"Set up community of municipalities as soon as possible"

GRACANICA Prime Minister Ivica Dacic has said that he believes it is necessary to set up the community of Serb municipalities in Kosovo (ZSO) as soon as possible. The repeat of mayoral elections in northern Kosovska Mitrovica "will not affect this," he said on Tuesday in Kosovo. "Set up community of municipalities as soon as possible" Dacic spoke to reporters in the courtyard of the Serbian Orthodox monastery of Gracanica. He was in the Serb enclave along with a film crew and attended the premier screening of their movie, "See You in Montevideo!" ("Montevideo, vidimo se!") Dacic told reporters that it was necessary for municipal assemblies to decide on the constitution of the ZSO and for its statute to be produced as soon as possible. The prime minister explained that Belgrade does not specify a date for repeated elections, and that, according to announcements from Pristina, the voting could take place on February 23. Asked about the dispute between elected northern Kosovska Mitrovica Mayor Krstimir Pantic, who over the weekend refused to assume that office, and Minister Aleksandar Vulin, Dacic said that Vulin was "implementing the policy of the government of Serbia and this policy has had a positive response from the Serbs who participated in the last elections in Kosovo and Metohija." Dacic reiterated that "under these circumstances there is no better way than the provisions of the Brussels agreement for the defense of national interests." The dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina will continue in Brussels, most likely on January 27, Dacic also announced today. He said this was a day earlier than he originally announced because of prior obligations of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, who acts as mediator in the talks. Dacic said the topics "remain the same - justice, property of the citizens and the Serbian Orthodox Church." "Serbia is determined to continue the dialogue, because we want to resolve all outstanding issues," the prime minister said. Dacic stressed the importance of implementing the Brussels agreement and continuing the dialogue with Pristina also because of the future of Serbia's "European road." He noted that the first intergovernmental conference on the accession of Serbia to the EU would be held on January 21 in Brussels, and announced that immediately afterward the first screening dedicated to chapter 35 would start, "which mostly includes questions from the dialogue with Pristina." (Beta, file) Tanjug

"Set up community of municipalities as soon as possible"

Dačić spoke to reporters in the courtyard of the Serbian Orthodox monastery of Gračanica. He was in the Serb enclave along with a film crew and attended the premier screening of their movie, "See You in Montevideo!" ("Montevideo, vidimo se!")

Dačić told reporters that it was necessary for municipal assemblies to decide on the constitution of the ZSO and for its statute to be produced as soon as possible.

The prime minister explained that Belgrade does not specify a date for repeated elections, and that, according to announcements from Priština, the voting could take place on February 23.

Asked about the dispute between elected northern Kosovska Mitrovica Mayor Krstimir Pantić, who over the weekend refused to assume that office, and Minister Aleksandar Vulin, Dačić said that Vulin was "implementing the policy of the government of Serbia and this policy has had a positive response from the Serbs who participated in the last elections in Kosovo and Metohija."

Dačić reiterated that "under these circumstances there is no better way than the provisions of the Brussels agreement for the defense of national interests."

The dialogue between Belgrade and Priština will continue in Brussels, most likely on January 27, Dačić also announced today.

He said this was a day earlier than he originally announced because of prior obligations of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, who acts as mediator in the talks. Dačić said the topics "remain the same - justice, property of the citizens and the Serbian Orthodox Church."

"Serbia is determined to continue the dialogue, because we want to resolve all outstanding issues," the prime minister said.

Dačić stressed the importance of implementing the Brussels agreement and continuing the dialogue with Priština also because of the future of Serbia's "European road."

He noted that the first intergovernmental conference on the accession of Serbia to the EU would be held on January 21 in Brussels, and announced that immediately afterward the first screening dedicated to chapter 35 would start, "which mostly includes questions from the dialogue with Priština."