Belgrade receives conference invitation

An invitation to participate in the June 2 EU-Western Balkans conference in Sarajevo has arrived in Belgrade, said reports. This has been confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs late on Wednesday. Belgrade receives conference invitation Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, who's country holds the rotating EU presidency, said that an agreement had been reached to hold the gathering as an informal meeting under the so-called Gymnich format. Serbia believes it is necessary for Kosovo Albanian authorities from Pristina to be represented in the presence of the UN mission in the province, UNMIK. This, Belgrade said, should happen in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1244, which is the only document accepted by all EU member states. Kosovo Albanian officials, meantime, says they wish to be represented as an “independent state and on the same level as all other states of the region”. In Pristina, UNMIK spokesman Russell Geekie said that UNMIK chief Lamberto Zannier received an official invitation to attend the conference, and that he intends to travel to Sarajevo. Previously, the Kosovo Albanian government announced that its foreign minister, Skender Hyseni, also received his invitation. Djelic on Sarajevo conference Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic stated on Thursday that he has no information on whether Serbia has officially confirmed its participation in the EU-Western Balkans conference in Sarajevo on June 2, adding that he does not expect any problems regarding Serbia's attendance, as a formula has been found for the participation of all interested parties in the event. According to Djelic, what is important is that a formula has been found for the participation in the Sarajevo conference. However, when it comes to Serbia, there are two crucial issues that have to be observed - Serbia's state policy on Kosovo and Metohija and the country's commitment to regional cooperation. Addressing the participants of the final Conference of the Municipal Support Program North-Eastern Serbia, Djelic said one should have realistic expectations from the conference in Sarajevo, and voiced belief that support for further EU enlargement will be given at the gathering. "I expect that the conference will confirm the European future of the Western Balkans as a whole," Djelic stressed, and expressed hope that the conference will launch a dialogue for projects within the European Commission's growth strategy Europe 2020.

Belgrade receives conference invitation

Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, who's country holds the rotating EU presidency, said that an agreement had been reached to hold the gathering as an informal meeting under the so-called Gymnich format.

Serbia believes it is necessary for Kosovo Albanian authorities from Priština to be represented in the presence of the UN mission in the province, UNMIK.

This, Belgrade said, should happen in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1244, which is the only document accepted by all EU member states.

Kosovo Albanian officials, meantime, says they wish to be represented as an “independent state and on the same level as all other states of the region”.

In Priština, UNMIK spokesman Russell Geekie said that UNMIK chief Lamberto Zannier received an official invitation to attend the conference, and that he intends to travel to Sarajevo.

Previously, the Kosovo Albanian government announced that its foreign minister, Skender Hyseni, also received his invitation.

Đelić on Sarajevo conference

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Božidar Đelić stated on Thursday that he has no information on whether Serbia has officially confirmed its participation in the EU-Western Balkans conference in Sarajevo on June 2, adding that he does not expect any problems regarding Serbia's attendance, as a formula has been found for the participation of all interested parties in the event.

According to Đelić, what is important is that a formula has been found for the participation in the Sarajevo conference. However, when it comes to Serbia, there are two crucial issues that have to be observed - Serbia's state policy on Kosovo and Metohija and the country's commitment to regional cooperation.

Addressing the participants of the final Conference of the Municipal Support Program North-Eastern Serbia, Đelić said one should have realistic expectations from the conference in Sarajevo, and voiced belief that support for further EU enlargement will be given at the gathering.

"I expect that the conference will confirm the European future of the Western Balkans as a whole," Đelić stressed, and expressed hope that the conference will launch a dialogue for projects within the European Commission's growth strategy Europe 2020.