Solana: Serbia's progress "irreversible"

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana says that Serbia is progressing "irreversibly" toward a future in the EU, according to Beta news agency. Ahead of his trip to the region, Solana said that Serbia must sustain the high level of cooperation with the Hague Tribunal "indicated by Prosecutor Serge Brammertz in his last report, which EU members noted". Solana: Serbia's progress "irreversible" He also said that he hoped there could soon be a solution that would allow for the unfreezing of the SAA – signed between Brussels and Belgrade over a year ago and immediately suspended. Asked what message he intends to bring to the region, the EU official said that the Western Balkans is an area of vital importance for the EU, and that the European perspective of the region is clear. "I always supported efforts for the countries of the region to join the EU," Solana was quoted. He stated that cooperation with the Hague Tribunal is of key importance when it comes to overcoming in the near future a situation described by Beta's reporter as "having the entire EU, save one country, believe that pro-EU authorities in Belgrade deserve to have SAA or at least its trade part activated, based on the degree of cooperation with the tribunal". "Discussions on this are continuing in the EU Council of Ministers and I hope we'll soon be able to arrive at a solution that will enable us to progress in the process of stabilization and association," said the EU foreign policy chief. When Beta's reporter asked whether "despite all the difficulties, Serbia's European future is irrevocable", Solana said that "despite the difficulties, the accession to membership is a long, technically complex procedure, but Serbia is irreversibly progressing toward a future it will share with the EU". He added that "the European perspective is the right road and there is no turning back from that road". "I hope the Serbian citizens will soon enjoy some palpable results. What I have in mind is the canceling of the [EU ]visas." Solana also addressed the issue of EU's mission in Kosovo, EULEX, to say that it is "the most important and the most ambitious" mission of the organization, and that there has been "plenty of progress, but that it is only natural there is more work to be done". "I wish to stress the good degree of cooperation between Belgrade and EULEX, and this is cooperation that should continue and strengthen." "There should be pragmatism, which will without a doubt benefit especially the Serb community in Kosovo. When it comes to the return of Serb policemen to the police structures in Kosovo, it is good news, in line with the pragmatic spirit that is leading us to progress for the benefit of all," said Solana. Asked whether he saw a way out of the politically and institutionally complex situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, "and what political forces the EU counts on in that country", he said that the situation in Bosnia was complex, and that political leaders in that country "must take responsible stances". The EU, he continued, spurs political dialogue between all sides, and Bosnia "must be responsible for what it does". Solana also commented on whether there is "genuine fatigue" when it comes to the "promised" accession of the Western Balkan countries, to say that a "safe, stable, prosperous Europe living in peace that will include the Western Balkans in its ranks is the aspiration of a large majority of Europeans". "The process of including the Balkans has only just started and I do not believe that any sort of 'fatigue' can be identified thus far. Plenty remains to be done yet, but the result will be worth the effort," concluded Solana. A file photo of Javier Solana (FoNet)

Solana: Serbia's progress "irreversible"

He also said that he hoped there could soon be a solution that would allow for the unfreezing of the SAA – signed between Brussels and Belgrade over a year ago and immediately suspended.

Asked what message he intends to bring to the region, the EU official said that the Western Balkans is an area of vital importance for the EU, and that the European perspective of the region is clear. "I always supported efforts for the countries of the region to join the EU," Solana was quoted.

He stated that cooperation with the Hague Tribunal is of key importance when it comes to overcoming in the near future a situation described by Beta's reporter as "having the entire EU, save one country, believe that pro-EU authorities in Belgrade deserve to have SAA or at least its trade part activated, based on the degree of cooperation with the tribunal".

"Discussions on this are continuing in the EU Council of Ministers and I hope we'll soon be able to arrive at a solution that will enable us to progress in the process of stabilization and association," said the EU foreign policy chief.

When Beta's reporter asked whether "despite all the difficulties, Serbia's European future is irrevocable", Solana said that "despite the difficulties, the accession to membership is a long, technically complex procedure, but Serbia is irreversibly progressing toward a future it will share with the EU".

He added that "the European perspective is the right road and there is no turning back from that road".

"I hope the Serbian citizens will soon enjoy some palpable results. What I have in mind is the canceling of the [EU ]visas."

Solana also addressed the issue of EU's mission in Kosovo, EULEX, to say that it is "the most important and the most ambitious" mission of the organization, and that there has been "plenty of progress, but that it is only natural there is more work to be done".

"I wish to stress the good degree of cooperation between Belgrade and EULEX, and this is cooperation that should continue and strengthen."

"There should be pragmatism, which will without a doubt benefit especially the Serb community in Kosovo. When it comes to the return of Serb policemen to the police structures in Kosovo, it is good news, in line with the pragmatic spirit that is leading us to progress for the benefit of all," said Solana.

Asked whether he saw a way out of the politically and institutionally complex situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina, "and what political forces the EU counts on in that country", he said that the situation in Bosnia was complex, and that political leaders in that country "must take responsible stances".

The EU, he continued, spurs political dialogue between all sides, and Bosnia "must be responsible for what it does".

Solana also commented on whether there is "genuine fatigue" when it comes to the "promised" accession of the Western Balkan countries, to say that a "safe, stable, prosperous Europe living in peace that will include the Western Balkans in its ranks is the aspiration of a large majority of Europeans".

"The process of including the Balkans has only just started and I do not believe that any sort of 'fatigue' can be identified thus far. Plenty remains to be done yet, but the result will be worth the effort," concluded Solana.