Jeremić on Vojvodina's "Brussels office"

FM Vuk Jeremic says that other countries' regions have representative offices in Brussels, and that he sees no obstacle for Vojvodina to do the same. Jeremic told Novi Sad daily Dnevnik that the past week was successful for Serbia when it comes to "all three of the foreign policy priorities", and listed EU integration, diplomatic struggle to preserve constitutional order and territorial integrity, and regional cooperation. Jeremic on Vojvodina's "Brussels office" "The week started with the EU Council of Ministers decision on the visa liberalization, mid-week was marked by the UN Security Council debate on Kosovo which was fairly favorable for us, and ended with the great gathering in Novi Sad, that demonstrated that Serbia has succeeded in the third priority: good regional cooperation," he was quoted. Jeremic commented on the unfreezing of the Interim Trade Agreement with the EU by saying that "the diplomacy has so far done what it could, since the Hague cooperation has been presented in such a way that there probably isn't a country in the world, save one, that has any doubt about our activity". The minister said that it was the nature of the work to be done that prevented him from saying when a law on the transfer of jurisdictions and the draft Vojvodina statute might be adopted, but said that the statute issue is exceptionally important. "What I can say is that the Serbian government is working on a law on jurisdictions. I expect that in the near future the whole process will be finalized in line with the Serbian Constitution. I do not expect complications," said Jeremic. Asked about his position regarding the statute draft's mention of Vojvodina's office in Brussels and conclusion of international contracts, the foreign minister said that many European regions have their representative offices that are registered with the city authorities in Brussels "in the usual way". "I see no problem – if Vojvodina can afford it and needs it – for that to happen as well, after all the necessary legal acts have been adopted. There is a difference between inter-state and inter-regional cooperation," Jeremic said, and added that when it comes to the latter, "it's a completely autonomous issue for the provinces and regions." As for the inter-state cooperation, he explained, "that is a privilege of sovereign countries".

Jeremić on Vojvodina's "Brussels office"

"The week started with the EU Council of Ministers decision on the visa liberalization, mid-week was marked by the UN Security Council debate on Kosovo which was fairly favorable for us, and ended with the great gathering in Novi Sad, that demonstrated that Serbia has succeeded in the third priority: good regional cooperation," he was quoted.

Jeremić commented on the unfreezing of the Interim Trade Agreement with the EU by saying that "the diplomacy has so far done what it could, since the Hague cooperation has been presented in such a way that there probably isn't a country in the world, save one, that has any doubt about our activity".

The minister said that it was the nature of the work to be done that prevented him from saying when a law on the transfer of jurisdictions and the draft Vojvodina statute might be adopted, but said that the statute issue is exceptionally important.

"What I can say is that the Serbian government is working on a law on jurisdictions. I expect that in the near future the whole process will be finalized in line with the Serbian Constitution. I do not expect complications," said Jeremić.

Asked about his position regarding the statute draft's mention of Vojvodina's office in Brussels and conclusion of international contracts, the foreign minister said that many European regions have their representative offices that are registered with the city authorities in Brussels "in the usual way".

"I see no problem – if Vojvodina can afford it and needs it – for that to happen as well, after all the necessary legal acts have been adopted. There is a difference between inter-state and inter-regional cooperation," Jeremić said, and added that when it comes to the latter, "it's a completely autonomous issue for the provinces and regions."

As for the inter-state cooperation, he explained, "that is a privilege of sovereign countries".