"Deal brought numerous recognition announcements"

The head of a Belgrade-based NGO says Serbia has not yet recognized Kosovo, "but is moving in that direction" after reaching an agreement in the Kosovo talks. Sonja Biserko of the Serbian Helsinki Committee also told a B92 TV talk show late on Sunday that in the wake of the agreement being reached, "numerous announced recognitions of Kosovo have been arriving". "Deal brought numerous recognition announcements" The agreement, she continued, was "introduction to a new phase of regional relations, while Serbia made the first decision on a strategic belonging to a space". According to Biserko, "Serbia gave up on Kosovo in 1999", and while it rejects the ethnic Albanian unilateral declaration of independence made in 2008, "the Serbian state is not present in Kosovo". At the same time, this activist noted, the agreement "increased Serbia's chances to receive (EU) candidate status". "The policy of both Kosovo and Serbia did not bring results. This agreement did. The giving up on that policy will be taking place in phases. Serbia has not yet recognized Kosovo but that issue will come up in future relations with the EU," said Biserko. Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic took part in the same program to say that giving up on the said policy "would bring about wandering, while the country would face a situation of unforeseeable danger". "We have not changed our position. In December we faced an ultimatum that we were not ready to accept. This government will not change its course by one iota," said he, and added that Friday's agreement was in fact "confirmation that the state policy of 'both Kosovo and the EU' was sustainable and that it would continue". "Continuation of this policy, rather than its end, is the only road we can take. That is my personal belief. We will see if the citizens will support such a policy in elections," Jeremic stated, and rejected allegations that Serbia "recognized Kosovo" with the agreement on the territory's regional representation. "Serbia has demonstrated, that, regardless of what the price is, it is not ready to give up on its Kosovo policy," said the minister. As for the claims that the deal would allow for new recognitions of Kosovo, Jeremic said he would "not stay in his office as foreign minister for a single day if such a thing were true". Addressing the issue of Serbia's attempt to become candidate for EU membership, he said he "hoped for good news from Brussels on Tuesday", adding that some countries left it late to express their "reservations" regarding the bid - "Romania above all, because of the position of the Vlach minority". However, the minister continued, "direct consultations with Bucharest are under way in order to clear up misunderstandings". Jeremic also believes that Serbia will have Germany's support for its candidate bid, and said he based this opinion "on all the statements, and above all the content of the meeting with German FM Guido Westerwelle", who was in a surprise visit to Belgrade last week. Sonja Biserko commented that there were "various factions" within the government, describing Jeremic as being "more pro-Russian", while Belgrade negotiator Borislav Stefanovic - who is not a member of the cabinet - was dubbed "pro-European". According to her, "there was pressure from the opposition and other institutions" aimed at preventing Serbia from becoming candidate for EU membership. Asked to comment on the "divisions and factions" assertion, Jeremic said that "even if that were true, I would not be prepared to say it publicly". Asked whether a coalition between his Democratic Party (DS) and the opposition Serb Progressives (SNS) was possible after the next parliamentary election - set to be held in April or May - Jeremic said that he could answer the question if he knew what the SNS political program was, but added that, "few do". Sonja Biserko (Beta, file) B92

"Deal brought numerous recognition announcements"

The agreement, she continued, was "introduction to a new phase of regional relations, while Serbia made the first decision on a strategic belonging to a space".

According to Biserko, "Serbia gave up on Kosovo in 1999", and while it rejects the ethnic Albanian unilateral declaration of independence made in 2008, "the Serbian state is not present in Kosovo". At the same time, this activist noted, the agreement "increased Serbia's chances to receive (EU) candidate status".

"The policy of both Kosovo and Serbia did not bring results. This agreement did. The giving up on that policy will be taking place in phases. Serbia has not yet recognized Kosovo but that issue will come up in future relations with the EU," said Biserko.

Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić took part in the same program to say that giving up on the said policy "would bring about wandering, while the country would face a situation of unforeseeable danger".

"We have not changed our position. In December we faced an ultimatum that we were not ready to accept. This government will not change its course by one iota," said he, and added that Friday's agreement was in fact "confirmation that the state policy of 'both Kosovo and the EU' was sustainable and that it would continue".

"Continuation of this policy, rather than its end, is the only road we can take. That is my personal belief. We will see if the citizens will support such a policy in elections," Jeremić stated, and rejected allegations that Serbia "recognized Kosovo" with the agreement on the territory's regional representation.

"Serbia has demonstrated, that, regardless of what the price is, it is not ready to give up on its Kosovo policy," said the minister.

As for the claims that the deal would allow for new recognitions of Kosovo, Jeremić said he would "not stay in his office as foreign minister for a single day if such a thing were true".

Addressing the issue of Serbia's attempt to become candidate for EU membership, he said he "hoped for good news from Brussels on Tuesday", adding that some countries left it late to express their "reservations" regarding the bid - "Romania above all, because of the position of the Vlach minority".

However, the minister continued, "direct consultations with Bucharest are under way in order to clear up misunderstandings".

Jeremić also believes that Serbia will have Germany's support for its candidate bid, and said he based this opinion "on all the statements, and above all the content of the meeting with German FM Guido Westerwelle", who was in a surprise visit to Belgrade last week.

Sonja Biserko commented that there were "various factions" within the government, describing Jeremić as being "more pro-Russian", while Belgrade negotiator Borislav Stefanović - who is not a member of the cabinet - was dubbed "pro-European".

According to her, "there was pressure from the opposition and other institutions" aimed at preventing Serbia from becoming candidate for EU membership.

Asked to comment on the "divisions and factions" assertion, Jeremić said that "even if that were true, I would not be prepared to say it publicly".

Asked whether a coalition between his Democratic Party (DS) and the opposition Serb Progressives (SNS) was possible after the next parliamentary election - set to be held in April or May - Jeremić said that he could answer the question if he knew what the SNS political program was, but added that, "few do".