Priorities “compromise with EU, dialogue with Kosovo"

Serbia's most important goals are a strong state, an efficient and responsible government, unity, Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dacic says. He stressed that a compromise with Europe and dialogue with Pristina were also among the state priorities. Priorities “compromise with EU, dialogue with Kosovo" His Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) is gunning for the prime minister's seat in 2012. Wishing citizens a somewhat boring year which will not make breaking news, in an the deputy PM told Tanjug that when he said a strong state he meant strict, legal, orderly and just state, in which the number of unemployed was not the main piece of information. "It is in the interest of the citizens of Serbia and the Serb people as a whole that we hit upon a bit more boring and peaceful waters. Since 2012 is an election year, certainly one of the goals is that the election not be a goal unto itself, but the means of getting a government which will be able to run this country efficiently in difficult times," he pointed out. Dacic stressed Serbia should be as present as possible in Kosovo and wherever Serb interests were being defended and the country needed a stable and as European a government as possible - but not at all costs. "And, of course, we need a government that will accept responsibility," he noted. To achieve its goals in a year which promises to be tumultuous, according to Dacic, Serbia needs a government capable of guiding the country as successfully and painlessly as possible through the economic crisis, defending Serbian interests, and securing an ideal international position "like in the time of (former president of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Josip Broz) Tito." The deputy prime minister specified that he was talking about a country which would be strong and big not in terms of territory, but in terms of how much its voice was respected around the world. “At the next elections, the socialists will be in it to win,” he said, adding he was certain the SPS, together with its partners, the United Pensioners of Serbia (PUPS) and United Serbia (JS), would perform better than current prognoses indicate. "We have no desire to compete for third place. We compete to win at every election. I am sure the coalition, which now has the support of around 14 to 15 percent of the voters according to analysts' predictions, will be an essential factor in forming the government," said Dacic confidently. He reiterated the SPS was "a reliable partner" and will discuss the formation of the next government first with its current partner - the Democratic Party (DS). He also said it was normal that a party taking part in the election and looking to win would nominate its leader for prime minister. “It is certain that a government can hardly be formed without the SPS-PUPS-JS coalition,” Dacic said, cautiously adding - "unless the DS and the Serbian Progressive Party make a deal." Ivica Dacic (Tanjug) Tanjug

Priorities “compromise with EU, dialogue with Kosovo"

His Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) is gunning for the prime minister's seat in 2012.

Wishing citizens a somewhat boring year which will not make breaking news, in an the deputy PM told Tanjug that when he said a strong state he meant strict, legal, orderly and just state, in which the number of unemployed was not the main piece of information.

"It is in the interest of the citizens of Serbia and the Serb people as a whole that we hit upon a bit more boring and peaceful waters. Since 2012 is an election year, certainly one of the goals is that the election not be a goal unto itself, but the means of getting a government which will be able to run this country efficiently in difficult times," he pointed out.

Dačić stressed Serbia should be as present as possible in Kosovo and wherever Serb interests were being defended and the country needed a stable and as European a government as possible - but not at all costs.

"And, of course, we need a government that will accept responsibility," he noted.

To achieve its goals in a year which promises to be tumultuous, according to Dačić, Serbia needs a government capable of guiding the country as successfully and painlessly as possible through the economic crisis, defending Serbian interests, and securing an ideal international position "like in the time of (former president of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Josip Broz) Tito."

The deputy prime minister specified that he was talking about a country which would be strong and big not in terms of territory, but in terms of how much its voice was respected around the world.

“At the next elections, the socialists will be in it to win,” he said, adding he was certain the SPS, together with its partners, the United Pensioners of Serbia (PUPS) and United Serbia (JS), would perform better than current prognoses indicate.

"We have no desire to compete for third place. We compete to win at every election. I am sure the coalition, which now has the support of around 14 to 15 percent of the voters according to analysts' predictions, will be an essential factor in forming the government," said Dačić confidently.

He reiterated the SPS was "a reliable partner" and will discuss the formation of the next government first with its current partner - the Democratic Party (DS).

He also said it was normal that a party taking part in the election and looking to win would nominate its leader for prime minister.

“It is certain that a government can hardly be formed without the SPS-PUPS-JS coalition,” Dačić said, cautiously adding - "unless the DS and the Serbian Progressive Party make a deal."