Tadić insists he wants "both Kosovo and EU"

Boris Tadic still insists that his policy includes both the defense of Kosovo and Serbia's European integration. The president, and the leader of the Democrats, DS, addressed his party's main board meeting in Belgrade today with the same message that he used in his presidential campaign. Tadic insists he wants "both Kosovo and EU" He won the run-off with a slim margin over Radical Tomislav Nikolic, on Feb. 3, two weeks before Kosovo Albanians unilaterally declared secession from Serbia, backed by the U.S. and EU. "No one should think I will give up on this policy. Both the European Union, and Kosovo, both Kosovo and the European Union," the party delegates heard Tadic repeat. "I see no logic in claims that a weakening of our economic and political capacity can defend our legitimate interests and so I continue to advocate this political option and I will never stop. That is my message to the citizens, the international community and all the participants in the country's political life," agencies quoted Tadic, without giving any further details of the president's plan of future action in order to achieve both objectives. Tadic also said he was opposed to the idea of breaking off of diplomatic ties with those countries that recognize Kosovo's unilateral independence, something Belgrade earlier declared illegal, and explained that such moves would mean that Serbia is "taking away its own possibilities to continue to fight for the province." Tadic added that, as far as foreign policy goes, "any decision that means this goal will be achieved and Serbia's territorial integrity defended" will get his support, while he will "stand opposed to those decisions that lead to isolation and diminish the capacity to continue this struggle". The DS leader said he held Russia's position and support over Kosovo "in high esteem", but that "60 percent of Serbia's trade was linked to the EU countries, and only five percent with Russia". He went on to warn that "any deterioration of the relationship with the EU will mean that Serbia's economic situation will worsen". He also said that the five principles that the current cabinet was formed on last May are still the goals of his party. As for the ever stronger rumors that the coalition, where Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) and the DS hold key position is about to fall, Tadic said that "any party that wishes to bring down the government can do so at any moment". Tadic condemned violent protests in Belgrade, and said that the government, ministries and other state bodies "should submit reports and take responsibility". After Tadic's speech, the main board session continued its work behind closed doors. Boris Tadic (FoNet)

Tadić insists he wants "both Kosovo and EU"

He won the run-off with a slim margin over Radical Tomislav Nikolić, on Feb. 3, two weeks before Kosovo Albanians unilaterally declared secession from Serbia, backed by the U.S. and EU.

"No one should think I will give up on this policy. Both the European Union, and Kosovo, both Kosovo and the European Union," the party delegates heard Tadić repeat.

"I see no logic in claims that a weakening of our economic and political capacity can defend our legitimate interests and so I continue to advocate this political option and I will never stop. That is my message to the citizens, the international community and all the participants in the country's political life," agencies quoted Tadić, without giving any further details of the president's plan of future action in order to achieve both objectives.

Tadić also said he was opposed to the idea of breaking off of diplomatic ties with those countries that recognize Kosovo's unilateral independence, something Belgrade earlier declared illegal, and explained that such moves would mean that Serbia is "taking away its own possibilities to continue to fight for the province."

Tadić added that, as far as foreign policy goes, "any decision that means this goal will be achieved and Serbia's territorial integrity defended" will get his support, while he will "stand opposed to those decisions that lead to isolation and diminish the capacity to continue this struggle".

The DS leader said he held Russia's position and support over Kosovo "in high esteem", but that "60 percent of Serbia's trade was linked to the EU countries, and only five percent with Russia". He went on to warn that "any deterioration of the relationship with the EU will mean that Serbia's economic situation will worsen".

He also said that the five principles that the current cabinet was formed on last May are still the goals of his party. As for the ever stronger rumors that the coalition, where Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica's Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) and the DS hold key position is about to fall, Tadić said that "any party that wishes to bring down the government can do so at any moment".

Tadić condemned violent protests in Belgrade, and said that the government, ministries and other state bodies "should submit reports and take responsibility".

After Tadić's speech, the main board session continued its work behind closed doors.