brussels." "Everything that was agreed in Brussels should be enforced, and there is a consensus on this matter within the government and the ruling coalition," Stefanovic noted. The head of Belgrade's team said claims made by some experts that Serbia recognized the Supreme Court of Kosovo in Brussels are "untrue and malicious." Stefanovic said Serbia for the first time got a chance to influence important processes which are, thanks to the efforts of the international community, normally run by Pristina alone. "We cannot terminate the institutions which have been given to Pristina by UNMIK, the UN Security Council and major powers. They have their own cadaster which they run without us, but through the dialogue and this agreement, we have gotten a chance to influence these processes," Stefanovic said.

Negotiator: Priština was "given everything"

“We will not give up on Kosovo, or Serbs in Kosovo, but we have to do what is possible in the most adverse circumstances until now and try to preserve our interests to the greatest possible extent,” Stefanović said, warning that “too much passion and emotion represent a threat to our interests.”

“We must persevere, although it is not easy. We must explore all options to find the best possible solution. However, any solution we may reach would be less than we hoped for,” Stefanović posted on his Facebook profile.

“This is not the question of blackmails or EU ultimatums. This is the question of survival of people in Kosovo and Metohija. If we do not negotiate and do our best, they will no longer remain in Kosovo. These talks are about the things that Priština holds in its hands, given the decisions made by UNMIK, the UN Security Council, omissions of various Serbian authorities,“ Stefanović underlined.

The question remains why UNMIK transferred all jurisdictions over to Priština so that now they can do whatever they like with IDs and license plates, he wondered.

“We are trying to get things out of Priština's hands. They were given everything before us. These talks have to do with our influence on such decisions, and not with a change in our policy,” Stefanović said.

“We will never recognize Kosovo. We all know that. But then, what? What will keep Serbs down there? That is our interest (to keep them there). And we will persevere. We will take what we can today, so that we do not have any regrets tomorrow,” Stefanović concluded.

"Consensus on everything"

Stefanović was again in the news this Monday when he said there was consensus in the government and the ruling coalition that everything agreed in Brussels should be implemented.

He said this will happen as soon as possible.

At the presentation of a document dubbed "An Analysis of Serbia's policy to not take part in international events involving representatives of Kosovo", held at the European Movement premises, Stefanović said the parliament does not need to pass a new declaration on Kosovo in order for dialogue to resume, but it would be good if it did.

"It is not necessary, because even without the document there is a framework for continuing the dialogue. There is a government platform, the decisions reached in Brussels and adopted by the government, as well as several resolutions passed by the parliament," Stefanović said.

He again denied claims the government has not accepted the agreements reached in Brussels, saying adoption is a separate issue from implementation.

"Implementation will start as soon as possible. The government will pass decisions on issues such as freedom of movement, the cadaster, civil registries... and implementation will start immediately after," Stefanović explained.

He added that bureaucracy is currently standing in the way of implementation, but that soon "we will all be witnesses to full implementation of all the decisions reached in Brussels."

"Everything that was agreed in Brussels should be enforced, and there is a consensus on this matter within the government and the ruling coalition," Stefanović noted.

The head of Belgrade's team said claims made by some experts that Serbia recognized the Supreme Court of Kosovo in Brussels are "untrue and malicious."

Stefanović said Serbia for the first time got a chance to influence important processes which are, thanks to the efforts of the international community, normally run by Priština alone.

"We cannot terminate the institutions which have been given to Priština by UNMIK, the UN Security Council and major powers. They have their own cadaster which they run without us, but through the dialogue and this agreement, we have gotten a chance to influence these processes," Stefanović said.