Ashton: Negotiations date in January at latest

BRUSSELS Catherine Ashton said after meeting with Ivica Dacic that she will recommend the European Council to start negotiations with Serbia no later than in January. She told a joint press conference in Brussels that she was "very happy that the foreign ministers of all 27 EU member states decided that the European Commission should start accession negotiations with Serbia." Ashton: Negotiations date in January at latest "I am happy that all 27 EU member states assessed that Serbia and Kosovo have done a big job, and I am very happy to be supporting Serbia's path towards the EU and the commitment of its prime minister for political courage. I am extremely pleased with the conclusions of the Council of Ministers, which recommended to immediately open accession negotiations with Serbia and recommended January as concrete and the latest date," said Ashton. She noted that she would say this also to the European Council on Friday when it decides on Serbia, and added that she hoped its decision would be made based on these recommendations. "I will say that Serbia has fulfilled its part and that it is now EU's turn to fulfill its," Ashton was quoted as saying, and also welcoming and praising Dacic, saying that Brussels was his "second home." Addressing him she said that the EU "commended his leadership, determination and a willingness to look ahead to the future of his country and his people." The prime minister also addressed reporters to said "Serbia expects the European Council decision of historical importance on the opening of negotiations on Serbia's membership in the EU." "I thanked all member states and most of all Ashton who invested a lot of time and effort in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue that took place in Brussels. She also held her promise, and there have been few mediators in dialogues who held their promises," he was quoted as saying. The essence is that Serbia expects a positive decision the opening of negotiations and on a date, Dacic added. "For us it is most important that this decision be unconditional," he said and added that "Serbia will continue to implement all agreed in the dialogue with Pristina." "Serbia has to turn to new negotiations, those on EU membership. We do not want these conversations to take ten years, but to join the EU as soon as possible," stated Dacic. Ashton and Dacic previously had a meeting in Brussels, where they talked about granting Serbia a date for negotiations with the EU. Dacic, who is on an official visit to Brussels, also plans to meet with the president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, and with several EU commissioners. (Beta/AP) B92

Ashton: Negotiations date in January at latest

"I am happy that all 27 EU member states assessed that Serbia and Kosovo have done a big job, and I am very happy to be supporting Serbia's path towards the EU and the commitment of its prime minister for political courage. I am extremely pleased with the conclusions of the Council of Ministers, which recommended to immediately open accession negotiations with Serbia and recommended January as concrete and the latest date," said Ashton.

She noted that she would say this also to the European Council on Friday when it decides on Serbia, and added that she hoped its decision would be made based on these recommendations.

"I will say that Serbia has fulfilled its part and that it is now EU's turn to fulfill its," Ashton was quoted as saying, and also welcoming and praising Dačić, saying that Brussels was his "second home."

Addressing him she said that the EU "commended his leadership, determination and a willingness to look ahead to the future of his country and his people."

The prime minister also addressed reporters to said "Serbia expects the European Council decision of historical importance on the opening of negotiations on Serbia's membership in the EU."

"I thanked all member states and most of all Ashton who invested a lot of time and effort in the Belgrade-Priština dialogue that took place in Brussels. She also held her promise, and there have been few mediators in dialogues who held their promises," he was quoted as saying.

The essence is that Serbia expects a positive decision the opening of negotiations and on a date, Dačić added.

"For us it is most important that this decision be unconditional," he said and added that "Serbia will continue to implement all agreed in the dialogue with Priština."

"Serbia has to turn to new negotiations, those on EU membership. We do not want these conversations to take ten years, but to join the EU as soon as possible," stated Dačić.

Ashton and Dačić previously had a meeting in Brussels, where they talked about granting Serbia a date for negotiations with the EU.

Dačić, who is on an official visit to Brussels, also plans to meet with the president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, and with several EU commissioners.