EP president's statement dismissed as "personal"

BELGRADE Aleksandar Vulin says EP President Martin Schulz's statement that Serbia should recognize Kosovo for the sake of joining the EU - was his "personal opinion". It was "not the position of institutions", the head of the Serbian government's Kosovo Office told Tanjug news agency in Belgrade on Wednesday. EP president's statement dismissed as "personal" Vulin added that Serbia "does not talk with individuals but with institutions", and that "it was obvious that this was the attitude of one man" - while the EU "has denied such a statement". "The Serbian government has demonstrated that it is serious and that it respects all obligations arising from its Constitution and laws," he said. "It seems that it is time for some EU officials to realize that they have certain responsibilities, not just rights. They have to understand that they have obligations under the law of the Union, and under the law of other states," Vulin continued. "Anyone who expects from Serbia to sacrifice its own Constitution for the sake of a personal attitude, must know that Serbia is a serious state that respects its international obligations, and its own laws," he said, and added: "It is not possible to become a member of the EU, which Serbia wants, without respect for a country's own laws and its own Constitution." One of the most important elements in becoming a member of the EU is the rule of law, and Serbia has its Constitution that will be respected, he said. "The Constitution is not a matter over which there can be political talks or negotiations," Vulin concluded. Aleksandar Vulin (Tanjug, file) Vulin set to travel to Kosovo Aleksandar Vulin will start a two-day working visit to Kosovo and Metohija on Thursday, and according to announcements, it will take place south of the Ibar River - where Serbs live in scattered and isolated enclaves. Vulin will first travel to the villages of Osojane and Zac. On Thursday, he will visit the Patriarchate of Pec and the enclave of Gorazdevac, where he will meet with municipal leadership, representatives of Serb political parties and representatives of KFOR, the Office released in a statement. While in Gorazdevac, Vulin will confer with villagers and lay flowers at the monument of Serbian children who were murdered on the banks of a nearby river in August 2003, and to victims of war. He will also visit the Serbian Orthodox monstery of Visoki Decani, and wrap up the first day by a tour to Strpce, the largest Serb enclave in the province. On Friday, Vulin is to visit Prizren and meet with the only Serb child in the town, to whom he will present school supplies as a gift. After conferring with students of the Theological Faculty in Prizren, Vulin will visit the region of Gora, where a meeting with municipal leaders will be held. The director of the office for Kosovo will also visit the village of Sredska. While in Drajkovce, Vrbestica and Sevce, Vulin will present the keys to their new houses to several endangered families. Tanjug

EP president's statement dismissed as "personal"

Vulin added that Serbia "does not talk with individuals but with institutions", and that "it was obvious that this was the attitude of one man" - while the EU "has denied such a statement".

"The Serbian government has demonstrated that it is serious and that it respects all obligations arising from its Constitution and laws," he said.

"It seems that it is time for some EU officials to realize that they have certain responsibilities, not just rights. They have to understand that they have obligations under the law of the Union, and under the law of other states," Vulin continued.

"Anyone who expects from Serbia to sacrifice its own Constitution for the sake of a personal attitude, must know that Serbia is a serious state that respects its international obligations, and its own laws," he said, and added:

"It is not possible to become a member of the EU, which Serbia wants, without respect for a country's own laws and its own Constitution."

One of the most important elements in becoming a member of the EU is the rule of law, and Serbia has its Constitution that will be respected, he said.

"The Constitution is not a matter over which there can be political talks or negotiations," Vulin concluded.

Vulin set to travel to Kosovo

Aleksandar Vulin will start a two-day working visit to Kosovo and Metohija on Thursday, and according to announcements, it will take place south of the Ibar River - where Serbs live in scattered and isolated enclaves.

Vulin will first travel to the villages of Osojane and Žač.

On Thursday, he will visit the Patriarchate of Peć and the enclave of Goraždevac, where he will meet with municipal leadership, representatives of Serb political parties and representatives of KFOR, the Office released in a statement.

While in Gorazdevac, Vulin will confer with villagers and lay flowers at the monument of Serbian children who were murdered on the banks of a nearby river in August 2003, and to victims of war.

He will also visit the Serbian Orthodox monstery of Visoki Dečani, and wrap up the first day by a tour to Štrpce, the largest Serb enclave in the province.

On Friday, Vulin is to visit Prizren and meet with the only Serb child in the town, to whom he will present school supplies as a gift.

After conferring with students of the Theological Faculty in Prizren, Vulin will visit the region of Gora, where a meeting with municipal leaders will be held.

The director of the office for Kosovo will also visit the village of Sredska. While in Drajkovce, Vrbeštica and Sevce, Vulin will present the keys to their new houses to several endangered families.