EP rapporteur: Resolution could be step forward

BRUSSELS European Parliament (EP) Special Rapporteur for Serbia Jelko Kacin said Monday that the Serbian parliament's resolution on Kosovo could be a major step forward. He expects this step forward "if Belgrade's efforts really are directed above all toward securing full rights for Serbs in Kosovo". EP rapporteur: Resolution could be step forward "The most important thing is that this resolution legalizes and institutionalizes Belgrade's dialogue with the authorities in Pristina," Kacin said in a statement. "Thanks to the document, the dialogue will no more depend on ad hoc political will, as the resolution established it as a permanent principle." "I think the decision is of great importance and that it is a product of a constructive and responsible approach of the ruling coalition and the Serbian government headed by Ivica Dacic, who is also Belgrade's lead negotiator in the highest-level political dialogue," said Kacin. The document is an illustration of the political thinking at the beginning of 2013, and the continuation of the dialogue will bring in new knowledge and understanding of the situation and the possibility of changing views on certain issues. He said that the Resolution on Basic Principles for Political Talks with Interim Institutions of Self-Government in Kosovo and Metohija "put the question of progress in relations between Serbia and Kosovo in the context of European integration, a process clearly defined as being in the interests of all citizens of Serbia and Kosovo". "Also, the resolution binds the Belgrade authorities to undertake consultations with the entire Serbian community in Kosovo, including its part living south of the Ibar River, who have been neglected and discriminated against by Belgrade for far too long," said Kacin. Kacin encouraged the Serbian government and Prime Minister Dacic "to continue with the dialogue and full implementation of the agreements reached to date", according to the statement. Tanjug

EP rapporteur: Resolution could be step forward

"The most important thing is that this resolution legalizes and institutionalizes Belgrade's dialogue with the authorities in Priština," Kacin said in a statement. "Thanks to the document, the dialogue will no more depend on ad hoc political will, as the resolution established it as a permanent principle."

"I think the decision is of great importance and that it is a product of a constructive and responsible approach of the ruling coalition and the Serbian government headed by Ivica Dačić, who is also Belgrade's lead negotiator in the highest-level political dialogue," said Kacin.

The document is an illustration of the political thinking at the beginning of 2013, and the continuation of the dialogue will bring in new knowledge and understanding of the situation and the possibility of changing views on certain issues.

He said that the Resolution on Basic Principles for Political Talks with Interim Institutions of Self-Government in Kosovo and Metohija "put the question of progress in relations between Serbia and Kosovo in the context of European integration, a process clearly defined as being in the interests of all citizens of Serbia and Kosovo".

"Also, the resolution binds the Belgrade authorities to undertake consultations with the entire Serbian community in Kosovo, including its part living south of the Ibar River, who have been neglected and discriminated against by Belgrade for far too long," said Kacin.

Kacin encouraged the Serbian government and Prime Minister Dačić "to continue with the dialogue and full implementation of the agreements reached to date", according to the statement.