Kosovo not condition for EU, says president

President Boris Tadic said on Wednesday that Kosovo was not a precondition for Serbia's admission to the European Union. But he added that he was convinced that certain countries would insist on Serbia's resolving this conflict before it was admitted. Kosovo not condition for EU, says president His comments came a day after a visiting German official stated that recognizing the territorial integrity of "all neighboring states" was one of the preconditions for EU expansion. "Kosovo is not a precondition for Serbia's European integration, but one should not create an illusion that it is not a problem for European integration. Europe already has problems and does not want to have another one," Tadic told reporters after the opening of the Assembly of the European Federation of Journalists at Hotel M in Belgrade. Tadic stressed that Serbia wanted dialog with Pristina, adding that Belgrade was extremely constructive in these talks. "We primarily wish to resolve the conflict and find technical solutions to the problems of the population in Kosovo, regardless of their nationality, which includes the transportation of goods and services, and even the Albanians' participation in regional forums," Tadic said. He added that Serbia did not have a single reason to block the Kosovo Albanians' participation in regional gatherings, nor any processes of regional cooperation because, in the end, it would be paying the price of such blockades. However, Tadic said that, throughout the process, "Serbia will not recognize the independence of Kosovo, either implicitly or explicitly." Boris Tadic (Tanjug, file)

Kosovo not condition for EU, says president

His comments came a day after a visiting German official stated that recognizing the territorial integrity of "all neighboring states" was one of the preconditions for EU expansion.

"Kosovo is not a precondition for Serbia's European integration, but one should not create an illusion that it is not a problem for European integration. Europe already has problems and does not want to have another one," Tadić told reporters after the opening of the Assembly of the European Federation of Journalists at Hotel M in Belgrade.

Tadić stressed that Serbia wanted dialog with Priština, adding that Belgrade was extremely constructive in these talks.

"We primarily wish to resolve the conflict and find technical solutions to the problems of the population in Kosovo, regardless of their nationality, which includes the transportation of goods and services, and even the Albanians' participation in regional forums," Tadić said.

He added that Serbia did not have a single reason to block the Kosovo Albanians' participation in regional gatherings, nor any processes of regional cooperation because, in the end, it would be paying the price of such blockades.

However, Tadić said that, throughout the process, "Serbia will not recognize the independence of Kosovo, either implicitly or explicitly."