Govt., opposition to discuss Kosovo in August

BELGRADE Defense Minister Aleksandar Vucic says the new director of the Security Information Agency (BIA) would be chosen at the government session on Thursday. However, Vucic - who also serves as a deputy PM - would not reveal the name of the agency's new chief. Govt., opposition to discuss Kosovo in August "BIA will be headed by a first-rate jurist, to prevent any abuse of the service," Vucic said while visiting the Serbian Army (VS) General Staff HQ in Belgrade on Tuesday. According to media reports, Nebojsa Rodic is likely to take over as BIA director. Rodic is secretary general to Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic. According to this, "the choice is supported by Nikolic". More photos from the General Staff HQ Addressing other issues, the new defense minister - who toured the General Staff along with army chief Lt. Gen. Ljubisa Dikovic - said that Serbia would not join any military alliances, but that, as a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace, it would continue to develop cooperation envisaged by this program. "Our country's policy is completely clear and neither I nor anyone else has the right to change it. We have our Constitution and the parliamentary declaration. The Republic of Serbia is a member of the Partnership for Peace and our army and defense forces will continue cooperation under this program, but we will not join any military alliances," Vucic stressed. The minister added that he had already met with representatives of the U.S. military, had a similar meeting with Russian military representatives planned for today, and would soon sit down with representatives of all other countries with which Serbia had military cooperation. Vucic also stated that Serbia had good cooperation with regional countries, and that his goal was "peace and good cooperation". While announcing that "some personnel changes" would take place in the army and the MoD, Vucic was careful to note that both he and President Nikolic were satisfied with Gen. Dikovic's performance as chief of staff. The minister also revealed today that the Serbian president and key government officials will in August meet with representatives of all parties in the Serbian parliament to discuss how to proceed regarding Kosovo. "I am convinced that the type of national consensus we would reach is the most important thing for all of us in order to discuss Kosovo's future," he said. Vucic added that "a hot September" will be coming afterwards, where he expected the resumption of the talks with Pristina, but also "a lot more pressure on Serbia". (Tanjug) Tanjug

Govt., opposition to discuss Kosovo in August

"BIA will be headed by a first-rate jurist, to prevent any abuse of the service," Vučić said while visiting the Serbian Army (VS) General Staff HQ in Belgrade on Tuesday.

According to media reports, Nebojša Rodić is likely to take over as BIA director. Rodić is secretary general to Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić. According to this, "the choice is supported by Nikolić".

More photos from the General Staff HQ

Addressing other issues, the new defense minister - who toured the General Staff along with army chief Lt. Gen. Ljubiša Diković - said that Serbia would not join any military alliances, but that, as a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace, it would continue to develop cooperation envisaged by this program.

"Our country's policy is completely clear and neither I nor anyone else has the right to change it. We have our Constitution and the parliamentary declaration. The Republic of Serbia is a member of the Partnership for Peace and our army and defense forces will continue cooperation under this program, but we will not join any military alliances," Vučić stressed.

The minister added that he had already met with representatives of the U.S. military, had a similar meeting with Russian military representatives planned for today, and would soon sit down with representatives of all other countries with which Serbia had military cooperation.

Vučić also stated that Serbia had good cooperation with regional countries, and that his goal was "peace and good cooperation".

While announcing that "some personnel changes" would take place in the army and the MoD, Vučić was careful to note that both he and President Nikolić were satisfied with Gen. Diković's performance as chief of staff.

The minister also revealed today that the Serbian president and key government officials will in August meet with representatives of all parties in the Serbian parliament to discuss how to proceed regarding Kosovo.

"I am convinced that the type of national consensus we would reach is the most important thing for all of us in order to discuss Kosovo's future," he said.

Vučić added that "a hot September" will be coming afterwards, where he expected the resumption of the talks with Priština, but also "a lot more pressure on Serbia".