DS, SPS agree on govt. principles

The second day of talks between the coalition led by the Socialists (SPS) and the one around the Democrats (DS) has produced agreement on the future government policy. A statement after the meeting said that after agreeing on the program principles, the negotiations are set to continue "with intensity in the next days so that Serbia could get a stable and socially responsible government". DS, SPS agree on govt. principles The statement does not mention the distribution of cabinet portfolios, but Beta news agency says discussion on this subject was led earlier in the day within the DS-led coalition of five parties, dubbed "For a European Serbia". The DS-SPS talks to form a new government officially started last night. The two-hour meeting in Belgrade on Saturday at the DS headquarters was attended by SPS and DS leaders Ivica Dacic and Boris Tadic, and the heads of SPS pre-election partners PUPS and United Serbia (JS). Previously, Dacic announced that the talks with the Radicals (SRS) and the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) – New Serbia (NS) had broken off. He explained that this came because of the differences over the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) and a proposed plan to raise pensions. Last night, the participants emerged from the talks to announce that they agree on the principles of functioning of the next government, and that the negotiations will continue today. Officially, portfolio distribution was not mentioned. Tadic told reporters that the DS will not abandon the principle that an agreement on forming a government pertains to all levels, including in Belgrade. But the Socialists in late May signed a coalition deak with the SRS-DSS-NS to together form the local authorities in the capital. Tadic added that if the level of agreement seen in the meeting on Saturday evening were to be reached as negotiations continue, a new government could be expected "very soon". Contrary to some media reports which already list the names of cabinet ministers in the next government, Dacic said portfolios were not discussed. "We talked about principles and possibilities to form a majority. We are not interested in political trade-offs in the sense to get one, two or three ministries. We are only interested in the policy that this new government ought to lead," the leader of the SPS said. Dacic, Tadic (FoNet) Palma expects government by end of week United Serbia (JS) leader Dragan Markovic Palma said Sunday he expects a government to be formed with the DS-led coalition by the end of next week and that it will remain in office for the full four year term. Agreement on principles was reached quickly on Saturday, and the Sunday round of talks will focus on the distribution of ministries, he told Tanjug, adding he expects agreement on that very quickly too. The leaders of the two coalitions, Boris Tadic and Ivica Dacic agreed Saturday on the ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the European Union, Markovic said. He noted that JS has not requested any portfolio, but rather "insists on Serbia's economic decentralization", which was "accepted by Tadic".

DS, SPS agree on govt. principles

The statement does not mention the distribution of cabinet portfolios, but Beta news agency says discussion on this subject was led earlier in the day within the DS-led coalition of five parties, dubbed "For a European Serbia".

The DS-SPS talks to form a new government officially started last night.

The two-hour meeting in Belgrade on Saturday at the DS headquarters was attended by SPS and DS leaders Ivica Dačić and Boris Tadić, and the heads of SPS pre-election partners PUPS and United Serbia (JS).

Previously, Dačić announced that the talks with the Radicals (SRS) and the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) – New Serbia (NS) had broken off.

He explained that this came because of the differences over the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) and a proposed plan to raise pensions.

Last night, the participants emerged from the talks to announce that they agree on the principles of functioning of the next government, and that the negotiations will continue today.

Officially, portfolio distribution was not mentioned.

Tadić told reporters that the DS will not abandon the principle that an agreement on forming a government pertains to all levels, including in Belgrade.

But the Socialists in late May signed a coalition deak with the SRS-DSS-NS to together form the local authorities in the capital.

Tadić added that if the level of agreement seen in the meeting on Saturday evening were to be reached as negotiations continue, a new government could be expected "very soon".

Contrary to some media reports which already list the names of cabinet ministers in the next government, Dačić said portfolios were not discussed.

"We talked about principles and possibilities to form a majority. We are not interested in political trade-offs in the sense to get one, two or three ministries. We are only interested in the policy that this new government ought to lead," the leader of the SPS said.

Palma expects government by end of week

United Serbia (JS) leader Dragan Marković Palma said Sunday he expects a government to be formed with the DS-led coalition by the end of next week and that it will remain in office for the full four year term.

Agreement on principles was reached quickly on Saturday, and the Sunday round of talks will focus on the distribution of ministries, he told Tanjug, adding he expects agreement on that very quickly too.

The leaders of the two coalitions, Boris Tadić and Ivica Dačić agreed Saturday on the ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the European Union, Marković said.

He noted that JS has not requested any portfolio, but rather "insists on Serbia's economic decentralization", which was "accepted by Tadić".