Hungary to take over EU presidency

Hungary will take over from Belgium on January 1, 2011, as the country presiding over the EU rotating 6-month presidency. When it comes to the Western Balkans, Belgian FM Steven Vanackere says his country is satisfied with the results, and noted it support the start of producing the EC opinion on Serbia's readiness to submit its application in order to obtain candidate status. Hungary to take over EU presidency Montenegro was also given candidate status, while citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania were allowed to travel to the Schengen zones without visas. Hungary is announcing support for the eastern partnership, enlargement and the stability of the Western Balkans and is especially singling out the unsolved issues between Belgrade and Pristina. Hungarian FM Janos Martonyi said that he was disappointed that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina was late. "We advocated very strongly the start of these talks and we were disappointed they were late, which is a result of some objective circumstances. In any case, now we'd like the talks to start on the most neutral technical elements, moving toward more sensitive issued, that touch on the status (of Kosovo)," said he. "It's of key importance to talk and we are aware that the EU has offered its services in that and we, as the future EU presidency, would like to be of help within the role we have according to the Lisbon Treaty," said Martonyi. Meanwhile in Washington, former U.S. Ambassador to the UN John Bolton told VOA that the problem of Kosovo cannot be solved as long as the EU and U.S. fail to understand the complexity of relations between Belgrade and Pristina. Bolton added that he was not optimistic that significant progress would occur, adding that negotiations should be welcomed, but noting that he believed that the fundamental political differences between the two sides would remain in place. Janos Martonyi (Tanjug)

Hungary to take over EU presidency

Montenegro was also given candidate status, while citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania were allowed to travel to the Schengen zones without visas.

Hungary is announcing support for the eastern partnership, enlargement and the stability of the Western Balkans and is especially singling out the unsolved issues between Belgrade and Priština.

Hungarian FM Janos Martonyi said that he was disappointed that the dialogue between Belgrade and Priština was late.

"We advocated very strongly the start of these talks and we were disappointed they were late, which is a result of some objective circumstances. In any case, now we'd like the talks to start on the most neutral technical elements, moving toward more sensitive issued, that touch on the status (of Kosovo)," said he.

"It's of key importance to talk and we are aware that the EU has offered its services in that and we, as the future EU presidency, would like to be of help within the role we have according to the Lisbon Treaty," said Martonyi.

Meanwhile in Washington, former U.S. Ambassador to the UN John Bolton told VOA that the problem of Kosovo cannot be solved as long as the EU and U.S. fail to understand the complexity of relations between Belgrade and Priština.

Bolton added that he was not optimistic that significant progress would occur, adding that negotiations should be welcomed, but noting that he believed that the fundamental political differences between the two sides would remain in place.