Mesić: Time for Serbia to accept reality

Croatian President Stjepan Mesić believes that Serbo-Croatian relations will reach a high level despite the fact that Zagreb has recognized Kosovo independence.

Izvor: Beta

Tuesday, 24.02.2009.

10:32

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Croatian President Stjepan Mesic believes that Serbo-Croatian relations will reach a high level despite the fact that Zagreb has recognized Kosovo independence. Mesic said that Serbia and Croatia were cooperating well economically, and at the level of government and ministries, though the fact that Croatia had recognized Kosovo independence had led to a “misunderstanding”. Mesic: Time for Serbia to accept reality “Serbia did not then have the capacity to establish authority in Kosovo, nor to continue negotiations, as it didn’t offer anything more than ‘more than autonomy, and less than independence.’ That was no longer a basis for negotiations, and Kosovo’s status had to be resolved,” he said, speaking to Serbian public broadcaster RTS. “Serbia has to recognize the reality that Kosovo exists, that 52 states have recognized Kosovo, and that it has its own borders,” said Mesic. According to the president, following its unilateral independence declaration, Kosovo “has still not activated all of its capacities,” and it therefore requires international help. Regarding the return of refugees to Croatia, he said “Croatia must enable its citizens’ return.” “Croatia has to allow them access to their property, as that is the only way for it to be accepted as a democratic country. Croatia was not a legal state in 2000, which led to some laws being selectively applied, certainly to the detriment not only of Serbs, but also Croats,” said Mesic. Stjepan Mesic and Boris Tadic (FoNet, archive)

Mesić: Time for Serbia to accept reality

“Serbia did not then have the capacity to establish authority in Kosovo, nor to continue negotiations, as it didn’t offer anything more than ‘more than autonomy, and less than independence.’ That was no longer a basis for negotiations, and Kosovo’s status had to be resolved,” he said, speaking to Serbian public broadcaster RTS.

“Serbia has to recognize the reality that Kosovo exists, that 52 states have recognized Kosovo, and that it has its own borders,” said Mesić.

According to the president, following its unilateral independence declaration, Kosovo “has still not activated all of its capacities,” and it therefore requires international help.

Regarding the return of refugees to Croatia, he said “Croatia must enable its citizens’ return.”

“Croatia has to allow them access to their property, as that is the only way for it to be accepted as a democratic country. Croatia was not a legal state in 2000, which led to some laws being selectively applied, certainly to the detriment not only of Serbs, but also Croats,” said Mesić.

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