Solution in line with national interests, president says

Serbian President Boris Tadic said Saturday that the solution reached by Belgrade and Pristina was in line with Serbia's national interests. He added that it did not include elements of so-called statehood of Kosovo and that he requested support from Serbs in northern Kosovo. Solution in line with national interests, president says "The solution is not ideal, but I firmly stand behind it," Tadic stressed. “A functional compromise solution has been found that can be sustained and that conforms with Serbia's national interests and its Constitution in the given circumstances,2 he said. "We have achieved what was possible at this point. Neither side will be fully satisfied with this solution", the president told reporters in Berlin. Tadic said that he understood the agreement only as an agreement on the administrative border crossings and not as an agreement on borders, and reiterated that Serbia would never recognize Kosovo's independence. He noted that the agreement did not contain symbols of the so-called state of Kosovo, that there were no state symbols, there were no customs officers to carry out customs duties, but would just act as observers. "It ensures that Serbia has an important role in controlling the process at the administrative crossings through officials of its Finance Ministry," Tadic emphasized. Therefore, he said, he expects the Serbs in northern Kosovo to support the agreement and not to hinder its implementation. "I believe that they will. I request and demand this from them," the Serbian president said. Asked whether his call to the Serbs in the north to remove barricades and to KFOR not to remove them by force still stands, Tadic answered affirmatively. He rejected the criticism addressed to him recently - that he allegedly changed his opinion on this issue - and reiterated that his appeal was based on the assessment that the barricades had lost their meaning in the circumstances on the ground which were changing from day to day. "In recent days, a situation was created that hampered finding a solution," he explained. The Serbian president also expressed regret over the injuries sustained by KFOR soldiers and many Serbian citizens. “With the solution for the administrative crossings, Belgrade has not succeeded in restoring the situation to what it was before the unilateral action by Kosovo forces, but managed to bring about a situation that is much better than it was several days ago,” Tadic noted. Asked whether this agreement could influence the attitude of Germany regarding Serbia's EU candidacy and whether Serbia would now get candidate status, he said he did not want to risk predictions. "We should not rush in this regard, but if it does not happen, we will never give up the goal," Tadic concluded. Boris Tadic (Tanjug, file)

Solution in line with national interests, president says

"The solution is not ideal, but I firmly stand behind it," Tadić stressed.

“A functional compromise solution has been found that can be sustained and that conforms with Serbia's national interests and its Constitution in the given circumstances,2 he said.

"We have achieved what was possible at this point. Neither side will be fully satisfied with this solution", the president told reporters in Berlin.

Tadić said that he understood the agreement only as an agreement on the administrative border crossings and not as an agreement on borders, and reiterated that Serbia would never recognize Kosovo's independence.

He noted that the agreement did not contain symbols of the so-called state of Kosovo, that there were no state symbols, there were no customs officers to carry out customs duties, but would just act as observers.

"It ensures that Serbia has an important role in controlling the process at the administrative crossings through officials of its Finance Ministry," Tadić emphasized.

Therefore, he said, he expects the Serbs in northern Kosovo to support the agreement and not to hinder its implementation.

"I believe that they will. I request and demand this from them," the Serbian president said.

Asked whether his call to the Serbs in the north to remove barricades and to KFOR not to remove them by force still stands, Tadić answered affirmatively.

He rejected the criticism addressed to him recently - that he allegedly changed his opinion on this issue - and reiterated that his appeal was based on the assessment that the barricades had lost their meaning in the circumstances on the ground which were changing from day to day.

"In recent days, a situation was created that hampered finding a solution," he explained.

The Serbian president also expressed regret over the injuries sustained by KFOR soldiers and many Serbian citizens.

“With the solution for the administrative crossings, Belgrade has not succeeded in restoring the situation to what it was before the unilateral action by Kosovo forces, but managed to bring about a situation that is much better than it was several days ago,” Tadić noted.

Asked whether this agreement could influence the attitude of Germany regarding Serbia's EU candidacy and whether Serbia would now get candidate status, he said he did not want to risk predictions.

"We should not rush in this regard, but if it does not happen, we will never give up the goal," Tadić concluded.