PM talks dialogue with Priština, EU integration

The goal of the dialogue with Pristina is reconciliation of Kosovo Albanians and Serbs, said Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic. He told Czech daily Lidove Noviny that “the issue of the recognition of Kosovo is set aside for now”. PM talks dialogue with Pristina, EU integration The PM said that Belgrade wanted to start the dialogue with Pristina with issues that could be easily solved. “At this point I say, no, never. Our Constitution does not allow us to recognize independence of a part of our country. But we’ll see what happens, how successful the negotiations will be, let that be for now,” he said when asked if Serbia would ever and under what circumstances recognize Kosovo. “If we achieve success in the beginning, this opens up the door for solving of other sensitive issues as well. If you start with the most sensitive issues, you won’t get anywhere. That’s our tactic,” Cvetkovic stressed. According to him, solution which Serbia is looking for in the negotiations should be a long-term and acceptable to all sides, and not one which would freeze the conflict in Kosovo. Mirko Cvetkovic EU accession date "insignificant" The Serbian also PM told the Czech daily that it was insignificant whether Serbia would joint the EU in 2016 or several years later. “It’s important for us to carry out reforms, to change the economy and when it grows and people start having better lives, that’s the European Union for us,” he explained. He elaborated on, as he said, an ambitious plan to answer the questionnaire, which EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele will bring to Belgrade on November 24, by the end of the March and then submit it to the EC. “If all goes well, and I think it will, the Commission (European Commission) will in the end of next years be able to submit a positive report and a date for the beginning of accession negotiations will be set,” the PM pointed out. When it comes to cooperation with the Hague Tribunal and extradition of Ratko Mladic, he pointed out that Serbia could not improve the willingness and determination anymore and that it was doing everything it could. “The second angle is the result. One can wear oneself out but there won’t be any results,” he stated and confirmed that both he and President Boris Tadic believed that Mladic’s arrest was only a matter of time. “When that moment will come depends on a large number of things. And not only on our activities, but also on luck,” Cvetkovic concluded.

PM talks dialogue with Priština, EU integration

The PM said that Belgrade wanted to start the dialogue with Priština with issues that could be easily solved.

“At this point I say, no, never. Our Constitution does not allow us to recognize independence of a part of our country. But we’ll see what happens, how successful the negotiations will be, let that be for now,” he said when asked if Serbia would ever and under what circumstances recognize Kosovo.

“If we achieve success in the beginning, this opens up the door for solving of other sensitive issues as well. If you start with the most sensitive issues, you won’t get anywhere. That’s our tactic,” Cvetković stressed.

According to him, solution which Serbia is looking for in the negotiations should be a long-term and acceptable to all sides, and not one which would freeze the conflict in Kosovo.

EU accession date "insignificant"

The Serbian also PM told the Czech daily that it was insignificant whether Serbia would joint the EU in 2016 or several years later.

“It’s important for us to carry out reforms, to change the economy and when it grows and people start having better lives, that’s the European Union for us,” he explained.

He elaborated on, as he said, an ambitious plan to answer the questionnaire, which EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele will bring to Belgrade on November 24, by the end of the March and then submit it to the EC.

“If all goes well, and I think it will, the Commission (European Commission) will in the end of next years be able to submit a positive report and a date for the beginning of accession negotiations will be set,” the PM pointed out.

When it comes to cooperation with the Hague Tribunal and extradition of Ratko Mladić, he pointed out that Serbia could not improve the willingness and determination anymore and that it was doing everything it could.

“The second angle is the result. One can wear oneself out but there won’t be any results,” he stated and confirmed that both he and President Boris Tadić believed that Mladić’s arrest was only a matter of time.

“When that moment will come depends on a large number of things. And not only on our activities, but also on luck,” Cvetković concluded.