“New stage of Belgrade-Priština dialogue should start”

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton agreed Friday that a new stage of the Belgrade-Pristina talks should start. They also agreed at a meeting in Rio de Janeiro that high-level representatives should take part in the talks. “New stage of Belgrade-Pristina dialogue should start” Clinton promised that the U.S. would provide full support to the search for solutions to all open issues on Serbia's EU path, primarily with regard to issues related to Kosovo. She agreed that the talks should be serious and high-level and that no time should be lost, the president's press service released, adding that the U.S. promised to help in the protection of Kosovo citizens, especially the non-Albanian population. According to the release, Nikolic said that there was no way for the changes in the Serbian government to affect Serbia's European path or the attitude toward the EU integration process. He underscored that Serbia would never recognize Kosovo's independence and that it would back a consensus between all parties as regards the principle on which the talks would rest. The two officials agreed that the Belgrade-Pristina talks should enter a new stage with participation of high-level representatives, because “every meeting should be clear and it should receive a clear interpretation and conclusions which would be feasible in the implementation”. Clinton said that the U.S. was interested in resolving the matter as soon as possible and that its associates would offer the necessary assistance through visits to Belgrade and Pristina. Nikolic underscored that the population in Kosovo had to be given a chance for a better life, especially those who lived north of the Ibar River. He added that the region needed investments. The Serbian president said that everyone had to be patient instead of resorting to force and added that he would back a peaceful search for the solution to the issue and understanding on all sides instead of conflicts. According to Tanjug, the meeting between Nikolic and Clinton lasted slightly over 20 minutes and was also attended by Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic. Tomislav Nikolic and Hillary Clinton (Tanjug) Tanjug

“New stage of Belgrade-Priština dialogue should start”

Clinton promised that the U.S. would provide full support to the search for solutions to all open issues on Serbia's EU path, primarily with regard to issues related to Kosovo.

She agreed that the talks should be serious and high-level and that no time should be lost, the president's press service released, adding that the U.S. promised to help in the protection of Kosovo citizens, especially the non-Albanian population.

According to the release, Nikolić said that there was no way for the changes in the Serbian government to affect Serbia's European path or the attitude toward the EU integration process.

He underscored that Serbia would never recognize Kosovo's independence and that it would back a consensus between all parties as regards the principle on which the talks would rest.

The two officials agreed that the Belgrade-Priština talks should enter a new stage with participation of high-level representatives, because “every meeting should be clear and it should receive a clear interpretation and conclusions which would be feasible in the implementation”.

Clinton said that the U.S. was interested in resolving the matter as soon as possible and that its associates would offer the necessary assistance through visits to Belgrade and Priština.

Nikolić underscored that the population in Kosovo had to be given a chance for a better life, especially those who lived north of the Ibar River. He added that the region needed investments.

The Serbian president said that everyone had to be patient instead of resorting to force and added that he would back a peaceful search for the solution to the issue and understanding on all sides instead of conflicts.

According to Tanjug, the meeting between Nikolić and Clinton lasted slightly over 20 minutes and was also attended by Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić.