No positive decision "undermines EU credibility"

BELGRADE Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said on Tuesday that there was "no justifiable reason to delay the decision to start Serbia's accession talks with the EU." "We do not necessitate new lap times, it would not be fair," Dacic told reporters in Belgrade. No positive decision "undermines EU credibility" According to him, "Serbia is a sincere partner," while EU's decision to start negotiations "should be further impetus for the implementation of the Brussels agreement." The prime minister announced that it was "not acceptable for Serbia" to wait another six months and a new EU decision-making , "because it would mean six months of new problems that already exist in the application of the Brussels agreement." "It is not enough that we have difficulties in implementing (agreements with Pristina), but should on top of that be thinking whether the EU Council will make a decision in December, or will have some questions again," Dacic was quoted as saying. He noted that the principles of amnesty that should be brought by the Pristina authorities were harmonized on Monday, and that it was being worked on new details on the implementation of the agreement. Dacic added that if there was no positive decision on the start of EU negotiations, "that would undermine the credibility of the EU and High Representative Catherine Ashton as its representative in the negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina." "An integral part of this agreement is the thesis - the date will not be a problem. If this is a problem, then there is the question of credibility, and it is absolutely not in line with what we discussed," said Dacic. He also announced "strong diplomatic activity" in the coming days. Dacic will today travel to Brussels where he will on Wednesday meet with European commissioners, among others with Ashton. Meanwhile on Tuesday in Luxembourg, where EU foreign ministers are meeting, Sweden's Carl Bildt said that he "hoped Serbia would get the green light," but noted that "no date would be heard today - rather a timeframe on what will be happening and of course that will be this year." (Tanjug, file) Beta

No positive decision "undermines EU credibility"

According to him, "Serbia is a sincere partner," while EU's decision to start negotiations "should be further impetus for the implementation of the Brussels agreement."

The prime minister announced that it was "not acceptable for Serbia" to wait another six months and a new EU decision-making , "because it would mean six months of new problems that already exist in the application of the Brussels agreement."

"It is not enough that we have difficulties in implementing (agreements with Priština), but should on top of that be thinking whether the EU Council will make a decision in December, or will have some questions again," Dačić was quoted as saying.

He noted that the principles of amnesty that should be brought by the Priština authorities were harmonized on Monday, and that it was being worked on new details on the implementation of the agreement.

Dačić added that if there was no positive decision on the start of EU negotiations, "that would undermine the credibility of the EU and High Representative Catherine Ashton as its representative in the negotiations between Belgrade and Priština."

"An integral part of this agreement is the thesis - the date will not be a problem. If this is a problem, then there is the question of credibility, and it is absolutely not in line with what we discussed," said Dačić.

He also announced "strong diplomatic activity" in the coming days. Dačić will today travel to Brussels where he will on Wednesday meet with European commissioners, among others with Ashton.

Meanwhile on Tuesday in Luxembourg, where EU foreign ministers are meeting, Sweden's Carl Bildt said that he "hoped Serbia would get the green light," but noted that "no date would be heard today - rather a timeframe on what will be happening and of course that will be this year."