Samardžić: Relations with EU in serious crisis

Serbia's relations with the EU are in a "serious crisis", according to Minister for Kosovo Slobodan Samardzic. This is due to EU's intention to recognize the independence of Serbia's southern province, the minister from the ranks of the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) told Vecerenje Novosti. Samardzic: Relations with EU in serious crisis "The EU has linked Serbia's European prospects with its own intention, which will most probably later become a decision, to recognize the independence of Kosovo." "We cannot ignore this fact, however strategically important the Stabilization and Association Agreement is for us," Samardzic said. He told the daily that Belgrade should "decisively reject" a planned EU mission to the province because its implementation, "without previous agreement on the future status of Kosovo and without a corresponding UN Security Council resolution, would represent the violation of international law and a form of violence." Asked whether Serbia should sign the SAA unconditionally of it is offered to do so on January 28, Samardzic said: "EU's position on Serbia, i.e. its potential contractual partner is in question." "If the Union is prepared to accept the independence of Kosovo by violating international law, not to mention the violation of Serbia's vital interests, how is it possible to imagine such complex contractual relations between the EU and Serbia as envisioned by the SAA?"

Samardžić: Relations with EU in serious crisis

"The EU has linked Serbia's European prospects with its own intention, which will most probably later become a decision, to recognize the independence of Kosovo."

"We cannot ignore this fact, however strategically important the Stabilization and Association Agreement is for us," Samardžić said.

He told the daily that Belgrade should "decisively reject" a planned EU mission to the province because its implementation, "without previous agreement on the future status of Kosovo and without a corresponding UN Security Council resolution, would represent the violation of international law and a form of violence."

Asked whether Serbia should sign the SAA unconditionally of it is offered to do so on January 28, Samardžić said: "EU's position on Serbia, i.e. its potential contractual partner is in question."

"If the Union is prepared to accept the independence of Kosovo by violating international law, not to mention the violation of Serbia's vital interests, how is it possible to imagine such complex contractual relations between the EU and Serbia as envisioned by the SAA?"