Germany expects "tangible results"

BELGRADE Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic on Monday in Belgrade met with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, and the two held a news conference afterwards. Westerwelle told reporters that if tangible results are achieved in the implementation of the Brussels agreement, he could give a positive signal to his county's parliament to decide on a EU negotiations date for Serbia. Germany expects "tangible results" The German foreign added that he could not prejudge the decision of the EU heads of state or government, or of the German parliament, when it comes to giving Serbia a date for the start of EU accession talks. "We belong to the same European family not only historically but also culturally, so it would be important to make use of the opportunity provided to make far-reaching, bold decisions," Westerwelle was quoted as saying. Speaking of the implementation of the agreement, he stressed that "it is not about hours, but about a timely decision." "Serbia can do good to Europe, and Europe to Serbia, and it is for that reason right and important that in these historic hours the right decisions are made. The agreement of April 19 may be called historic, it's important to now reach agreement on implementing it, and for the first concrete steps to be visible," said Westerwelle. He stressed that his visit was "a gesture of encouragement," adding that he "understands that discussions in Serbia are not simple." "These historic opportunities do not come along often and when they do it is necessary to use them," he said. The German foreign minister especially thanked Dacic especially for his "courage and leadership." According to him, "European perspective is known only to the winners," and this was "especially important for the younger generation, to improve their situation through investment and new jobs." The German official said that his meeting with Dacic went in a constructive and friendly atmosphere, as well as the meetings with his previous interlocutors in Belgrade today. They included Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic and Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkic. After Belgrade, Westerwelle will travel to Pristina. (Tanjug) Dacic expects recommendation Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said on Monday that Serbia will meet its part of the obligations undertaken by signing the Brussels agreement with Pristina and it expects that Germany will recommend that Serbia be given a date for the start of EU accession talks. After meeting with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on the same day, Dacic told a press conference that Serbia cannot wait any longer as any postponement of a decision on a date for the beginning of negotiations with the EU could have disastrous consequences for the country's future. “It is of vital importance that we get a date for the start of the talks,” Dacic said “Our country needs it, as it has been lagging behind other countries in the region over the last few decades,” said Dacic. The Serbian prime minister expressed his gratitude to the German foreign minister, and said that his visit to Serbia is an encouragement on the path of European integration. “I see this visit as an encouragement and a kind of support for what the government and its most senior officials have done in positioning the country in a different perspective over the past few months, making decisions that were not easy to make but that were nevertheless in the best interests of the state and nation,” said Dacic. Serbia, he said, is aware that it is not just the dialogue with Pristina, but also the implementation of what has been agreed, that is important for the continuation of the European integration process. Dacic said that the Brussels-based dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina continues tomorrow and Serbia will spare no effort to arrive at a solution and the adoption of an implementation plan, which, together with the first steps in implementation itself, is something the date for the start of accession talks is conditional on. “I expect from Pristina to be aware of this, too, and I expect that the EU, or (EU High Representative) Catherine Ashton, make maximum effort to make the implementation plan mutually acceptable without imposition of any issues that were not part of the agreement,” Dacic said. “It is necessary to arrive at an agreement, adopt an implementation plan, and make sure that what is envisaged in the document for the first few weeks is really applied on the ground,” Dacic stressed. He added that he expects positive news on June 28, when the heads of state and government of EU member states will be deciding on a date for the beginning of accession talks between Serbia and the EU based on an evaluation of progress in the implementation of the Brussels agreement. B92 Beta

Germany expects "tangible results"

The German foreign added that he could not prejudge the decision of the EU heads of state or government, or of the German parliament, when it comes to giving Serbia a date for the start of EU accession talks.

"We belong to the same European family not only historically but also culturally, so it would be important to make use of the opportunity provided to make far-reaching, bold decisions," Westerwelle was quoted as saying.

Speaking of the implementation of the agreement, he stressed that "it is not about hours, but about a timely decision."

"Serbia can do good to Europe, and Europe to Serbia, and it is for that reason right and important that in these historic hours the right decisions are made. The agreement of April 19 may be called historic, it's important to now reach agreement on implementing it, and for the first concrete steps to be visible," said Westerwelle.

He stressed that his visit was "a gesture of encouragement," adding that he "understands that discussions in Serbia are not simple."

"These historic opportunities do not come along often and when they do it is necessary to use them," he said.

The German foreign minister especially thanked Dačić especially for his "courage and leadership."

According to him, "European perspective is known only to the winners," and this was "especially important for the younger generation, to improve their situation through investment and new jobs."

The German official said that his meeting with Dačić went in a constructive and friendly atmosphere, as well as the meetings with his previous interlocutors in Belgrade today.

They included Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić and Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkić.

After Belgrade, Westerwelle will travel to Priština.

Dačić expects recommendation

Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dačić said on Monday that Serbia will meet its part of the obligations undertaken by signing the Brussels agreement with Priština and it expects that Germany will recommend that Serbia be given a date for the start of EU accession talks.

After meeting with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on the same day, Dačić told a press conference that Serbia cannot wait any longer as any postponement of a decision on a date for the beginning of negotiations with the EU could have disastrous consequences for the country's future.

“It is of vital importance that we get a date for the start of the talks,” Dačić said “Our country needs it, as it has been lagging behind other countries in the region over the last few decades,” said Dačić.

The Serbian prime minister expressed his gratitude to the German foreign minister, and said that his visit to Serbia is an encouragement on the path of European integration.

“I see this visit as an encouragement and a kind of support for what the government and its most senior officials have done in positioning the country in a different perspective over the past few months, making decisions that were not easy to make but that were nevertheless in the best interests of the state and nation,” said Dačić.

Serbia, he said, is aware that it is not just the dialogue with Priština, but also the implementation of what has been agreed, that is important for the continuation of the European integration process.

Dačić said that the Brussels-based dialogue between Belgrade and Priština continues tomorrow and Serbia will spare no effort to arrive at a solution and the adoption of an implementation plan, which, together with the first steps in implementation itself, is something the date for the start of accession talks is conditional on.

“I expect from Priština to be aware of this, too, and I expect that the EU, or (EU High Representative) Catherine Ashton, make maximum effort to make the implementation plan mutually acceptable without imposition of any issues that were not part of the agreement,” Dačić said.

“It is necessary to arrive at an agreement, adopt an implementation plan, and make sure that what is envisaged in the document for the first few weeks is really applied on the ground,” Dačić stressed.

He added that he expects positive news on June 28, when the heads of state and government of EU member states will be deciding on a date for the beginning of accession talks between Serbia and the EU based on an evaluation of progress in the implementation of the Brussels agreement.