Belgian envoy: Belgrade should act wisely

Belgian Ambassador to Serbia Denise de Hauwere said that her country hopes that Belgrade would act wisely after the ICJ opinion on Kosovo is given. She said that good relations with Kosovo are vital for Europe and that Belgium wants Serbia in the European Union, but that Serbia’s fate is in its own hands. Belgian envoy: Belgrade should act wisely “We expect that the reaction of all sides that are involved will be constructive,” she told daily Vecernje novosti. Asked whether it is possible to restart a negotiation process for the future status of Kosovo between Belgrade and Pristina, and whether an opinion from the International Court of Justice that supports Serbia’s stance could convince countries that have recognize Kosovo to reconsider their decision, the ambassador said that “it is most important to maintain stability and peace in the Balkans now. It is important for Serbia to establish good cooperation with Kosovo and to find a lasting modus vivendi.” Belgium believes that the recognition of a country is a bilateral issue and said that Serbia has never been pressured to recognize Kosovo’s independence as a condition for joining the EU. However, she did say that Belgrade must "improve its relations with Kosovo" if it wants to join the EU. Asked whether Serbia must join NATO before joining the EU, she said, “Some members of the Union are not members of the North Atlantic Alliance, and there are NATO members that are not EU member-states. However, participation in the Partnership for Peace will help Serbia in its reforms. NATO supports reforms that strengthen security and regional stability in the Balkans and urge Serbia to support efforts that will lead to stabilization in Kosovo,” she said.

Belgian envoy: Belgrade should act wisely

“We expect that the reaction of all sides that are involved will be constructive,” she told daily Večernje novosti.

Asked whether it is possible to restart a negotiation process for the future status of Kosovo between Belgrade and Priština, and whether an opinion from the International Court of Justice that supports Serbia’s stance could convince countries that have recognize Kosovo to reconsider their decision, the ambassador said that “it is most important to maintain stability and peace in the Balkans now. It is important for Serbia to establish good cooperation with Kosovo and to find a lasting modus vivendi.”

Belgium believes that the recognition of a country is a bilateral issue and said that Serbia has never been pressured to recognize Kosovo’s independence as a condition for joining the EU.

However, she did say that Belgrade must "improve its relations with Kosovo" if it wants to join the EU.

Asked whether Serbia must join NATO before joining the EU, she said, “Some members of the Union are not members of the North Atlantic Alliance, and there are NATO members that are not EU member-states. However, participation in the Partnership for Peace will help Serbia in its reforms. NATO supports reforms that strengthen security and regional stability in the Balkans and urge Serbia to support efforts that will lead to stabilization in Kosovo,” she said.