Conditioning of Serbia is “counterproductive”

BRATISLAVA Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak has warned that it is counterproductive and harmful to set new conditions for Serbia on its EU pathway. “This is absolutely premature. Let us solve what he have on the table today. It is important to know that we are going in the right direction and it certainly includes European perspective for the entire Western Balkans and a discussion between Kosovo and Serbia,” he said. Conditioning of Serbia is “counterproductive” The Slovak minister stressed that regardless of the fact that Slovakia did not recognize Kosovo’s independence, it supported it EU integration, primarily reforms that should strengthen its economic and social system, adding that his country also supported the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. “Tensions in the region do not suit anyone. It is necessary for Kosovo to be a part of the processes that stabilize it because it is in everybody’s best interest, regardless of whether or not they recognize Kosovo. We will see where it will take us in five years but it is important that the Western Balkan region gives an answer to that,” Lajcak noted. He added that Brussels was formulating Pri[tina’s Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU but that the fact that five EU member states did not recognize its independence was taken into account. “There is no doubt that every document needs to have consent and support of all 27 member states. Slovakia has its national stance that is clearly defined,” Lajcak concluded. Miroslav Lajcak (Tanjug, file) Beta

Conditioning of Serbia is “counterproductive”

The Slovak minister stressed that regardless of the fact that Slovakia did not recognize Kosovo’s independence, it supported it EU integration, primarily reforms that should strengthen its economic and social system, adding that his country also supported the Belgrade-Priština dialogue.

“Tensions in the region do not suit anyone. It is necessary for Kosovo to be a part of the processes that stabilize it because it is in everybody’s best interest, regardless of whether or not they recognize Kosovo. We will see where it will take us in five years but it is important that the Western Balkan region gives an answer to that,” Lajčak noted.

He added that Brussels was formulating Pri[tina’s Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU but that the fact that five EU member states did not recognize its independence was taken into account.

“There is no doubt that every document needs to have consent and support of all 27 member states. Slovakia has its national stance that is clearly defined,” Lajčak concluded.