Top officials meet with German FM

Serbia's top officials are today in Belgrade meeting with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, who arrived on his first official visit here. Media reported ahead of the meetings that a key topic would be reaching a compromise over Serbia’s draft Kosovo resolution submitted to the UN General Assembly. Top officials meet with German FM It was expected that Westerwelle would repeat Berlin’s position that “Kosovo’s independence and its territorial integrity are indisputable facts”. Westerwelle began his visit with a meeting with Serbian PM Mirko Cvetkovic, and talked afterwards with his Serbian counterpart Vuk Jeremic. He will also be received by President Boris Tadic. After his meeting with Westerwelle, Jeremic said that Serbia would not withdraw its UN General Assembly Kosovo draft, and that it was ready for constructive conversation "about everything, including the resolution". "However, we cannot stand behind a conclusion that could possibly be made, that would confirm Kosovo's independence," the Serbian minister explained. Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic pointed out on Thursday that dialogue is the only way to find a solution to the Kosovo issue and stressed that Serbia is ready to consult the EU closely on all issues. "The Serbian government is convinced that dialogue is the only way to find a solution to the Kosovo and Metohija issue. We are also prepared to consult the EU closely on all issues," said the Prime Minister. The Government's Press Office released that Cvetkovic told Westerwelle that Germany has a major importance for Serbia, as its political and economic partner. The prime minister said that European integration is a priority and expressed expectations that Serbia will acquire the EU candidacy status as soon as possible, and Westerwelle emphasized that Germany, as its important partner, will support the country's endavours for integration. Cvetkovic said that Germany is one of the biggest foreign trade partners of Serbia and stressed that there is an actual need and great potential for the intensification of economic collaboration, by boosting the trade between the two countries, and especially by greater investments. There was speculation that Westerwelle would tell his hosts in Belgrade that Serbia’s refusal to change that part of the draft resolution on Kosovo that condemns unilateral secessions could jeopardize its European integrations. The German FM visited Croatia before heading for Belgrade, and will also go to Bosnia-Herzegovina today. He is scheduled to visit Pristina and Gracanica on Friday. Westerwelle and Jeremic in Belgrade today (Beta) German policy in Serbia's interest German FM Guido Westerwelle said today in Belgrade that there is a chance for direct negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina, but that the right place for that is Brussels, not New York. According to Westerwelle, “the geographic map of Southeastern Europe has been drawn and finished”. “There is a chance for direct negotiations of Belgrade and Pristina and that’s a chance for a better life. They think in the EU that a chance for that is a conference table in Brussels, not in New York,” he stated. “A day will come for representatives of Belgrade and Pristina to sit at the same table and speak about the EU. It’s maybe a utopia for you, but it can be achieved. Reconciliation can succeed if you face reality. Independent Kosovo is a reality and the opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has uniquely confirmed it,” the German FM pointed out. According to Westerwelle, Serbia’s future "lies in the EU", and Germany is "conducting a policy which is in the interest of Serbia’s European future". All this was heard as the German minister addressed a panel discussion at the University of Belgrade this Wednesday, after meeting with Serbian PM Mirko Cvetkovic. "Talk on all open issues" Foreign Ministry's Foreign Policy Council President Sonja Liht expects that the talks in Belgrade will help overcome differences between Serbia and a part of the EU. “It is certain that Kosovo and the resolution in the UN will be one of the topics, I suppose that a very serious exchange of opinions will take place, because I’m sure that the Serbian side also prepared a very serious argumentation which supports the resolution the way it is." "The EU and U.S. are more critical toward the form, to how the resolution was written, in the sense that there were no consultations, than toward the contents,” Liht stated. The German FM said after the ICJ advisory opinion in the Kosovo case that he expected a “constructive and pragmatic policy” from Belgrade and Pristina and “turning toward a common European future in the interest of both countries’ population”. The Foreign Policy Council president expects that Westerwelle will this time call on Belgrade to start negotiations with Pristina. “Belgrade’s position is well-known. Serbia certainly won’t start any negotiations before the UN General Assembly. I think that it’s very important to hold talks about all important issues, after all, if talks about technical issues begin I’m sure that the issues of status can't be avoided. Therefore, the entire story is being approached too formally instead of thinking about how to essentially address all open issues,” she stressed.

Top officials meet with German FM

It was expected that Westerwelle would repeat Berlin’s position that “Kosovo’s independence and its territorial integrity are indisputable facts”.

Westerwelle began his visit with a meeting with Serbian PM Mirko Cvetković, and talked afterwards with his Serbian counterpart Vuk Jeremić. He will also be received by President Boris Tadić.

After his meeting with Westerwelle, Jeremić said that Serbia would not withdraw its UN General Assembly Kosovo draft, and that it was ready for constructive conversation "about everything, including the resolution".

"However, we cannot stand behind a conclusion that could possibly be made, that would confirm Kosovo's independence," the Serbian minister explained.

Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković pointed out on Thursday that dialogue is the only way to find a solution to the Kosovo issue and stressed that Serbia is ready to consult the EU closely on all issues.

"The Serbian government is convinced that dialogue is the only way to find a solution to the Kosovo and Metohija issue. We are also prepared to consult the EU closely on all issues," said the Prime Minister.

The Government's Press Office released that Cvetković told Westerwelle that Germany has a major importance for Serbia, as its political and economic partner.

The prime minister said that European integration is a priority and expressed expectations that Serbia will acquire the EU candidacy status as soon as possible, and Westerwelle emphasized that Germany, as its important partner, will support the country's endavours for integration.

Cvetković said that Germany is one of the biggest foreign trade partners of Serbia and stressed that there is an actual need and great potential for the intensification of economic collaboration, by boosting the trade between the two countries, and especially by greater investments.

There was speculation that Westerwelle would tell his hosts in Belgrade that Serbia’s refusal to change that part of the draft resolution on Kosovo that condemns unilateral secessions could jeopardize its European integrations.

The German FM visited Croatia before heading for Belgrade, and will also go to Bosnia-Herzegovina today. He is scheduled to visit Priština and Gračanica on Friday.

German policy in Serbia's interest

German FM Guido Westerwelle said today in Belgrade that there is a chance for direct negotiations between Belgrade and Priština, but that the right place for that is Brussels, not New York.

According to Westerwelle, “the geographic map of Southeastern Europe has been drawn and finished”.

“There is a chance for direct negotiations of Belgrade and Priština and that’s a chance for a better life. They think in the EU that a chance for that is a conference table in Brussels, not in New York,” he stated.

“A day will come for representatives of Belgrade and Priština to sit at the same table and speak about the EU. It’s maybe a utopia for you, but it can be achieved. Reconciliation can succeed if you face reality. Independent Kosovo is a reality and the opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has uniquely confirmed it,” the German FM pointed out.

According to Westerwelle, Serbia’s future "lies in the EU", and Germany is "conducting a policy which is in the interest of Serbia’s European future".

All this was heard as the German minister addressed a panel discussion at the University of Belgrade this Wednesday, after meeting with Serbian PM Mirko Cvetković.

"Talk on all open issues"

Foreign Ministry's Foreign Policy Council President Sonja Liht expects that the talks in Belgrade will help overcome differences between Serbia and a part of the EU.

“It is certain that Kosovo and the resolution in the UN will be one of the topics, I suppose that a very serious exchange of opinions will take place, because I’m sure that the Serbian side also prepared a very serious argumentation which supports the resolution the way it is."

"The EU and U.S. are more critical toward the form, to how the resolution was written, in the sense that there were no consultations, than toward the contents,” Liht stated.

The German FM said after the ICJ advisory opinion in the Kosovo case that he expected a “constructive and pragmatic policy” from Belgrade and Priština and “turning toward a common European future in the interest of both countries’ population”.

The Foreign Policy Council president expects that Westerwelle will this time call on Belgrade to start negotiations with Priština.

“Belgrade’s position is well-known. Serbia certainly won’t start any negotiations before the UN General Assembly. I think that it’s very important to hold talks about all important issues, after all, if talks about technical issues begin I’m sure that the issues of status can't be avoided. Therefore, the entire story is being approached too formally instead of thinking about how to essentially address all open issues,” she stressed.