Serbia's interest lies with EU—Basescu

Presidents Boris Tadic met today in Belgade with his Romanian counterpart Traian Basescu. Basescu told reporters after the meeting that it was in Serbia's best interest to join the European Union. Serbia's interest lies with EU—Basescu His visit comes a day after the EU ministers offered Belgrade an interim deal, falling short of signing the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA). Basescu said that Serbians will decide on Sunday poll "whether they are for Europe or some other political option." "It is our wish, our interest that a friendly nation once and for all takes a European path," he added. Tadic, who is campaigning on the EU integration issues, is facing Radical Tomislav Nikolic in the second round of the ballot. The Romanian president said today that the ballot "will not be about the victory of one politician, but about the success of an entire people." He then went on to voice hope that the EU will on February 7, when trade and visa accords are due to be signed with Serbia, "also decide on the signing of the SAA." Basescu reiterated that his country was against a unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence, that would bypasses the UN Security Council. "Romania's position on Kosovo is clear and we do not ask for anything in exchange. Our position on Kosovo is very similar to the position of the authorities in Belgrade," Basescu said. President Tadic thanked Romania for its principled position in the ongoing Kosovo status crisis, underscored that Basescu was a "man who always understood Serbia," which is defending its legitimate interests in a democratic way. "Serbia will not give up on Kosovo and Metohija within its borders, nor will it give up a Kosovo and Metohija in which everyone has the same rights, both Serbs and Albanians. At the same time, Serbia will not give up on its European future," Tadic said. Basescu, Tadic, in Belgrade today (Beta)

Serbia's interest lies with EU—Basescu

His visit comes a day after the EU ministers offered Belgrade an interim deal, falling short of signing the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA).

Basescu said that Serbians will decide on Sunday poll "whether they are for Europe or some other political option."

"It is our wish, our interest that a friendly nation once and for all takes a European path," he added.

Tadić, who is campaigning on the EU integration issues, is facing Radical Tomislav Nikolić in the second round of the ballot.

The Romanian president said today that the ballot "will not be about the victory of one politician, but about the success of an entire people."

He then went on to voice hope that the EU will on February 7, when trade and visa accords are due to be signed with Serbia, "also decide on the signing of the SAA."

Basescu reiterated that his country was against a unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence, that would bypasses the UN Security Council.

"Romania's position on Kosovo is clear and we do not ask for anything in exchange. Our position on Kosovo is very similar to the position of the authorities in Belgrade," Basescu said.

President Tadić thanked Romania for its principled position in the ongoing Kosovo status crisis, underscored that Basescu was a "man who always understood Serbia," which is defending its legitimate interests in a democratic way.

"Serbia will not give up on Kosovo and Metohija within its borders, nor will it give up a Kosovo and Metohija in which everyone has the same rights, both Serbs and Albanians. At the same time, Serbia will not give up on its European future," Tadić said.