“CoE content with reforms in Serbia”

Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland said that Serbia is an excellent partner and a key factor to regional stability. Jagland will be visiting Serbia next week. “CoE content with reforms in Serbia” He commended reforms taken on by the Serbian government, which he believes is on the right road, adding that he supports Serbia’s European integration. He said that the CoE is a waiting room for those who want to join the European Union, adding that there is no entry into the EU without CoE membership and fulfilling standards and norms of the oldest pan-European organization. “I see Serbia as a modern European democracy, which is preparing itself to become a part of all European institutions,” Jagland said. Asked about Belgrade’s cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, he said that the CoE demands the arrest and extradition of the two remaining fugitives, Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic, which would end one of Serbia’s obligations on its road of European integration. Regarding the recently adopted Srebrenica resolution, Jagland commended President Boris Tadic’s efforts, especially in making the decision to go to Srebrenica and taking a large step towards reconciliation by initiating the adoption of the resolution. He said that the reconciliation process is not finished, adding that all Balkans countries must be aware of their responsibility for what happened and not try to blame others for what they did. That goes for Serbian citizens and citizens from other parts of the Balkans, Jagland said, adding that he supports increased regional cooperation and the recent improvements in relations between Serbia and Croatia. However, he did not comment on the genocide suits filed between Serbia and Croatia, adding that this is in the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). He said that everyone will be happy when a compromise between Belgrade and Pristina will be possible, under the condition that the ICJ makes a clear decision on the legality of the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo. Jagland said that the ICJ’s decision could be used in various ways, which could be dangerous, and added that the CoE is “status neutral” as far as Kosovo is concerned. He said that the CoE is doing everything to help the people of Kosovo in a status neutral way, which Belgrade also supports, since it helps the Serb population in Kosovo as well.

“CoE content with reforms in Serbia”

He commended reforms taken on by the Serbian government, which he believes is on the right road, adding that he supports Serbia’s European integration.

He said that the CoE is a waiting room for those who want to join the European Union, adding that there is no entry into the EU without CoE membership and fulfilling standards and norms of the oldest pan-European organization.

“I see Serbia as a modern European democracy, which is preparing itself to become a part of all European institutions,” Jagland said.

Asked about Belgrade’s cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, he said that the CoE demands the arrest and extradition of the two remaining fugitives, Ratko Mladić and Goran Hadžić, which would end one of Serbia’s obligations on its road of European integration.

Regarding the recently adopted Srebrenica resolution, Jagland commended President Boris Tadić’s efforts, especially in making the decision to go to Srebrenica and taking a large step towards reconciliation by initiating the adoption of the resolution.

He said that the reconciliation process is not finished, adding that all Balkans countries must be aware of their responsibility for what happened and not try to blame others for what they did.

That goes for Serbian citizens and citizens from other parts of the Balkans, Jagland said, adding that he supports increased regional cooperation and the recent improvements in relations between Serbia and Croatia.

However, he did not comment on the genocide suits filed between Serbia and Croatia, adding that this is in the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

He said that everyone will be happy when a compromise between Belgrade and Priština will be possible, under the condition that the ICJ makes a clear decision on the legality of the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo.

Jagland said that the ICJ’s decision could be used in various ways, which could be dangerous, and added that the CoE is “status neutral” as far as Kosovo is concerned.

He said that the CoE is doing everything to help the people of Kosovo in a status neutral way, which Belgrade also supports, since it helps the Serb population in Kosovo as well.