"Serbia will achieve sufficient progress for EU date"

BELGRADE The Serbian parliament's resolution on Kosovo and Metohija "encourages the continuation of negotiations with Pristina". This is according to Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Suzana Grubjesic, who also expects that the dialogue will be marked by progress "sufficient for Serbia to get a date for the start of EU membership negotiations in June". "Serbia will achieve sufficient progress for EU date" “The resolution adopted by the government in no way endangers, but rather encourages the continuation of negotiations with the provisional institutions in Pristina. We all know - both those who support and those who oppose the resolution - that without continuing the dialogue, we do not stand a chance of moving up from the candidate status and that without the talks there will be no protection of the Serbs and of state interests in Kosovo,” Grubjesic told Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti. Grubjesic expects that the Serbian authorities will achieve sufficient progress in the dialogue with representatives from Pristina for a date for the start of EU membership talks to became certain in June. "It will not be easy, but if you have a clear goal to pursue, which is to protect the interests of the Serbs in Kosovo and to begin negotiations on Serbia's membership in the EU, then the date is closer than ever. We must not miss the opportunity,” said Grubjesic. Serbia is not in a rush to get the date, Grubjesic said. Rather, it is pursuing its strategic interests, she added. Grubjesic is on her way to start "a diplomatic offensive" and help ensure Serbia gets the date in June. She will be in London on Tuesday and then go on an official visit to Denmark and Ireland, and also visit the EU headquarters in Brussels twice before the end of the month. Grubjesic pointed out that all the requirements for obtaining the date for the start of negotiations had been known for two years and had been listed in the conclusions from the 2011 and 2012 European Council meetings, adding that there were no new or secret conditions imposed on Serbia. The deputy prime minister pointed out that visible and sustainable progress in normalizing relations with Pristina was needed to get the date. “This does not mean a recognition of Kosovo's independence,” stressed Grubjesic. However, it implies implementation of all the agreements reached between Belgrade and Pristina to date and opening of a political-level dialogue, finding solutions for the north of Kosovo, protection of cultural and historical heritage, the issues of property ownership and return of displaced Serbs and non-Albanians to their homes, according to her. Suzana Grubjesic (Beta, file) Tanjug Vecernje novosti

"Serbia will achieve sufficient progress for EU date"

“The resolution adopted by the government in no way endangers, but rather encourages the continuation of negotiations with the provisional institutions in Priština. We all know - both those who support and those who oppose the resolution - that without continuing the dialogue, we do not stand a chance of moving up from the candidate status and that without the talks there will be no protection of the Serbs and of state interests in Kosovo,” Grubješić told Belgrade daily Večernje Novosti.

Grubješić expects that the Serbian authorities will achieve sufficient progress in the dialogue with representatives from Priština for a date for the start of EU membership talks to became certain in June.

"It will not be easy, but if you have a clear goal to pursue, which is to protect the interests of the Serbs in Kosovo and to begin negotiations on Serbia's membership in the EU, then the date is closer than ever. We must not miss the opportunity,” said Grubješić.

Serbia is not in a rush to get the date, Grubješić said. Rather, it is pursuing its strategic interests, she added.

Grubješić is on her way to start "a diplomatic offensive" and help ensure Serbia gets the date in June. She will be in London on Tuesday and then go on an official visit to Denmark and Ireland, and also visit the EU headquarters in Brussels twice before the end of the month.

Grubješić pointed out that all the requirements for obtaining the date for the start of negotiations had been known for two years and had been listed in the conclusions from the 2011 and 2012 European Council meetings, adding that there were no new or secret conditions imposed on Serbia.

The deputy prime minister pointed out that visible and sustainable progress in normalizing relations with Priština was needed to get the date.

“This does not mean a recognition of Kosovo's independence,” stressed Grubješić.

However, it implies implementation of all the agreements reached between Belgrade and Priština to date and opening of a political-level dialogue, finding solutions for the north of Kosovo, protection of cultural and historical heritage, the issues of property ownership and return of displaced Serbs and non-Albanians to their homes, according to her.