German minister's visit "key for success of talks"

Serbian FM Vuk Jeremic says Thursday's visit of his German counterpart played a key role in a deal reached today between Belgrade and Pristina negotiators. "I think the understanding and agreement reached last night between Germany and Serbia was of key importance," Jeremic said late on Friday in a statement for Belgrade-based Prva TV, and added: German minister's visit "key for success of talks" "After all misunderstandings were out of the way between German and Serbian top state officials, after this understanding was confirmed by all other key factors within the EU, there was no longer any room for Pristina to continue with its resistance." The minister stressed that the agreement reached in Brussels earlier in the day, related to Kosovo's representation in regional meetings, meant that the territory - considered its province by Serbia - would not be represented as a state - "because Kosovo will not be a state for as long as the state of Serbia exists". According to him, today's agreement "confirmed" that point. Kosovo's ethnic Albanians in early 2008 unilaterally proclaimed independence, but Serbia rejected the declaration. As for the country's bid to become candidate for EU membership, Jeremic noted: "I think we can expect such a decision to be made in Brussels by (EU) foreign ministers next week. There are still some misgivings. Some member-states have shown some reservations at the last minute. The diplomatic work will continue in the coming days, and I hope for the best outcome." The chief of Serbia's diplomacy confirmed reports that Romania was "one of the countries in question". No country's position should be underestimated, he continued, and added that the "problem of the Vlach (minority) presented by Romania should be taken seriously". However, said the minister, "Serbia can no longer accept any additional conditions". In principle, Jeremic observed, "Serbia does not respond well to blackmail": "We cannot accept any additional conditions. The conditions were clear, and they have been met. They have been met in such a way that is in line with basic Serbian state interests, and what's most important, with the Serbian Constitution, and (UNSC) Resolution 1244." Vuk Jeremic (file) Beta

German minister's visit "key for success of talks"

"After all misunderstandings were out of the way between German and Serbian top state officials, after this understanding was confirmed by all other key factors within the EU, there was no longer any room for Priština to continue with its resistance."

The minister stressed that the agreement reached in Brussels earlier in the day, related to Kosovo's representation in regional meetings, meant that the territory - considered its province by Serbia - would not be represented as a state - "because Kosovo will not be a state for as long as the state of Serbia exists". According to him, today's agreement "confirmed" that point.

Kosovo's ethnic Albanians in early 2008 unilaterally proclaimed independence, but Serbia rejected the declaration.

As for the country's bid to become candidate for EU membership, Jeremić noted:

"I think we can expect such a decision to be made in Brussels by (EU) foreign ministers next week. There are still some misgivings. Some member-states have shown some reservations at the last minute. The diplomatic work will continue in the coming days, and I hope for the best outcome."

The chief of Serbia's diplomacy confirmed reports that Romania was "one of the countries in question".

No country's position should be underestimated, he continued, and added that the "problem of the Vlach (minority) presented by Romania should be taken seriously". However, said the minister, "Serbia can no longer accept any additional conditions".

In principle, Jeremić observed, "Serbia does not respond well to blackmail":

"We cannot accept any additional conditions. The conditions were clear, and they have been met. They have been met in such a way that is in line with basic Serbian state interests, and what's most important, with the Serbian Constitution, and (UNSC) Resolution 1244."