EP president calls for continuation of dialogue

European Parliament (EP) President Jerzy Buzek on Thursday called for a resumption of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. Addressing Serbian MPs, he said it was in Serbia's interest to advance its efforts to normalize relations with Pristina. EP president calls for continuation of dialogue “The new crisis accompanied by violence in northern Kosovo is unacceptable to all of us,” Buzek noted. He said he was worried that around 20 people, including KFOR members, were injured in late September in northern Kosovo. “We must not let the ghosts of the past affect us. We must renew dialogue,” Buzek stressed, expressing belief this was possible. “The talks between Belgrade and Pristina were constructive and resulted in agreements on some important issues,” the EP president pointed out. Buzek noted that further constructive steps were needed and that they required dialogue, adding it was important to implement the reached agreements. According to him, all sides must have a constructive role in easing tensions in the north and arriving at a long-term solution. Buzek stressed that freedom of movement must be ensured for people and goods and that this was in the interest of the entire region and the people living in Kosovo. The EP president also met with Serbian parliament Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic. “The door to EU membership is open, but the willingness to enter must be proved through hard facts. Further reforms are needed not only to advance on the European path, but first and foremost for the benefit of the people. They should aim at strengthening the rule of law, regional cooperation and economic competitiveness. Corruption should be attacked at all levels,” Buzek stated in his message prior to the visit. Pointing out that countries in the Balkans have made progress to different degrees on their path to join the European family, the EP president urged this progress to continue and even accelerate in 2012. According to the announcements, he is scheduled to confer with Serbian President Boris Tadic, Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic and Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic later today. Buzek is also envisaged to take part in the debate dubbed “The Role of the European Parliament in EU Integration”, together with Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert. Buzek started his Balkan tour Wednesday by visiting Zagreb, where he conferred with Croatia's top state officials and representatives of non-governmental organizations. On Friday, Buzek will travel to Sarajevo, where he will meet with the three-member Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency and other officials. He is also envisaged to hold a keynote speech on the topic "Democratizing Europe - the impact of Parliament and Civil Society." The high EU official will on Saturday visit and lay a wreath at the Potocari genocide memorial in Srebrenica. Jerzy Buzek (Tanjug)

EP president calls for continuation of dialogue

“The new crisis accompanied by violence in northern Kosovo is unacceptable to all of us,” Buzek noted.

He said he was worried that around 20 people, including KFOR members, were injured in late September in northern Kosovo.

“We must not let the ghosts of the past affect us. We must renew dialogue,” Buzek stressed, expressing belief this was possible.

“The talks between Belgrade and Priština were constructive and resulted in agreements on some important issues,” the EP president pointed out.

Buzek noted that further constructive steps were needed and that they required dialogue, adding it was important to implement the reached agreements.

According to him, all sides must have a constructive role in easing tensions in the north and arriving at a long-term solution.

Buzek stressed that freedom of movement must be ensured for people and goods and that this was in the interest of the entire region and the people living in Kosovo.

The EP president also met with Serbian parliament Speaker Slavica Đukić-Dejanović.

“The door to EU membership is open, but the willingness to enter must be proved through hard facts. Further reforms are needed not only to advance on the European path, but first and foremost for the benefit of the people. They should aim at strengthening the rule of law, regional cooperation and economic competitiveness. Corruption should be attacked at all levels,” Buzek stated in his message prior to the visit.

Pointing out that countries in the Balkans have made progress to different degrees on their path to join the European family, the EP president urged this progress to continue and even accelerate in 2012.

According to the announcements, he is scheduled to confer with Serbian President Boris Tadić, Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković and Deputy Prime Minister Božidar Đelić later today.

Buzek is also envisaged to take part in the debate dubbed “The Role of the European Parliament in EU Integration”, together with Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert.

Buzek started his Balkan tour Wednesday by visiting Zagreb, where he conferred with Croatia's top state officials and representatives of non-governmental organizations.

On Friday, Buzek will travel to Sarajevo, where he will meet with the three-member Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency and other officials. He is also envisaged to hold a keynote speech on the topic "Democratizing Europe - the impact of Parliament and Civil Society."

The high EU official will on Saturday visit and lay a wreath at the Potočari genocide memorial in Srebrenica.