Implementation of Brussels deal is “absolute priority”

BELGRADE Until issues regarding the implementation of the Brussels deal between Belgrade and Kosovo Serbs are solved, a government reshuffle will not be discussed. Daily Vecernje novosti has learned from all parties of the ruling coalition that the implementation of the agreement with Pristina will be an “absolute priority” in the next several weeks so Serbia could get a date for the beginning of the EU accession talks in June. Implementation of Brussels deal is “absolute priority” Therefore, assessment of ministers’ work and possible personnel changes will not be on the government’s agenda before September, the daily writes. Chances of early elections taking place this year also became slimmer after the Brussels agreement had been initialed. The initialing of the agreement has solidified relations between PM Ivica Dacic, First Deputy PM Aleksandar Vucic and Economy and Finance Minister Mladjan Dinkic, Vecernje novosti writes. Vucic told the daily that the reshuffle would not be discussed soon and that early elections were not a priority at the moment. “When did we even have time to talk about the reshuffle? We as a party did an internal analysis of the work of the Serbian Progressive Party ministers and all directors of public companies. We will go before the Main Board with those results and the party will then make decisions. We need to focus on priorities now and time will come for talks about the reshuffle,” he explained. Dacic told the daily that the reshuffle had never had a problem with the reshuffle but that the time was not right to open the topic. “It is now important to solve difficult challenges, such as the Kosovo issue. The government has full legitimacy and elections are not a topic at all at the moment,” the prime minister and Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) leader pointed out. Social-Democratic Party of Serbia (SDPS) leader Rasim Ljajic told Vecernje novosti that Serbia had a great chance for modernization after accepting the Brussels agreement. “I think it is not smart to think about early elections at the moment. Only after the open political process regarding the implementation of the agreement is over we should analyze whether the reshuffle is possible and useful,” Ljajic was quoted as saying. Party of United Pensioners of Serbia (PUPS) leader Jovan Krkobabic says that the government was united and that the country needed stability. “Even though PUPS is always ready to take part in elections, they are not necessary now. As far as the reshuffle is concerned, it has not been seriously discussed in the coalition,” he underscored. (Tanjug, file) Vecernje novosti

Implementation of Brussels deal is “absolute priority”

Therefore, assessment of ministers’ work and possible personnel changes will not be on the government’s agenda before September, the daily writes.

Chances of early elections taking place this year also became slimmer after the Brussels agreement had been initialed. The initialing of the agreement has solidified relations between PM Ivica Dačić, First Deputy PM Aleksandar Vučić and Economy and Finance Minister Mlađan Dinkić, Večernje novosti writes.

Vučić told the daily that the reshuffle would not be discussed soon and that early elections were not a priority at the moment.

“When did we even have time to talk about the reshuffle? We as a party did an internal analysis of the work of the Serbian Progressive Party ministers and all directors of public companies. We will go before the Main Board with those results and the party will then make decisions. We need to focus on priorities now and time will come for talks about the reshuffle,” he explained.

Dačić told the daily that the reshuffle had never had a problem with the reshuffle but that the time was not right to open the topic.

“It is now important to solve difficult challenges, such as the Kosovo issue. The government has full legitimacy and elections are not a topic at all at the moment,” the prime minister and Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) leader pointed out.

Social-Democratic Party of Serbia (SDPS) leader Rasim Ljajić told Večernje novosti that Serbia had a great chance for modernization after accepting the Brussels agreement.

“I think it is not smart to think about early elections at the moment. Only after the open political process regarding the implementation of the agreement is over we should analyze whether the reshuffle is possible and useful,” Ljajić was quoted as saying.

Party of United Pensioners of Serbia (PUPS) leader Jovan Krkobabić says that the government was united and that the country needed stability.

“Even though PUPS is always ready to take part in elections, they are not necessary now. As far as the reshuffle is concerned, it has not been seriously discussed in the coalition,” he underscored.