Serbs in Kosovo urged to vote in elections

BELGRADE Slovak Deputy PM and FM Miroslav Lajcak, who is on a visit to Belgrade, has called on Serbs in Kosovo to turn out and vote in the November 3 elections. In a statement for RTS, he added that this was "one of the most important conditions" for the start of Serbia's accession negotiations with the European Union. Serbs in Kosovo urged to vote in elections Lajcak, when asked to assess the preparations for the elections in Kosovo, said that the voting should "on the ground formalize what was agreed in Brussels." "I think it's very important that these elections are held in accordance with European standards and norms. Serbs should come out and vote in these elections. This is an opportunity that must not be missed," the Slovak official said. He added that "Europe appreciates the agreement reached between Belgrade and Pristina in April." When asked whether the holding of "regular elections" would mean that conditions for the start of negotiations with the EU had been met and that the intergovernmental conference would be held, Lajcak noted that "it may be one of the most important requirements." "Perhaps this is one of the most important conditions that Serbia should meet on the way to the opening of accession negotiations. The tendency of a country and a government to act in relation to the obligations it had assumed is looked at. In this regard, the government of Serbia did a big job," said Lajcak. The Slovak official once again expressed his regret over the killing of a member of the EULEX in Kosovo, stressing that the EU mission was "doing a good job." (Tanjug) Incident condemned Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic and Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak strongly condemned in Belgrade on Thursday the attack on EULEX members, stating that it was aimed against a peaceful resolution of the problems in Kosovo and Metohija. Dacic and Lajcak said that the relations between Serbia and Slovakia are exceptionally good and that the two countries are conducting an intense political dialogue on all levels, the Serbian government's Office for Cooperation with the Media released. Slovakia strongly supports Serbia's EU path and the reforms conducted by the Serbian government, Lajcak said. Dacic underscored that Serbia started with the preparations for the initiation of EU talks, the release states. RTS Tanjug

Serbs in Kosovo urged to vote in elections

Lajcak, when asked to assess the preparations for the elections in Kosovo, said that the voting should "on the ground formalize what was agreed in Brussels."

"I think it's very important that these elections are held in accordance with European standards and norms. Serbs should come out and vote in these elections. This is an opportunity that must not be missed," the Slovak official said.

He added that "Europe appreciates the agreement reached between Belgrade and Priština in April."

When asked whether the holding of "regular elections" would mean that conditions for the start of negotiations with the EU had been met and that the intergovernmental conference would be held, Lajcak noted that "it may be one of the most important requirements."

"Perhaps this is one of the most important conditions that Serbia should meet on the way to the opening of accession negotiations. The tendency of a country and a government to act in relation to the obligations it had assumed is looked at. In this regard, the government of Serbia did a big job," said Lajcak.

The Slovak official once again expressed his regret over the killing of a member of the EULEX in Kosovo, stressing that the EU mission was "doing a good job."

Incident condemned

Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dačić and Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak strongly condemned in Belgrade on Thursday the attack on EULEX members, stating that it was aimed against a peaceful resolution of the problems in Kosovo and Metohija.

Dačić and Lajcak said that the relations between Serbia and Slovakia are exceptionally good and that the two countries are conducting an intense political dialogue on all levels, the Serbian government's Office for Cooperation with the Media released.

Slovakia strongly supports Serbia's EU path and the reforms conducted by the Serbian government, Lajcak said.

Dačić underscored that Serbia started with the preparations for the initiation of EU talks, the release states.