"Greece supports SAA implementation"

Greece is making efforts for the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between Serbia and the EU to be implemented soon, Greek FM Dora Bakoyannis says. Bakoyannis is on an official visit to Belgrade this Monday, in her capacity as the chair of the OSCE. "Greece supports SAA implementation" After her meeting with Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, Bakoyannis said that Greece is urging a speedy liberalization of the visa regime for Serbia's citizens, underscoring that Belgrade had taken significant steps in democratization of the society in the recent years. Jeremic reiterated the stand according to which Serbia's central strategic issue in 2009 is to continue the process of association with the European Union, adding that close cooperation with Greece will continue as part of the same process. Jeremic told reporters after the meeting that Serbia will not allow Kosovo to join the OSCE. "Kosovo will not become an OSCE member. As for the office in Pristina, I have relayed Belgrade's stance that it must continue to perform its activities in a strictly status-neutral manner, in line with [UNSCR] Resolution 1244." Speaking on the same subject, Bakoyannis said that the OSCE is an organization that works on the principle of consensus of all its 56 member-states. "The OSCE deals in concrete issues and does not discuss those that belong to other spheres. In any case, the OSCE mission in Belgrade and in Pristina, is completely clear," she was quoted. Bakoyannis is scheduled to hold separate meetings this afternoon with President Boris Tadic and Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic, as well as with representatives of the non-governmental sector. The visit to Belgrade is Bakoyannis's first leg of a regional tour within which she will on Feb. 3 visit Pristina, where the OSCE has one of its largest missions, and Tirana on Feb. 9. Following this tour of the region, she will visit Georgia on Feb. 11. Yesterday, ahead of her arrival here, Bakoyannis gave an interview to Tanjug news agency where she spoke about her country's unchanged position on Kosovo, and support for Serbia's EU integration ambition. Bakoyannis seen in Belgrade on Monday (Tanjug)

"Greece supports SAA implementation"

After her meeting with Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić, Bakoyannis said that Greece is urging a speedy liberalization of the visa regime for Serbia's citizens, underscoring that Belgrade had taken significant steps in democratization of the society in the recent years.

Jeremić reiterated the stand according to which Serbia's central strategic issue in 2009 is to continue the process of association with the European Union, adding that close cooperation with Greece will continue as part of the same process.

Jeremić told reporters after the meeting that Serbia will not allow Kosovo to join the OSCE.

"Kosovo will not become an OSCE member. As for the office in Priština, I have relayed Belgrade's stance that it must continue to perform its activities in a strictly status-neutral manner, in line with [UNSCR] Resolution 1244."

Speaking on the same subject, Bakoyannis said that the OSCE is an organization that works on the principle of consensus of all its 56 member-states.

"The OSCE deals in concrete issues and does not discuss those that belong to other spheres. In any case, the OSCE mission in Belgrade and in Priština, is completely clear," she was quoted.

Bakoyannis is scheduled to hold separate meetings this afternoon with President Boris Tadić and Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković, as well as with representatives of the non-governmental sector.

The visit to Belgrade is Bakoyannis's first leg of a regional tour within which she will on Feb. 3 visit Priština, where the OSCE has one of its largest missions, and Tirana on Feb. 9.

Following this tour of the region, she will visit Georgia on Feb. 11.

Yesterday, ahead of her arrival here, Bakoyannis gave an interview to Tanjug news agency where she spoke about her country's unchanged position on Kosovo, and support for Serbia's EU integration ambition.