Jeremić: Serbia has good arguments

FM Vuk Jeremic says that Serbia will submit its evidence on the illegality of the Kosovo independence declaration to the ICJ next week. "Our legal case is exceptionally well-based on more than 300 pages. Some of the most eminent world experts have taken part in preparing it," Jeremic revealed in an interview for Belgrade daily Politika. Jeremic: Serbia has good arguments "The International Court of Justice [ICJ] will accept opinions from interested states until April 17. We have dedicated a lot of our diplomatic energy so that as many countries that share our opinion send that opinion to the court. I'm convinced that in this case some exceptionally influential countries of the world will be on Serbia's side," stated the minister. Speaking about Serbia's EU ambition, Jeremic said that a concrete political obstacle – the Dutch resistance to the idea that Belgrade has fully cooperated with the Hague Tribunal – has not yet been removed. "Serbia is truly doing all it can in this respect. We are fully cooperating and that is an appraisal shared by 26 out of the EU's 27 states. The Netherlands, unfortunately, believes that physically finding Ratko Mladic would represent proof of our cooperation with the Hague. They are not ready to make a step forward without this. In my opinion, it's a regrettable situation because it holds back not only Serbia's, but the development of the entire Western Balkans." Asked whether the new U.S. administration showed any signs of change when it comes to the policy toward Serbia, Jeremic said, "at least when it comes to the rhetoric, this new administration represents a breath of fresh air, in the context of the Balkan policy, and generally speaking". "What Serbia desires, and what I am under the impression is an opinion shared in Washington, is to try and isolate those issues that divide us and cooperate over what we completely agree on, and that is mostly everything, except Kosovo," he stressed. Speaking about abolishing the visa regime the EU has imposed on Serbian nationals, Jeremic said his ministry has "prepared the procedure well", and that there are "no political criteria from abroad". "The only thing standing between us and a visa-free regime is our part of the job. For this reason the goal of canceling visas by the end of the year is absolutely attainable and I believe it will be one of the most important steps as we get closer to the EU," stated the minister.

Jeremić: Serbia has good arguments

"The International Court of Justice [ICJ] will accept opinions from interested states until April 17. We have dedicated a lot of our diplomatic energy so that as many countries that share our opinion send that opinion to the court. I'm convinced that in this case some exceptionally influential countries of the world will be on Serbia's side," stated the minister.

Speaking about Serbia's EU ambition, Jeremić said that a concrete political obstacle – the Dutch resistance to the idea that Belgrade has fully cooperated with the Hague Tribunal – has not yet been removed.

"Serbia is truly doing all it can in this respect. We are fully cooperating and that is an appraisal shared by 26 out of the EU's 27 states. The Netherlands, unfortunately, believes that physically finding Ratko Mladić would represent proof of our cooperation with the Hague. They are not ready to make a step forward without this. In my opinion, it's a regrettable situation because it holds back not only Serbia's, but the development of the entire Western Balkans."

Asked whether the new U.S. administration showed any signs of change when it comes to the policy toward Serbia, Jeremić said, "at least when it comes to the rhetoric, this new administration represents a breath of fresh air, in the context of the Balkan policy, and generally speaking".

"What Serbia desires, and what I am under the impression is an opinion shared in Washington, is to try and isolate those issues that divide us and cooperate over what we completely agree on, and that is mostly everything, except Kosovo," he stressed.

Speaking about abolishing the visa regime the EU has imposed on Serbian nationals, Jeremić said his ministry has "prepared the procedure well", and that there are "no political criteria from abroad".

"The only thing standing between us and a visa-free regime is our part of the job. For this reason the goal of canceling visas by the end of the year is absolutely attainable and I believe it will be one of the most important steps as we get closer to the EU," stated the minister.