German FM "realizes sensitivity of current moment"

BELGRADE Serbia has "a historic opportunity to once and for all move towards a joint future with the EU," according to Germany's Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle. He made the statement said during a meeting on Monday in Belgrade with his Serbian counterpart Ivan Mrkic, Tanjug is reporting. German FM "realizes sensitivity of current moment" Westerwelle understands the sensitivity of the current moment for the Serbian government and people in Kosovo, Mrkic told the news agency after the meeting. "Minister Westerwelle understands completely the sensitivity of the moment and the fact the Serbian government has to be patient with its actions towards the Serbs in Kosovo, who have lived in extraordinarily difficult circumstances for years. Westerwelle spoke with conviction about the Serb community in Kosovo soon realizing that its survival, strengthening and safe future were secured and guaranteed by the international community," Mrkic stressed. The two officials met for 40 minutes in private, which is a lot longer than stated in protocol, the Serbian Foreign Ministry said. Westerwelle pointed out that the chances of getting a start date for the accession talks with the EU were directly related to the implementation of the Brussels agreement between Belgrade and Pristina, Mrkic remarked. Westerwelle, who is on a visit to Serbia, said members of the German parliament would soon visit as well. The German parliament will make the final decision on whether to support Serbia getting a start date for the accession talks. Westerwelle started his visit on Sunday by meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and continued it on Monday by meeting with President Tomislav Nikolic, Prime Minister Ivica Dacic. (Tanjug) Tanjug

German FM "realizes sensitivity of current moment"

Westerwelle understands the sensitivity of the current moment for the Serbian government and people in Kosovo, Mrkić told the news agency after the meeting.

"Minister Westerwelle understands completely the sensitivity of the moment and the fact the Serbian government has to be patient with its actions towards the Serbs in Kosovo, who have lived in extraordinarily difficult circumstances for years. Westerwelle spoke with conviction about the Serb community in Kosovo soon realizing that its survival, strengthening and safe future were secured and guaranteed by the international community," Mrkić stressed.

The two officials met for 40 minutes in private, which is a lot longer than stated in protocol, the Serbian Foreign Ministry said.

Westerwelle pointed out that the chances of getting a start date for the accession talks with the EU were directly related to the implementation of the Brussels agreement between Belgrade and Priština, Mrkić remarked.

Westerwelle, who is on a visit to Serbia, said members of the German parliament would soon visit as well.

The German parliament will make the final decision on whether to support Serbia getting a start date for the accession talks.

Westerwelle started his visit on Sunday by meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić and continued it on Monday by meeting with President Tomislav Nikolić, Prime Minister Ivica Dačić.