"Normalization does not mean recognition"

BELGRADE Michael Davenport says that negotiations do not entail recognition of Kosovo, "but comprehensive normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina." "According to the decision of the European Council in June and according to the new decision from last week, which is the united position of the European Union, normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina is expected, and it is about a comprehensive normalization," the head of EU Delegation to Serbia told TV B92 on Monday. "Normalization does not mean recognition" He added that "a legally binding agreement at the end of the process" is expected from Serbia, which, as he said, is supported both by the Serbian government and the Kosovo one in Pristina. "Everyone is aware of their obligations and they see that normalization is in the their own interest," said Davenport. Asked whether there was a demand for Serbia to abolish its courts in Kosovo, Davenport said that there were two issues: the judicial reform in Serbia, which is also one of the highest priorities for the European Union and the Serbian government, and strengthening of independent institutions that play a role in these reforms. "The obligation of both sides within the Brussels agreement is that there is integration in some institutions, including the police and judiciary. However, there has not yet been an agreement, but the principle is clear, there must be full integration," said Davenport. As for the parliamentary elections in Kosovo that Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic spoke about after the local elections, and expectations the EU has of Belgrade, Davenport said that "in the past year there have been great changes and breakthroughs." "It seems to me it is a great achievement that there have been more than twenty meetings between prime ministers Dacic and Thaci, and there have been results that are in favor of both sides. The Brussels agreement happened on April 19 and there has been implementation of the agreement. Therefore, implementation is possible." "As parliamentary elections will be held in Kosovo next year, Dacic made it clear that he wants to encourage voters to vote, I think that's the right approach," he added. Regarding the 35 issues that need to be addressed - i.e., the chapters to be opened and closed successfully in negotiations with the European Union - Davenport stated that all the chapters in this process were important for Serbia, that all should be successfully completed, and that the chapters at the very beginning of the negotiations concern the rule of law, courts and the judiciary. "This will be a topic of continuing negotiations over the coming years." The head of EU Delegation to Serbia also pointed out that all negotiating chapters concern European standards and regulations in particular areas. "The rule of law, justice, fundamental freedoms, fighting corruption and discrimination, according to our experience these chapters should be immediately addressed, as they are among the largest and most difficult in the process. Experience shows that Chapter 27, environmental protection, is also of great importance, due to extensive laws to be introduced," Davenport said, adding that these topics also concerned other candidate countries. Speaking about the possible suspension of visa liberalization, he commented on the urgent problem of false asylum seekers, acknowledging that there was great concern in the EU. The European diplomat said there was the immediate need to address these issues without delay, that the EU had developed an action plan with the Serbian government, and that "criminals who are encouraging people to illegally enter the EU countries are involved in these processes". He further stated that it was necessary to jointly confront this phenomenon, but also to strive to improve the living conditions in the regions and parts of Serbia where there were major problems. Commenting on the decision of the European Council to hold the first intergovernmental conference on January 21, Davenport said this was a big achievement and that he wished to "congratulate all citizens and the government, because it is a big step in relations between Serbia and the Union in European integrations." Explaining what Serbia can expect in the coming period, Davenport said that this would be the formal beginning of negotiations, "while we have already started technical talks, simultaneously continuing the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina." "Next year we continue technical inspections and it will last until the beginning of 2015, and in the meantime, we want to continue work together with the Serbian government regarding the two first chapters for which we finished screening." Davenport added that he wanted to praise the role of parliament and civil society in European integration, as well as contributions of the citizens, which, as he said, matter. Speaking about the first intergovernmental conference, Davenport explained that this would be the first official opportunity for the Serbian government to present its plans for the implementation of the legislative system to all EU members, but also for members to present their priorities in this process. "Members have a vital role during the whole process," noted the head of the European delegation in Serbia. Davenport commented on donations of the European Union to Serbia in the period since 2006 until now, saying that Serbia received EUR 2.6 billion. He noted that the European Investment Bank was very active in Serbia and in other regions and recalled that a new loan of EUR 500 million was signed recently for the promotion of small and medium-sized businesses. He also stated that the decision was made to continue cooperation next year, and that the Union will continue with the assistance in the amount of EUR 200 million planned for 2014. Davenport said that work was being done in cooperation with the Serbian government when it comes to setting priorities for the next seven years. He also pointed out that the duty of the European Commission and the European Delegation in Belgrade was to monitor the flow of money from donations. Commenting on surveys that show oscillations in support of the citizens for EU integrations, Davenport mentioned as an example a recent research, which, he said, showed support for EU membership jump from 31 to 51 percent. "Some increase is there, the results are associated with certain events. When there was the liberalization of the visa regime, support grew to 70 percent. Such fluctuations are normal in all candidate countries," he assessed. Talking about the problems and challenges related to the South Stream pipeline, Davenport said he believed that this problem does not concern energy efficiency, but a bigger problem, that of competition. "Serbia has its obligations toward the Energy Community Treaty and the EU. The challenge is for that agreement to be fully in compliance with these obligations. I am optimistic that this will happen," said Davenport. (Tanjug, file) B92

"Normalization does not mean recognition"

He added that "a legally binding agreement at the end of the process" is expected from Serbia, which, as he said, is supported both by the Serbian government and the Kosovo one in Priština. "Everyone is aware of their obligations and they see that normalization is in the their own interest," said Davenport.

Asked whether there was a demand for Serbia to abolish its courts in Kosovo, Davenport said that there were two issues: the judicial reform in Serbia, which is also one of the highest priorities for the European Union and the Serbian government, and strengthening of independent institutions that play a role in these reforms.

"The obligation of both sides within the Brussels agreement is that there is integration in some institutions, including the police and judiciary. However, there has not yet been an agreement, but the principle is clear, there must be full integration," said Davenport.

As for the parliamentary elections in Kosovo that Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dačić spoke about after the local elections, and expectations the EU has of Belgrade, Davenport said that "in the past year there have been great changes and breakthroughs."

"It seems to me it is a great achievement that there have been more than twenty meetings between prime ministers Dačić and Thaci, and there have been results that are in favor of both sides. The Brussels agreement happened on April 19 and there has been implementation of the agreement. Therefore, implementation is possible."

"As parliamentary elections will be held in Kosovo next year, Dačić made it clear that he wants to encourage voters to vote, I think that's the right approach," he added.

Regarding the 35 issues that need to be addressed - i.e., the chapters to be opened and closed successfully in negotiations with the European Union - Davenport stated that all the chapters in this process were important for Serbia, that all should be successfully completed, and that the chapters at the very beginning of the negotiations concern the rule of law, courts and the judiciary.

"This will be a topic of continuing negotiations over the coming years."

The head of EU Delegation to Serbia also pointed out that all negotiating chapters concern European standards and regulations in particular areas.

"The rule of law, justice, fundamental freedoms, fighting corruption and discrimination, according to our experience these chapters should be immediately addressed, as they are among the largest and most difficult in the process. Experience shows that Chapter 27, environmental protection, is also of great importance, due to extensive laws to be introduced," Davenport said, adding that these topics also concerned other candidate countries.

Speaking about the possible suspension of visa liberalization, he commented on the urgent problem of false asylum seekers, acknowledging that there was great concern in the EU. The European diplomat said there was the immediate need to address these issues without delay, that the EU had developed an action plan with the Serbian government, and that "criminals who are encouraging people to illegally enter the EU countries are involved in these processes".

He further stated that it was necessary to jointly confront this phenomenon, but also to strive to improve the living conditions in the regions and parts of Serbia where there were major problems.

Commenting on the decision of the European Council to hold the first intergovernmental conference on January 21, Davenport said this was a big achievement and that he wished to "congratulate all citizens and the government, because it is a big step in relations between Serbia and the Union in European integrations."

Explaining what Serbia can expect in the coming period, Davenport said that this would be the formal beginning of negotiations, "while we have already started technical talks, simultaneously continuing the dialogue between Belgrade and Priština."

"Next year we continue technical inspections and it will last until the beginning of 2015, and in the meantime, we want to continue work together with the Serbian government regarding the two first chapters for which we finished screening." Davenport added that he wanted to praise the role of parliament and civil society in European integration, as well as contributions of the citizens, which, as he said, matter.

Speaking about the first intergovernmental conference, Davenport explained that this would be the first official opportunity for the Serbian government to present its plans for the implementation of the legislative system to all EU members, but also for members to present their priorities in this process. "Members have a vital role during the whole process," noted the head of the European delegation in Serbia.

Davenport commented on donations of the European Union to Serbia in the period since 2006 until now, saying that Serbia received EUR 2.6 billion. He noted that the European Investment Bank was very active in Serbia and in other regions and recalled that a new loan of EUR 500 million was signed recently for the promotion of small and medium-sized businesses.

He also stated that the decision was made to continue cooperation next year, and that the Union will continue with the assistance in the amount of EUR 200 million planned for 2014. Davenport said that work was being done in cooperation with the Serbian government when it comes to setting priorities for the next seven years.

He also pointed out that the duty of the European Commission and the European Delegation in Belgrade was to monitor the flow of money from donations.

Commenting on surveys that show oscillations in support of the citizens for EU integrations, Davenport mentioned as an example a recent research, which, he said, showed support for EU membership jump from 31 to 51 percent. "Some increase is there, the results are associated with certain events. When there was the liberalization of the visa regime, support grew to 70 percent. Such fluctuations are normal in all candidate countries," he assessed.

Talking about the problems and challenges related to the South Stream pipeline, Davenport said he believed that this problem does not concern energy efficiency, but a bigger problem, that of competition. "Serbia has its obligations toward the Energy Community Treaty and the EU. The challenge is for that agreement to be fully in compliance with these obligations. I am optimistic that this will happen," said Davenport.