However, added the Serbian president during his meeting on Monday in Belgrade with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton - recognizing the self-declared independence of Kosovo is unacceptable.
New circumstances in Kosovo need to be discussed, like the creation of the Kosovo defense force, he was quoted as saying by Tanjug.
- The southern Serbian province is not threatened by anyone, so there is no need to create any kind of army, Nikolić said, according to a release from his office.
But if some kind of an armed force should be formed, then the Serbs have to be entitled to a reciprocal share in it, like the way it was done with the police, he stressed.
- Nikolić protested against the decision by the authorities in Priština to require personal documents issued by the Kosovo administration in order to be allowed to vote.
- It is unacceptable to Serbia, because it would be an a priori recognition of Kosovo's independence, he postulated.
Ashton said that as far as Kosovo was concerned, she was impressed by the two sides' willingness to talk and reach a compromise.
She stated that she "knew it was not easy, but that the talks needed to continue, not only for the sake of the agreements, but also to raise different issues important for all the people in Kosovo."
Problems, if they exist, will be overcome in a way that avoids conflict, she added.
"A lot depends on the political will which is now very strongly opposed to conflicts. Future lies in cooperation, and better cooperation will bring about jobs and better social conditions in society," Ashton was quoted as saying.
Pointing out that the EU is Serbia’s most important partner and that elections were democratic and fair, Nikolić said that the Serbian government was about to embark on a realization of very ambitious plans, which would be difficult as previous governments had been making popular measures that had not been based on real revenues.
“We are now facing implementation of tough measures, which will make the life of Serbian citizens more difficult during a certain period, but are necessary to pull Serbia out of problems. The new government will have to put much more effort into attracting new investment, not only in the infrastructure area, but also in agriculture and energy,” Nikolić said.
“We have put the country in order, we fight corruption, we are working to ensure legal certainty and protection for the citizens. And now, to open new jobs, we need investment in production,” he said.
The president said that he was ready to share responsibility for all measures he agreed with the government, no matter how unpopular and painful they may be at first. “Only responsible moves can secure a better and safer future for Serbian citizens,” Nikolić said.
- He said that Serbia would like to be accepted inside the common European household as soon as possible, adding that he was "not envisaging the EU as the Byzantine Empire, which has no nations.”
- “It (the EU) is a community of nations that values free market, industrial development, mobility of people and capital. To us, it is a community that will bring us lasting peace,” Nikolić said.
Ashton said that the new prime minister and Serbian government had been given a strong mandate and reforms should start as soon as possible, taking care that vulnerable social groups received proper assistance. Investments will come and we will be there to help you overcome difficulties, Ashton said.
The start of negotiations with the European Union is a huge success for Serbia and all EU member states are supportive of your efforts towards full membership, the European foreign policy chief said.
Sources: Tanjug - B92
28/4/14
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EU High Representative / Vice – President at the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia ....
ReplyDeleteMadame Speaker, Prime Minister, Honourable Members of Parliament,
Can I thank you so much for the warm welcome that you have given me during my visit today. It is a truly a great honour for me to address you as members of the new Serbian Parliament - and so soon after you have taken up your seats.
I know that you have an immensely important role for the duration of this parliament, taking forward essential reforms for your country. The volume of new legislation that you will scrutinize and the debate that you will have it will be unprecedented. You will also of course have a growing role in monitoring the proper implementation of the laws that you will pass. I wish you all possible success in the work that you will do.
When you, Mr Prime Minister, came to Brussels in January for the launch of Serbia's EU accession talks, you spoke of your emotion at the sight of the Serbian flag next to those of the other European countries. And of how this was, for you, the most important moment in Serbia's history since the end of the Second World War.
Mr Prime Minister, I think you are absolutely right to feel that emotion and that pride. Serbia has always been part of Europe. And now you will join us in the European Union. It is the start of a new chapter in our relationship. A chapter that we will write together.
I know that there will be many obstacles to be overcome in setting yourself on this course towards EU membership. It is significant and important that all the parties represented in this new parliament share the same goal of EU accession.
I also believe that now you can be the example to others in your region, and show what can be achieved through hard work, leadership and, yes, tough choices. And we can show that hard work, leadership and the determination to make those tough choices will be recognized by the European Union and by the wider International Community.........http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-344_en.htm?locale=en
28/4/14