Nikolić "expected to continue pro-EU policy”

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic will travel to Brussels on Thursday, where he is set to hold meetings with top European Union (EU) officials. The EU officials told Beta news agency that Nikolic was expected to confirm that he would continue the policy that would lead Serbia to the EU and respect all important EU principles. Nikolic "expected to continue pro-EU policy” The officials also pointed out that the Serbian president’s interlocutors, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, European Commission (EC) President Jose Manuel Barroso and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, would especially like to hear what he would do in order to fulfill the conditions for the beginning of Serbia’s EU accession talks. The latest assurances of the Serbian president that the EU pathway is Serbia’s future and that everything should be solved peacefully and through dialogue were welcomed by the EU. The European diplomatic sources and sources from the European Parliament have assessed that the Serbian elections and great uncertainty in Greece have led the EU to see the situation in the Balkans as “very fragile”. They said that the EU was waiting to see whether a strong Serbian government, which would guarantee continuation of the EU policy, would be formed. The sources added that Nikolic “has surprised them with inappropriate statements, that could be intended for internal politics, but that have caused considerable concern”. The EU officials underscored that bearing in mind that the European Council set “tangible and permanent improvement of relations with Pristina” as a key priority, Nikolic would be reminded in Brussels on Thursday that it was of utmost importance to continue the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. However, according to them, it is necessary to form the new government as soon as possible so Pristina and the EU as a facilitator would have a partner in the dialogue. The EU has already launched consultations on the continuation of the dialogue with both Belgrade and Pristina, the EU officials noted. Nikolic will be informed that it is important for Serbia to make an effort in order to improve the regional cooperation and reconciliation “especially bearing in mind certain recent statements that need to be explained”. According to the sources, the EU paid close attention to Nikolic’s statements during his inauguration and earlier messages that were condemned by the countries in the region and the EU officials. Despite the doubts surrounding the Western Balkans, majority of the EU member states believe that the region could be permanently stabilized and transformed only with a clear perspective of the EU membership. They believe that the Western Balkan countries should get help along the way, even if it is a long-term process, because it would bring reforms and a political and economic transformation in accordance with the European values. Tomislav Nikolic (Beta, file) Beta

Nikolić "expected to continue pro-EU policy”

The officials also pointed out that the Serbian president’s interlocutors, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, European Commission (EC) President Jose Manuel Barroso and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, would especially like to hear what he would do in order to fulfill the conditions for the beginning of Serbia’s EU accession talks.

The latest assurances of the Serbian president that the EU pathway is Serbia’s future and that everything should be solved peacefully and through dialogue were welcomed by the EU.

The European diplomatic sources and sources from the European Parliament have assessed that the Serbian elections and great uncertainty in Greece have led the EU to see the situation in the Balkans as “very fragile”.

They said that the EU was waiting to see whether a strong Serbian government, which would guarantee continuation of the EU policy, would be formed.

The sources added that Nikolić “has surprised them with inappropriate statements, that could be intended for internal politics, but that have caused considerable concern”.

The EU officials underscored that bearing in mind that the European Council set “tangible and permanent improvement of relations with Priština” as a key priority, Nikolić would be reminded in Brussels on Thursday that it was of utmost importance to continue the Belgrade-Priština dialogue.

However, according to them, it is necessary to form the new government as soon as possible so Priština and the EU as a facilitator would have a partner in the dialogue. The EU has already launched consultations on the continuation of the dialogue with both Belgrade and Priština, the EU officials noted.

Nikolić will be informed that it is important for Serbia to make an effort in order to improve the regional cooperation and reconciliation “especially bearing in mind certain recent statements that need to be explained”.

According to the sources, the EU paid close attention to Nikolić’s statements during his inauguration and earlier messages that were condemned by the countries in the region and the EU officials.

Despite the doubts surrounding the Western Balkans, majority of the EU member states believe that the region could be permanently stabilized and transformed only with a clear perspective of the EU membership. They believe that the Western Balkan countries should get help along the way, even if it is a long-term process, because it would bring reforms and a political and economic transformation in accordance with the European values.