Kosovo Serbs request referendum on Brussels deal

BELGRADE Representatives of northern Kosovo Serbs discussed the Brussels agreement with PM Ivica Dacic and First Deputy PM Aleksandar Vucic for four hours on Thursday. The meeting started at 12:00 CET. Kosovo Serbs request referendum on Brussels deal However, the northern Kosovo Serbs said after the meeting that the two sides had not managed to harmonize their stances. Even though the meeting was constructive, Zubin Potok Mayor Slavisa Ristic said that it “was not expected that we could bring our positions closer together”. “PM Ivica Dacic and First Deputy PM Aleksandar Vucic admitted that Serbia could not achieve more in the agreement but that it would make sure that Serbs get more rights through the implementation,” he said and added that this was not what Kosovo Serbs wanted because they did not want more rights but to keep Kosovo within Serbia. Ristic added that Kosovo laws would be implemented according to the Brussels agreement, which “technically means recognition of Kosovo”. “Our intention is not to have conflicts with everybody, especially not with Serbs. It is not true that Serbs from southern Kosovo are in favor of this, a vast majority got nothing. We have no intention to start a conflict with the government but we do not want anyone to change our citizenship by force. That is why we insist on a referendum, let the Serbian people decide,” he pointed out. He reiterated that northern Kosovo Serbs would continue to fight for “fundamental human rights” and that they would insist on a referendum. “We will organize protests, nonpartisan of course, maybe even here in Belgrade. We do not need parties but I believe that we have the right to fight so that nobody will impose a political solution on us,” Ristic underscored. Representatives of northern Kosovo Serbs have been expressing their dissatisfaction with the agreement in the last several days and stated that they will not implement it. They met with Serbian Patriarch Irinej in Belgrade earlier on Thursday and informed them that they were not satisfied with the agreement. Irinej said the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) would support them in a peaceful fight for their rights. Top Serbian officials will discuss the Brussels agreement with EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule who will visit Belgrade today. Belgrade and Pristina's teams met with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton today and presented their plans for the implementation of the agreement. Ivica Dacic (Beta, file) B92

Kosovo Serbs request referendum on Brussels deal

However, the northern Kosovo Serbs said after the meeting that the two sides had not managed to harmonize their stances.

Even though the meeting was constructive, Zubin Potok Mayor Slaviša Ristić said that it “was not expected that we could bring our positions closer together”.

“PM Ivica Dačić and First Deputy PM Aleksandar Vučić admitted that Serbia could not achieve more in the agreement but that it would make sure that Serbs get more rights through the implementation,” he said and added that this was not what Kosovo Serbs wanted because they did not want more rights but to keep Kosovo within Serbia.

Ristić added that Kosovo laws would be implemented according to the Brussels agreement, which “technically means recognition of Kosovo”.

“Our intention is not to have conflicts with everybody, especially not with Serbs. It is not true that Serbs from southern Kosovo are in favor of this, a vast majority got nothing. We have no intention to start a conflict with the government but we do not want anyone to change our citizenship by force. That is why we insist on a referendum, let the Serbian people decide,” he pointed out.

He reiterated that northern Kosovo Serbs would continue to fight for “fundamental human rights” and that they would insist on a referendum.

“We will organize protests, nonpartisan of course, maybe even here in Belgrade. We do not need parties but I believe that we have the right to fight so that nobody will impose a political solution on us,” Ristić underscored.

Representatives of northern Kosovo Serbs have been expressing their dissatisfaction with the agreement in the last several days and stated that they will not implement it.

They met with Serbian Patriarch Irinej in Belgrade earlier on Thursday and informed them that they were not satisfied with the agreement. Irinej said the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) would support them in a peaceful fight for their rights.

Top Serbian officials will discuss the Brussels agreement with EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule who will visit Belgrade today.

Belgrade and Priština's teams met with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton today and presented their plans for the implementation of the agreement.