"Dutch stance positive", says Tadić

The official Dutch position is positive for Serbia, but the time is not right to "unfurl the flags and say it's all over", says Boris Tadic. In an interview for FoNet news agency on Wednesday in Belgrade, the Serbian president and ruling Democratic Party (DS) leaders said that he is "under obligation to fulfill the election promise to the citizens" – that they would travel without visas. "Dutch stance positive", says Tadic As for hints that the Netherlands might "soften its stance on Serbia's EU integrations", Tadic said an atmosphere of unrealistic optimism "should not be created". "We need to work step by step and convince the Dutch government that Serbia, for her own sake and reconciliation in the region, is fully cooperating with the Hague Tribunal, is doing everything to as soon as possible finalize and remove the burden from the country and all citizens." "We'll see what the position of the Netherlands will be in the end toward the unfreezing of the Interim Trade Agreement and the SAA," said the president, and added that Serbia is now in a better position "to continue to persuade" that country. "I can't say when this will happen, maybe very quickly, and perhaps it will take more time," Tadic continued. The liberalization of the visa regime imposed by the EU was another point he addressed, when he said that "from the point of view of citizens' lives the visa liberalization is perhaps more important". "We are quite close to that," said Tadic, who would not, however, mentioned any dates for the abolishment of EU visas, "since this issue, although Serbia has met all the obligations, does not depend only on us". The president also said that the recent European Parliament elections are of "practical use to Serbia", since, in his words, "now an acceleration of the western Balkans' integration process is expected once again". Meanwhile, also on Wednesday, First Deputy PM and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said that the German government supports visa regime abolishment for Serbian citizens and Serbia's European path. Dacic was meeting with his German counterpart, Wolfgang Schauble, in Berlin. He told Tanjug that Schauble expressed hope on behalf of his ministry and the German government that visas for Serbian citizens will be abolished, provided that Serbia meets all conditions which are envisaged by the “road map”. Dacic reiterated that according to the European Commission assessment, Serbia has done almost everything prescribed by the “road map” aimed at visa regime liberalization. Dacic said that they discussed numerous bilateral issues and arranged drafting of an agreement on police cooperation and readmission protocols, adding that he is looking forward to welcoming Schauble in Belgrade. During his visit to Germany, Dacic also met with Peter Altmaier, the German Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of the Interior. Tadic talks to FoNet on Wednesday (FoNet)

"Dutch stance positive", says Tadić

As for hints that the Netherlands might "soften its stance on Serbia's EU integrations", Tadić said an atmosphere of unrealistic optimism "should not be created".

"We need to work step by step and convince the Dutch government that Serbia, for her own sake and reconciliation in the region, is fully cooperating with the Hague Tribunal, is doing everything to as soon as possible finalize and remove the burden from the country and all citizens."

"We'll see what the position of the Netherlands will be in the end toward the unfreezing of the Interim Trade Agreement and the SAA," said the president, and added that Serbia is now in a better position "to continue to persuade" that country.

"I can't say when this will happen, maybe very quickly, and perhaps it will take more time," Tadić continued.

The liberalization of the visa regime imposed by the EU was another point he addressed, when he said that "from the point of view of citizens' lives the visa liberalization is perhaps more important".

"We are quite close to that," said Tadić, who would not, however, mentioned any dates for the abolishment of EU visas, "since this issue, although Serbia has met all the obligations, does not depend only on us".

The president also said that the recent European Parliament elections are of "practical use to Serbia", since, in his words, "now an acceleration of the western Balkans' integration process is expected once again".

Meanwhile, also on Wednesday, First Deputy PM and Interior Minister Ivica Dačić said that the German government supports visa regime abolishment for Serbian citizens and Serbia's European path.

Dačić was meeting with his German counterpart, Wolfgang Schauble, in Berlin.

He told Tanjug that Schauble expressed hope on behalf of his ministry and the German government that visas for Serbian citizens will be abolished, provided that Serbia meets all conditions which are envisaged by the “road map”.

Dačić reiterated that according to the European Commission assessment, Serbia has done almost everything prescribed by the “road map” aimed at visa regime liberalization.

Dačić said that they discussed numerous bilateral issues and arranged drafting of an agreement on police cooperation and readmission protocols, adding that he is looking forward to welcoming Schauble in Belgrade.

During his visit to Germany, Dačić also met with Peter Altmaier, the German Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of the Interior.