Kosovo, Europe, both priorities, DS insists

Bozidar Djelic told B92 that the political priorities of Serbia include “both Kosovo and Europe.” The deputy prime minister and a Democratic Party (DS) official said his party "will only remain in a government that works to full capacity on all five of its priorities", which include the defense of Serbia’s territorial integrity, European integration, Hague cooperation, the fight against crime and corruption and improving the living standard of its citizens. Kosovo, Europe, both priorities, DS insists Stressing that Serbia will "never give up on its defense of Kosovo", he said that the "same can be said for Serbia’s European future". He did not give any details as to how the Democrats intend to work on this with Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS). Kostunica yesterday said that "there will be no normalization of relations with those countries that have recognized Kosovo, until they annul their decisions". But Djelic said that the battle will continue for making sure that Kosovo is never accepted into any international organizations. According to the action plan, Serbia will have to "evaluate relations" with all countries that recognize Kosovo independence, he said, adding that Serbia needs to fight a peaceful battle based on law for the province. Djelic said a technical team of the European Commissioner will be in Belgrade today and that “transport and energy” will be the central topics of discussions, adding that a Serbian delegation "will travel to Brussels next week to continue discussions for the abolishment of visas for Serbia". "There will also be an important visit from March 10-14 by a European delegation to discuss bring Serbian legislation, security, human rights and freedom into according with European standards," Djelic said. He said that Serbia "must become a candidate for EU membership by the end of the year", adding that visas must also be abolished and the country must begin to receive structural funds for regional development. Djelic said that the Democratic Party will support within the Serbian government the call to "find and punish all who are threatening any Serbian media".

Kosovo, Europe, both priorities, DS insists

Stressing that Serbia will "never give up on its defense of Kosovo", he said that the "same can be said for Serbia’s European future".

He did not give any details as to how the Democrats intend to work on this with Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica's Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS). Koštunica yesterday said that "there will be no normalization of relations with those countries that have recognized Kosovo, until they annul their decisions".

But Đelić said that the battle will continue for making sure that Kosovo is never accepted into any international organizations.

According to the action plan, Serbia will have to "evaluate relations" with all countries that recognize Kosovo independence, he said, adding that Serbia needs to fight a peaceful battle based on law for the province.

Đelić said a technical team of the European Commissioner will be in Belgrade today and that “transport and energy” will be the central topics of discussions, adding that a Serbian delegation "will travel to Brussels next week to continue discussions for the abolishment of visas for Serbia".

"There will also be an important visit from March 10-14 by a European delegation to discuss bring Serbian legislation, security, human rights and freedom into according with European standards," Đelić said.

He said that Serbia "must become a candidate for EU membership by the end of the year", adding that visas must also be abolished and the country must begin to receive structural funds for regional development.

Đelić said that the Democratic Party will support within the Serbian government the call to "find and punish all who are threatening any Serbian media".