Negotiator on "worst option for Serbs and Serbia"

The worst option for Serbia and Serbs in Kosovo would be if mayors from the north did not abide by the political decisions of top Serbian officials. This is according to the head of the Belgrade team in the dialogue with Kosovo Albanian authorities Borislav Stefanovic. Negotiator on "worst option for Serbs and Serbia" "This would only benefit Pristina and those who want tensions and chaos," Stefanovic stated in an interview for the Belgrade-based daily Vecernje Novosti. He called on the Serbian leaders from northern Kosovo to forget unrealistic requests, and expressed hope that "there will be no divisions between us, because in that case we would certainly all lose." Stefanovic said the meeting of municipal leaders from northern Kosovo with Serbian President Boris Tadic on Sunday showed that "we all have the same goal, but different methods," pointing out that "only united can we reach this goal." He said it is wrong that political leaders are giving some completely unrealistic requests and conditions, such as to terminate talks and go back to the dialogue within the UN Security Council, and at the same time behave "like a negotiating side, imposing requests to the state." When asked if some informal talks on autonomy for the north have begun, Stefanovic responded negatively. "This is not an issue discussed either officially or unofficially. Now everybody saw that the north has its specificities, and that Serbs are determined to remain living in their own state. When the dialogue stalemate is broken, a day will come when all open issues on Kosovo will be discussed," he said. "The main thing is to find a solution for Jarinje and Brnjak through dialogue, and to continue the talks with Pristina under the auspices of the EU. Those are the realistic frameworks within which we can defend our interests. Everything else is unrealistic and uncertain. It would be beneficial if everybody stopped pursuing a policy of cheap slogans," he said. (Tanjug, file)

Negotiator on "worst option for Serbs and Serbia"

"This would only benefit Priština and those who want tensions and chaos," Stefanović stated in an interview for the Belgrade-based daily Večernje Novosti. He called on the Serbian leaders from northern Kosovo to forget unrealistic requests, and expressed hope that "there will be no divisions between us, because in that case we would certainly all lose."

Stefanović said the meeting of municipal leaders from northern Kosovo with Serbian President Boris Tadić on Sunday showed that "we all have the same goal, but different methods," pointing out that "only united can we reach this goal."

He said it is wrong that political leaders are giving some completely unrealistic requests and conditions, such as to terminate talks and go back to the dialogue within the UN Security Council, and at the same time behave "like a negotiating side, imposing requests to the state."

When asked if some informal talks on autonomy for the north have begun, Stefanović responded negatively.

"This is not an issue discussed either officially or unofficially. Now everybody saw that the north has its specificities, and that Serbs are determined to remain living in their own state. When the dialogue stalemate is broken, a day will come when all open issues on Kosovo will be discussed," he said.

"The main thing is to find a solution for Jarinje and Brnjak through dialogue, and to continue the talks with Priština under the auspices of the EU. Those are the realistic frameworks within which we can defend our interests. Everything else is unrealistic and uncertain. It would be beneficial if everybody stopped pursuing a policy of cheap slogans," he said.