French ambassador: There's no alternative

Jean-Francois Terral said that he is disappointed that an interim trade deal between Serbia and the EU was not unfrozen during the French EU presidency. The French ambassador in Belgrade also told FoNet news agency in an interview on Sunday that only one EU member-state was against the agreement – a part of the SAA – being activated. French ambassador: There's no alternative Terral said that despite this, "there is no alternative to Serbia's joining the EU". He said that “Serbia will enter the EU, that is certain, it will take some years, but it will happen,” adding that “Serbia cannot remain a black hole on the map.” “Serbia is the largest country in the region. Serbia has a European history and culture. There is no alternative. The Russians are no longer a great power. It is a historical process, it will take several years, but it will happen,” Terral said. Asked what prevented his country from achieving better results in getting Belgrade closer to the EU, the French diplomat said that there was a “rock in the road” of France’s effort to help speed up Serbia’s EU integration. “It is the clear stance of one country. We must respect it. It is not the stance of the majority, nor of France,” he said, adding that since the formation of the new Serbian government, Belgrade’s will for completing cooperation with the Hague Tribunal has been confirmed. “But everyone must be assured of that,” Terral said, adding that he is convinced that the agreement will soon be unfrozen. Serbian and the EU in April signed the SAA, but the deal was immediately suspended. Holland is against its unfreezing until Belgrade proves that it is fully cooperating with the Hague Tribunal. Terral said yesterday that the claims that Serbia will be asked to recognize Kosovo in order to join the EU are “fantasies” and “rumors,” but added that "Serbia and Kosovo will have to find a way to live together and normalize relations". “We cannot remain in constant antagonism when everyone wants to enter the EU. There is no recipe, but everyone should be pragmatic,” Terral said. He said that Serbia’s decision to unilaterally implement the Interim Trade Agreement is "a good, courageous and positive decision", even though it will lead to the state budget losing money, "because it shows there is will, which can help countries in the EU, like France, who wish to move matters forward". Asked about relations with Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic and the unofficial reports that many EU officials are unhappy with the minister and some of his recent comments, Terral said that he has good relations with Jeremic and that he considers him a friend, although the they are not in agreement on all issues. “He is a brilliant young man, very energetic. We do not agree on everything, but he does his job and carries out the policies that have basically been confirmed by President Tadic. That is all I can say,” Terral continued. The French ambassador added that he does not think that the energy agreement between Russia and Serbia will cause any problems between Serbia and the EU, unless it is seen that matters related to competitive issues are set against European standards.

French ambassador: There's no alternative

Terral said that despite this, "there is no alternative to Serbia's joining the EU".

He said that “Serbia will enter the EU, that is certain, it will take some years, but it will happen,” adding that “Serbia cannot remain a black hole on the map.”

“Serbia is the largest country in the region. Serbia has a European history and culture. There is no alternative. The Russians are no longer a great power. It is a historical process, it will take several years, but it will happen,” Terral said.

Asked what prevented his country from achieving better results in getting Belgrade closer to the EU, the French diplomat said that there was a “rock in the road” of France’s effort to help speed up Serbia’s EU integration.

“It is the clear stance of one country. We must respect it. It is not the stance of the majority, nor of France,” he said, adding that since the formation of the new Serbian government, Belgrade’s will for completing cooperation with the Hague Tribunal has been confirmed.

“But everyone must be assured of that,” Terral said, adding that he is convinced that the agreement will soon be unfrozen.

Serbian and the EU in April signed the SAA, but the deal was immediately suspended. Holland is against its unfreezing until Belgrade proves that it is fully cooperating with the Hague Tribunal.

Terral said yesterday that the claims that Serbia will be asked to recognize Kosovo in order to join the EU are “fantasies” and “rumors,” but added that "Serbia and Kosovo will have to find a way to live together and normalize relations".

“We cannot remain in constant antagonism when everyone wants to enter the EU. There is no recipe, but everyone should be pragmatic,” Terral said.

He said that Serbia’s decision to unilaterally implement the Interim Trade Agreement is "a good, courageous and positive decision", even though it will lead to the state budget losing money, "because it shows there is will, which can help countries in the EU, like France, who wish to move matters forward".

Asked about relations with Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić and the unofficial reports that many EU officials are unhappy with the minister and some of his recent comments, Terral said that he has good relations with Jeremić and that he considers him a friend, although the they are not in agreement on all issues.

“He is a brilliant young man, very energetic. We do not agree on everything, but he does his job and carries out the policies that have basically been confirmed by President Tadić. That is all I can say,” Terral continued.

The French ambassador added that he does not think that the energy agreement between Russia and Serbia will cause any problems between Serbia and the EU, unless it is seen that matters related to competitive issues are set against European standards.