Nikolić’s advisor denies Ashton presented eight principles

BELGRADE EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic have not addressed the alleged eight principles mentioned in media. This is according to Serbian President’s Foreign Policy Advisor Marko Djuric. Nikolic’s advisor denies Ashton presented eight principles Daily Danas reported on Thursday that Ashton had presented eight principles according to which the talks between Belgrade and Pristina would be conducted. “Taking into account that I was present during these talks, I can confirm that there was no mention of the alleged eight principles or other conditions,” Djuric told Belgrade-based daily Politika. He noted that during the meeting with Ashton, Nikolic had reiterated the initiative of the Serbian side for the start of direct political talks between Belgrade and Pristina at a high level. “The Serbian president was also interested in whether the EU High Representative had any intention of engaging in the political process directly,” his advisor noted. “President Nikolic voiced expectation that the other side should be adequately prepared for making concessions, as Belgrade demonstrated readiness for compromise on a number of occasions,” Djuric was quoted as saying. “Ashton was interested in the process related to the implementation of agreements, which had been reached by the previous government, and welcomed the activities that the government is conducting in that direction, emphasizing that adherence to the reached agreements contributes to Belgrade's credibility,” he added. Politika writes that the format and dynamics of the talks are yet to be determined but that the most likely scenario is that the talks will be handled with shuttle diplomacy. “EU expects continuation of Belgrade-Pristina dialogue” Djuric said that the EU expected Serbia to continue the dialogue with Pristina and make certain concessions. However, he pointed out that the Serbian authorities would take care of the state’s interests during the negotiations. When asked when the talks would continue, he said that preparations were underway and that all open issues were being determined but could not say the exact date. The president’s advisor stressed that Pristina needed to make some concessions as well in order for the two sides to be able to reach a compromise. “The (Serbian) government has inherited a difficult job to implement the agreements that were reached by the previous government,” he pointed out. Marko Djuric (Tanjug, file) Beta Tanjug

Nikolić’s advisor denies Ashton presented eight principles

Daily Danas reported on Thursday that Ashton had presented eight principles according to which the talks between Belgrade and Priština would be conducted.

“Taking into account that I was present during these talks, I can confirm that there was no mention of the alleged eight principles or other conditions,” Đurić told Belgrade-based daily Politika.

He noted that during the meeting with Ashton, Nikolić had reiterated the initiative of the Serbian side for the start of direct political talks between Belgrade and Priština at a high level.

“The Serbian president was also interested in whether the EU High Representative had any intention of engaging in the political process directly,” his advisor noted.

“President Nikolić voiced expectation that the other side should be adequately prepared for making concessions, as Belgrade demonstrated readiness for compromise on a number of occasions,” Đurić was quoted as saying.

“Ashton was interested in the process related to the implementation of agreements, which had been reached by the previous government, and welcomed the activities that the government is conducting in that direction, emphasizing that adherence to the reached agreements contributes to Belgrade's credibility,” he added.

Politika writes that the format and dynamics of the talks are yet to be determined but that the most likely scenario is that the talks will be handled with shuttle diplomacy.

“EU expects continuation of Belgrade-Priština dialogue”

Đurić said that the EU expected Serbia to continue the dialogue with Priština and make certain concessions. However, he pointed out that the Serbian authorities would take care of the state’s interests during the negotiations.

When asked when the talks would continue, he said that preparations were underway and that all open issues were being determined but could not say the exact date.

The president’s advisor stressed that Priština needed to make some concessions as well in order for the two sides to be able to reach a compromise.

“The (Serbian) government has inherited a difficult job to implement the agreements that were reached by the previous government,” he pointed out.