Ministry's priority, "to operate freely in Kosovo"

Minister for Kosovo Goran Bogdanovic said that his ministry's priority in 2010 will be to operate freely in the Serb-populated areas in Kosovo. "The priority is for the Serbian government and general life in Serb areas in Kosovo to function unhindered, to care for the most vulnerable, stimulate development, provide employment for as many as possible, create a prospect for survival, but also for return and finally the accent will be on improving the lives of regular people," said Bogdanovic. Ministry's priority, "to operate freely in Kosovo" Speaking about the future decision by the International Court of Justice on the legality of the Kosovo Albanian unilateral declaration of independence, Bogdanovic noted that he did not expect a decision that would be unfavorable for Serbia, but that he thought there would be political pressure to make the decision "more neutral". Bogdanovic feels that if the court were to hold fast to international law, its decision would speak clearly that the secession proclamation was "ethnically motivated and represents a dangerous precedent". As for the issues concerning the judiciary in northern Kosovo and related negotiations with EULEX, Bogdanovic announced more intensive talks "not only on that, but on all issues in their jurisdiction". Commenting on the reduction in the number of KFOR troops in Kosovo, Bogdanovic remarked that the province still needed a "robust international presence, including a legitimate military presence in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244."

Ministry's priority, "to operate freely in Kosovo"

Speaking about the future decision by the International Court of Justice on the legality of the Kosovo Albanian unilateral declaration of independence, Bogdanović noted that he did not expect a decision that would be unfavorable for Serbia, but that he thought there would be political pressure to make the decision "more neutral".

Bogdanović feels that if the court were to hold fast to international law, its decision would speak clearly that the secession proclamation was "ethnically motivated and represents a dangerous precedent".

As for the issues concerning the judiciary in northern Kosovo and related negotiations with EULEX, Bogdanović announced more intensive talks "not only on that, but on all issues in their jurisdiction".

Commenting on the reduction in the number of KFOR troops in Kosovo, Bogdanović remarked that the province still needed a "robust international presence, including a legitimate military presence in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244."