“Dangerous rift” between Belgrade, northern Kosovo Serbs

BELGRADE Serbian parliament's Committee on Kosovo Chairman Milovan Drecun has warned of a “dangerous rift” between northern Kosovo Serbs and Belgrade. He told Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) that the “rift”, especially between northern Kosovo Serbs and Belgrade was very dangerous, “not only for the interests of the Serbian people in Kosovo but also for the position and future of the country”. “Dangerous rift” between Belgrade, northern Kosovo Serbs “If we do not bridge the gap soon, if there is no agreement, Belgrade will have to start the implementation of at least a part of the agreement to gradually reach an agreement with the Serbs,” Drecun said. He denied speculations that mayors of four northern Kosovo towns would be dismissed if they did not accept the agreement. “As far as the citizenship is concerned, all those who live in Kosovo and Metohija are Serbian citizens and they all are entitled to passports,” Drecun said and added that Kosovo Serbs would take part in Serbia’s parliamentary elections. Milovan Drecun (B92, file) “Belgrade respects deadlines” “Belgrade respects deadlines that are in the spirit of the initialed Brussels agreement,” said head of the government’s team for the implementation of the agreement Veljko Odalovic. He added that two thinks were crucial now – the forming of the community of Serb municipalities and its powers. “One of the proposals is to first form an interim organ made of Serb representatives from the four northern municipalities and to start the implementation. This is a proposal given by Pristina and the EU representative,” he pointed out. Odalovic noted that the plan was to hold elections for local communities by the end of the year and then form the community of Serb municipalities. Tanjug

“Dangerous rift” between Belgrade, northern Kosovo Serbs

“If we do not bridge the gap soon, if there is no agreement, Belgrade will have to start the implementation of at least a part of the agreement to gradually reach an agreement with the Serbs,” Drecun said.

He denied speculations that mayors of four northern Kosovo towns would be dismissed if they did not accept the agreement.

“As far as the citizenship is concerned, all those who live in Kosovo and Metohija are Serbian citizens and they all are entitled to passports,” Drecun said and added that Kosovo Serbs would take part in Serbia’s parliamentary elections.

“Belgrade respects deadlines”

“Belgrade respects deadlines that are in the spirit of the initialed Brussels agreement,” said head of the government’s team for the implementation of the agreement Veljko Odalović.

He added that two thinks were crucial now – the forming of the community of Serb municipalities and its powers.

“One of the proposals is to first form an interim organ made of Serb representatives from the four northern municipalities and to start the implementation. This is a proposal given by Priština and the EU representative,” he pointed out.

Odalović noted that the plan was to hold elections for local communities by the end of the year and then form the community of Serb municipalities.