EU calls on Serbia to "turn Kosovo page"

Olli Rehn and Dimitrij Rupel say Serbia should "dedicate itself to EU integration", adding that the Union "needs it".

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Wednesday, 20.02.2008.

19:52

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Olli Rehn and Dimitrij Rupel say Serbia should "dedicate itself to EU integration", adding that the Union "needs it". Agencies reported that Rehn, the EU enlargement commissioner, and Rupel, the Slovenian foreign minister and EU Council of Minister chair, made these statements in Strasbourg today. EU calls on Serbia to "turn Kosovo page" "Serbia should turn the Kosovo page," the pair was quoted. Rehn also said that Kosovo "declared independence in a dignified manner and fully respecting Martti Ahtisaari's plan," and added that although this is a "hard moment for Serbia, it should turn to EU integration." Serbia is rejecting Kosovo Albanians' unilateral declaration of independence, and its recognition, as illegal and contrary to international law. According to reports, Rehn also said that Brussels now looks to "prop Kosovo on both its feet as soon as possible", and announced that a donor conference will be organized to this end before the summer. The EU commissioner then went on to describe the atmosphere in Pristina as "joyful", which in his view stood in contrast to "violence in Belgrade and northern Kosovo", something he condemned. As for Rupel, he also sent a message to Serbians: "The door of Europe is not closed". "Serbia needs the EU and the EU needs Serbia," he said. He added that the EU "hopes that with Boris Tadic's reelection Serbia will exit the isolation period," and stressed that "Serbia and Kosovo will have to cooperate in the future." Rupel also said the following: "The principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty have not been threatened with Kosovo's secession." But, the reports said, the Slovenian foreign minister "did not manage to explain how he reached this conclusion".

EU calls on Serbia to "turn Kosovo page"

"Serbia should turn the Kosovo page," the pair was quoted.

Rehn also said that Kosovo "declared independence in a dignified manner and fully respecting Martti Ahtisaari's plan," and added that although this is a "hard moment for Serbia, it should turn to EU integration."

Serbia is rejecting Kosovo Albanians' unilateral declaration of independence, and its recognition, as illegal and contrary to international law.

According to reports, Rehn also said that Brussels now looks to "prop Kosovo on both its feet as soon as possible", and announced that a donor conference will be organized to this end before the summer.

The EU commissioner then went on to describe the atmosphere in Priština as "joyful", which in his view stood in contrast to "violence in Belgrade and northern Kosovo", something he condemned.

As for Rupel, he also sent a message to Serbians: "The door of Europe is not closed".

"Serbia needs the EU and the EU needs Serbia," he said.

He added that the EU "hopes that with Boris Tadić's reelection Serbia will exit the isolation period," and stressed that "Serbia and Kosovo will have to cooperate in the future."

Rupel also said the following: "The principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty have not been threatened with Kosovo's secession."

But, the reports said, the Slovenian foreign minister "did not manage to explain how he reached this conclusion".

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