President attends Central Europe Summit

BRATISLAVA Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic on Thursday addressed the 18th Central Europe Summit in Bratislava and held several bilateral meetings. The summit under the working title "Growth Strategy for Post-Crisis Recovery" is bringing together over 20 heads of state and government and President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy. President attends Central Europe Summit Nikolic held bilateral meetings with Austrian President Heinz Fischer and President of the Czech Republic Milos Zeman. Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga is also attending the summit, and for that reason the gathering is held under the so-called "Gymnich formula" - participants are identified by name and there will not be flags next to their name cards at the discussion table. Nikolic and his wife Dragica were welcomed by Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic and his wife Silvia on Wednesday evening. The host held a reception for heads of state and government, with a concert by the Slovak Philharmonic and gala dinner. Tomislav Nikolic (Tanjug, file) "Historic" European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said on Wednesday in Bratislava that the presence Tomislav Nikolic and Atifete Jahjaga was "a historic step forward and that EU member countries want Serbia and Kosovo to succeed on their European path." In his opening address at the summit taking place at the Slovak Philharmonic in Bratislava, Van Rompuy commended the efforts of the host and the constructive approach of Nikolic and Jahjaga. Kosovo's ethnic Albanians more than five years ago unilaterally declared independence, a proclamation that Serbia rejected as unconstitutional. Slovakia is among five EU member-states that have not recognized it either. "We have the pleasure to witness both Serbia and Kosovo taking part for the first time in an international event at the presidential level. This is historic progress and this huge step is fully in line with the efforts being made by the EU to bring lasting peace and stability to the Balkans and Europe," said Van Rompuy. The signing of the Brussels agreement is a huge success and now all sides are committed to working together on a future in the EU, he said. "EU member countries want Serbia and Kosovo to succeed," said Van Rompuy. The European Council president said that the EU was "built on reconciliation in the wake of the Second World War," and noted that "the same spirit is being shown by Belgrade and Pristina today." "Conflicts which appear very difficult to resolve, such as the one which tore apart the Western Balkans, can be overcome only through trust and commitment from both sides," said Van Rompuy. Tanjug

President attends Central Europe Summit

Nikolić held bilateral meetings with Austrian President Heinz Fischer and President of the Czech Republic Miloš Zeman.

Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga is also attending the summit, and for that reason the gathering is held under the so-called "Gymnich formula" - participants are identified by name and there will not be flags next to their name cards at the discussion table.

Nikolić and his wife Dragica were welcomed by Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič and his wife Silvia on Wednesday evening.

The host held a reception for heads of state and government, with a concert by the Slovak Philharmonic and gala dinner.

"Historic"

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said on Wednesday in Bratislava that the presence Tomislav Nikolić and Atifete Jahjaga was "a historic step forward and that EU member countries want Serbia and Kosovo to succeed on their European path."

In his opening address at the summit taking place at the Slovak Philharmonic in Bratislava, Van Rompuy commended the efforts of the host and the constructive approach of Nikolić and Jahjaga.

Kosovo's ethnic Albanians more than five years ago unilaterally declared independence, a proclamation that Serbia rejected as unconstitutional. Slovakia is among five EU member-states that have not recognized it either.

"We have the pleasure to witness both Serbia and Kosovo taking part for the first time in an international event at the presidential level. This is historic progress and this huge step is fully in line with the efforts being made by the EU to bring lasting peace and stability to the Balkans and Europe," said Van Rompuy.

The signing of the Brussels agreement is a huge success and now all sides are committed to working together on a future in the EU, he said.

"EU member countries want Serbia and Kosovo to succeed," said Van Rompuy.

The European Council president said that the EU was "built on reconciliation in the wake of the Second World War," and noted that "the same spirit is being shown by Belgrade and Priština today."

"Conflicts which appear very difficult to resolve, such as the one which tore apart the Western Balkans, can be overcome only through trust and commitment from both sides," said Van Rompuy.