Vujanović: Not right time for Kosovo

Our position on Kosovo is very sensitive and everyone understands it, Montenegrin President Filip Vujanović has told Deutsche Welle.

Izvor: Beta

Wednesday, 11.06.2008.

11:06

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Our position on Kosovo is very sensitive and everyone understands it, Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic has told Deutsche Welle. In an interview with the German radio station, Vujanovic said that Podgorica would take a decision on recognition of Kosovo’s unilateral independence when it felt that it was in Montenegro’s interests. Vujanovic: Not right time for Kosovo The president also said that a decision would be taken once it had been determined that it would not cause any serious disturbances in the country, especially between Serbs and Albanians, and that it would not shatter Podgorica’s good relations with both Belgrade and Pristina, as well as Montenegro’s strategic integration objectives. “In any case, it will not be a hasty decision,” Montenegrin president pledged. He denied that Brussels had conditioned Montenegro’s EU membership with recognition of Kosovo, something that was being mooted in diplomatic circles. “Absolutely not. No one has ever even suggested that it might slow down our path towards the EU. Not even all the countries of the EU have yet recognized Kosovo’s independence, and I think that it would be inappropriate to ask a non-EU country to do so,” said Vujanovic. He said that this position did not compromise Montenegro’s relations with Belgrade and Pristina. “Good relations with Serbia are important to us, and we understand the sensitiveness of that issue. Meanwhile, the authorities in Pristina also understand Montenegro’s position, since they are also keen for good relations between Serbs and Albanians in Montenegro to be preserved. And that is essential for the entire region,” Vujanovic said. He added that “issues concerning the lives of citizens will be settled with the government in Pristina, since that is its jurisdiction,” and added that this had been the practice before for the sake of good economic relations. Vujanovic said that there were no open issues between Serbia and Montenegro and that “a new government will be formed in Serbia, which will pursue European integration and good relations with its neighbors.” “I know that the Democratic Party (DS) of Serbian President Boris Tadic considers relations with Montenegro to be a high priority,” said the Montenegrin president.

Vujanović: Not right time for Kosovo

The president also said that a decision would be taken once it had been determined that it would not cause any serious disturbances in the country, especially between Serbs and Albanians, and that it would not shatter Podgorica’s good relations with both Belgrade and Priština, as well as Montenegro’s strategic integration objectives.

“In any case, it will not be a hasty decision,” Montenegrin president pledged.

He denied that Brussels had conditioned Montenegro’s EU membership with recognition of Kosovo, something that was being mooted in diplomatic circles.

“Absolutely not. No one has ever even suggested that it might slow down our path towards the EU. Not even all the countries of the EU have yet recognized Kosovo’s independence, and I think that it would be inappropriate to ask a non-EU country to do so,” said Vujanović.

He said that this position did not compromise Montenegro’s relations with Belgrade and Priština.

“Good relations with Serbia are important to us, and we understand the sensitiveness of that issue. Meanwhile, the authorities in Priština also understand Montenegro’s position, since they are also keen for good relations between Serbs and Albanians in Montenegro to be preserved. And that is essential for the entire region,” Vujanović said.

He added that “issues concerning the lives of citizens will be settled with the government in Priština, since that is its jurisdiction,” and added that this had been the practice before for the sake of good economic relations.

Vujanović said that there were no open issues between Serbia and Montenegro and that “a new government will be formed in Serbia, which will pursue European integration and good relations with its neighbors.”

“I know that the Democratic Party (DS) of Serbian President Boris Tadić considers relations with Montenegro to be a high priority,” said the Montenegrin president.

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