German ambassador: Vojvodina is Serbia’s internal issue

NOVI SAD German Ambassador to Serbia Heinz Wilhelm stated on Sunday that the position of Vojvodina was Serbia's internal issue. He added that he had no impression that there was a serious conflict between the state and the province. German ambassador: Vojvodina is Serbia’s internal issue “I have not gained an impression that there is a serious conflict between Serbia and Vojvodina,” the ambassador told Novi Sad-based daily Dnevnik, adding that he knew about the problem of financing of the province's jurisdiction but that he believed that Belgrade would be sensitive enough to resolve the issue. “Anyway, we see Vojvodina's position as Serbia's internal issue but it is understood that an EU aspirant has to abide by the European standards and norms in this respect as well,” Wilhelm underlined. When it comes to Kosovo, he expressed hope that the continuation of the Belgrade-Pri[tina dialogue would yield concrete results, primarily in terms of implementation of the agreements which have been reached so far. “No one is asking from Serbia to recognize Kosovo, which is also confirmed by the conclusions of the European Council, but Serbia is expected to normalize its relations with Kosovo,” the German ambassador said, adding that this implied end of Serbia's blockage of Kosovo's membership in the international institutions. Wilhelm underlined that reintroduction of the visa regime for the Serbian citizens due to a great number of asylum requests in Germany and other countries would be a kind of disaster as the White Schengen is the most tangible sign of the EU approach. “Serbia on its side should do all in its might to reduce the asylum pressure on the EU, meaning that it should pay more attention to its borders and carry out a decisive action against organized human trafficking gangs,” he explained. Heinz Wilhelm (Tanjug, file) Tanjug

German ambassador: Vojvodina is Serbia’s internal issue

“I have not gained an impression that there is a serious conflict between Serbia and Vojvodina,” the ambassador told Novi Sad-based daily Dnevnik, adding that he knew about the problem of financing of the province's jurisdiction but that he believed that Belgrade would be sensitive enough to resolve the issue.

“Anyway, we see Vojvodina's position as Serbia's internal issue but it is understood that an EU aspirant has to abide by the European standards and norms in this respect as well,” Wilhelm underlined.

When it comes to Kosovo, he expressed hope that the continuation of the Belgrade-Pri[tina dialogue would yield concrete results, primarily in terms of implementation of the agreements which have been reached so far.

“No one is asking from Serbia to recognize Kosovo, which is also confirmed by the conclusions of the European Council, but Serbia is expected to normalize its relations with Kosovo,” the German ambassador said, adding that this implied end of Serbia's blockage of Kosovo's membership in the international institutions.

Wilhelm underlined that reintroduction of the visa regime for the Serbian citizens due to a great number of asylum requests in Germany and other countries would be a kind of disaster as the White Schengen is the most tangible sign of the EU approach.

“Serbia on its side should do all in its might to reduce the asylum pressure on the EU, meaning that it should pay more attention to its borders and carry out a decisive action against organized human trafficking gangs,” he explained.