Jeremić: Serbia to battle on two fronts

The struggle to preserve Serbia's territorial integrity will continue in 2009, Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic told B92 TV on Sunday. This, he continued, will go parallel with Belgrade's efforts to speed up the country's EU integration. Jeremic: Serbia to battle on two fronts Awaiting the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on the legality of the Kosovo Albanians' unilateral declaration of independence, Serbia will do everything to convince the countries that have not recognized this proclamation not to do so in the future, Jeremic stated. He added that at this point, "the information we have shows that there is great pressure being exerted on some 50 countries to recognize Kosovo", but that Serbia will work to counter this and minimize the number of possible new recognitions. Jeremic also rejected opinions voiced by some European sources that Belgrade's acceptance of the EULEX mission in the whole territory of Kosovo is tantamount to a "softening" of its stance on the Kosovo status issue. "The government's policy in 2009 will not change," he said. Jeremic added that Serbia's foreign policy this year will be centered on the defense of the constitutional order by diplomatic means, speeding up of EU integrations, and improving regional relations. "As long as this government is in office, European integrations remain a priority. But, our greatest friend is the Russian Federation," he said when asked whether the Russo-Serbian energy deal clinched recently meant that Belgrade is now turning toward Moscow. Vuk Jeremic (FoNet, archive)

Jeremić: Serbia to battle on two fronts

Awaiting the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on the legality of the Kosovo Albanians' unilateral declaration of independence, Serbia will do everything to convince the countries that have not recognized this proclamation not to do so in the future, Jeremić stated.

He added that at this point, "the information we have shows that there is great pressure being exerted on some 50 countries to recognize Kosovo", but that Serbia will work to counter this and minimize the number of possible new recognitions.

Jeremić also rejected opinions voiced by some European sources that Belgrade's acceptance of the EULEX mission in the whole territory of Kosovo is tantamount to a "softening" of its stance on the Kosovo status issue.

"The government's policy in 2009 will not change," he said.

Jeremić added that Serbia's foreign policy this year will be centered on the defense of the constitutional order by diplomatic means, speeding up of EU integrations, and improving regional relations.

"As long as this government is in office, European integrations remain a priority. But, our greatest friend is the Russian Federation," he said when asked whether the Russo-Serbian energy deal clinched recently meant that Belgrade is now turning toward Moscow.