Tadić addresses SEE heads of state

President Boris Tadic says that countries that aspire to EU membership should not let the deadlock in the enlargement process drive them to despair. On the contrary, he said, it offered them an opportunity to get their own houses in order and improve their own societies. Tadic addresses SEE heads of state Speaking at a meeting of heads of state of South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) members in the Moldovan capital of Chisinau, the Serbian president said that the present situation, precipitated by the global economic crisis and dissension over the Lisbon Treaty, had led certain West Balkan countries to believe that EU membership was further away than it had been five years ago. Tadic said that Serbia shared the disappointment of other countries in the region, but underlined that instead of allowing themselves to become victims of fate, countries that aspired to join the EU should adopt a more constructive approach and try to raise their domestic standards and governance to the level of the European mainstream. "The most responsible thing we can all do—given the current circumstances that are so obviously beyond our control—is to stay the course: to improve regional cooperation, to open our markets, and to fully harmonize our legislation with that of the European Union," Tadic underlined. "Serbia will join the European Union. This remains our central strategic priority. We will continue to be dedicated to achieving the goals we have set for ourselves. And we will keep on being a leader—politically, economically, and culturally—in this part of the world," he stressed. According to the president, tangible results of harmonization with European standards had been achieved in the visa liberalization process, where Serbia had met all the conditions. "We are hopeful that, in the near future, the EU will give the green light for Serbia to be placed on the Schengen white list. This will help bring families together, make doing business easier, and contribute to an enriched educational experience for the next generation," Tadic said. The Serbian president, however, reiterated once again that the unity of the countries in the region on their European integration path had been somewhat undermined by the unilateral declaration of Kosovo independence, but that Serbia, with its carefully measured response, had managed to prevent regional political fallout in South-East Europe. "At Serbia's initiative, an issue of such fundamental importance and complexity—torridly affecting identity, boundaries, human rights, opposing history all at once—is to be addressed with non-violent means for the first time in the history of the Western Balkans. “Our strategic decision to contest the Kosovo issue at the International Court of Justice, via the United Nations General Assembly, constituted a paradigm shift in favor of peace in our region," Tadic explained. The Serbian president emphasized that, in the meantime, no -one should pre-judge the court’s decision, which was why regional bodies like the SEECP and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) should refrain from attempts to extend membership to the secessionist authorities in Pristina. "Such initiatives can only upset the unstable equilibrium on the ground, which is surely not in anyone's interest. We should acknowledge the constructive approach to Kosovo's participation in regional forums that were established by the UN Security Council and that Serbia has endorsed," he said. "I turn to CEFTA. Here too Serbia has been extremely constructive. The success of this important regional trade agreement depends on fully respecting the rules that were negotiated. UNMIK is a signatory to CEFTA. This commercial issue should not be politicized and neither should the issue of facilitating the entry of Serbian government officials into our province. That is why we have proposed that EULEX plays a more active role in overcoming the present difficulties. We have every reason to believe that we will reach an acceptable solution in the near future," the Serbian president concluded.. Vuk Jeremic, Boris Tadic at today's conference (FoNet)

Tadić addresses SEE heads of state

Speaking at a meeting of heads of state of South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) members in the Moldovan capital of Chisinau, the Serbian president said that the present situation, precipitated by the global economic crisis and dissension over the Lisbon Treaty, had led certain West Balkan countries to believe that EU membership was further away than it had been five years ago.

Tadić said that Serbia shared the disappointment of other countries in the region, but underlined that instead of allowing themselves to become victims of fate, countries that aspired to join the EU should adopt a more constructive approach and try to raise their domestic standards and governance to the level of the European mainstream.

"The most responsible thing we can all do—given the current circumstances that are so obviously beyond our control—is to stay the course: to improve regional cooperation, to open our markets, and to fully harmonize our legislation with that of the European Union," Tadić underlined.

"Serbia will join the European Union. This remains our central strategic priority. We will continue to be dedicated to achieving the goals we have set for ourselves. And we will keep on being a leader—politically, economically, and culturally—in this part of the world," he stressed.

According to the president, tangible results of harmonization with European standards had been achieved in the visa liberalization process, where Serbia had met all the conditions.

"We are hopeful that, in the near future, the EU will give the green light for Serbia to be placed on the Schengen white list. This will help bring families together, make doing business easier, and contribute to an enriched educational experience for the next generation," Tadić said.

The Serbian president, however, reiterated once again that the unity of the countries in the region on their European integration path had been somewhat undermined by the unilateral declaration of Kosovo independence, but that Serbia, with its carefully measured response, had managed to prevent regional political fallout in South-East Europe.

"At Serbia's initiative, an issue of such fundamental importance and complexity—torridly affecting identity, boundaries, human rights, opposing history all at once—is to be addressed with non-violent means for the first time in the history of the Western Balkans.

“Our strategic decision to contest the Kosovo issue at the International Court of Justice, via the United Nations General Assembly, constituted a paradigm shift in favor of peace in our region," Tadić explained.

The Serbian president emphasized that, in the meantime, no -one should pre-judge the court’s decision, which was why regional bodies like the SEECP and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) should refrain from attempts to extend membership to the secessionist authorities in Priština.

"Such initiatives can only upset the unstable equilibrium on the ground, which is surely not in anyone's interest. We should acknowledge the constructive approach to Kosovo's participation in regional forums that were established by the UN Security Council and that Serbia has endorsed," he said.

"I turn to CEFTA. Here too Serbia has been extremely constructive. The success of this important regional trade agreement depends on fully respecting the rules that were negotiated. UNMIK is a signatory to CEFTA. This commercial issue should not be politicized and neither should the issue of facilitating the entry of Serbian government officials into our province. That is why we have proposed that EULEX plays a more active role in overcoming the present difficulties. We have every reason to believe that we will reach an acceptable solution in the near future," the Serbian president concluded..