PM condemns parliament obstruction

Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic said that the obstruction of the parliament by the opposition is slowing down the government. Cvetkovic told the daily Blic that even though the parliament has already shown concrete results, a lot more could have been done without the obstruction. PM condemns parliament obstruction "I think that it is a great shame, and it is inexplicable to me how the opposition can obstruct the work of parliament, which only has four points on the agenda, all of which are very important to the citizens of this country," he said. The premier noticed that these are European integrations, the ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) and of the energy agreement with Russia, ratifying loans for building infrastructure and confirming the continuity of state policy towards Kosovo. "All of this should have already been adopted. But that is the failure of the parliament, not the government," Cvetkovic said. But he said that on the other hand, cooperation with the Hague Tribunal has been continued, which is helping Serbia "fight for Kosovo as well, by respecting international law". "Our activities are even greater in economy, but that is less visible, because it will have long-term effects," Cvetkovic said. He added that all members of the government are dedicated to the goal of Serbian becoming a member of the European Union, and said it was "unimportant to him" whether it will happen "in 2012 or 2014". "To me it is more important to be successful with every step towards the EU, especially economically. In that sense, formal membership, without a system that is well-developed, can create problems, just as we saw in other countries," Cvetkovic warned. The prime minister said that he saw the comments that he is Tadic's prime minister and that his decisions are not made independently as "malicious." "A joint implementation of the same policies does not represents the introduction of the presidential system. Again, if you think that the presidential system works by everyone obeying just one, that is not the case either. It is coordinated work, where everyone gives their opinion," Cvetkovic said. "And as for those who are making these complaints, the message is – they have the right to be sore losers," the premier was quoted as saying. Radicals reject criticism The Serbian Radical Party (SRS) on Monday rejected Cvetkovic's accusations. The Radicals said in a statement that the ruling majority bears the responsibility for everything that is happening in the country, and rejected the premier's statement "in which he is trying to blame the opposition for the catastrophic political and economic situation in the country". The statement set out that parliament session was not broken off because of opposition's obstruction, but due to "the obstruction and ruthlessness of the government which arrested Radovan Karadzic and allegedly due to other political reason" postponed the parliament session for over one month. The SRS stated that such conduct by the government is the main reason for the political crisis in Serbia, adding that the government "is trying in every way to justify its dictatorship through alleged blunders of the opposition".

PM condemns parliament obstruction

"I think that it is a great shame, and it is inexplicable to me how the opposition can obstruct the work of parliament, which only has four points on the agenda, all of which are very important to the citizens of this country," he said.

The premier noticed that these are European integrations, the ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) and of the energy agreement with Russia, ratifying loans for building infrastructure and confirming the continuity of state policy towards Kosovo.

"All of this should have already been adopted. But that is the failure of the parliament, not the government," Cvetković said.

But he said that on the other hand, cooperation with the Hague Tribunal has been continued, which is helping Serbia "fight for Kosovo as well, by respecting international law".

"Our activities are even greater in economy, but that is less visible, because it will have long-term effects," Cvetković said.

He added that all members of the government are dedicated to the goal of Serbian becoming a member of the European Union, and said it was "unimportant to him" whether it will happen "in 2012 or 2014".

"To me it is more important to be successful with every step towards the EU, especially economically. In that sense, formal membership, without a system that is well-developed, can create problems, just as we saw in other countries," Cvetković warned.

The prime minister said that he saw the comments that he is Tadić's prime minister and that his decisions are not made independently as "malicious."

"A joint implementation of the same policies does not represents the introduction of the presidential system. Again, if you think that the presidential system works by everyone obeying just one, that is not the case either. It is coordinated work, where everyone gives their opinion," Cvetković said.

"And as for those who are making these complaints, the message is – they have the right to be sore losers," the premier was quoted as saying.

Radicals reject criticism

The Serbian Radical Party (SRS) on Monday rejected Cvetković's accusations.

The Radicals said in a statement that the ruling majority bears the responsibility for everything that is happening in the country, and rejected the premier's statement "in which he is trying to blame the opposition for the catastrophic political and economic situation in the country".

The statement set out that parliament session was not broken off because of opposition's obstruction, but due to "the obstruction and ruthlessness of the government which arrested Radovan Karadžić and allegedly due to other political reason" postponed the parliament session for over one month.

The SRS stated that such conduct by the government is the main reason for the political crisis in Serbia, adding that the government "is trying in every way to justify its dictatorship through alleged blunders of the opposition".