EU to support Serbia

EU to support Serbia

French foreign minister Philippe Douste-Blazy told reporters after a meeting with his counterparts that it was important to encourage democratic forces in Serbia and help President Boris Tadić. “No one should feel humiliated”, the French FM said.

The EU Enlargement Commissioner reminded reporters that the level of co-operation with The Hague has plummeted since 2005.

“The new democratic Serbian government deserves a new chance and a new start the moment it takes concrete steps towards fulfilling its obligations to The Hague. The pace of finalizing the Stabilization and Association Agreement will depend on Serbia’s progress in the field of co-operation with the Tribunal”, Rehn said.

EU foreign ministers discussed the situation in Kosovo as well and insisted that Belgrade and Priština should negotiate a compromise so as to make headway in the process of the Kosovo status settlement. Olli Rehn voiced the EU’s unanimous support for Martti Ahtisaari’s efforts.

Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Drašković, attending the EU-Western Balkans Forum alongside his counterparts from the region, said that Serbia could easily become the center of regional instability if humiliated by the final settlement of the status of Kosovo. He voiced hope that a compromise was within reach.