"Candidate status decision not vital for Serbia"

The decision on the EU candidate status will not be vital for Serbia's fate, Serbian Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac has said. It will not be the end of the world if it is to be postponed once again, because that would not mean that reforms are not being carried out,” he told daily Vecernje novosti. "Candidate status decision not vital for Serbia" Sutanovac said he was optimistic about the decision, and underlined that Serbia should put all its energy into boosting the economy and improving the standard of living. "My impression is that there is a good will to come to a solution, to integrate the region and to stabilize it. Serbia's integration is not just important for the country itself, but also for the region as a whole and Europe in general,” Sutanovac noted. He denied the claims by some that a negative decision would prove a failure of the policy "both the EU and Kosovo". "This policy has not failed. Only those who measure Kosovo by its acres and not the people may consider it a failure," the minister noted. Sutanovac believes that the decision on the candidate status cannot affect the outcome of the elections. "The citizens are to opt for the party which could improve the standard of living, boost economic perspectives and create new jobs. On the other hand, a negative decision may harm and discourage a large number of people who have been putting their efforts in the EU integration process in the last four years, and hearten Euro-skeptics, who are the true impediment to Serbia's EU aspirations," he said. Dragan Sutanovac (Tanjug, file) “Flirting with SNS would harm Democrats” Sutanovac stated that flirting with the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) would harm the DS. “Many parties are inciting this unrealistic scenario hoping to increase their own chances at the political scene,” Sutanovac said. “Both President Boris Tadic and all DS vice presidents have made it clear on a number of occasions that there will be no cooperation with the SNS,” he told Vecernje novosti. “Citizens are not gullible, and they will know how to choose between the certain future that we offer and the political adventure of the SNS,” the DS official and defense minister noted. “Never before has such a comprehensive fight against organized crime taken place in Serbia, and this is why the perpetrators are so eager to see the current government toppled. Large amounts of money are spent to impair the government's reputation,” he concluded. Tanjug Vecernje novosti

"Candidate status decision not vital for Serbia"

Sutanovac said he was optimistic about the decision, and underlined that Serbia should put all its energy into boosting the economy and improving the standard of living.

"My impression is that there is a good will to come to a solution, to integrate the region and to stabilize it. Serbia's integration is not just important for the country itself, but also for the region as a whole and Europe in general,” Šutanovac noted.

He denied the claims by some that a negative decision would prove a failure of the policy "both the EU and Kosovo".

"This policy has not failed. Only those who measure Kosovo by its acres and not the people may consider it a failure," the minister noted.

Šutanovac believes that the decision on the candidate status cannot affect the outcome of the elections.

"The citizens are to opt for the party which could improve the standard of living, boost economic perspectives and create new jobs. On the other hand, a negative decision may harm and discourage a large number of people who have been putting their efforts in the EU integration process in the last four years, and hearten Euro-skeptics, who are the true impediment to Serbia's EU aspirations," he said.

“Flirting with SNS would harm Democrats”

Šutanovac stated that flirting with the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) would harm the DS.

“Many parties are inciting this unrealistic scenario hoping to increase their own chances at the political scene,” Šutanovac said.

“Both President Boris Tadić and all DS vice presidents have made it clear on a number of occasions that there will be no cooperation with the SNS,” he told Večernje novosti.

“Citizens are not gullible, and they will know how to choose between the certain future that we offer and the political adventure of the SNS,” the DS official and defense minister noted.

“Never before has such a comprehensive fight against organized crime taken place in Serbia, and this is why the perpetrators are so eager to see the current government toppled. Large amounts of money are spent to impair the government's reputation,” he concluded.