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Markovic: EU package to have positive effect on Serbia

BELGRADE, May 10 (Tanjug) - The EUR 750 billion financial package meant to stabilize the euro zone is a timely and clear signal that the EU ministers are determined to regain trust on the market and prevent further spread of the crisis, National Bank of Serbia Vice Governor Bojan Markovic said Monday, adding that the stabilization will have a positive effect on all European countries, including Serbia.

"We expect the adoption of the financial package for euro zone stabilization to stabilize the expectations of investors in all the countries of the region, including Serbia, and to strengthen national currencies compared to the euro," Markovic told Tanjug.

"A temporary sense of uneasiness in investors, caused by the crisis on some European markets, has led to their reduced willingness to take a risk in the region, which resulted in weakening national currencies in almost all of the region's countries," Markovic noted.

EU ministers of finance decided early on Monday to create a special fund for assistance to its members hit by the financial crisis. The EU will provide EUR 500 billion for the fund, while the International Monetary Fund will secure another EUR 250 billion.

Tadic, Fini pleased with bilateral relations

BELGRADE, May 10 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic and President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Gianfranco Fini noted Monday that bilateral relations are at a very high level, Tadic's press office said.

Tadic thanked Fini for Italy's support to Serbia's integration in the European Union.

During his meetings earlier in the day with Serbian officials, Fini said that the Italian parliament is prepared to be the first to ratify the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with Serbia.

Conference on challenges of Serbia's EU candidacy Tuesday

BELGRADE, May 10 (Tanjug) - The Faculty of Economics, Finance and Administration (FEFA) will mark Europe Day by hosting a conference on the challenges of Serbia's EU candidacy in Belgrade Tuesday .

Head of the Serbian government's EU Integration Office Milica Delevic and Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert will open the conference, FEFA announced.

Domestic and foreign experts will discuss the challenges of Serbia's EU candidacy, including Deputy Spanish Ambassador to Serbia Javier Hergueta Garnica, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development expert Peter Sanfey and President of the Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence Sonja Liht.

The EU Delegation to Serbia and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation are sponsoring the conference.

Fini: Italy will ratify SAA with Serbia

BELGRADE, May 10 (Tanjug) - President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Gianfranco Fini said Monday meeting Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic that the Italian parliament is prepared to be the first to ratify the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with Serbia when the time comes.

Italy's support is important for Serbia's integration in the European Union, he said.

Cvetkovic said that integration in the EU and protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity are Serbia's main foreign policy goals and thanked Italy for its strong support to that end, the Serbian government said.

Fine and Cvetkovic pointed to good bilateral economic cooperation, which will continue to be fostered through Italy's more active participation in regional projects in infrastructure, transport and energy.

Fini: EU should admit Balkan countries as soon as possible

BELGRADE, May 10 (Tanjug) - President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Gianfranco Fini stated Monday that Serbia is a part of the EU and that the EU should accept the Balkan countries as its members as soon as possible, adding that the Italian parliament is prepared to be the first to ratify the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with Serbia when the time comes.

After the talks with Serbian parliament speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, Fini said that Serbia is a part of the EU both geographically and culturally and that it is necessary for the EU to round off its map and include the Balkan countries in it.

According to him, the Italian parliament is ready to be the first parliament of a EU member state to ratify the SAA when the time comes, which is a very important step on Serbia's EU pathway.

Fini said that when Serbia joins the EU, the relations between Belgrade and Rome will become much stronger.

Djukic-Dejanovic said that 131 years of diplomatic relations between Serbia and Italy should be treated as an obligation to intensify all forms of cooperation between the two countries in a political, economic and parliamentary sense.

She thanked Fini, on behalf of all Serbian MPs, on Italy's great support and understanding on Serbia's EU pathway.

Fini will also meet with Serbian President Boris Tadic and Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic.

According to the announcements, the officials will pay particular attention to Serbia's EU integration, regional cooperation and bilateral relations between the two countries.

Europe Day marked in Belgrade

BELGRADE, May 9 (Tanjug) - Europe Day was marked in Belgrade with a number of events, while the central event took place in the Kalemegdan fortress, where Head of EU Delegation Ambassador Vincent Degert opened a Euro Park, which includes 27 stands presenting the Union member states.

At the opening Ambassador Degert said he hopes Serbia will have a successful European future, expressing his satisfaction over the fact that the 60th anniversary of the EU is being marked together with citizens of Belgrade and Serbia.

Serbian government Office for European Integrations Director Milica Delevic, Minister of the Interior Ivica Dacic, Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac, Minister for State Administration and Local Self-Government Milan Markovic, Minister of Tade and Services Slobodan Milosavljevic and numerous residents of Belgrade attended the opening.

Dacic and Sutanovac said that Serbia's accession in the EU is a national and state interest and a rather important priority of the country's foreign policy.

It is only logic that Serbia simultaneously marks Europe Day and Victory Day, because on May 9 fascism was defeated, and on those foundations was created the idea of unity, united Europe, said Dacic.

Minister Sutanovac underscored that Serbia have a very important foreign policy priority and that is to join the European Union, which is why it should celebrate Europe Day together with European countries, citizens and associations, adding that Serbia's contribution to Europe is enormous.

Djelic: EU candidate-state status by mid-2011 is our goal

BELGRADE, May 9 (Tanjug) - Deputy Prime Minister for European Integrations Bozidar Djelic said Sunday that Serbia's goal is to gain the status of an European Union candidate state by mid-2011 and to start negotiations by the end of this cabinet's mandate, that is by mid-2012.

“These are our goals and it is up to us to secure a consensus within the EU,” said Djelic in an interview with Tanjug on the occasion of Victory Day.

He also said that everything is being done to have the EU member states give a green light to the European Commission to discuss Serbia's application.

Although there is no consensus within the EU to forward Serbia's application to the European Commission in June, Serbia has the support of Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini and Spain.

Speaking about the cooperation with the Hague tribunal and European integrations, Djelic recalled the last year's conclusions of the Council of Europe, according to which ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with Serbia would start if a report by ICTY Chief prosecutor Serge Brammertz, due in June, is positive.

Saying that there is no reason for Brammertz's report not to be positive, Djelic expressed his expectation that a decision on ratification of the SAA might be made at the EU ministerial meeting scheduled to be held in Luxembourg in mid-June.

SWEDEN-AMBASSADOR-INTERVIEW

Bringeus: I expect SAA ratification in June

BELGRADE, May 8 (Tanjug) - Swedish Ambassador to Serbia Krister Bringeus has expressed his expectation that the process of ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between Serbia and the European Union will start in June.

I believe that we will get a signal to start the ratification process in mid this year and I personally believe that it will be in June, Ambassador Bringeus said in an interview with Tanjug.

We are confident that Serbia fully cooperates with the Hague tribunal, the ambassador said, underscoring that Sweden strongly supports the SAA ratification. Of course we want the indictees to be brought to justice, but we believe that the Serbian authorities will do everything in their power, said the ambassador.

Sweden strongly supports Serbia's application for the European Union membership, said Ambassador Bringeus, whose leaving the post soon, adding that the brightest moment of his three-year service in Serbia was when he went to Stockholm with Serbian President Boris Tadic to attend the official submission of Serbia's application for the EU membership.

The candidate status or the Union membership itself are not as important as the process of reforms that Serbia will have to carry out in order to become a member, said the ambassador, adding that the reforms imply establishment of the rule of law, environmental protection and fight against corruption.

Ambassador Bringeus believes that major progress had been made since his arrival in Serbia, because Serbia now has a stable pro-European government and a parliament that adopts laws.

Bringeus: EU has no plan for after ICJ's stand

BELGRADE, May 8 (Tanjug) - Swedish Ambassador to Serbia Krister Bringeus has stated that the European Union still has no special plan of action for after the International court of Justice (ICJ) presents its opinion on the independence of Kosovo and that he is not familiar with possible pressures against Serbia or attempt to alter Resolution 1244.

Bringeus reiterated that recognition of Kosovo is not a prerequisite for Serbia's accession in the EU, adding, however, that Serbia will have to solve the problem of the province before joint the Union.

The fact is that no one will request Serbia to recognize Kosovo, but another fact is that the EU will not accept new member states with unresolved issues with their neighbors," Bringeus told Tanjug, adding that his advice to Serbia would be to solve the question of Kosovo in one way or another, because the EU means partnership and good neighborly relations among the member states.

When asked whether the EU has a specific plan for negotiations between Kosovo and Serbia, or whether pressure is being imposed on Serbia to give up fresh dialogue on the status after the ICJ produces an opinion on Kosovo's independence, Bringeus said that he is not familiar with that.

He also said, however, that the majority of the EU countries, including Sweden, have recognized Kosovo and that this would not be revoked.

Bringeus also said he was not familiar with an alleged intent of Washington to have Serbia agree to an alteration of Resolution 1244, adding that he did not believe there was a plan to do that in order to offer Serbia a speedier accession in the EU, as reported by some Belgrade media.

EUR 20 mil from EU funds for Danube projects

BELGRADE, May 7 (Tanjug) - About EUR 20 million will be allocated from the European Union pre-accession funds for the Danube projects in Serbia in 2011, which will be additionally funded from the funds allocated for the cross-border cooperation, Serbian government Office for European Integrations Director Milica Delevic said at an international conference dubbed “Danube - Strongest Link to EU” today.

The adoption of the European Union Danube strategy will start in mid-2010, while its final adoption is expected in early 2011, participants of the conference, which was held at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS), said.

Delevic said that 14 countries are included in the development of the strategy, of which six, including Serbia, are not members of the EU.

PKS President Milos Bugarin said that the Danube River had been identified as the Pan European Transport Corridor VII

and a link among countries of Western, Eastern and Central Europe.

Deputy of the EU Delegation Head to Serbia Adriano Martins underscored the EU's readiness and its commitment to continue the development and promotion of the Danube basin.

Martins underscored that defining the Danube Strategy is an important step forward in the sector integration of the EU countries in the areas of transport, energy supply, tourism, environmental protection and other.

Vincent Degert on Serbia's status in EU

BELGRADE, May 7 (Tanjug) - Head of the European Commission (EC) delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert has stated in Belgrade that in 2011, the EC might give its opinion on Serbia's status regarding the EU membership candidacy.

A lot of important things have been done in the past years, and there is still plenty to do, but this is a process, Degert said in an interview for television B92 on Thursday evening. It is important to continue with the energy, he added.

When asked about the pace of Serbia's EU integration and whether it can be expected in 2014 or 2018, Degert said that it depends on how well the country has prepared.

The EC is ready to work with Serbia at any time, when the Council of Ministers makes that decision. The Council session is in June and I am certain that they will consider the possibility of giving the green light for the Commission to start working with Serbia on the questionnaire. After that, the EC is to give its own opinion, Degert pointed out.

I believe that the administration in Serbia has already started preparing answers to the questions from the questionnaire and that in 2011 the EC may give its opinion, he underscored.

Tadic: Serbia wants both to join EU and keep Kosovo

POZAREVAC, May 6 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic said Thursday that Serbia definitely wants to become a member of the EU, and that it will never give up on protecting its integrity in Kosovo.

Those are the two key points of Serbia's current and future policy, Tadic said at a ceremony in Pozarevac, marking 180 years of the Serbian Armed Forces' elite Guard unit.

He stressed that Serbia takes care of its people, wherever they may live, and added that it runs a peaceful policy.

Tadic emphasized that both the EU and Kosovo are goals and strategic directions for Serbia's foreign policy, adding that "the participation in any international forums will be in accordance with those principles."

The president noted that it is extremely important for all citizens, institutions and political parties to stand united on those goals.

"We extend an offer of reconciliation to everyone, because today we need unity," said Tadic.

He remarked that Serbia is a key factor in southeastern Europe, stressing that instability in Serbia brings instability in the entire Balkans.

Tadic pointed out that stability in Serbia creates the necessary requirements for the development of southeastern Europe and brings benefits to all people who live in the region.

The president stated that the Serbian military also has its place among all those goals, and not just in the present, but in the future as well, and he expressed the country's willingness to continue investing in the military in spite of all its hardships.

Besides the president, the ceremony was attended by Defence Minister Dragan Sutanovac and Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Miloje Miletic.

Tadic: Serbia wants both to join EU and keep Kosovo

POZAREVAC, May 6 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic said Thursday that Serbia definitely wants to become a member of the EU, and that it will never give up on protecting its integrity in Kosovo.

Those are the two key points of Serbia's current and future policy, Tadic said at a ceremony in Pozarevac, marking 180 years of the Serbian Armed Forces' elite Guard unit.

He stressed that Serbia takes care of its people, wherever they may live, and added that it runs a peaceful policy.

Regionalization to draw more EU funds to Serbia

BELGRADE, May 6 (Tanjug) - Adopting the amendments to the Law on Regional Development, which envisages forming five regions of similar population size, will allow Serbia to attract more EU funds, Director of the Serbian government's EU Integration Office Milica Delevic said Thursday.

Asked if this will provide easier access to EU pre-accession funds at a news conference at the Media Center in Belgrade, she said that the regionalization was not a political request of the EU, whose members include both regionalized and centralized countries.

According to her, regionalization will provide all levels of government with the opportunity to learn how EU processes work and explains this to citizens.

Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert said that the EU realized about 90 percent of the projects it planned to finance in Serbia last year.

He said that regionalization will help the EU direct funds more effectively and that it will identify the poorest regions, which will receive most of the funding.

Amendments to the Law of Regional Development should contribute to balanced regional development and more efficient use of EU pre-accession funds. Regions are categorized as developed - those above the state GDP per capita average - and undeveloped - below the average.

Five regions of similar population size will be formed - Vojvodina, Belgrade, Sumadija and Western Serbia, Southern and Eastern Serbia, and Kosovo-Metohija.

Taci: EULEX did not give any evidence against Ljimaj

PRISTINA, May 6 (Tanjug) - Kosovo Prime Minister Hasim Taci has said that EULEX's recent search of the Ministry of Transport and Post-Telecommunication represented a lynch of Kosovo institutions, and urged the EU Mission to immediately provide proof that millions of euros of state-owned funds have been misappropriated by Minister Fatmir Ljimaj.

Commenting on EULEX's police operation, Taci told the Radio and Television of Kosovo that although a week had passed from the search, he has still not received any evidence on Ljimaj's possible abuse, and demanded that justice be not prejudged just for the sake of someone's personal or political interests.

Neither I, nor anyone else in the Kosovo institutions have received any explanation whatsoever of what happened. What we only have are the statements by EULEX officials, Taci noted.

He added that the government has dismissed the possibility of Ljimaj's resignation.

Taci said that Head of the International Civilian Office Pieter Feith is the one that is most responsible for the police operation, and qualified the official's statements as prejudged.

Fule: No consensus on Kosovo status, only on its perspective

PRISTINA, May 6 (Tanjug) - EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule stated that there is no consensus within the EU regarding the status of Kosovo, but that official Brussels has reached full consensus which guarantees that Kosovo will become a part of the general European perspective for the Western Balkan region.

Prior to his visit to Kosovo on Thursday, Fule said that there is a will to ensure that no Balkan country remains outside the EU.

In an interview for the BBC, Fule said that the EU member states requested from the European Commission at the end of 2009 to make progress in certain areas.

These areas imply the improving of political dialogue with Kosovo representatives, considering the possibility of strengthening trade relations and movement of people, including the possible dialogue on visa abolishment, so that Kosovo would obtain a status that three countries of the Western Balkans already have, he underscored.

Fule will arrive in Pristina late on Thursday. He will meet with Kosovo Prime Minister Hasim Taci, Minister for Integration Besim Becaj and other Kosovo and international representatives.

Djelic at European Forum in Germany

BERLIN, May 6 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European integrations and Minister for Science and Technological Development Bozidar Djelic will address the European Forum meeting to be held at the German Foreign Ministry in Berlin today.

Top-ranking officials of Germany and the EU - German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble, Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso - will speak at the meeting which will focus on the future of the European Union.

Djelic, who is on a several-day visit to Germany, on Wednesday presented Serbia's achievements and ambitions in the domain of European integrations to the Bundestag European Committee.

Djelic presents Serbia's European ambitions to Bundestag

BERLIN, May 5 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and Technological Development Bozidar Djelic presented Wednesday Serbia's achievements and ambitions in European integration to the German Bundestag's Committee on the Affairs of the European Union.

Djelic told Tanjug that he presented Serbia's accomplishments over the last two years to the German MPs and asked for their support in getting the EU Council of Ministers to start the ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement in June.

He added he hoped that the Council will turn over Serbia's EU candidacy bid to the European Commission at the same session or soon after.

Djelic said that he assured his hosts that Serbia is ready to help in the fight against organized crime and to cooperate in the field of infrastructure, science and technology and the investments that German and other European companies can make in Serbia.

Commenting on Kosovo, Djelic said that "even though Germany's official position remains the same," MPs from all political parties raised the issue of a possible final solution, which, Djelic believes, "means considering the interests of Belgrade too."

"In that sense, I am encouraged by the MPs' message - they realize the current situation is unsustainable and additional efforts will be needed. It is certainly in the interest of our country to find a sustainable solution for Kosovo and that is not possible without Belgrade," Djelic concluded.

Stefan Fule to visit Kosovo on Thursday

PRISTINA, May 5 (Tanjug) - EU Commissionaire for Enlargement Stefan Fule will arrive in Kosovo on Thursday, where he will attend the ceremonial opening of the new building of the Ministry of Interior in Pristina, the EU Liaison Office said in a statement on Wednesday.

The construction of the new building was a joint investment of the European Commission and the interim Kosovo government. The project is worth EUR 3.2 million.

The forthcoming visit will be Fule's second visit to Kosovo since he was appointed EU Commissionaire for Enlargement. In March 2010, Fule stated in Pristina that the most important thing in Kosovo is fight against crime and corruption.

KOSOVO-EU-ASYLUMSEEKERS

More than 14,000 people from Kosovo seek asylum in EU

PRISTINA, May 5 (Tanjug) - In 2009 there were around 14,200 asylum applicants from Kosovo, who sought asylum in some of 27 countries of the European Union (EU), the statistical office of the EU Eurostat has published in its report.

According to the report, the applicants from Kosovo make up five percent of the total of 261,000 asylum applicants from all around the world.

Apart from the Kosovo citizens, the most numerous asylum seekers are Afghans (20,400), Russians (20,100), Somalis (19,100) and Iraqis (18,700).

The highest number of applicants were registered in France (47,600) followed by Germany (31,800), the United Kingdom (30,300), Sweden (24,200), Belgium (21,600), Italy (17,500), the Netherlands (16,100), Greece (15,900) and Austria (15,800).

The report states that the in 2009 in the EU27 229,500 first instance decisions were made on asylum applications. There were 166,900 rejections (73 percent of decisions), and the rest were granted refugee status, subsidiary protection or were granted authorisation to stay for humanitarian reasons.

Djelic to address German parliament Wednesday

BERLIN, May 5 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration and Minister of Science and Technological Development Bozidar Djelic, who is paying a visit to Germany, will address the German parliament MPs Wednesday and inform them about Serbia's progress in European integration and its further steps towards the EU.

Djelic will request help from the German parliament on Serbia's EU pathway, and he will convey the message that Serbia's ambition is to be a valuable member of the European family, as a central country of the Western Balkans.

He told Tanjug that he and German officials agreed to strengthen cooperation between Serbia and Germany in the areas of energy, telecommunication and local infrastructure.

Degert: Serbia's significant steps towards EU accession

NIS, May 4 (Tanjug) - Head of EU delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert stated in Nis, a town in southern Serbia, on Tuesday that the country made significant steps on the EU pathway in 2009, adding that there is yet more work to be done for its EU accession.

Degert pointed out that the decision on visa liberalization took effect at the end of last year, adding that Serbia applied for EU membership and that free trade agreement was reached.

I cannot say how long negotiations will last, Degert said in the talks with the students of the University in Nis, organized on the occasion of Europe Day (May 9). On average, negotiations last from three to seven years, he stressed.

Degert said that the EU is now present in Serbia through various types of assistance and cooperation, whereby it is already investing in Serbia's EU membership. He said that the quality of the pre-accession process is very important and that many EU programmes are carried out in the process before formal accession.

Each country that accepts the EU values can be its member, said Degert and encouraged the young people to take initiative.

Another EUR 170 million from EU

BELGRADE, May 3 (Tanjug) - After the recently signed Financial Agreement on the use of EUR 70 million from the Instrument for President Boris Tadic-Accession Assistance (IPA) of the European Union for the year 2009, Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic will sign in Nis in late May a fresh financial agreement with the European Commission, the Belgrade daily Politika has quoted Ognjen Miric, the Serbian government's coordinator of the EU funds and Djelic advisor.

These will be the funds from the 2010 IPA program, based on which another EUR 170 million will be donated to Serbia for 26 projects, Politika wrote in its on-line issue.

Social and economic development of southern Serbia (Jablanica and Pcinja districts) and southwestern Serbia (Zlatibor, Raska, Morava and Rasina district) will be supported with EUR 15 million from the 2010 package.

Funds will also be used for infrastructural investments in institutions of high education (EUR 25 million) and supervision of works on Corridor 10 (EUR 10 million).

EUR 2.5 million will be used for the fight against financial crime, while EUR 28 million will be used for the construction of the Leskovac-Vranje electrical substation.

"Projects the value of which totals EUR 630 million have been prepared for the 2007-2010 period and the realization of the projects from the IPA program for the 2007-2009 period have been started," said Miric, recalling that Serbia was allowed to redirect EUR 100 million from the 2009 IPA to the country's budget.

Arnaut: Together towards European Union

BELGRADE, May 2 (Tanjug) - Newly appointed Bosnia-Herzegovina Ambassador to Serbia Borisa Arnaut has evaluated that it is very important that the relations between Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina are getting warmer and that it is a “big thing” that the BIH Presidency will visit Belgrade in May.

Arnaut underscored that everything should be done at the political level to accelerate our joint movement towards the European Union.

“We can not join the European Union arguing. Disputes are not good for anyone. When we remove disputes and establish good neighborly relations, it will be easier for both Serbia and Bosnia to get accepted into the EU,” Ambassador Arnaut said in an interview with radio Free Europe.

He underscored that Serbian President Boris Tadic's statement that he would not interfere in Bosnia-Herzegovina's internal affairs and that he supports integral Bosnia-Herzegovina is “strong.”

The ambassador evaluated that the Serbian parliament's Declaration on Srebrenica is also important for the relations between BIH and Serbia and for the history.

Lajcak: EU must be prepared for ICJ's stand on Kosovo

NOVI SAD, May 1 (Tanjug) - Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak has said that the European Union must be prepared for an opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality of the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo, expressing his confidence that the publication of the ICJ's opinion would an opportunity for the EU to act towards the stabilization of the region.

“The EU is an important global player, but we have to prove our potential credibility before all in our courtyard, which is the Western Balkans,” Lajcak said in a statement published by Dnevnik, adding that the EU must be prepared for a decision of the ICJ, that it must not be caught off guard.

According to the Novi Sad daily, Lajcak has developed a plan for resolving the issue of relations between Serbia and Kosovo following the ICJ's opinion, and he plans to present it to the Council of Ministers in Brussels on May 10.

“We need regional dynamics and communication on practical issues, which will make the whole of the Western Balkans make a progress,” said Lajcak.

KOSOVO-MALPRACTICE-EULEX

Ljimaj suspected of malpractices during awarding of tenders

PRISTINA, April 30 (Tanjug) - Kosovo Minister of Transport and Telecommunications Fatmir Ljimaj and Head of the ministry's Department of Procurement Nedzat Krasnici are suspected of abuse of millions of euros during the awarding of tenders for road construction in Kosovo, the Pristina daily Koha Ditore reported Friday.

The Special Prosecution Office in Kosovo launched an investigation, whereas Director General for External and Politico-Military Affairs at the Council of the EU Robert Cooper told Kosovo Prime Minister Hasim Taci that the EU fully supports EULEX's actions in the fight against crime.

EULEX stated that the investigation is underway, and international prosecutor Johannes Van Vreesvijk said for the Pristina media that the action will refer not only to the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunication, but also other ministries in the Kosovo government.

The Kosovo daily Zeri reports that the opposition in Kosovo encouraged EULEX to conduct an investigation and to pay attention to all signs of corruption.

The officials of the ruling parties at the Kosovo government reiterated that no one is above the law and that the Kosovo institutions will fulfill their obligations based on laws and the Constitution.

EULEX searched several facilities in Pristina, and confiscated the documentation regarding the business activities of the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunication.

They also searched private residences of Ljimaj and his closest associates.

EU-PROJECTS-AWARDS

Djelic presents awards for successful cooperation

BELGRADE, April 30 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic presented awards Thursday to the 10 best projects in cross-border cooperation with Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania.

At a conference dedicated to the realization of the program of cross-border cooperation CARDS (Community Assistance For Reconstruction, Development and Stabilization), which is part of the EU's Instrument for Pre-Accession, Djelic gave out awards to the best projects in organic food production, rural tourism, implementation of education standards and overcoming challenges created by floods, among others.

Djelic said that cross-border cooperation is Serbia's most successful form of cooperation with the EU and neighboring countries and that EUR 16 million from the CARDS program has been spent on 170 projects over the last three years.

Djelic said that the amount will double this year to EUR 30 million and invited everyone who wants to propose a project to contact the Finance Ministry.

Djelic stressed that almost all of the EU funds that Serbia received "have been used without any abuse and this must continue in the future."

Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Adriano Martins said that Serbia has proven itself a good and reliable partner in CARDS projects, which aim to improve living standards and cooperation among neighboring countries.

SERBIA-EU-FISH

Serbia granted export licence for fish products

Belgrade, April 29 (Tanjug) - Serbia has been granted the license for exporting fish products to the EU, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management said Thursday in a statement.

The legislative and practical requirements for the export of fish products to the EU were presented in 2009, the ministry reiterated.

The Food and Veterinary Office's (FVO) veterinary inspection visited Serbia early in 2010 to check the facts. The inspection found that Serbia's control system of production and transportation of fish and aquaculture products fully corresponds to the EU standards. As a result, Serbia was granted the licence for the export of fish.

The obtaining of the export permission means "a fresh start for Serbia, which now makes it possible for the country to use up all of its potentials in the sector of fishing and to export a large quantity of fish products to the European market," the statement reads.

SERBIA-EU-DJELIC

Serbia will do everything to ratify SAA by end of summer

BELGRADE, April 29 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European Integrations Bozidar Djelic stated late on Wednesday that he expects the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) to be ratified by the end of the summer, pointing out that Serbia will do everything to that end.

“However, I may not be certain that this will take place in June,” Djelic said in a statement with B92.

Djelic underscored that European integrations have the same attention in Serbia as before.

According to him, the aggravating circumstance is that the governments in Holland and Belgium had dissolved, while the enthusiasm for the accession of new member-states in the EU is somewhat weaker than in December 2009.

“Serbia's aim is to gain the candidate status in mid next year,” said Djelic, underlining that European partners do not request Serbia to recognize the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo and Metohija but only to contribute to the promotion of cooperation in the Western Balkans.

KOSMET-ITALY-EU

Frattini: Special channel for Belgrade-Pristina dialogue

PRISTINA, April 29 (Tanjug) - Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini on Wednesday stated that a special channel for a dialogue between the official Belgrade and provisional institution in Pristina is needed in order to overcome the problems ahead of them on their way to the European Union.

We encourage the establishment of one such channel, said Frattini after his meeting with provisional president of the province Fatmir Sejdiu, adding that it is clear that the European Union also encourages the fact that the two countries should talks to each other and work together.

Frattini also said that Serbia and Kosovo-Metohija share the same future - the future of the European Union.

After his meeting with foreign minister of the provisional Kosovo government Skender Hiseni, Minister Frattini said that he had the consent of Belgrade and Pristina to take part in an informal summit in Sarajevo in June.

Earlier on Wednesday, Minister Frattini said that Serbia's representatives he had met in Belgrade had a positive response to the above proposal.

FRATTINI-DJELIC-STATEMENTS

Frattini on Serbia's further steps on EU path

BELGRADE, April 28 (Tanjug) - Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini stated Wednesday that the forthcoming regional conference in Sarajevo should yield political results that would be important for Serbia, which includes sending the country's EU membership application to the European Commission before the end of June and the beginning of the ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA).

I agree that we have to achieve some political results. As for Serbia that means sending its EU membership application to the European Commission before the end of June, and before the expiration of Spain's EU presidency and the summer break, Frattini said at a joint press conference with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic.

According to him, the second important result would be the beginning of the SAA ratification.

I would like to say that Italy is ready to ratify the agreement as soon as it receives the green light, Frattini said.

The Italian minister stated that Serbia should use the conference in Sarajevo to show how it could contribute to the EU, mainly in respect of assistance in resolving the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) and the fight against organized crime.

Frattini, who arrived on a visit to Serbia on Tuesday, conferred with his Serbian counterpart Vuk Jeremic on Wednesday and Serbian President Boris Tadic on Tuesday.

According to Frattini, the EU-Western Balkans conference in Sarajevo should send a message to all those who are still undecided when it comes to cooperating with the Weastern Balkans, and the message should state clearly that the region has something to offer to Europe, like attractive investment opportunities.

Frattini said he strongly supports the idea Djelic presented about a Western Balkans 2020 strategy, which would be made in a similar way to the EU 2020 strategy.

Djelic thanked Frattini for his support, both in Serbia's European integration and in organizing the Sarajevo conference, adding that the meeting in Sarajevo should be used to discuss the Western Balkans' European integration process and joint projects by the region's countries.

Djelic also pointed to the significance of a scientific agreement that was signed by the two countries, meaning that Italy will send a science adviser to its Belgrade embassy, which he described as "very encouraging."

According to Djelic, special relations will also be established with scientific institutions in Trieste, which is one of the largest centres of science in Europe.

SERBIA-FRATTINI-JEREMIC

Serbia-Italy government summit to be held in Belgrade in Oct

BELGRADE, April 28 (Tanjug) - Serbia's and Italiy's foreign ministers, Vuk Jeremic and Franco Frattini, announced Wednesday that the two countries will hold a government summit in Belgrade in October.

"The bilateral relations are in good condition and improving constantly. Italy is one of Serbia's closest partners and friends in the EU, as well as its top trade partner as of recently," Jeremic said at a joint news conference, adding that it has been agreed to intensify the political and economic cooperation.

Commenting on the coming government summit, Jeremic said he expects Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi to attend, as well as a large number of Italian ministers.

The previous summit was held in Rome and was very successful, said Jeremic, adding that he hopes the one in Belgrade will be even more so.

Frattini stated that Italy supports Serbia on its path towards the EU, adding that two important dates regarding the process are going to be set in the next several weeks: one regarding the issue of Serbia's application for EU membership and the other the ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement.

Serbia's application must be sent to the proper departments of the European Commission, so that Serbia could receive the commission's questionnaire as soon as possible and begin its official path to the EU, said Frattini.

According to the Italian minister, Italy sees the start of Hungary's presidency over the EU in January 2011 as an important date in terms of Serbia being granted EU candidate status.

Frattini noted that the ratification process for the Stabilization and Association Agreement should commence simultaneously, adding that Italy wishes to be the first country to ratify it and is prepared to do so as soon as it is given the green light for it.

The two ministers also discussed the regional conference in Sarajevo scheduled for June 2, and Frattini proposed for the conference to be held by displaying the names of the participants, and not their countries' names, explaining that it could be the solution that would get both Serbia and Kosovo to attend.

Serbia reacted positively to the proposal, Frattini remarked, adding that he will present it to the Kosovo authorities as well when he visits Pristina in the afternoon.

Jeremic said that Serbia has displayed a constructive approach, and that he hopes Kosovo will do the same, but he pointed out that "there are some red lines that cannot be crossed," explaining that those are the international law and UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

"Kosovo cannot be represented in a way that opposes Resolution 1244, referring to the role UNMIK (the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo) has played since 1999," said Jeremic, reiterating Serbia's stand on the issue by saying: "No UNMIK, no Kosovo."

Frattini said that the summit in Sarajevo should be attended by representatives from the U.S., Russia and Turkey, which he described as an important factor in the Balkans, as well as from some international organizations, like the Council of Europe.

The goal of the meeting is to show that the Western Balkan countries have no better alternative than to gradually move closer to the EU.

If Europe fails to send a clear message to the Western Balkans, it could lead the region to some other centres of power, and the EU does not wish to allow that, Frattini stated.

JAGODINA-AMBASSADORS-EU

EU membership depends on Serbia - ambassadors

JAGODINA, April 28 (Tanjug) - Ambassadors of Sweden and Cyprus to Serbia, Krister Bringeus and Homer A. Mavrommatis respectively, assessed on Wednesday in Jagodina that the exact date of Serbia's admittance in the European Union (EU) depends on Serbia alone, and added that the country is on the right track to achieving this goal.

At a joint press conference with Mavrommatis and Jagodina Mayor Dragan Markovic, Bringeus said that it is difficult to specify the actual date of Serbia's EU membership, because this will depend on the transformation of Serbian society into a modern European one.

Bringeus assessed that “40 percent of the changes Serbia has to make to become a member of the EU are in the environment sector”.

Mavrommatis assessed that Serbia's EU path is a long one, but that Serbia should stay on this track, and added that it is up to the ambassadors to keep sending positive messages to the people in Serbia every day, just as they had done concerning the visa liberalization.

He expressed his conviction that Serbia will join EU during his country's presidency.

According to Mavrommatis, every one of Serbia's 27 friends in the EU is doing their best to secure a soon end to this process.

Cyprus will be the presiding country of the EU in the second half of 2012.

Bringeus and Mavrommatis visited Jagodina, a town in central Serbia, within the framework of the EU project on touring through Serbia's municipalities.

Bringeus said that Jagodina is a very lively, fascinating and interesting town.

Swedish ambassador recalled that Jagodina's Mayor Markovic had a key role in the constitution of the democratic pro-European Serbian government.

Markovic thanked the Swedish ambassador for the support his country gave to Serbia during Sweden's EU presidency, concerning the visa liberalization and unfreezing of the interim trade agreement. Markovic also expressed gratitude to the Cypriot ambassador for his country's consistent refusal to recognize Kosovo as an independent state.

UNIVERSITY-FRATTINI-TITLE

Frattini awarded honorary PhD title of Belgrade University

BELGRADE, April 28 (Tanjug) - Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini was awarded Wednesday the honorary PhD title of the Belgrade University.

Frattini is the 109th person to be awarded this title, which will be officially presented to him in September when an Italian delegation will visit Serbia.

Frattini is honored for his help in bringing Serbia closer to the European Union, visa liberalization and good cooperation between high education institutions in Belgrade and Italy, the Belgrade University Senate said.

Frattini paid a two-day visit to Serbia Tuesday and Wednesday.

FRATTINI-VISIT-OVERVIEW

Frattini: Italy wants to be first to ratify SAA with Serbia

BELGRADE, April 28 (Tanjug) - Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini has stated during his visit to Belgrade that his country strongly supports Serbia's soon submission of the EU candidacy application to the European Commission and the beginning of ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA).

Frattini, who conferred with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic and Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, said that Serbia's bid should be filed to the European Commission before the end of June, so that the country could receive the EU questionnaire as soon as possible and thus launch the official process of its EU accession.

He said that it would be appropriate to start the SAA ratification at the time, adding that his country is ready to ratify the agreement as soon as it receives green light and thus be the first member of the EU to do that.

Referring to the EU-West Balkans conference which is scheduled to be held in Sarajevo early in June, Frattini said that it should be a meeting that would yield important results, and not just a conference without clear goals.

According to him, the conference should be used to send messages to the EU member-states about possible contribution that the regional states could make to the EU, so as to prove the necessity of the EU accession of these countries.

Serbia, for instance, should show that it is not only very attractive for investments, but that it could also assist in resolving the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) and in the fight against organized crime, Frattini said.

Frattini said that on the other hand, the EU should send a clear message that it has no better alternative than to admit these countries to the EU, since otherwise the region could be drawn toward some other centers of power, which the EU cannot allow.

Frattini supported Djelic's idea regarding the preparation of the West Balkans 2020 strategy that would be drafted according to the EU 2020 strategy.

SERBIA-EU-GALLACH

Serbia's further progress towards EU is Spanish priority

BELGRADE, April 28 (Tanjug) - The spokesperson for the current Spanish EU Presidency, Cristina Gallach, has stated that further progress of Serbia and Western Balkans as a whole in the process of European integrations is one of the main priorities of Madrid.

This also includes Serbia's application for the status of a candidate state for the European Union membership, the second phase of which is to get an opinion from the European Commission, Gallach said in a statement published by Vecernje Novosti today.

“We are investing maximum efforts and continue to work in anticipation of a response, said Gallach, adding that “everything is possible” in the next two months of Spain's presidency over the EU.

Novosti reports that consultations are in progress but that things are not moving from the starting point because Holland does not want Serbia to make any progress in the process of European integrations before a new report by International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Chief prosecutor Serge Brammertz, which is due in June.

FRATTINI-SERBIA-INTERVIEW

Frattini: Serbia candidate for EU by mid-2011

BELGRADE, April 27 (Tanjug) - Ahead of his today's visit to Belgrade, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini has said that Italian diplomats are investing maximum efforts to soon unfreeze the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between the European Union and Serbia and carry out a technical evaluation of Serbia's application for accession in the Union.

Italy fully supports an acceleration of the process of granting Serbia the candidate status and hopes that the goal would be achieved by mid-2011, the latest, Frattini said in an interview published by Blic today.

Frattini underscored that Italy believes that Belgrade has all the prerequisites to strive towards the role that belongs to Serbia in Europe. According to him, unfreezing of the provisional agreement with the European Union and the abolishment of the visa regime for Serbia's citizens were the two key steps forward in the country's process of integration into Europe.

Frattini's visit to Serbia is the most important arrival of an Italian official ahead of the visit by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, which is expected soon, Blic wrote.

In regards to the conference scheduled for June 2 in Sarajevo, Frattini said that it is a central opportunity to confirm that the Western Balkan's future is within the EU and to renew the progress of all region countries on their way to their accession in the Union, based on the obligations accepted at the European Council meeting in Thessaloniki in 2003.

SERBIA-FRATTINI-VISIT

Italian foreign minister in Belgrade today

BELGRADE, April 27 (Tanjug) - Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini will arrive in Belgrade today on a two-day visit to Serbia, during which he will meet with the country's top-ranking officials.

According to a statement released by the Italian Embassy in Belgrade, Frattini will meet with Serbian President Boris Tadic, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integrations Bozidar Djelic and Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic.

Serbia's European integration and regional cooperation ahead of the Summit scheduled to be held in Sarajevo on June 2 will be the main topics of the meetings.

Before Frattini, Turkish and Spanish foreign ministers Ahmet Davutoglu and Miguel Angel Moratinos, respectively, visited Belgrade in an effort to find a way to secure the region's participation in the Sarajevo conference.

They underscored that each country should be treated in keeping with their merits, but that they all had been invited to join the EU.

Last time Frattini visited Serbia was last June.

EU-MINISTERS-MEETING

Foreign ministers to discuss EULEX, BiH Monday

BRUSSELS, April 26 (Tanjug) - EU foreign ministers will discuss the role of the EU Mission to Kosovo in strengthening regional stability and welcome the mission's efforts to increase its presence in northern Kosovo.

"The Council should recognize the important role EULEX Kosovo plays in strengthening regional stability. It will also express support for EULEX efforts to intensify the fight against crime and corruption," it was announced in Brussels.

The Council will also welcome EULEX efforts for increased presence and activity in northern Kosovo, alongside other EU bodies, such as the recently established EU office in Kosovska Mitrovica.

The ministers will also discuss the EU police mission to Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) and commend it for redefining the mission focus to supporting the fight against organized crime and corruption as well as for the results the mission has achieved in this area.

SERBIA-EU-MIREL

Mirel: Questionaire in September

BELGRADE, April 26 (Tanjug) - European Commission (EC) Director for Western Balkans Pierre Mirel said on Monday that the Commission could send a questionnaire to the Serbian government in September, if the EU Council gives a green light to Serbia's candidacy in June.

Once the Council has decided on the issue, we will hold consultations with all the Directorates involved in the matter. This will take five to six weeks, which means that the questionnaire could be presented early in September, Mirel said in an interview with Radio and Television of Serbia RTS.

According to him, the key question that should be answered is whether the country has fulfilled the pre-accession criteria that will enable the EC to propose the start of the negotiations.

The questions refer to democracy, functioning of institutions, minority protection, Mirel explained.

The collocutors in the EU trust that the issue of Kosovo will not pose a problem, since the matter will be treated in a status neutral manner, as was the case in respect of visa liberalization.

Problems could arise if, once the International Court of Justice has ruled on the legality of Kosovo independence proclamation, some member countries decided to influence Serbia through the European integration process.

The early elections in the Netherlands, scheduled for June, could also be problem, as they could postpone the green light for Serbia's candidacy for the time when a new government is set up.

KOSOVO-EU-ZAC

Return to Kosovo crucial for province's future

ISTOK, April 26 (Tanjug) - Head of the EULEX Mission to Kosovo Ives de Kermabon and EU Special Representative Pieter Feith stated in the village of Zac, near Istok, on Sunday that the right of return is a fundamental right, and that the return to the municipality of Istok and other locations in Kosovo has to be continued, adding that the future of Kosovo depends on the success of the return process.

Feith, Kermabon and Minister for Communities and Returns in the provisional Kosovo government Sasa Rasic visited Serb returnees in Zac.

They met with the acting president of the Istok municipality, Haki Rugova, and the Serb returnees who were violently attacked in the previous few days.

The recent acts of violence in the village of Zac are completely unacceptable. The right of return in keeping with the law is a fundamental human right and the return process in Istok and other municipalities in Kosovo has to continue and will be continued, Feith said.

He said that the EU will continue to support the safe process of return in coordination with all involved parties.

Kosovo has made important steps as a multiethnic society, and it is important it continues to promote trust between communities for the sake of its European perspective, Feith stated.

Kermabon said that the protection of the returnees is crucial for successful process of return.

I condemn the recent acts of violence against returnees to Zac village, Kermabon stated.

I have faith in the Kosovo institution that they will step up their efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice and to secure the right of return including land restitution, Kermabon said.

SERBIA-EU-CORRUPTION

Degert: Anti-corruption fight of key importance for Serbia

BELGRADE, April 23 (Tanjug) - Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert has stated that the fight against corruption is of key importance for Serbia on its way to the European Union membership, expressing his full support for the work of the Anti-Corruption Agency.

Fighting corruption is of key importance for Serbia on its way to the EU, and we are carefully monitoring every progress the state makes in this respect, said Degert during his meeting with Agency Director Zoran Markovic.

According to a press release of the EU Delegation, Degert also said that setting up of the Agency was a step forward and expressed full support of the EU to the Agency's work. He also said that the Agency now needs funds and institutional support in order to fulfill its mandate.

BELGRADE- BELGIUM-SERBIA

Leterme on Serbia's EU candidacy

BELGRADE, April 23 (Tanjug) - Outgoing Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme has stated that the Spanish presidency of the European Union is maintaining contact with other member states on Serbia's application for accession in the Union and that is how the appropriate moment for including the issue in the agenda of the Council of Ministers will be decided.

Serbia is currently carrying out a number of justice, economic, legislative and other reforms in order to get closer to Europe, it has implemented its obligations from the Provisional Agreement and got prepared for its future membership in the EU, Leterme said in a statement published by Vecernje Novosti today.

“The EU has opened doors to the Western Balkan countries and it will remain open. The perception 'tired of the enlargement' is wrong. No one in Europe thinks of questioning our engagement regarding the Western Balkan countries. They are our future partners within the EU,” underlined Leterme.

Leterme also said that the mass influx of asylum seekers from the south of Serbia and Macedonia in Belgium has been “under control” since early March, adding that the problem will not jeopardize the visa regime liberalization for Serbia.

US-RESOLUTION-SENIC

Senic: Senate resolution to improve bilateral relations

BELGRADE, April 22 (Tanjug) - Head of the Serbian parliament's friendship group with the U.S. Vlajko Senic said Thursday that the resolution passed in the U.S. Senate encourages a continued development of the two countries' relations.

According to a statement issued by the parliament, Senic said that the U.S. has provided key support for political, economic and defense reforms in Serbia over the last ten years.

"Joining Partnership for Peace in 2006 and applying for EU membership prove that Serbia remains committed to European integration. Securing full U.S. support can considerably speed up the entire process and allow our citizens to become part of the Euro-Atlantic family of nations sooner," Senic stressed.

He added that "wrapping up the cooperation with The Hague Tribunal, actively participating in Partnership for Peace and gaining EU candidate status will make Serbia the key U.S. partner in the region and potentially the leader in the Western Balkans."

The U.S. Senate passed a resolution congratulating Serbia's application for European Union membership and called on the European Council to adopt a position on Serbia's qualifications in due course.

USA-SERBIA-RESOLUTION

U.S. Senate adopts resolution on Serbia

WASHINGTON, April 22 (Tanjug) - The Senate of the United States has adopted a resolution congratulating the Republic of Serbia's application for European Union (EU) membership and urging the European Council to adopt in a timely manner a clear position on Serbia's qualifications as a candidate country.

“The Senate applauds the people of Serbia for furthering their commitment to democracy, free markets, tolerance, nondiscrimination, and the rule of law,” reads the resolution, which was proposed by senators George Voinovich, John Kerry, Richard Lugar, Jeanne Shaheen and Benjamin Cardin.

The Senate recalled that the United States views the EU as a source of stabilization, security and prosperity for all of Europe and the world and therefore, encourages Brussels to remain actively engaged with all of the Western Balkans regarding their aspirations for European integration.

Furthermore, the resolution points at the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA), which considered the EU's readiness to integrate Serbia to the fullest extent into the political and economic mainstream of Europe.

The Senate also urges the Serbian government to intensify efforts to capture and transfer at-large indictees Goran Hadzic and Ratko Mladic to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and otherwise to fully cooperate with the ICTY.

The U.S. Senate underscored that a democratically elected government of Serbia has committed to resolving regional disagreements through diplomacy and the tenets of international law and added that it welcomes the decision of the democratically elected Serbian government to join the NATO Partnership for Peace Program in 2006.

The Senate recognized the cooperation of the Serbian government with the U.S. government on issues such as democratization, anti-drug trafficking, anti-terrorism, human rights, regional cooperation and trade.

The resolution also recalled that the year 2010 marks a full decade of efforts of the Serbian government to reintegrate Serbia into Europe and the global community which has been supported by the United States, including U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden's visit to Belgrade.

KOSOVO-CRIME-EULEX

Yves de Kermabon calls for crime confrontation

PRISTINA, April 22 (Tanjug) - EULEX Chief Yves de Kermabon on Wednesday called on Kosovo authorities to confront organized crime.

The mandate of EULEX is to monitor and guide the government of Kosovo in the area of the rule of law, said Kermabon at a regular meeting of the joint board for the rule of law in Kosovo.

Kermabon also pointed out to the Kosovo institution that the aim is to develop an independent and multiethnic legal, police and customs system, without political influence.

KOSOVO-MACEDONIA-EULEX

Romanian gendarmes carry excessive alcohol quantities

PRISTINA, April 22 (Tanjug) - EULEX has initiated an internal investigation of sixteen Romanian Gendarmes traveling back to Romania on leave, who were apparently carrying excessive quantities of alcohol and cigarettes out of Kosovo.

According to a statement released by EULEX, the incident occurred at the Blace border crossing with Macedonia in the early hours of April 20, 2010, when Macedonian customs officers confiscated alcohol and cigarettes.

The Gendarmes were questioned by customs officials of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and the excessive amounts of alcohol and cigarettes were confiscated, stated EULEX.

Pristina media reported that there were 16 Romanian citizens employed by EULEX on board a bus with Romanian license plates.

Macedonian customs officials confiscated 341 carton of cigarettes and 133 liters of alcohol.

During questioning, it was concluded that 178 cartons of cigarettes belonged to the bus driver, while the rest of 163 cartons and bottles of alcohol belonged to the passengers.

SERBIA-SPAIN-EU

Madrid strongly supports Serbia's European path

BELGRADE, April 21 (Tanjug) - Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos stated in Belgrade today that his country would do everything during its presidency over the European Union to speed up European integrations of Serbia and other region countries.

We hope that progress will be made regarding this issue by the end of Spain's presidency and that there will be good news for the Serbian society, Moratinos told journalists after his meeting with his Serbian counterpart Vuk Jeremic.

Spain's presidency over the European Union will end on July 1 and will be taken over by Belgium.

Moratinos also pointed out the EU's satisfaction over the recent steps taken by the Serbian authorities, primarily the adoption of the declaration condemning the crime committed in Srebrenica.

He said the declaration had a positive response in the EU as a whole and in individual member states.

He also underscored the positive response to Serbia's regional policy, which is based on good neighborly relations.

EU-KOSOVO-CORRUPTION

Corruption remains Kosovo's biggest problem

BRUSSELS, April 21 (Tanjug) - Kosovo still suffers from high-level corruption and Pristina's failure to address the issue is hurting its reputation in Brussels, assessed EU officials.

Kosovo Prime Minister Hasim Taci replaced six ministers, but the changes and the current situation in Kosovo still do not satisfy the EU, writes the Brussels-based internet news site New Europe.

Corruption is identified as the greatest threat to Kosovo's EU accession, along with the need to strengthen the rule of law and tackle organized crime and money laundering.

"Kosovo also needs to continue to work on building relations with its different communities and ensure that decentralization brings concrete benefits to all citizens,” writes the website quoting the spokesperson for EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule.

EU special representative to Kosovo Pieter Feith said in Dublin last week that the Pristina authorities still need to address “significant levels of corruption”, writes New Europe.

Last month, Feith presented Thaci with evidence that an unnamed minister embezzled state funds. The minister, known in Brussels as a close ally of Thaci, was not affected by the cabinet reshuffle despite displeasure in both the EU and the U.S., reminds New Europe.

BULGARIA-VISIT-DEJANOVIC

Dejanovic: Serbia and Bulgaria may strengthen cooperation

BELGRADE, April 20 (Tanjug) - Serbian National Assembly President Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic stated Tuesday that Bulgaria and Serbia could further strengthen their bilateral cooperation and that the parliaments of the two states could stimulate this process through competent parliamentary bodies and committees.

"The cooperation between the two states should be strengthened through parliamentary and business contacts aiming at overcoming the consequences of the world economic crisis," underscored Djukic-Dejanovic in her statement with Tanjug upon her return from Sofia.

She specified that the priorities include construction of motorways, Corridor 10, gas pipeline, border crossings, solutions to the energy stability issues and the Danube River program.

"Those topics will be discussed separately by the premiers of Serbia and Bulgaria during the visit of Prime Minister Boyko Borisov to Belgrade next Monday," said Djukic-Dejanovic.

She also underscored that the visit and meetings with the Serbian prime minister will stimulate the cooperation in several economic and social areas.

Djukic-Dejanovic went to a one-day visit to Sofia on Monday, at the invitation of Bulgarian Parliament Speaker Tsetska Tsacheva, where she also met with President Georgy Parvanov, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov.

During my meeting with President Parvanov, the importance of the integration of the Western Balkans as a whole into the European family was underscored, said Djukic-Dejanovic, adding that Bulgaria will continue to assist Serbia in its next steps towards a full membership in the EU.

"During our discussion on the status of the Bulgarian ethnic minority, I informed the Bulgarian president that the Ministry of Education is drafting bylaws that would regulate the issue of education in the Bulgarian language in Serbia, primarily, printing of textbooks in Bulgarian," said Djukic-Dejanovic.

SERBIA-MORATINOS-VISIT

Moratinos to visit Belgrade Tuesday

BELGRADE, April 20 (Tanjug) - Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos will arrive in Belgrade Tuesday afternoon on a visit that will include a joint meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

Minister Moratinos will have a series of meetings in Belgrade, including a meeting with ministers Jeremic and Davutoglu, Spanish Ambassador in Belgrade Inigo de Palacio Espana told Tanjug.

He said he cannot discuss details at the moment, but that regional cooperation, European future of the Western Balkans, Spain's role in the region as the presiding member of the EU and other issues will be discussed at the meeting.

Asked if the foreign ministers will discuss the format for the participation of Belgrade and Pristina at the upcoming EU conference on the Western Balkans in Sarajevo on June 2, De Palacio said that it is everyone's interest to find a solution that would allow all countries and players in the region to take part in the Sarajevo meeting.

It is in the interest of the entire EU and all countries in the Western Balkans that all countries and players in the region come to Sarajevo. We will do everything in our power to make that happen with the help of our colleagues in the EU and all our partners in the region, the ambassador said.

SERBIA-MORATINOS-VISIT

Moratinos to visit Belgrade Tuesday

BELGRADE, April 20 (Tanjug) - Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos will arrive in Belgrade Tuesday afternoon on a visit that will include a joint meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

Minister Moratinos will have a series of meetings in Belgrade, including a meeting with ministers Jeremic and Davutoglu, Spanish Ambassador in Belgrade Inigo de Palacio Espana told Tanjug.

He said he cannot discuss details at the moment, but that regional cooperation, European future of the Western Balkans, Spain's role in the region as the presiding member of the EU and other issues will be discussed at the meeting.

Asked if the foreign ministers will discuss the format for the participation of Belgrade and Pristina at the upcoming EU conference on the Western Balkans in Sarajevo on June 2, De Palacio said that it is everyone's interest to find a solution that would allow all countries and players in the region to take part in the Sarajevo meeting.

It is in the interest of the entire EU and all countries in the Western Balkans that all countries and players in the region come to Sarajevo. We will do everything in our power to make that happen with the help of our colleagues in the EU and all our partners in the region, the ambassador said.

YOUNG-EUROPE-PROSPECTS

Serbian youth must know their prospects

BELGRADE, April 19 (Tanjug) - Serbian youth must know their prospects as the country gets closer to the EU, but they must also nurture confidence toward Europe, the “European Perspective” conference held in the Palace of Serbia found on Monday.

“Our uncompromising goal is to see Serbia as a part of the EU, but the youth living in this country must know now in which way they will benefit from the state's orientation,” Serbian Minister of Youth and Sports Snezana Samardzic-Markovic said and added that Europe is already offering certain opportunities to the young in Serbia.

Samardzic-Markovic said that youth policy is a strategic question of European future and that the steps taken now will affect Europe's ability to maintain its position as an economic and political leader in the modern world.

“We are trying to bring back our youth's confidence in the country, local government and institutions, and we also have to build their trust in Europe”, Samardzic-Markovic pointed out.

The Minister emphasized that Serbia's success depends on the success of all its regions and that it is therefore necessary to make the opportunities offered by the EU available to Serbian youth on the local level.

Head of the EU delegation to Serbia Vincent Deger said that Serbia's youth will soon be among those responsible for the building of a joint Europe.

Picture the Europe you want to see in the future and start building. Take initiative, Deger said at the conference.

SOFIA-DEJANOVIC-VISIT

Cooperation with Bulgaria is vital for neighborly relations

SOFIA, April 19 (Tanjug) - Serbian parliament speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic expressed gratitude during the Monday talks with her Bulgarian counterpart Cecka Cacheva for Bulgaria's support to Serbia's EU path and pointed out that fostering cooperation with Bulgaria is extremely important for good neighborly relations.

“Our parliaments can launch the process of resolution of concrete issues in the areas of EU integration process, foreign policy, environment and transport by means of parliament bodies and commissions and resolve them directly in cooperation with respective ministries,” Djukic-Dejanovic said.

The Serbian parliament speaker, who is on a one-day official visit to Bulgaria, expressed satisfaction with the willingness of both countries to find new areas of possible cooperation not only at the state-level, but also regarding the promotion of friendship between the two nations based on 130-year old diplomatic relations.

Djukic-Dejanovic underlined the importance of parliamentary cooperation and expressed hope that this visit will play an important role in the general parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.

“Bulgaria supports Serbia on its EU integration pathway,” Cacheva said, adding that her country will back Serbia in all aspects that it needs to join the European family.

Djukic-Dejanovic accepted Cacheva's invitation to participate in the forum of women leaders in the region that will be held in Sofia late in 2010.

Afterward, Djukic-Dejanovic conferred with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and on the occasion, they agreed that that in spite of different stands in view of the independence of Kosovo, it is necessary to promote regional cooperation since it is very important in the EU integration process.

Djukic-Dejanovic is scheduled to confer with Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov and Foreign Affairs Minister Nikolay Mladenov on Monday, the statement reads.

SERBIA-MORATINOS-VISIT

Moratinos to visit Belgrade Tuesday

BELGRADE, April 19 (Tanjug) - Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos will arrive in Belgrade Tuesday afternoon on a visit that will include a joint meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic and Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

Minister Moratinos will have a series of meetings in Belgrade, including a meeting with ministers Jeremic and Davutoglu, Spanish Ambassador in Belgrade Inigo de Palacio Espana told Tanjug.

He said he cannot discuss details at the moment, but that regional cooperation, European future of the Western Balkans, Spain's role in the region as the presiding member of the EU and other issues will be discussed at the meeting.

Asked if the foreign ministers will discuss the format for the participation of Belgrade and Pristina at the upcoming EU conference on the Western Balkans in Sarajevo on June 2, De Palacio said that it is everyone's interest to find a solution that would allow all countries and players in the region to take part in the Sarajevo meeting.

It is in the interest of the entire EU and all countries in the Western Balkans that all countries and players in the region come to Sarajevo. We will do everything in our power to make that happen with the help of our colleagues in the EU and all our partners in the region, the ambassador said.

YOUNG-EUROPE-PROSPECTS

Serbian youth must know their prospects

BELGRADE, April 19 (Tanjug) - Serbian youth must know their prospects as the country gets closer to the EU, but they must also nurture confidence toward Europe, the “European Perspective” conference held in the Palace of Serbia found on Monday.

“Our uncompromising goal is to see Serbia as a part of the EU, but the youth living in this country must know now in which way they will benefit from the state's orientation,” Serbian Minister of Youth and Sports Snezana Samardzic-Markovic said and added that Europe is already offering certain opportunities to the young in Serbia.

Samardzic-Markovic said that youth policy is a strategic question of European future and that the steps taken now will affect Europe's ability to maintain its position as an economic and political leader in the modern world.

“We are trying to bring back our youth's confidence in the country, local government and institutions, and we also have to build their trust in Europe”, Samardzic-Markovic pointed out.

The Minister emphasized that Serbia's success depends on the success of all its regions and that it is therefore necessary to make the opportunities offered by the EU available to Serbian youth on the local level.

Head of the EU delegation to Serbia Vincent Deger said that Serbia's youth will soon be among those responsible for the building of a joint Europe.

Picture the Europe you want to see in the future and start building. Take initiative, Deger said at the conference.

ARANDJELOVAC-ELECTION-DACIC

Dacic: SPS-PUPS-JP coalition working for modern, just Serbia

ARANDJELOVAC, April 18 (Tanjug) - The Socialist Party of Serbia - Party of United Pensioners of Serbia - Unted Serbia (SPS-PUPS-JS) coalition is working toward a greater goal of making Serbia a modern, economically developed and socially just state and EU membership is in the best interest of the country, SPS leader Ivica Dacic said Sunday in Arandjelovac, central Serbia, at the final party convention ahead of the early local election on April 25.

"We do support joining the EU and I am happy to have been named European of the year. But I am even happier when Serbian citizens recognize that everything we are doing to join the EU, we were doing in the best interest of Serbia and its people," Dacic said.

He said that "two years ago, we were forced to make difficult political decisions on how coalitions in Serbia will be formed."

"Many people were skeptical and doubted we would make the right decisions and whether it would all work after a while," Dacic said and assessed that government policy in Serbia today is based on the same principles on which the SPS-PUPS-JS coalition was founded.

"Defending and preserving Kosovo and Metohija and preserving Republika Srpska will continue to be our goal," Dacic said.

Reminding that there has been a lot of talk recently about decentralization and regionalization in Serbia, Dacic pointed out that the SPS-PUPS-JS coalition supports decentralization and that not everything should be decided in Belgrade but added that Serbia "must not be divided."

PRISTINA-DELL-KOSOVO

Dell: Both Serbia and Kosovo should join EU

STRPCE, April 17 (Tanjug) - US ambassador to Kosovo Christopher Dell has pointed to the need for integration of both Serbia and Kosovo in the European Union.

According to Dell, Serbian authorities should forget the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 as an argument for their return to Kosovo, as it is precisely that resolution that put an end to Serbia's rule in Kosovo in 1999.

After meeting on Friday the municipal officials of Strpce, elected in local elections which were not recognized by the Serbian authorities, Dell said that politicians in Belgrade have poor imagination in regard to the new reality in Kosovo, Pristina media reported.

Belgrade officials are mentioning different ideas, but it was precisely those ideas which had caused wars in the Balkans, Dell said.

SERBIA-TADIC-WSJ

Tadic: Regional reconciliation is imperative for Serbia

NEW YORK, April 16 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic stated that the reconciliation of the people in the region is an "absolute imperative" for Serbia, adding that the Serbian parliament's adoption of the Declaration condemning the crime in Srebrenica is the product of Serbia's “absolute dedication” to restore trust and friendship in the region.

“For us, reconciliation is seen as a moral imperative to tell the truth-the unadorned, factual, horrible truth of the bloodshed that must never return to our lands. We also understand it as being a categorical rejection of the individuals who falsely claimed to act in our name, and a repudiation of the policies that promoted violence and hatred,” Tadic said in an interview for the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), published on Friday.

By taking the lead in regional reconciliation, Serbia has opened the door for others to step through, in the hope that we can together build a prosperous and inclusive future as members of the European Union (EU)-our central strategic priority, Tadic said.

“This is our vision, and we will see it through, come what may,” he added.

Tadic underlined that Serbia has demonstrated the courage to be the first to apologize for heinous atrocities that were committed by all sides in the Yugoslav civil wars.

“Accepting one's share of responsibility for what happened in the past is an integral part of the democratic consolidation of every country in our neighborhood. This is an indispensable step in the advancement of sustainable peace and stability in the Western Balkans,” Tadic underscored.

Discussing the crime in Srebrenica in July 1995, Tadic said that this is one of the most tragic chapters of the Yugoslav civil wars of the 1990s.

“In order to show that Serbia mourns for all the victims, I traveled to Srebrenica a year after I was first elected president of Serbia to stand with the survivors and bow to victims on the 10th anniversary of that terrible atrocity,” Tadic stated.

According to Tadic, this opened up a fierce national debate on the misdeeds of the Slobodan Milosevic regime and increased regional awareness of the critical importance of reconciliation, a core European value that Serbia wholeheartedly embraced following the restoration of Serbian democracy on October 5, 2000.

“Our similarities far outweighed our differences, as they still do, and while discrimination was not unheard of, it was far from rampant. In short, reconciliation helps us take back our past from the nefarious fear-mongers still lurking in our midst,” he said.

It is against this backdrop that the Serbian parliament on March 30 adopted a historic declaration on Srebrenica that unequivocally condemned the war crimes that took place there, Tadic stated.

“The declaration is the product of my country's absolute dedication to restore trust and promote friendship and understanding between two proud nations in our region and, more broadly, two great religious traditions present throughout our increasingly interdependent world,” Tadic said.

“As such, this unprecedented document-the first of its kind in the Western Balkans-extends profound condolences and sincere apologies to the families of the Bosnian Muslim victims,” the Serbian president added.

Moreover, the document reaffirms full support for the efforts of the Serbian government to successfully complete its cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), which includes locating, arresting and extraditing the Bosnian Serb wartime commander, Gen. Ratko Mladic, Tadic stated.

“The declaration also underlines Serbia's commitment to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We hope it will help facilitate a process for its three constituent peoples to come together in agreement on necessary internal reforms,” the president stated.

“Silence is no longer acceptable, and neither is hiding behind outdated wartime rhetoric,” since “the era of accountability in our part of the world has begun, and it is here to stay,” the Serbian president concluded.

SUTANOVAC-SERBIA-NATO

Sutanovac: It is not right time for referendum

BELGRADE, April 16 (Tanjug) - Serbian Defence Minister Dragan Sutanovac has stated that the issue of Serbia's NATO accession is not included in the country's agenda and definitely will not be tabled in the years to come.

“No one has set the NATO membership as a precondition for the EU accession, although all EU member states that have joined EU in the previous years first became members of this political-military alliance,” Sutanovac said in an interview for the Friday Belgrade-based daily Vecernje novosti, adding that there is plenty of time for referendum.

He said that it was quite a mistake that Serbia did not open an office within NATO earlier, in 2006, when it joined the Partnership for Peace, since we could have realized a number of projects with their assistance in various areas so far - health care, science, telecommunications, and our foreign policy position would be much better.

When asked whether it would be better for Serbia to stay neutral or join a military alliance, Sutanovac said that Sweden, Ireland, Austria and Russia have kept a military neutral position, but still have a NATO office within the Partnership for Peace program.

“The neutrality requires larger budget, more numerous military, more arms and cutting-edge military techniques. Switzerland, which is always taken as an example of a neutral country, has a respectable amount of the most modern weaponry and a mandatory military service,” Sutanovac said.

He said that the question arises whether Serbia should be in alliance with the most developed countries in the world, or it should remain an isolated island, adding that every decision should be rendered after a thorough analysis and calmly, but that there are still no such conditions.

Sutanovac said that at the moment, the ministry does not consider deployment of Serbian soldiers both in Afghanistan and Iraq.

DACIC-FASSINO-REGION

Dacic,Fassino:European integration key to regional stability

BELGRADE, April 15 (Tanjug) - Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic and member of the Italian parliament's Committee for Foreign Affairs Piero Fassino concluded Thursday that European integration of Balkan countries significantly contributes to regional stability.

Dacic and Fassino agreed during their meeting in Belgrade that the region's European integration and Serbia's EU accession need to move at a faster pace, the Serbian Interior Ministry said in a statement.

The Serbian and the Italian official concluded that the two countries and nations have friendly relations and very good cooperation between state prosecutions and interior and justice ministries.

Dacic, who is also a deputy prime minister in the Serbian government, pointed out the exceptional cooperation in emergency situation management and traffic police.

Fassino, who is a former justice minister, assessed that Euro-Atlantic integration of the entire Balkans is the solution to stability and security problems in the region.

He considers the stability of Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) and the situation in Kosovo the most sensitive issues in the Balkans at the moment, it is said in the statement.

Dacic stressed that when it comes to BiH, "it is important to maintain peace, respect the Dayton Peace Accords and the agreement of all three nations, and not to force a solution."

According to him, the Kosovo issue should in no way impede Serbia's European integration, it is said in the statement.

SCHWIMMER-MEGATREND

Walter Schwimmer new president of Megatrend University

BELGRADE, April 15 (Tanjug) - The former Secretary General of the Council of Europe Walter Schwimmer has been elected new president of the Megatrend University.

Serbia has a very important place in the European family of nations and its contribution to Europe's development is considerable, he said Thursday at a ceremony marking his appointment.

Serbia's European future will be decided by young people, and universities and education have a very important role in this regard, he said.

Schwimmer said he was proud of Serbia becoming a Council of Europe member during his term of office.

Serbia's application for the status of candidate for European Union membership is a great challenge for the country and its young people, he said.

Schwimmer said he would endeavor during his term to foster cooperation between Megatrend and other European universities.

He added that his appointment was a challenge, since Megatrend is a young and at the same time a very successful university.

Serbian Minister of Education Zarko Obradovic said that Schwimmer's appointment confirms the quality of higher education in Serbia.

Schwimmer's appointment will help Serbia's higher education sector to be integrated in the European academic community, he said.

He will also help foster cooperation with other European universities and improve mobility of students and teachers, Obradovic said.

SERBIA-ITALY-COOPERATION

Intermodal transport for long-term economic growth

BELGRADE, April 15 (Tanjug) - Serbia needs investments in intermodal transport (involving multiple modes of transportation) and joining the Trans-European Transport Networks, as this would enable sustainable long-term economic growth, Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Zorica Djeric-Stojicic said in Belgrade on Thursday.

At the beginning of a two-day international conference on development of intermodal transport between Serbia, Montenegro and Italy, held in Belgrade, the assistant minister said that the Corridors 10 and 7, that is, investing in road, rail and water transport, are priorities both for Serbia and the EU.

She pointed to that fact that trains in Serbia very often run behind schedule, and that roads of the first and second order are more than 20 years old, which calls for building of new ones.

She also said that it is necessary to clean up waterways.

More than 70 percent of intermodal transport in Serbia is rail-based, and 90 percent of container transport is either by rail or by road.

Stojicic said that the general master plan for transport will be drafted soon, pointing out that a number of projects, mainly in the area of rail and river transport, are financed from the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) funds.

PARLIAMENT-AGREEMENTS-SUTANOVAC

Sutanovac: Agreements fortify cooperation between countries

BELGRADE, April 15 (Tanjug) - Serbian Defence Minister Dragan Sutanovac stated Thursday that the ratification of nine draft memorandums and agreements in the domain of military cooperation with the countries in the region and the EU will contribute to strengthening of cooperation between Serbia and those countries and restore reputation of the Serbian Military.

“The Defence Ministry signed military cooperation agreements with nine regional countries and great European powers in the previous four years in order to strengthen bilateral cooperation,” Sutanovac said in the Serbian parliament.

According to him, the draft agreements on military cooperation with Iraq, Spain, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Slovenia, Portugal, Germany and the Great Britain are in keeping with Serbia's priority that is the EU integration process.

“Serbia's priority is the EU accession, while the security policy is part of every foreign affairs policy. The ratification of the agreements will restore reputation of the Serbian Military, which was recognized as the key security factor in the region,” Sutanovac said.

USA-BALKANS-SENAT

U.S. Senat Committee discusses Western Balkans

WASHINGTON, April1 5 (Tanjug) - The Western Balkans is speedily heading towards the EU integration regardless of its unfinished business, it was stated at the hearing before the U.S. Senat Committee on Foreign Affairs, with the remark that the disagreement between Serbia and the U.S. on Kosovo issue does not jeopardize Belgrade's EU aspirations.

The dream of a united Europe will not be a reality without Serbia, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen has stated, while opening a hearing entitled Unfinished business in Southeast Europe: Opportunities and Challenges in the Western Balkans.

The diagreement on northern Kosovo should not hinder the EU integration perspective. When the International Court of Justice (ICJ) gives its opinion on the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo, foundations should be laid for a creative, pragmatic and sustainable solution between Kosovo and Serbia, Shaheen said.

U.S. Senator George Voinovich pointed to a significant progress of the region, adding that there are yet more challenges, one of which is the intense situation in northern Kosovo.

Shaheen and Voinovich, who visited the Western Balkans in February as part of the U.S. Congress delegation, stated their extremely favourable impressions from the visit.

BELGRADE-SERBIA-EU

Delevic: KiM cannot be criteria for EU membership

BELGRADE, April 15 (Tanjug) - Director of the Serbian European Integration Office Milica Delevic stated in Belgrade Wednesday evening that the issue of Kosovo-Metohija (KiM) cannot be included in the list of defined criteria for Serbia's progress in the EU integration.

However, this issue can contribute in various ways to putting Serbia in a certain political context, both within the country and within the EU, Delevic said for the Belgrade based B92.

The Kosovo issue polarizes the EU member states, nevertheless, it cannot appear on the list of already defined EU accession criteria, she stressed.

Commenting on the statement of EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule that there is no connection between the solving of the issue of Belgrade-Pristina relations and Serbia's EU integration, Delevic said that this is a factual situation in the EU integration process.

BELGRADE-DJELIC-NOVOSTI

Deputy PM on Serbia's EU integration

BELGRADE, April 15 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic has stated that the ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) between Serbia and the EU will begin in June, adding that it is unlikely that the Spanish EU Presidency will also be able to include Belgrade's application for candidacy in the agenda of the EU Council of Ministers.

In an interview for the Belgrade-based daily Vecernje novosti published Thursday, Djelic said that he believes that it is more likely that Serbia will obtain the EU candidate status in June 2011.

He said that there is still no consensus within the EU for Serbia's candidacy to be forwarded to the European Commission (EC).

Djelic stressed that every year spent outside the EU, Serbia loses between two and three billion euros of non-returnable funds.

"That is the amount we would receive annually as a EU member state. Now we receive EUR 200 million," Djelic said.

"There is no dillemma regarding our country's border - it includes Kosovo as its integral part. Of course, this implies compliance with the Resolution 1244 (of the UN Security Council)," he pointed out.

"The positions of five EU countries which did not recognize Kosovo will not change," Djelic added.

Djelic said that new negotiations between Belgrade and interim institutions of self-goverment in Pristina are "absolutely possible," as he believes that "Europe is becoming more aware of the problem in Kosovo, particularly the problem with crime, and the fact that the only sustainable solution for Kosovo is the one acceptable for Belgrade."

COE-MALOVIC-JAGLAND

COE backs Serbia's fight against organized crime

BELGRADE, April 14 (Tanjug) - Secretary General of the Council of Europe (COE) Thorbjorn Jagland offered support to Serbia's fight against organized crime and corruption in the Wednesday talks with Serbian Minister of Justice Snezana Malovic and commended all activities that the Serbian authorities have carried out regarding the issues.

Malovic informed Jagland on the comprehensive process of the justice system reform in Serbia and main activities that the Serbian Ministry of Justice has realized in order to fully promote the justice system in Serbia and reach the top European standards.

She underscored that the EU approach is the path that Serbia has chosen, adding that Serbia is committed to the fulfillment of all preconditions of the EU accession, the Serbian Ministry of Justice released in the statement.

Jagland also said that the COE could continue to offer its expert assistance regarding the area, so as to secure continuous support to the reform process.

The importance of the reform of the European Court of Human Rights and implementation of its decisions was particularly underlined during the meeting.

Malovic pointed out that the adoption of bills, which the Justice Ministry will propose soon, will enable full enforcement of these decisions.

Malovic also informed Jagland on new conventions that are currently in the preparation process and which will be ratified by Serbia in the forthcoming period.

SERBIJA-DEJANOVIC-JAGLAND

Jagland: CE is status neutral towards Kosovo

BELGRADE, April 14 (Tanjug) - Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland said Wednesday in Belgrade that CE will remain status neutral towards the Kosovo-Metohija issue.

Meeting Serbian parliament Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, Jagland said that the CE is active in Kosovo in the sectors of human rights, status process issues and raising standards.

Serbia has done much for integration in European standards and is on the way of becoming a factor of stability in the Balkans, he said.

The CE follows with great attention the political and other developments in Serbia and commends the adoption of the Declaration on Srebrenica by the Serbian parliament, Jagland said.

Djukic-Dejanovic explained Serbia's stand on Kosovo-Metohija, emphasizing that Serbia is committed to resolving that issue by peaceful and diplomatic means, and that it is looking forward to the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.

She thanked the CE for its endeavors for protecting cultural heritage in Kosovo, and pointed to the need for its active protection of human rights in the province, where the attitude towards the non-Albanian communities is a disgrace for contemporary civilization.

SERBIA-DJELIC-JAGLAND

Jagland: Reforms in Serbia are impressive

BELGRADE, April 14 (Tanjug) - Secretary General of the Council of Europe (COE) Thorbjorn Jagland stated in Belgrade Wednesday that the reforms implemented in Serbia are so impressive that the COE Committee of Ministers of this organization decided to suspend the post-accession supervision and replace it with a regular analysis carried out in all COE member states.

I congratulate the Serbian government on all implemented reforms which are very impressive, Jagland said after the meeting with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic. This is why the Committee of Ministers decided that the post-accession supervision should be replaced with regular analysis, he added.

Jagland pointed out that COE is prepared to continue helping Serbia in all necessary reforms, primarily in the judiciary reform and fight against organized crime.

Djelic said that the COE is Serbia's important partner in the EU integration, as the EU relies on COE's assessments of the respect of human rights, rule of law, minority rights, etc.

He announced that Serbia will by June submit to the COE the new report on the compliance with the EU standards, adding that the country's intention is to redefine its relation with this organization by the end of the year.

Speaking of the cooperation with this organization, Djelic expressed his expectation that the COE will continue respecting the international law and that it will not accept Kosovo as its member, since the province unilaterally declared independence from Serbia.

SERBIA-EU-KOSOVO-FULE

Fule: Belgrade will not have to choose between Kosovo and EU

NOVI SAD, April 14 (Tanjug) - There is no connection between Serbia's EU path and the resolution of the Kosovo issue, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule stated, adding that the European Commission (EC) expects that every EU candidate country should have good relations with the neighboring countries if it wants to make progress toward the EU.

Fule said in an interview for the Novi Sad-based daily Dnevnik that the EC questionnaire for Serbia's EU candidacy is impartial regarding Kosovo, adding that he believes that the EU member states will give a mandate to the EC in June to start drafting the assessment of Serbia's readiness for the candidacy status.

The content of the questionnaire will clearly show that the EC is unbiased concerning the status of Kosovo. There is no connection between the resolution of Belgrade-Pristina relations and Serbia's future steps in the EU integration process. The questionnaire will prove that Belgrade is in no way made to choose between the EU path and Kosovo as part of Serbia, Fule pointed out.

Fule said that he hopes that in the years to come, a solution that would secure a European future for Serbia and Kosovo will be found in the EU integration process.

When asked whether the next report of International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz in June on Serbia's cooperation with the ICTY will be positive enough so that Serbia could make the next step toward the EU membership, Fule said that the signals in that respect are mixed.

Brammertz told me that Serbia cooperates well, but that there are still some more issues that should be dealt with. Furthermore, it is to be seen how the member states, or more precisely certain member states, will interpret Brammertz's report, Fule said.

SERBIA-CoE-JAGLAND

CoE Secretary General visits Belgrade on Wednesday

BELGRADE/STRASBOURG, April 13 (Tanjug) - Secretary General of the Council of Europe (CoE) Thorbjorn Jagland will pay a visit to Serbia on Wednesday, during which he will confer with Serbia's top officials.

According to the CoE press-service, Jagland will meet with Serbian President Boris Tadic and Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic.

Jagland is also scheduled to meet Serbian parliament speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, Deputy Prime Ministers Ivica Dacic and Bozidar Djelic, Minister of Justice Snezana Malovic, Minister of Youth and Sports Snezana Samardzic-Markovic and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly Dragoljub Micunovic.

This will be Jagland's first official visit to Serbia since October 1, 2009, when he assumed the office of the CoE Secretary General.

SCHOLARS-AGREEMENT-DJELIC

Djelic delivers agreements to new generation of scholars

BELGRADE, April 13 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic will deliver agreements to a new generation of PhD scholarship holders on April 15, the Serbian Ministry of Science and Technological Development announced.

The ministry will award the 2010 scholarships to 201 PhD students and 16 high school students.

The scholarships were distributed for 15 science fields, whereas the minister will deliver agreements to the best students, the statement reads.

ENVIRONMENT-PROJECT-PRESENTATION

Dulic: We need to improve natural sites protection

BELGRADE, April 12 (Tanjug) - Serbian Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning Oliver Dulic said Monday that there are currently six to seven protected natural sites in the country, and one of the requirements for EU accession is that a country has twice as much of them.

“At the moment, natural sites in Vojvodina and other parts of Serbia are being studied to see whether some of them might get protected status,” Dulic said at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, after the presentation of the project Serbia - Twinning - Strengthening Administrative Capacities for Protected Areas in Serbia (Natura 2000).

According to Dulic, the aim of the project, financed by the EU to the amount of EUR 1 million, is to improve protection and conservation of nature in Serbia.

“The goal is to fulfill this obligation by the end of the present government's mandate, and this implies a change in Serbia's spatial plan, which is expected to be finished during May or June,” he said.

The minister pointed out that many of the country's natural resources have been damaged due to illegal building and pollution and that these natural sites will hardly keep the protected status unless money is invested in their preservation.

Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia Vincent Degert said that it is very important to promote environmental protection and biodiversity preservation.

Degert assessed positively Serbia's efforts to harmonize its regulations in this field with the EU legislation.

He said that Natura 2000 project will last two years, during which time of environmental regulations will be harmonized, and afterwards followed by activities for raising public awareness of the importance of environmental protection.

FRANCE-SERBIA-PARLIAMENTS

Djukic Dejanovic to meet Frenć Senate delegation Tuesday

BELGRADE, April 12 (Tanjug) - Serbian parliament speaker Slavica Djukic Dejanovic will confer Tuesday with a delegation of the Frenć Senate France - Western Balkans friendship group.

The talks will focus on Serbia's European perspective, inter-parliamentary cooperation, regional relations and economic and cultural cooperation between France and Serbia, Djukic Dejanovic's office said.

The Frenć delegation will be headed by Senator of Haute Saone Jean Pierre Mićel, and will alco comprise Senator of Loire-Atlantique Monique Papon, Senator of Cher Francois Pillet and Frenć Ambašador in Belgrade Jean Francois Terral.

BIH-SCHENGEN-FAJON

BIH unlikely to get on white Schengen list in July

BANJA LUKA, April 9 (Tanjug) - Bosnia-Herzegovina will not get included in the so -called white Schengen list in July, experts of the European Union and BIH working on the visa regime liberalization have agreed.

In her statement published by the Banja Luka daily Nezavisne, Tanja Fajon, European Parliament rapporteur on visa liberalization in the Western Balkans, confirmed that visa liberalization is possible in July, but that the date seems too optimistic from today's perspective.

“I believe that July is our of reach for several reasons, but it is good that we have at least started talking about earlier dates thanks to the pressure and efforts from Slovenia,” said Fajon.

She said that the reason for a possible postponement of a visa liberalization decision is a certain delay in procedures for the visa liberalization by the European Union Commission.

EC-SSTREAM-STATUS

South Stream might get trans-European network status

MOSCOW, April 8 (Tanjug) - The European Commission might give the South Stream project the trans-European network (TEN) status, European Energy Commissioner Gunter Ettinger said Thursday after meeting Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin in Moscow.

Russia and the European Union will discuss a wide range of energy issues, including supply to the EU, transit and the role of intermediaries, he said.

An intergovernmental agreement with Austria on the South Stream pipeline project may be signed in April, Russia's Minister of Energy Sergei Shmatko said.

Participation in the South Stream project has been confirmed so far by Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Greece, Slovenia and Croatia.

STEINBERG-TANJUG-INTERVIEW

Steinberg: Serbia is US critical partner in the region

BELGRADE, April 8 (Tanjug) - US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg said Thursday that Serbia is a critical partner for the United States in the region.

The following is the full text of Steinberger's interview with Tanjug: "I had a chance last night to meet with President Tadic and some of his senior advisors and this morning I met with Minister Dacic, and had a chance to meet with the students of the Faculty of Political Sciences in Belgrade. This is part of my own extended involvement since becoming deputy secretary in this region. On this trip, I began in Ljubljana with Mr Pahor and Bosnia with all political leaders, then here and in Pristina. I think it reflects the strong committment that the USA has to building strong ties with the countries of the Balkans and to support the efforts of the leaders here to build a European furture for all the countries in the region. This is a good opportunity for us to talk about both expanding bilateral ties and regional ties, since the beginning of the Obama administration, especially with the visit of Vice President Biden here to Serbia, we have made clear that we would like to see enhanced ties between the United States and Serbia. We view Serbia as a critical partner for the United States in this region and want to see Serbia play an active role and support its sound efforts to have deeper integration into Europe. And of course during our discussions here we discussed a full range of bilateral and regional issues, expressed appreciation for the leadership of President Tadic and his progressive vision for Serbia's future and other ways in which we can strenghten our collaboration.

"I think we focused in our discussions here on some of the practical steps that can be taken, in particular this morning, with Minister Dacic, we talked about cooperation with EULEX and some of the steps that can be taken to strengthen the rule of law in Kosovo and, in partnership with Europe and international community, to make sure that, as Kosovo pursues its future, it respects the rights of all of its citizens, and becomes an inclusive and tollerant society. I am looking forward during my visit to Kosovo later today and to Pristina, to meeting not only with the leadership in Kosovo but also a number of the Serb mayors there, and my visit to the Gracanica monastery is just a reflection of the strong commitment that we have to seeing very open and inclusive and tollerant society there. I think that we have seen lots of efforts throughout the region to recognize that there are differences about the political arrangements here but that there are also pracitical interests in making sure that the situation is stable and that the rule of law is reinforced.

"Our position is well known, which is we recognize the independence of Kosovo...I do not think that it is neccessarily just up for the United States to find a common ground. I think that it is important to take a practical view of these questions, there are number of different ways to move forward, I think what is critical here is to focus on the practical day to day needs and issues of economy, of police, security, customs, these are all issues that can be worked out in very practical form, and I think that this kind of pragmatic approach is what is critical, there may be different formulas in different settings and I do not think that it is neccessarily for us to negotiate the particular formulas. I think that there needs to be a respect for the fact that many of the countries in the region have recognized Kosovo and have diplomatic relations with Kosovo and I think that this is just a reality of this region, but I think what we need to focus on is the practical ways in which we can move forward. And I was very struck in my conversations here that there is a recognition that even though there may be differences on the ultimate political question, that there are a lot of practical areas where cooperation can take place, in which the interests are all to make sure that all the prospectives of the region are represented in these kinds of discussions.

"I think that the bilateral relations (with Serbia) are excellent. And I think, as I said, the visit of Vice President Biden here set a very strong and positive tone of our commitement to build those relations. This is my second meeting with Minister Dacic, he was in Washington just a few weeks ago, we had an excellent series of discussions in Washington and again here about our very imporant collaborative work together on issues like combating crime and drugs and cooperation in the security realm, we had good discussions with the defense minister, it has been another important set of ties, we had visits by representatives of President Tadic and all in all I am just very much encouraged by that, that we had a chance to discuss this morning about the steps that we might be able to take to strengthen economic cooperation and enhance US investments here in Serbia, which is something that we place a lot of priority to. It is important to see American firms coming here, creating good jobs for Serbians and creating economic opportunity for all of us. I think if you look accross the board you see a very strong level of cooperation, we are very appreciative of the efforts that the leadership of President Tadic has shown on the passage of the Srebrenica resolution, a very strong signal to the region, it kind of created a new era here. We have worked very closely together in trying to find ways to make progress in Bosnia in terms of promoting Bosnia's integration into Europe and Trans-Atlantic structures, we've been very supportive of the work that we have done in support of Serbia's own steps to deepen its integration into Europe with visa liberalization and stabilization agreement. The strong efforts we have done together to deal with the problem of cooperation with ICTY, is another example of cooperation where people from the United States and Serbia working together on this common project. So I think that this is a very, very, promising and encouraging picture of accross the board efforts to improve our ties in almost every realm.

"I think what is important is that all the countries in the region work together to try to deal with the very difficult past that this region has focused on and try to build ties and recognize the serious scars that people bear from the past and try to acknowledge the pain that everyone has felt through these experiences and to understand the need to be sensitive to this past but also to turn the page and move towards the future. I think each country needs to find its own ways to express that, but, as I say, what I think is that the efforts here really reflect a very positive signal to the region along with other efforts that President Tadic and the government here have pursued, the steps to build stronger ties with Croatia for example, a very, very encouraging set of develoments and we welcome that. There are lots of different ways to build that and to deal with the problems, overcoming the problems of the past, and what I see here is a very strong committement by the government to try to do that.

"I have been very encouraged by our cooperation on Bosnia. I think that President Tadic and the government here sent a very strong signal that we have a common view here, which is that we think that Bosnia's future is as a single state but within the Dayton framework, and those are shared principles that we bring to this. We recognize that there is a political set of arrangements of Dayton, that is the framework for moving forward, but it is important that it be done in a context of the territorial integrity of Bosnia. I think that it is a shared view and we really appreciate the efforts of President Tadic and the government here to encourage all the parties in Bosnia to work together to take pragmatic steps, to make it possible for Bosnia to move forward with its European and Trans-Atlantic integrations.

"We made clear that we think that the door to Serbia should be open in NATO, we would be welcomming it if that is the decision that the people of Serbia want to take. In any event, we have a strong cooperation and we are really grateful for the efforts there. I know the collaboration with the Ohio National Guard, for example, is something that sends a very, very positive signal, really kind of people to people cooperation as well as a government to government cooperation. So I think this, as Serbia moves to its own choices, sends a positive and shared set of interests that are very welcome on our part. We had a chance with Minister Dacic to talk about Serbia's interest in playing a greater role in pecekeeping operations, which is another example of Serbia demonstrating that it is becoming not just a consumer of security but a provider of security to others, and I think that is a real positive indication of the evolution of Serbia and the very positive developments that have taken place over the last decade here," said US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg.

When asked to comment on the economic relations and whether the United States is supporting Serbia's membership in the WTO, Steinberg said:

"I have to ask the ambassador about that, and I guess the answer is yes, I would be surprised to hear otherwise. I think in general when we think that expanding membership and coming under the basic disciplines of WTO benefits everybody. It enhances economic opportunity, it creates a better investment climate here for firms, and benefits the people Serbia in terms of creating greater access to markets and greater investment opportunities for people to come here."

STEINBERG-INTERVIEW-TANJUG

Steinberg: Serbia is critical partner for the United States

BELGRADE, April 8 (Tanjug) - U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg said Thursday that Serbia is a critical partner for the United States in the region.

The relations between the United States of America and Serbia are excellent, Steinberg evaluated in an interview with Tanjug.

He underlined that his visit to the Balkans represents a support to the leaders in the region for the building of their joint European future.

"We view Serbia as critical partner for the United States in the region," the ranking U.S. official said, and added that the U.S. strongly backs Serbia on its path toward membership in the EU and the World Trade Organisation.

He pointed in particular to the good cooperation between the two countries in terms of regional issues, as well as in the field of defence and police cooperation.

The U.S. top official expressed satisfaction over the efforts Serbia and its president are making in the resolution of outstanding issues in the region and in the building of Serbia's European future.

Steinberg in particular welcomed the adoption of the Declaration on the condemnation of the crime in Srebrenica.

Speaking about Kosovo, Steinberg said that despite the different positions Washington and Belgrade have in respect of the issue of status, the United States is committed to the resolution of practical matters relating to the people in Kosovo.

SERBIA-STEINBERG-TADIC

Steinberg meets with Tadic

BELGRADE, April 8 (Tanjug) - U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg met with Serbian President Boris Tadic Wednesday evening, the Serbian president's press service confirmed to Tanjug.

High U.S. official stated for Tanjug Thursday that he commended the efforts that Serbia and its president are making in order to resolve regional issues and to build Serbia's European future.

Prior to his visit to Belgrade, Steinberg stated that the Declaration on Srebrenica, adopted by the Serbian parliament, represents a very strong and important message, and added that he will convey to the Serbian president that the U.S. appreciates the parliament's decision to adopt the declaration.

Steinberg also talked with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic Thursday.

Steinberg will visit Pristina later in the day.

USA-SERBIA-PAPIC

Papic: Washington supports Serbia's efforts to join EU

WASHINGTON, April 8 (Tanjug) - U.S. analyst Marko Papic has stated that the United States of America supports the efforts the Serbian government is making to join the European Union and that it supports Serbia's accession in NATO if it decides to do it.

“At the same time, Washington is pressuring Serbia to transfer two remaining ICTY fugitives. However, Washington is also ready to avoid the Kosovo issue in talks with the present government in Belgrade,” Marko Papic, analyst of the U.S. geopolitical agency STRATFOR, in his statement with radio Deutsche Welle.

STRATFOR evaluated the statement by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg ahead of his visit to Belgrade that Kosovo will be one of the main topics of his meetings and that there are disagreements as being of “diplomatic nature.”

Papic pointed out Steinberg's big political experience and diplomatic skills, evaluating that Kosovo is a conflict without a solution at present and that it is certain that neither Steinberg would be able to do something.

Papic warned that while the competition among Turkey, Russia, the EU and USA gets intensified in the Balkan region, Serbia, BIH, Kosovo and other states may become a chess board for big powers.

“This is not in the interest of the Balkans,” concluded Papic.

MONTENEGRO-REGION-EU

Borg: No collective accession to EU

PODGORICA, April 8 (Tanjug) - Malta's Foreign Minister Anthony Borg denied Thursday the possibility that Europe would accept the so-called 'regatta model' for a collective accession of the Western Balkan countries to the EU.

Following a visit to Podgorica, Borg told the Podgorica daily Pobjeda that the regatta model is not acceptable, since the internal reforms in each country, individually, are the crucial factor for entering the EU.

The allegations on collective accession of the Western Balkan countries to EU are not realistic, because the progress is not at the same level in every state, nor do all the countries carry out reforms uniformly, Borg evaluated.

He thinks that the EU path is open for Montenegro, since it has made significant progress and gone a long way when it comes to its internal system reform.

ZAGREB-BALKANS-SDALMACIJA

No EU integration of Balkans without regional reconciliation

ZAGREB, April 8 (Tanjug) - There will be no EU integration of the Balkans without the reconciliation of the region, and the first step in that process is the Declaration on Srebrenica adopted at the Serbian parliament, the international community's expert team for the Balkans assessed, the Split daily Slobodna Dalmacija reported Wednesday.

The daily reports that the expert team includes several former high representatives of the international community in Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH), adding the leading member of the team is Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt.

Almost all relevant world institutions commended this great step forward, even though the declaration was adopted with a narrow majority and it does not mention the word genocide, the paper adds.

Certain party leaders in BiH are familiar with the international community's recommendation that they should also begin the talks so that they could soon adopt the declaration at the BiH parliament in Sarajevo, which would condemn the crimes against all war victims, the paper said.

Another important recommendation of the expert team, approved by the U.S., is that Croatian authorities should withdraw the suits for genocide against Serbia, improve good neighborly relations with the country and resolve a series of open issues.

The Croatian suit before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague has no chance of success, taking into account that BiH's suit resulted only in the condemnation that Serbia did not do anything to prevent genocide in Srebrenica.

The suit against Serbia filed ten years ago makes no sense anymore, it is hindering Croatia's EU pathway and the authorities in Zagreb will not be able to conclude negotiations with the EU until all painful regional issues from the past have been resolved, the paper reads.

KOSOVO-EU-INTEGRATIONS

Salja: No integration into EU before U.N. membership

PRISTINA, Apr 7 (Tanjug) - Vice-President of the opposition Alliance for the Future of Kosovo Bljerim Salja has stated that there are several obstacles on Kosovo's way to its membership in the European Union, adding that they also include Kosovo inability to become a member of the United Nations.

In his lecture delivered at the international university in Pristina, Salja underscored a list of 12 problems that need to be solved on Kosovo's way to the EU.

Salja belives that the real integrations of Kosovo will take place only after Pristina secures a place in the United Nations.

However, even if it manages to secure a seat in the U.N., Kosovo has to be recognized by five Union countries - Spain, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Cyprus, underscored Salja.

BIH-MEETING-PRESIDENCY

BiH Presidency: Strategic goals for joining NATO and EU

BANJA LUKA, April 7 (Tanjug) - Members of the Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) Presidency pointed out during the meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg and Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos in Sarajevo Tuesday, that BiH's strategic goals are to join the NATO and the EU, adding that BiH is making great efforts in order to reach these goals.

According to the statement of the BiH Presidency, Moratinos said after the meeting that BiH has made progress on its EU pathway, adding that it should make further steps ahead and that it will have EU's support in that process.

Moratinos announced a high level meeting in Sarajevo in June, at which representatives of EU and NATO member states will discuss the future of the Western Balkans.

Steinberg expressed the support of the U.S. Administration to BiH's NATO and EU pathway, stressing that the U.S. wants to be partners in overcoming the problems in BiH.

VIENNA-YOUTH-VISIT

40 Serbian children without parental care travel to Vienna

BELGRADE, April 6 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic and Minister of Labor and Social Policy Rasim Ljajic saw off 40 Serbian children without parental care who left on a three-day visit to Vienna.

Organized as part of the project Europe for All, the trip will give the young people from Belgrade, Nis, Krusevac, Negotin and Sremski Karlovci a chance to meet their Austrian peers and experience new things, Djelic said at the Belgrade airport.

He explained that the trip was organized by his office in cooperation with the Telenor Foundation, the Ministry of Labor and the European Movement in Serbia.

Ljajic pointed out that the visit to Vienna should provide "pleasure for kids growing up in more difficult circumstances than their peers, because they were without parental care in times of sanctions, wars and bombing."

He noted that the group includes not only children from children's homes but also those in foster care, in an effort to give them as normal a life as possible.

The trip was also made possible by sponsors Hypo Alpe Adria Bank, Austrian airline Niki, Austrian insurance company Uniqa and UniCredit Bank.

BALKANS-EU-STEINBERG

Steinberg encouraged by Serbia's progress toward EU

WASHINGTON, April 6 (Tanjug) - U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg said that Serbia has made encouraging progress in European integration and that during his visit to Belgrade in April he will broach some topics the U.S. and Serbia disagree on, primarily the status of Kosovo.

Ahead of his visit to the Balkans, which starts in Ljubljana on April 6, Steinberg said that the current U.S. administration has always been committed to stability and prosperity in the region.

After Ljubljana, Steinberg will visit Sarajevo, Belgrade and Pristina.

"We’ve been very encouraged by some of the steps that Serbia has taken towards EU integration this past year," Steinberg told a news conference late in March, referring to the visa liberalization, Serbia's EU membership application and the unfreezing of the interim trade agreement.

He said he was assured by Serbian officials that Serbia understands the importance of cooperation with the Hague Tribunal.

Steinberg said he will also discuss the relations between Belgrade and Pristina with Serbian officials.

"We recognize that despite the differences, the formal differences, that there are common interests there, and that it’s important to work in ways that do not create greater instability in the region," he pointed out.

SPS-EU-PATRIARCH

Patriarch Irinej receives Moschopoulos

BELGRADE, March 25 (Tanjug) - Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Patriarch Irinej received Thursday the newly appointed European Union Special Representative for the issues of SPC religious and cultural heritage in Kosovo Dimitris Moschopoulos.

Moschopoulos informed Patriarch Irinej of the first steps being taken for the protection of the religious and cultural heritage of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo.

Patriarch Irinej informed Moschopoulos that the SPC Synod has appointed Bishop Teodosije of Lipljan SPC representative in Kosovo-Metohija in all talks concerning issues of SPC religious and cultural heritage.

Bishop Teodosije will also be Moschopoulos's direct partner in all activities aimed at protection of Serb religious and cultural heritage in Kosovo, SPC said.

Patriarch Irinej expressed pleasure at the appointment of Moschopoulos and gave him his blessing.

SERBIA-EU-VISIT

EU coordination group arrives in Serbia

BELGRADE, March 25 (Tanjug) - The three-day visit of members of the EU coordination group for the Western Balkans to Serbia is an important step in the country's European integration, Head of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Serbia Vincent Degert stated in Belgrade on Thursday.

Since the beginning of 2010 Serbia has had several very important visits. Belgrade was visited by EU Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, and EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule has recently paid a visit to the country as well. This now continues with the visit of the EU coordination group, Degert told news reporters, following a meeting with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic.

Degert noted that the delegation comprises officials of 27 EU member states who practically decide on the future of the Western Balkans.

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Djelic said that during the one and a half hour meeting, all the key issues related to Serbia's European integration were discussed, and added that he conveyed to the foreign officials that the country's goals are to obtain the status of EU candidate by mid 2011, to participate actively in the EU's Danube Strategy, and to be included in the European budget as soon as possible.

"Serbia will in return put all its efforts to carry out all the necessary reforms," he said.

Djelic informed the members of the EU delegation of the idea to create a strategy dubbed 'Western Balkans 2020,' which would be similar to the strategy 'EU 2020' the European Union is working on and which would be officially presented before the June summit in Sarajevo.

According to Djelic, the preparations for the visit lasted for more than a year, and the main goal of the EU officials' visit to Serbia is to get an insight into the progress the country has made on its EU pathway.

NETHERLANDS-SERBIA-EU

M. Ferhagen: Everything depends on Brammertz's new report

BELGRADE, March 25 (Tanjug) - Dutch Foreign Minister Maxim Ferhagen said that Serbia's further progress in European integration will not be on the agenda before Hague Tribunal Prosecutor Serge Brammertz submits his next report in June.

The position of the Netherlands remains unchanged in principle. Last December we responded to Brammertz's positive report by approving the implementation of the Interim Trade Agreement. At the same time, I insisted during my visit to Belgrade that Serbia fully exploit this positive development and take concrete steps to find Ratko Mladic, Ferhagen said in an interview published in the Thursday edition of the daily Vecernje novosti.

We will consider this matter again in June when Brammetz's next report is due, Ferhagen added. We will decide based on that report when the ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) will start.

Asked when the Council of Ministers will ask the European Commission to start drafting its opinion on Serbia's bid for EU candidate status, Ferhagen said this could not be discussed before the SAA is ratified.

YOUTH-SERBIA-EU

Samardzic confers with EU officials on Serbia's youth policy

BELGRADE, March 24 (Tanjug) - Serbian Minister of Youth and Sport Snezana Samardzic-Markovic met with EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth Androulla Vassiliou, as well as with Director for Western Balkans in European Commission's Directorate General for Enlargement Pierre Mirel, in Brussels, the ministry said in a release.

During the meeting with the EU Commissioner Vassiliou, Samardzic spoke about Serbia's youth policy, which is aimed at associating young people from the country with the European trends and solving the country's unemployment problem.

Samardzic said that Serbia's young people are being acquainted with European trends by raising their awareness through better and more up to date information.

Vassiliou assessed the results Serbia's Ministry of Youth and Sport achieved during the two and a half years since its foundation as excellent, the release says.

At the meeting with Pierre Mirel, Samardzic thanked the director for the support Serbia has received so far, and presented ideas for further cooperation.

Mirel said that Serbia made a genuine progress, which is proven by the fact that the positive progress report about Serbia's EU integration received good reviews.

EU-SERBIA-VISIT

EU coordination group for West Balkan on visit to Serbia

BELGRADE, March 24 (Tanjug) - Members of the EU coordination group for the Western Balkans started on Wednesday a three-day visit to Serbia during which they will meet with top state officials, including Serbian President Boris Tadic and parliament speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejenovic.

The coordination group will confer with representatives of justice system, civil society and business circles.

The goal of the visit, according to the statement of the EU delegation to Serbia, is to get a first-hand impression of Serbia's progress in the EU integration process and political and economic reforms, and to discuss Serbia's European perspective with state officials and independent organizations.

The sending of the mission to Serbia is motivated by considerable progress that Serbia made in 2009 and which resulted in the visa regime liberalization, enforcement of the Interim Trade Agreement and submission of the EU candidacy bid.

The EU coordination group for the Western Balkans is composed of diplomats from the permanent representations of the EU member states in Brussels who are responsible for the policy coordination in the region. The mission that has arrived in Serbia is the first of the kind since 2000.

KOSOVO-EU-NORTH

Koha Ditore: EU has separate plan for northern Kosovo

PRISTINA, March 24 (Tanjug) - The European Union has drafted a separate strategy for northern Kosovo, which will indirectly help in the implementation of the plan developed by the International Civilian Office (ICO) and the interim Kosovo government, Pristina daily Koha Ditore reported on Wednesday.

The EU strategy adopts a step-by-step approach to resolving the situation in the north and poses three goals.

The first goal is creating a visible and functioning EULEX presence north of the Ibar River, the second is opening an EU office in the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica, which has a majority Serb population, and the third is producing tangible results in the European Commission projects designed to improve day-to-day life of the people in the north, writes Koha Ditore.

Pristina media speculate that the EU office in northern Mitrovica could open this Friday.

Italian Ambassador in Pristina Micheal Giffoni will head the office. Giffoni recently said that the northern Kosovo strategy of the ICO and the (interim) Kosovo government can not be presented as a document of the EU.

FAIR-TRUCKS-OPENING

Mrkonjic opens 48th International Commercial Vehicle Show

BELGRADE, March 23 (Tanjug) - Serbian Infrastructure Minister Milutin Mrkonjic opened the 48th International Commercial Vehicle Show (OICA) at the Belgrade Fair on Tuesday, and announced that around 200 kilometers of motorway will be built on the pan-European Corridor 10 this year.

“I can promise truck-drivers, who cruise the European and Serbian roads, that new 200 kilometers of motorway will be built this year,” Mrkonjic said at the opening of the fair which will last until March 27.

He pointed out that construction workers will have the advantage to use the trucks exhibited at OICA 2010 and thus complete the planned works on Corridor 10 sooner.

The five-day international commercial vehicle show dubbed Beotruck hosts more than 350 exhibitors from around 20 countries.

The 30,000 square meters of fair grounds will feature the latest solutions in the manufacturing industry of trucks, buses, vans, trailers and vehicle equipment by domestic and foreign companies.

KOSOVO-EU-TRADE

Questionnaire on trade with EU before interim Kosovo govt

PRISTINA, March 23 (Tanjug) - The interim government of Kosovo has a three-week deadline to fill in the questionnaire on trade relations with the European Union (EU), the Pristina-based media reported on Tuesday, adding that the questionnaire includes the elements of the stabilization and association process.

The deadline is April 15 and Kosovo Prime Minister Hasim Taci urged all members of the inter-ministerial council for the preparation of answers to complete the questionnaire by April 7 at the latest.

Taci pointed out that the trade agreement is an introduction and Kosovo's preparation for the process of stabilization and association.

EU-MORATINOS-SARAJEVO

Moratinos: Everyone should gather at conference in Sarajevo

BRUSSELS, March 23 (Tanjug) - Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos has stated that all parties involved should gather at the conference of the European Union (EU) and the Western Balkan countries that is scheduled to be held in Sarajevo in late May or June.

Spain that currently holds the EU rotating presidency is preparing the EU-West Balkans conference with the idea that all parties will take part in the conference in the atmosphere of good mutual cooperation and with observing international law, Moratinos stated in Brussels on Monday evening, adding that the date of the conference will be set very soon, the radio Free Europe reported.

SERBIA-EU-JEREMIC

Serbian FM to visit Brussels, Luxemburg Tuesday

BELGRADE, March 22 (Tanjug) - Serbia's Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic will pay a one-day visit to Luxemburg and Brussels, where he will confer with the European Union Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule.

During his visit to Luxemburg, Jeremic will confer with Parliament Speaker Laurent Mosar and Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn.

After Luxemburg, Jeremic will proceed to Brusels to confer with Fule, the Foreign Ministry said.

SERBIA-EU-DONATION

Djelic and Degert sign donation agreement

NOVI SAD, March 22 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic and Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert signed in Novi Sad on Monday an agreement on EUR 70 million in EU financial aid to Serbia.

This donation, along with the EUR 100 million granted earlier, will be paid from the Instrument of Pre-Accession funds, and will be used to rebuild the Zezelj Bridge in Novi Sad, among other things.

The new Zezelj Bridge will cost EUR 60 million, with half of the sum covered by the EU, EUR 20 million by the Vojvodina province and EUR 10 million by the city of Novi Sad.

The old bridge, completed in 1961, was demolished during the NATO bombing campaign in April 1999.

KOSOVO-EU-GIFFONI

Giffoni: Northern Kosovo strategy is not EU document

BELGRADE, March 22 (Tanjug) - The strategy for northern Kosovo, drafted by the interim Kosovo institutions and supported by European Union (EU) Special Representative in Kosovo Pieter Feith, is not an EU document and cannot be presented as one, said Italian diplomat and EU envoy for northern Kosovo Micheal Giffoni.

If we are talking about the goals that need to be achieved, however, there may be some crossover. The EU also wants the rule of law, safety and social-economic stability to be established, and especially the responsible implementation of laws, Giffoni said when asked to what extent his mandate coincides with Feith's plan, writes the Monday edition of the daily Blic.

Nothing that 27 EU members have supported his informal role as envoy for northern Kosovo, the Italian diplomat said that his task is to promote EU values.

These are values that concern all people, in the north and in all of Kosovo. My task is to initiate the process of solving quality-of-life problems in a pragmatic manner, Giffoni said and added that this can be achieved through dialogue and not through imposed solutions, as was done in the past.

Giffoni pointed out that he will work from the ground up and not from the top down as was the established practice until now. He said that the office of EULEX and the European Commission which is due to open in the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica next week will give the EU an opportunity to raise its credibility in the realization of projects designed to improve the living standards of the local population.

SERBIA-EU-AID

Serbia to get EUR 70 million in EU aid

BELGRADE, MARCH 22 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic and Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert will sign in Novi Sad Monday an agreement on the implementation of an EU financial aid package of over EUR 70 million.

The EUR 70 million, coming from the instrument of Pre-Accession Assistance funds, will supplement the EUR 100 million in budget assistance that Serbia has already received, announced the EU Delegation to Serbia.

The financial aid package is intended to support projects that will directly benefit Serbian citizens, as well as continued political and economic reforms necessary for Serbia to move forward in the European integration process.

SERBIA-EU-ASSISTANCE

Serbia to receive EUR 70 million of assistance from EU

BELGRADE, March 21 (Tanjug) - Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert and Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic will sign a financial agreement in Novi Sad Monday, on the EU's financial assistance package for Serbia in the amount of EUR 70 million.

According to the announcement of the EU Delegation office, the EU's financial assistance package from the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), in the amount of EUR 70 million, will be added to the EUR 100 million of budget assistance that Serbia has already received.

The assistance package envisages support for the projects from which the Serbian citizens will directly benefit, as well as the assistance in the continuation of political and economic reforms necessary for the country's further progress in EU integration.

With this package, the EU shows its continuing support to Serbia's EU integration, Degert pointed out. Serbia has achieved great progress in 2009, he added.

Degert announced continued support for the infrastructural projects in Serbia and for the improvement of the citizens' quality of life by enhancing health care, education, food and environmental safety, by establishing a functional rule of law system and strengthening the civil society.

EU-FUNDS-DJELIC

Djelic: Essence of EU integration is better quality of life

BRUSSELS, March 21 (Tanjug) - Serbia is in favor of the EU structural funds being available to the Western Balkans countries before they formally join the EU, as this will contribute to the development projects and improvement of the quality of life of the citizens, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic.

The current system is satisfactory neither for the countries which are on their EU pathway, nor for the EU member states," said Djelic, who visited Brussels Friday, the Radio Deutsche Welle reported.

Taking the example of Croatia, which now receives about EUR 200 million from the European budget, whereas in the first year upon its EU accession it will receive about EUR 1.5 billion of EU's direct support, Djelic assessed that, on the one hand, such disbalance disables a country from preparing well for the accession, and on the other hand, when the country finally does join the EU, it has no sufficient capacity for using this amount of funds.

According to him, such financial parameters of Europe's support cause uneasiness and pressures that countries should join the EU as quickly as possible and at all cost.

"There are elements for a new agreement, which would enable that the funds given to the countries preparing to join the EU would increase much faster even before the EU accession," Djelic stressed.

"In this way we can prepare Serbia and other Western Balkan countries for full membership, by building infrastructure, developing the energy sector, preparing the education and science system," Djelic said.

"In such a case, the date of the EU accession would not be as fateful as it is now," Djelic underscored.

VOJVODINA-JUSTICE-FORUM

Degert: Cooperation with ICTY, strong judiciaries crucial

NOVI SAD, March 20 (Tanjug) - Head of the European Commission Delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert stated in Novi Sad Saturday that crucial segments of the EU's policy for the Western Balkans are a full cooperation with the ICTY, strong judicial systems which will prosecute and punish the perpetrators of war crimes, as well as regional cooperation and coordination in these tasks.

Opening the sixth regional forum for transitional justice of the Coalition for RECOM (Regional Commission for Truth-seeking and Truth-telling about War Crimes committed in former Yugoslavia), Degert said that the EU does not only impose conditions, but also offers help and support to the prosecutions in the region (Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia), as well as the training of the judiciary employees of these countries.

SERBIA-MAAS-POLITIKA

Maas: Improved relations between Serbia and Germany

BELGRADE, March 20 (Tanjug) - German Ambassador to Serbia Wolfram Maas assessed that relations between Belgrade and Berlin have improved in the past two years, adding that Germany fully supports the top priority of the Serbian government - EU integration.

Whereas two years ago we were still faced with attacks on the German Embassy in Belgrade, that the former government at the very least tolerated, the present relations are characterized by great mutual trust, Maas said in an interview for the Belgrade daily Politika.

On the occasion of Serbian President Boris Tadic's statement that he will not be happy until Germany becomes Serbia's number one partner, Maas said that his country is Serbia's very good partner in several aspects.

Maas said that Serbia's aim to join the EU requires efforts, adding that it is very important to formulate this aim based on the experience of other countries, so as to avoid unnecessary frustrations.

He stressed that Serbia must fulfill all the necessary criteria on its EU pathway.

No one is saying that Serbia's EU integration should be slowed down, Maas said. However, based on the experience with the latest enlargement, great attention is being devoted to making sure that all the accession criteria are fulfilled. Serbia, as well as all other potential accession candidates, is expected to comply with the Copenhagen criteria, and nothing else, Maas underscored.

He said that Germany considers the unilateral declaration of independence as a resolved issue, adding that Berlin will not exert pressure on Serbia to recognize the secession of its southern province.

SLOVENIA-WBALKANS-CONFERENCE

Conference at Brdo pri Kranju ends

BRDO PRI KRANJU, March 20 (Tanjug) - The conference on the Western Balkans held at Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia, at which there were no Serbian representatives, ended Saturday by the adoption of a joint declaration which calls on the strengthening of cooperation between the regional countries, the shared goal of which is to join the EU.

Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor, who organized this conference together with his Croatian counterpart Jadranka Kosor, pointed out at the press conference that the meeting was successful, as progress has been made in agreement between the participants.

The conference ended 45 minutes earlier than envisaged, since European Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule left the plenary session.

According to the electronic media, Chairmen of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) Nikola Spiric also left the conference.

Prime Ministers Pahor and Kosor did not state the reason why Fule left the plenary session, the media reported.

Serbia did not have representatives at Brdo pri Kranju conference, as the organizers did not accept the proposal of the official Belgrade that Kosovo-Metohija should be presented at the conference in accordance with the Resolution 1244 of the UN Security Council, which means as Kosovo-UNMIK (UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo), rather than as a country that unilaterally declared its independence.

Apart from Croatian and Slovenian prime ministers, the conference was attended by the presidents of Montenegro, BiH, Albania, Macedonia, as well as Hasim Taci, Prime Minister of the Kosovo interim government.

UNMIK Chief Lamberto Zannier also attended the conference.

SLOVENIA-CONFERENCE-BALKANS

EU and Serbia not to attend conference in Slovenia

BRUSSELS, March 19 (Tanjug) - The Western Balkans conference in Slovenia on Saturday will be held without Serbian and EU representatives, despite the ambitions and efforts by the organizers.

EU President Herman Van Rompuy and Serbian President Boris Tadic announced Friday afternoon that they will not be attending the meeting.

Thus an incomplete list of participants is finalized just one day before the event, which leaves a dilemma as to what the outcome and messages of the meeting will be.

Rompuy announced that he supports any initiative that promotes regional cooperation, adding that he is planning to visit the Western Balkans as soon as possible, which answered the question of whether he is going to attend the conference in Slovenia.

Tadic, on the other hand, refused to participate in the event because, according to an announcement by the Press Service of the President, the organizers failed to set up the meeting in such a way that Kosovo's presence would be in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

"Unfortunately, this makes it impossible for the Serbian president to attend the meeting," according to the announcement.

Serbia, the announcement says, "demonstrated its desire not to block Kosovo's participation and stated its view clearly from the very start, so that it could serve as a guideline for the organizers, who needed to find a formula that would be in keeping with UN principles."

Kosovo insisted on taking part in the meeting as an independent country.

The conference will have no official EU representatives, apart from Slovenian representatives, because Spain's Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, whose country is currently presiding over the EU, set Rompuy's presence as the condition for his own.

EU officials see the Saturday conference, which is organized by Slovenia and Croatia, as a regional meeting, while they put the real emphasis on the EU-Western Balkans summit in Sarajevo in June, which will be organized by Spain.

CONFERENCE-SLOVENIA-SERBIA

Serbian president not to attend conference in Slovenia

BELGRADE, March 19 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic will not attend the Western Balkans conference in Slovenia on Saturday, the Press Service of the President has announced.

Serbia's stand from the very beginning was that the participation of Kosovo's delegation was only acceptable if in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244, states the annoucement.

"Unfortunately, the organizers have not managed to set up the meeting according to this principle, which makes it impossible for the Serbian president to attend," the announcement explains.

Serbia had a constructive approach to the talks surrounding the organization of the meeting from their very start, demonstrating its desire not to block Kosovo's participation and stating its view clearly, so that it could serve as guidance to the organizers, who needed to find a formula in keeping with UN principles, says the announcement.

KOSOVO-EU-FULE

Fule urges decisive fight against crime and corruption

PRISTINA, March 19 (Tanjug) - EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule said Friday in Pristina that the EU expects the interim Kosovo institutions to strengthen the rule of law, and pointed out that fight against organized crime and corruption is the most important task.

We do not want only nice words, but actual deeds as well, said Fule, who is visiting Pristina in scope of his Balkans tour.

He met with Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu, Prime Minister Hasim Taci, International Civilian Representative Pieter Feith and Head of the European Commission Liasion Office in Pristina Renzo Daviddi.

Fule said that there is no dilemma among the members of the EU concerning the European prospects of Kosovo, although not all of them agree when it comes to its status.

After the meeting, Sejdiu told that he and the EU enlargement commissioner discussed the European future of Kosovo, pointing out to its orientation towards the NATO and EU accession.

In an interview given to the Kosovo media Fule said that the EU is carefully observing the work of the Kosovo authorities regarding the undertaking of reforms.

The EU commissioner said that Serbia and Kosovo cannot avoid cooperation as the future two members of the EU.

KRANJ-SERBIA-KACIN

Kacin: Serbia to decide on its own whether to participate

BELGRADE, March 18 (Tanjug) - European Parliament rapporteur for Serbia Jelko Kacin assessed Thursday that the conference at Brdo pri Kranju will be a meeting of the most responsible political leaders of the Western Balkans, adding that Serbia should decide on its own whether to participate in it.

Serbia will make a decision on its own and no pressure is being exerted on the country, Kacin said after the talks with Justice Minister Snezana Malovic. Serbia must determine what is in its best interest, and my opinion is that the participation in the conference it is in interest of Serbia, the region and EU, he added.

He said that President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy is ready to attend the meeting in order to directly receive and then convey the positive message to the EU heads of state and government.

Kacin believes that the meeting at Brdo pri Kranju is a meeting of the most responsible political leaders of the future Western Balkans and that, therefore, the presence of the representatives of all Balkan countries is significant for the acceleration of the process of EU accession and improvement of relations between the regional countries.

What we need positive energy and not some excuses which are aimed at undermining such an event, Kacin underscored.

MALOVIC-FULE-MEETING

Malovic: Further steps in justice system reform with EU

BELGRADE, March 18 (Tanjug) - Serbian Justice Minister Snezana Malovic stated on Thursday that she has presented all that has been done so far in the reform of the justice system in Serbia and fight against organized crime and corruption to European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule.

“We would like to take each new step in the reform together with our partners in the European Union (EU) and in the following days we will arrange meetings to discuss the issue,” Malovic told journalists in the Serbian Ministry of Justice.

Malovic pointed out that she is very satisfied with the Wednesday meeting with Fule and added that they reached an agreement on the future joint steps.

Malovic underscored that the reform of the justice system including the general election of judges is not over yet since that is only one of its aspects, adding that the reform also involves changes in the procedure and the organization of work as well as in the minds of the people.

EU-SPAIN-STATEMENT

Espana:Kosovo to attend conference only under UNMIK auspices

BELGRADE, March 18 (Tanjug) - Spanish Ambassador to Serbia Inigo de Palacio Espana has stated that the authorities in Pristina can be presented at international conferences organized by the EU only under the UNMIK auspices and in accordance with the Resolution 1244 of the UN Security Council (SC), adding that this will be the condition for the Kosovo authorities to be invited to the conference planned for the beginning of June in Sarajevo.

Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos has repeated several times since January that at the conference organized by Spain, as the country currently presiding over the EU, the Kosovo authorities can only be presented in accordance with the conditions and frameworks set by all EU member states, Espana stated for Tanjug. Taking into account that there is no consensus within the EU on Kosovo's independence, the only possibility to reach a consensus is to maintain the practice that the Kosovo authorities are presented under UNMIK and in accordance with the Resolution 1244, he stressed.

This will be the condition for the Kosovo authorities to be invited to attend (the conference in Sarajevo). We are hoping that they will accept this, as it is in everyone's best interest, Espana said.

He pointed out that the idea of organizing a meeting which would gather all foreign ministers of the EU member states and the Balkan region arose from the need to jointly consider how far all regional countries have come in the EU integration process and to assess which further steps to take.

The Spanish Presidency of the EU is working hard to reach a consensus on Serbia's application, but I must honestly say that this has not been the case so far.

There is an entire series of obstacles, but we hope that in June, with the continuation of Serbia's cooperation with the ICTY and a positive report of the ICTY Chief Prosecutor (Serge) Brammertz, the Stabilization and Association Agreement will be unblocked and that the ratification process will begin, he said.

Espana underscored that he does not believe that any news can be expected before June, adding that it will hopefully be the crucial month when Serbia's tendencies towards the EU membership are concerned.

EU-FULE-B92

Fule: All regional leaders should be in Brdo pri Kranju

BELGRADE, March 18 (Tanjug) - European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule stated that the conference that is scheduled to be held in Brdo pri Kranju in Slovenia will send positive messages, adding that all regional leaders should take part in it.

The conference is about regional cooperation, that is why it is important for the representatives of all countries to attend it, Fule stated for the Belgrade-based TV B92 on Wednesday evening.

Fule reiterated that the cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague is the only precondition for the continuation of Serbia's EU integration process that is for the beginning of ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) and consideration of Serbia's EU candidacy bid.

However, he pointed out that according to Copenhagen criteria, regional cooperation and good relations between neighboring countries are of great importance.

Fule said that the EU is willing to help Serbia in its approach to Europe, adding that the enthusiasm that was engendered late in 2009 and early in 2010 has to be preserved.

EU-FULE-TADIC

Tadic: Candidacy to be forwarded to EC as soon as possible

BELGRADE, March 18 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic expressed, during this meeting with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule Wednesday evening, his expectation that Serbia's candidacy for EU membership will soon be forwarded to the European Commission (EC) and that the ratification of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement will soon begin.

According to the Serbian president's press service, Tadic told Fule that there is a strong political will in Serbia, as well as great administrative capacities, to fulfill the necessary prerequirements for the EU membership.

Apart from Serbia's EU integration, Tadic and Fule discussed the cooperation with the Hague Tribunal and fight against organized crime.

Prior to his meeting with Tadic, Fule talked with Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic and Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic.

After Belgrade, Fule will also visit Sarajevo, Podgorica, Tirana and Pristina.

EU-FULE-CONFERENCE

Fule: Region's leaders should all be at meeting in Slovenia

BELGRADE, March 17 (Tanjug) - EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule told the Serbian TV B92 on Wednesday that all the countries of the Western Balkans need to have their representatives at the coming conference on the region's EU integration, scheduled to be held in Slovenia.

The conference, which will be organized by Slovenia and Croatia with support from the European Commission, has a whole set of messages to offer, said Fule, explaining that they refer to regional cooperation.

Fule reiterated that Serbia's cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia is the only requirement for the implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement and for Serbia's EU membership application to be considered.

However, Fule also mentioned regional cooperation and good relations with neighbouring countries as very important according to the Copenhagen criteria.

SERBIA-SWEDEN-ASYLUM

All asylum seekers will be returned to Serbia from Sweden

BUJANOVAC/VRANJE, March 17 (Tanjug) - Swedish ambassador to Serbia Krister Bringeus said Wednesday that 1,120 citizens of Serbia who requested asylum in Sweden this year for economic or social reasons will have to be returned to Serbia.

In less than three months this year, 1,120 citizens of Serbia requested asylum in Sweden, compared to less than 500 in the whole 2009, he said.

All these people will be returned to Serbia, but this does not mean that Sweden's doors are closed to the citizens of Serbia, Bringeus told the press in Bujanovac and Vranje, in southern Serbia.

Bringeus conferred Wednesday morning in Bujanovac with representatives of several Roma association and with Municipality President Saip Kamberi, and then in Vranje with representatives of local authorities.

He said that 80 percent of the people who arrived in Sweden were Roma from southern Serbia, 10 percent ethnic Albanians and 10 percent Serbs.

Sweden is concerned over the social situation in southern Serbia and will therefore continue to provide economic assistance, he said.

Everyone in Sweden is proud of the visa liberalization granted to Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia last December 19, but abuse of this good idea cannot be tolerated, the ambassador said.

EU-FULE-SERBIA

Fule: Serbia faces two strategic goals

BELGRADE, March 17 (Tanjug) - European Union Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule said Wednesday in Belgrade that Serbia is facing two strategic goals regarding the process of EU integration - to maintain the positive momentum achieved at the end of last and the beginning of this year, and to initiate a new phase in this process this year.

Fule expressed hope that the EU member-states will give the green light to the European Commission to state its stand on Serbia's candidacy.

He was addressing the press after meeting Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic.

Cvetkovic said he conveyed to Fule Serbia's readiness to pursue the reforms necessary for EU integration and to continue to cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

This should pave the way for the start of ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement in June and for approval of Serbia's status of candidate for EU membership by the end of 2010 or the start of 2011, he said.

During his first visit to Belgrade, Fule will also confer with Serbian President Boris Tadic, Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic, Justice and Finance Ministers - Snezana Malovic and Diana Dragutinovic respectively, as well as with Minister of State Administration and Local Self-Government Milan Markovic.

DINKIC-PAWLAK-EU

Serbia and Poland to exchange experience regarding EU funds

BELGRADE, March 17 (Tanjug) - Serbia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Regional Development Mladjan Dinkic has met with his Polish counterpart Waldemanr Pawlak and suggested that the two countries' ministries of economy sign a memorandum of understanding that would help exchange their experience regarding EU pre-accession funds.

Pawlak stated that his country holds top spot when it comes to the total amount of money that it has received from EU funds, while it is ranked 10th regarding the funds planned between 2007 and 2013.

Poland had a positive economic growth in 2009 and defended well against the effects of the global economic crisis.

Dinkic and Pawlak discussed overall bilateral cooperation, putting special emphasis on ways to improve trade, investments and future cooperation.

The meeting focused especially on agriculture, energy, mining, information technology and production of buses, tractors and auto parts.

Dinkic presented the investment possibilities that Serbia provides, as well as the benefits that come from its free trade agreements with Russia, Belarus, Turkey and the countries of the Central European Free Trade Agreement, which opens up a market of 800 million people, says an announement by the Serbian Ministry of Economy.

SERBIA-EU-FULE

Support to Serbia's further progress in EU integration

BELGRADE, March 17 (Tanjug) - EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule, who is paying a visit to Belgrade Wednesday, has said that Serbia's further progress in EU integration will be one of his priorities, taking into account the country's significance for the stability of the West Balkan region.

I want to strongly include all the Western Balkan countries in the enlargement process, Fule said. I do not want for any country to be left behind. I will use all available political, technical and financial instruments in order to complete our engagement, Fule stated in an interview for the Belgrade-based daily Vecenje novosti.

You can expect from me to act as a fair and a friendly partner who is ready to listen and help, but who does not want to compromise our basic values: democracy, the rule of law, protection of basic human rights, sustainable development and friendly relations between neighbors, Fule stressed.

He said that his first task will be to confirm that the EC is ready to prepare its opinion on Serbia's application for the EU membership, as soon as the Council of Ministers request that.

In the meantime, it is important that Serbia continues carrying out the EU integration programme and completely fulfill its obligations envisaged by the Interim Trade Agreement, Fule said.

SERBIA-VARGA-KACIN

Kacin and Varga on Serbia's European integration

BELGRADE, March 17 (Tanjug) - European Parliament rapporteur for Serbia Jelko Kacin stated Tuesday evening in Belgrade that the pace of Serbia's EU integration can only be decided by the Serbian institutions, adding that the progress in that respect will be monitored.

After the talks with Chairman of the European Integrations Committee of the Serbian parliament Laszlo Varga, Kacin said that the European institutions do not request from Serbia to choose between Kosovo and the EU, stressing that this is not the request of the EU, but rather of the Serbian officials.

He pointed out that progress has been made in the work of the judiciary and added that it is very important for Serbia to have as efficient judiciary as possible in order to fight against crime and corruption.

Varga informed Kacin that Serbia has begun the preparations for completing the European Commission questionnaire, so that, when the questionnaire arrives, the country would be able to respond to it very shortly.

SERBIA-VARGA-KACIN

Kacin and Varga on Serbia's European integration

BELGRADE, March 17 (Tanjug) - European Parliament rapporteur for Serbia Jelko Kacin stated Tuesday evening in Belgrade that the pace of Serbia's EU integration can only be decided by the Serbian institutions, adding that the progress in that respect will be monitored.

After the talks with Chairman of the European Integrations Committee of the Serbian parliament Laszlo Varga, Kacin said that the European institutions do not request from Serbia to choose between Kosovo and the EU, stressing that this is not the request of the EU, but rather of the Serbian officials.

He pointed out that progress has been made in the work of the judiciary and added that it is very important for Serbia to have as efficient judiciary as possible in order to fight against crime and corruption.

Varga informed Kacin that Serbia has begun the preparations for completing the European Commission questionnaire, so that, when the questionnaire arrives, the country would be able to respond to it very shortly.

HUNGARY-GREECE-BALKANS

Proposal for EU membership by 2014 represents turning point

BUDAPEST, March 16 (Tanjug) - Greece's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister George Papandreou said in Budapest on Tuesday that the proposal to make Western Balkan countries EU members by 2014 represents a turning point that provides incentive to the region and the EU and helps solve bilateral political problems.

Speaking at a joint news conference after his meeting with Hungaria's Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai, Papandreou welcomed the cooperation between Hungary, Serbia and Greece, directed towards EU integration of the Western Balkan countries, the Greek news agency ANA-MPA reported.

The region's European integration was also one of the topics of the meeting between Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Balazs and Greece's Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas, who is also on a visit to Budapest, the Hungarian news agency MTI stated.

Balazs and Droutsas discussed plans for a meeting between the foreign ministers of Hungary, Greece and Serbia, Hungarian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zsuzsanna Matrai said.

Greece proposed a new road map for Western Balkan countries back in October 2009, which should make them EU members by 2014.

SERBIA-FULE-VISIT

EU enlargement commissioner arrives in Belgrade on Wednesday

BRUSSELS/BELGRADE, March 16 (Tanjug) - EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule will arrive on a visit to Serbia on Wednesday, during which he will meet with top Serbian officials and discuss the country's next steps in the process of Euro-integration and other issues.

During his first visit to Belgrade, Fule will confer with Serbian President Boris Tadic, Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic and Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic, the European Commission said in a statement.

Meetings are also envisaged with the ministers of justice and finance - Snezana Malovic and Dijana Dragutinovc, as well as with Minister of Local Self-Government and State Management Milan Markovic.

The agenda of the European commissioner's visit also includes topics such as regional cooperation between the West Balkan countries and Serbia's participation in the drafting of a comprehensive strategy for the Danube region, Djelic's cabinet released.

Fule will arrive in Belgrade from Turkey, and after his brief stay in Serbia, he will visit Podgorica, Tirana, Sarajevo and Pristina.

AUSTRIA-SLOVENIA-BALKANS

2010 is year of Western Balkans for EU

VIENNA, March 16 (Tanjug) - Foreign Ministers of Austria and Slovenia, Michael Spindelegger and Samuel Zbogar respectively, assessed Tuesday in Vienna that 2010 should be the year of the Western Balkans for the European Union (EU).

A significant progress has been made since the EU members agreed seven years ago in Thessalonica on the perspective of the full integration of all the countries of the region into the EU. Now there is a position inside the EU member countries that the perspective should be turned into deeds, the two officials said in a joint statement on promoting the European perspective of the Western Balkans, given after a meeting in Vienna.

The two ministers expressed their expectation that by 2011 all the countries of the Western Balkans will reach a new, more advanced level in improving relations with the EU.

Spindelegger and Zbogar pointed out that the regional self-responsibility is of great importance for a real European conscience, which should be developed among the Western Balkans citizens.

The ministers appealed to the countries of the region to engage themselves actively together with the EU in all other aspects of political and social life, in order to strengthen their European perspective.

EU-SERBIA-VISIT

Fule starts tour across Balkans in Belgrade

BRUSSELS, March 15 (Tanjug) - EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule will this week start a tour across the Western Balkans, in scope of which, on March 17, he will visit Belgrade first, the European Commission released in a statement on Monday.

Fule will in Belgrade meet with Serbian President Boris Tadic, Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic, Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic, Minister of Justice Snezana Malovic, Minister of Finance Dijana Dragutinovic, as well as with Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government Milan Markovic.

He will arrive in Belgrade from Turkey, where he will be staying on Monday and Tuesday, and where he will also meet with the highest state officials, including Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

After visiting Belgrade, Fule is to visit Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Kosovo.

SERBIA-EU-FULE

Fule: Serbia dedicated to EU membership

BELGRADE, March 15 (Tanjug) - EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule has stated that Serbia's EU membership application has proven its dedication to that strategic goal.

In his text written for Blic, a Serbian daily, Fule says that the EU has to work together with Serbia to achieve that goal and promote the values that Europe is based on.

According to Fule, Serbia has made remarkable progress in the past several months when it comes to its European integration, cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, Interim Agreement implementation and visa liberalization.

However, Fule also stated that Serbia needs to strengthen the rule of law, which is essential for a functioning democracy and economy, but also presents a challenge for the country, explaining that it should deal with issues concerning the justice system's independency, professionalism and efficiency, as soon s possible.

TADICH-BOCHUM-AWARD

Tadic: Balkans essential in European peace project

BOCHUM, March 13 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic was presented with the Steiger Award in the category of Europe in Bochum, Germany, on Saturday.

The Steiger Award is given each year to renowned persons from around the world, and this year it will be presented for the sixth time.

The award is a result of a private initiative and a desire for cultural and social support to the Ruhr area, for contributions in the fields of music, sports, media, environment protection, film, Europe, improving European unity and humanitarian engagement.

Former laureates include Israeli President shimon Peres, former IAEA head Mohammed al Baradei, Afghan President Hamid Kharzai, former German forieng minister Hans Dietrich Genscher and others.

The following are excerpts from Tadic's speech on the occasion:

Thank you for recognizing me and the citizens of Serbia as committed Europeans!

Be aware that we have been working very hard since the beginning of democratic changes in Serbia, 10 years ago, to bring the country and the whole region of Western Balkans closer to the full membership in the European Union.

Those efforts were not simple for us after decade of ethnic conflicts and wars, followed by social and economic devastation in the 90s. And as much as transition was painfull, we were never thinking to abandon the vision of prosperous Serbia in the family of other European nations.

Today I would like to pay tribute to the creator of that vision, first democratic Prime Minister of modern Serbia and one of my closest friends - Zoran Djindjic.

Prime minister was assassinated seven years ago because he strongly believed that there is no other way for Serbia, as to become part of Europe and share its values and ideas.

He had courage to carry out this vision after many years of isolation and after bombing campaign in 1999 which destroyed not only bridges and factories, but affected also people's faith and trust in ideas of democratic changes as well.

Zoran Djindjic knew that only this vision could help Serbia to overcome the past. And he was ready to take all risk. We owe him our deepest respect for this.

His assassination could not kill this vision that became strong commitment of millions of Serbian citizens to work even harder to build democratic Serbia.

Last December Serbia applied for membership in the EU. Whenever positive answer comes we will accelerate our social and economic reforms in order to assure the rule of law, protections of human and minority rights.

Despite global crisis we will continue building market oriented and sustainable economy. Our goal is to create welfare state based on solidarity.

Serbia is already significant part of efforts and respectable partner in fight against organized crime and global terrorism.

Republic of Serbia is fully commited to peace and stability in the region and thus in the whole of Europe. Our position is that all outstanding post-Yugoslav issues and regional challenges, including our province of Kosovo must be resolved only by peacefull and democratic means.

For the last 50 years European Union has become the most succesfull project of peace and cooperation among different nations in the history.

People of Bochum and this region - Ruhrpott - know very well what PROJECT EUROPE means in reality. You experienced very hard times through the centuries: wars and occupation, revolutions, terror and destruction.

It is today our common responsibility to make this project sustainable for the future and to extend it to the whole continent because it means stability and welfare for all Europeans.

We are all part of it - Germans and French, Serbs and all nations in Western Balkans.

EU-VISAS-BALKANS

Leterme: No regrets about visa liberalization

BONN, March 11 (Tanjug) - Belgium's Prime Minister Yves Leterme said Thursday that he has no regrets about the visa abolishment for the citizens of Serbia and Macedonia, since the future of the two countries is in the European Union (EU).

I believe that the future of Serbia and Macedonia is in the EU, and visa abolishment represents an important step about which I have no regrets, the Belgian prime minister stated, pointing out, however, that the experience has showed that the decision on visa liberalization should be followed by other measures as well.

In a statement given to the Deutsche Welle Radio, he added that efforts are being made together with Serbian and Macedonian authorities to inform the citizens that it makes no sense to emigrate to Belgium, because there is no way that they will be given the political asylum in the country.

We had an agreement on the return of those who had already emigrated to Belgium and on their readmission with the help of the authorities in charge, he stressed.

Leterme pointed out that the number of new asylum seekers from Serbia and Macedonia dropped to almost zero, and added that the Belgian authorities would intervene if there was a need for that.

EU-EP-SERBIA

Kacin urges Ashton to help pro-European parties in WBalkans

STRASBOURG, March 10 (Tanjug) - European Parliament (EP) member Jelko Kacin urged Wednesday the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton to help and encourage pro-European parties in Western Balkans.

At the end of the EP debate on EU foreign and security polcy, Kacin urged Ashton to help and encourage pro-European parties in the region and to act in good time and preventively, Kacin's office said.

Kacin took the opportunity to remember the anniversary of the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic on March 12, 2003, saying Djindjic was killed in order to halt the process of normalization, democratization and implementation of European values in Serbia.

Serbia was not stopped but was slowed down by that tragic event, which had a negative influence on neighboring countries and whole region, Kacin said.

EU-PARLIAMENT-ASHTON

Ashton: Progress of Balkans in EU pathway

STRASBOURG, March 10 (Tanjug) - High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton stated before the European Parliament (EP) Wednesday that during her recent visit to the Western Balkans, she reached a conclusion that the entire region is making progress in European integration and pointed out that this is the place where the European foreign policy must not result in failure.

The conclusion that I reached is that the region is making progress, even if the progress is unequal and incomplete, Ashton said. The European perspective remains the main comprehensive framework, as well as our goal and the main motivator for reforms, she added, presenting the European foreign policy before the EP.

She pointed out that the progress towards the EU membership depends on the commitment to domestic reforms, honoring of human rights, rule of law and regional cooperation.

We support our strategy with all available means, Ashton said. In Kosovo, we have the biggest civilian mission. In Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) we have adjusted the work of the ALTHEA mission to the stabilized situation and we are developing the training program. We also try to enable that the European message be heard in the campaign before the October elections. We have achieved progress in visa liberalization and in contact between people, she stressed.

She added that the EU's strategy for the Balkans is precisely what it should be - strategic in its goals, versatile in the use of resources and customized when it comes to its implementation, Ashton underscored.

Ashton stressed that the Balkans are precisely the place where the European foreign policy was born, and that for this very reason, here more than anywhere else, failure is inadmissible.

EU-FULE-BIH

Fule: EU opposes emergence of new states in Balkans

PRAGUE, March 10 (Tanjug) - European Union (EU) Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule has said that the Union is not ready to accept the emergence of new states in the Balkans, and announced that Brussels is preparing a new approach for Bosnia-Herzegovina which is aimed at anchoring the country firmly in the European Union.

To Radio Free Europe's question if the EU is prepared to see Bosnia-Herzegovina break apart, which, according to the Radio, seems increasingly likely, Fule answered by saying that “he thinks that what we are now preparing [for] is not that scenario. What we are now doing is focusing on how we could help Bosnia-Herzegovina at this point in time to actually avoid such a scenario. It is true that we need to do a lot of things to put this country on a much more stable basis.”

Fule underlined that the EU is not ready to accept increasing the number of countries in that region, and it is doing everything with the existing countries to avoid that situation.

EU-SERBIA-SCHWIMMER

Schwimmer: EU has no choice but to accept whole Balkans

BELGRADE, March 9 (Tanjug) - Former Secretary-General of the Council of Europe Walter Schwimmer said Tuesday in Belgrade that it is certain that the entire Western Balkan region will become a part of the European Union sooner or later.

The question is not whether these countries are ready for integration in the EU, but whether the EU is ready for them, he said.

The EU has no choice but to accept all remaining Western Balkan countries in its fold, Schwimmer said in a lecture on Europe's political architecture after the Lisbon Treaty and on Serbia's candidacy for EU membership he gave at the Megatrend University.

According to Schwimmer, Croatia could complete the pre-accession negotiations next year and get full membership in 2012.

Iceland, which has already largely adopted European standards and legislation, could also get full EU membership in 2012, he said.

The other candidate countries, however, could not join the EU before 2014, as the EU does not have enough money in its budget.

The EU adopts its budgets for seven-year periods, and any new enlargement wave must be planned for in its budget, Schwimmer said.

As regards Serbia specifically, he said that before it gets full EU membership, the issue of Kosovo must be resolved, as the EU is not ready to repeat the mistake it made when it accepted Cyprus, which is a divided state.

ESTONIA-JEREMIC-ANSIP

Ansip: Tallinn supports further enlargement of EU

TALLINN, March 9 (Tanjug) - Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip said Tuesday, during the meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic in Tallinn, that his country actively supports the process of further enlargement of the European Union (EU).

He also said that Estonia is ready to share its experiences from the process of EU accession with Serbia, the Estonian radio and television has reported.

Ansip and Jeremic also discussed the cooperation of the two countries, assessing that there are good prospects for the improvement.

According to Ansip, Estonia is especially interested for the cooperation in the field of information technologies, education and energy.

During his first, one-day visit to Estonia, Jeremic will also meet with President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves and the country's Foreign Minister Urmas Paet.

DEMOSTRATIONS-ANNIVERASRY-DRASKOVIC

Draskovic: We should not lose EU under any circumstances

BELGRADE, March 9 (Tanjug) - Leader of the Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO) Vuk Draskovic stated that the marking of the 19th anniversary of demonstrations against Slobodan Milosevic is appropriate opportunity to say that the current government must not lose the European Union (EU) the same manner in which Milosevic lost Kosovo.

“It is a fact that we are not present as a state in Kosovo. Therefore, there should be no dilemma - we have to strengthen what we have that is the part of Serbia at which Serbia's sovereignty exists and then one day, according to the rules of modern world and EU, the strong Serbia could return to Kosovo after having gained powerful allies in Europe and the world,” Draskovic told Tanjug.

The mass demonstrations in Belgrade on March 9, 1991 were organized and headed by Vuk Draskovic and the SPO, which was the strongest opposition party back then that advocated the change of system, democratization and national renewal of the state.

The demonstrations were banned. Nevertheless, about 100,000 citizens gathered at the Republic Square in Belgrade downtown. Around noon, the police intervened and clashed with demonstrators and two persons lost their lives.

Draskovic said that almost two decades after the protest, it is not pleasant to hear insinuations that we could lose the EU as well.

CLINTON-PAPANDREOU-BALKANS

Clinton: EU integration of Balkans important for stability

WASHINGTON, March 9 (Tanjug) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated on Monday that the EU integration of the Western Balkans is crucial for regional stability and development.

“Finishing the task of integrating the Balkan countries into the Euro-Atlantic institutions is essential to regional stability and development”, Clinton told a press conference after a meeting with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and commended Greece for its leadership role in moving toward the goal.

Clinton said that she has discussed with Papandreou, who is on a three-day visit to the USA, the Balkans where Greece has the key role to play in promoting economic opportunities, stability and democracy, the U.S. State Department published on its website.

Papandreou recalled that Greece has taken the initiative to help promote the idea that the Western Balkan countries still not EU members should access the organization by 2014.

EU-KOSOVO-MARTINS

Martins: Good Serbia-Kosovo relations do not prejudge status

BELGRADE, March 9 (Tanjug) - Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Commission to Serbia Adriano Martins said Tuesday that good relations between Serbia and Kosovo are very important for fighting crime and smuggling and do not prejudge Kosovo status in any way.

Good relations are very important and are status neutral, he told the press.

Serbia and Kosovo must cooperate and be pragmatic in preventing smuggling and criminal and other activities harmful to Serbia, he said.

Neutral cooperation is therefore necessary, Martins said.

SERBIA-KOSOVO-EU

Jeremic would choose Kosovo

BELGRADE, March 9 (Tanjug) - Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Cedomir Jovanovic confronted their stands on Monday evening concerning the link between Serbia's EU integration and the unilateral proclamation of Kosovo's independence, and the policy that Serbia should implement regarding the issue.

Jeremic categorically stated for the Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS) that if he were to choose between Serbia's EU membership and continuation of fight for Kosovo, he would choose Kosovo, whereas Jovanovic avoided to answer the question although he previously severely criticized Jeremic's stand in view of the issue.

“I would never agree to secession of a part of our territory,” Jeremic said, adding that the official policy of the EU is that such a precondition cannot be set to Serbia given that the unilateral independence has not been recognized by five EU members.

Jovanovic stated that “Serbia has already lost Kosovo” and Jeremc retorted that Serbia “will not lose Kosovo as long as it fights for it”, and that it will lose it only when it accepts such a statement as the one Jovanovic released.

Jovanovic criticized Belgrade that by insisting that the whole region has to accept a stand that is acceptable only for Serbia and no one else saying that Kosovo is not independent, it molests the whole region and Jeremic responded that this is definitely not the case, since Serbia was not the one to recognize secession of part of territory of any regional state.

EU-BALKANS-CONFERENCE

EU and Balkans conference to be held in Sarajevo in June

CORDOBA, March 7 (Tanjug) - A conference, entitled European Union and the Balkans, will be held in Sarajevo in June, 15 years after the end of the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina, EU foreign ministers have decided at a meeting in Cordoba, stressing that it should serve as a new incentive for Europe and some Balkan countries to come closer together.

The proposal was put forth by Italy and supported by Spain, as the country currently presiding over the EU.

The document, which was also supported by other EU partners, states that the countries of the former Yugoslavia will form closer relations with the EU that way.

It will probably be a meeting of foreign ministers, and the EU plans on inviting U.S. and Russian representatives.

JEREMIC-SERBIA-EU

Jeremic: EU membership is chief political goal for Serbia

MADRID, March 7 (Tanjug) - Serbia's chief political goal is to become an EU member, and Spain is one of the most supportive countries when it comes to that, Serbia's Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic told El Mundo, a Spanish daily.

"No one doubts that Serbia will become an EU member. No country is against our membership, it is just that some countries are questioning the pace of that process. Our closest partners say that the whole process can be completed by 2014," Jeremic pointed out, adding that such a thing would be excellent for Serbia, but that it would not be too bad if Serbia ended up having to wait a little longer.

El Mundo states that Kosovo is an unpleasant obstacle in the way of Serbia's European integration, remarking that France is one of many countries asking that Serbia give up on Kosovo if it is to join the EU.

Jeremic, however, rejects that option.

"Kosovo is a part of Serbia, and the unilaterally declared independence will not be recognized. Everyone should be absolutely clear about the fact that we will never accept Kosovo as a country," Jeremic stressed.

BELGIUM-CVETKOVIC-LETERME

Cvetkovic, Leterme confer on asylum seekers

BRUSSELS, March 5 (Tanjug) - Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic said Friday after meeting his Belgian counterpart Yves Leterme in Brussels that agreement was reached that both countries do everything to implement the process of return of asylum seekers to Serbia as speedily as possible.

All legal measures will also be taken to prevent recurrence of the problem, he said.

A series of practical and technical measures have been coordinated and the number of asylum seekers is expected to be reduced to a minimum, he said.

Serbia is not a country in which human rights are being violated and requests for asylum cannot therefore be granted, Cvetkovic said.

Leterme said that Belgian State Secretary for Immigration and Asylum Melchior Wathelet will travel to Presevo, southern Serbia, next week to confer on this problem with representatives of local authorities.

The European Commission and its President Jose Manuel Barroso have been informed of the problem of asylum seekers from Serbia and were asked to take part in the endeavors to resolve it, he said.

Since the beginning of this year, a considerable increase in the number of requests for asylum has been registered in Belgium.

Most of the asylum seekers are Roma and mainly come from southern Serbia.

Cvetkovic said that his talk with Leterme also focused on Serbia's integration in the European Union and on economic cooperation.

Belgium fully supports Serbia and all other Western Balkan countries in their endeavors for integration in the European Union, he said.

A bilateral agreement on road transport has been signed regulating relations between Serbian and Belgian transporters and envisaging various facilities, he said.

The agreement demonstrates the progress achieved in economic cooperation between Serbia and Belgium, Cvetkovic said.

EP-VISAS-FAJON

Fajon: Wave of new immigrants to be urgently stopped

BRUSSELS, March 4 (Tanjug) - European Parliament Special Rapporteur for Visa Liberalisation Tanja Fajon stated Friday that the wave of new immigrants to the EU who are seeking asylum must be urgently stopped, and called on the West Balkan countries to explain the significance and the point of visa liberalisation to their citizens.

According to the statement of Fajon's office delivered to Tanjug, she said that politicians should explain the benefits from the visa liberalisation, rather than to use it for collecting political points.

She pointed out that the latest news on the increase of asylum seekers from Serbia and Macedonia in Germany and Belgium create dilemmas and instil fears about whether the decision on the abolishment of Schengen visas for these countries was the right one.

She also said that the visa liberalisation for Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania in 2010 should not be jeopardized.

CVETKOVIC-ROMPUY-STATEMENTS

Cvetkovic, Rompuy discuss EU integrations

BRUSSELS, March 5 (Tanjug) - Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic stated in Brussels on Friday after the meeting with European Council President Herman van Rompuy that Serbia wants to continue its intensive EU approach in 2010 as well, adding that this is one of the top priorities of the Serbian government.

Cvetkovic expressed expectation that the process of ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) will soon be launched and the talks on Belgrade's EU candidacy bid resumed.

Cvetkovic qualified the talks with Rompuy as very fruitful, adding that Serbia is determined to complete its cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague.

Rompuy said that the EU offers full support to the European perspective of the whole West Balkans since it is important for the stability in the area.

He welcomed the fact that Serbia and the EU are now able to implement the Interim Trade Agreement (ITA) and underscored that the European Council has decided to discuss the SAA in June.

Rompuy encouraged Cvetkovic to continue with economic reforms in spite of the economic crisis and pointed out that this will contribute to the promotion of the rule of law and acceleration of the economic reforms.

Rompuy informed Cvetkovic on his Thursday meeting with ICTY Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz.

According to him, it is important for Serbia to continue to put in efforts in its cooperation with the ICTY, adding that they could yield further positive results in future.

Rompuy also underscored that regional cooperation is crucial for the process of stabilization and the Western Balkan's approach to the EU.

This implies normalization of relations between neighbors. Kosovo should be included in regional cooperation in a pragmatic way, he said.

BRUSSELS-CVETKOVIC-EU

Serbian Prime Minister to meet with EU officials Friday

BELGRADE, March 5 (Tanjug) - Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic will pay a one-day visit to Brussels Friday, where he will discuss Serbia's next steps in the European integration process with top European Union officials.

During his visit to the Belgian capital, Cvetkovic will meet with European Council President Herman van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, the president's cabinet said in a statement.

Cvetkovic will also have separate talks with his Belgian counterpart Yves Leterme.

The two prime ministers will discuss all forms of bilateral cooperation and an agreement on international road transport between the Serbian and Belgian governments will be signed on the occasion, it is said in the statement.

SERBIA-EU-SRS

Sarovic: Kosovo recognition condition for EU accession

BELGRADE, March 4 (Tanjug) - High official of the Serbian Radical Party (SRS) Nemanja Sarovic assessed on Thursday that European officials made it clear that the condition for Serbia's European integration is the establishment of neighbourly relations with Kosovo as an independent state.

Neighbourly relations can be established only between independent countries, and this is not possible if Serbia does not recognize Kosovo, Sarovic told a news conference.

Sarovic also holds that the latest statement by Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic in Hungary that Serbia would opt for Kosovo-Metohija if it had to choose between its southern province and the European Union was made only for domestic purposes and represented a reaction to the announcement by European officials that Serbia could not hope for European integration unless it recognized Kosovo.

EP-SERBIA-RAPPORTEUR

Kacin: Serbia not forced to choose between EU, Kosovo

BELGRADE, March 4 (Tanjug) - European Parliament Rapporteur for Serbia Jelko Kacin has said that Serbia is not being forced to choose between integration in the European Union and recognition of unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence.

Serbian officials are raising the issue that noone else has raised, he said.

As long as Serbia's authorities do not witdraw the application for EU membership, it means that Serbia and its people want to join the EU, he told Deutsche Welle.

Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said Wednesday during his visit to Budapest that linking Serbia's European perspective to the problem of Kosovo would be a tragic mistake, and that if it had to choose between the EU and Kosovo, Serbia would not choose the EU.

SERBIA-SWEDEN-ASYLUM

Sweden strongly supports visa liberalization

BELGRADE, March 4 (Tanjug) - Swedish ambassador to Serbia Krister Bringeus has told Tanjug that his country, like Belgium, is facing a sudden increase in the number of asylum seekers from Serbia.

Sweden is confident that the Belgrade authorities will cooperate in preventing a possible abuse of visa liberalization, he said.

Sweden will not allow any abuse of visa liberalization, which it supports fully, he said.

The Swedish authorities have received a high number of requests for asylum from Serbia's citizens over the past few months, he said.

In February only, over 300 Serbia's citizens requested asylum in Sweden, while the number for the whole 2009 was 580, he said.

Sweden is vey concerned over this drastic increase in the number of asylum seekers so soon after visa liberalization, Bringeus said.

Another cause for concern is that these people were misled into believing that they can get asylum in Sweden, which is not true, he said.

The Swedish authorities are in close contact with their Serbian counterparts and are convinced they will cooperate in halting the abuse, he said.

Sweden has no social program for families from Serbia and these people will be returned to Serbia in keeping with the agreement on readmission, as has been happening for the past two weeks, he said.

BRUSSELS-CVETKOVIC-EU

Serbian prime minister to meet with EU officials on Friday

BELGRADE, March 4 (Tanjug) - Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic will pay a one-day visit to Brussels on Friday, where he will discuss Serbia's next steps in the European integration process with top European Union officials.

During his visit to the Belgian capital, Cvetkovic will meet with European Council President Herman van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, the president's cabinet said in a statement.

The Serbian prime minister will have separate talks with his Belgian counterpart Yves Leterme.

The two prime ministers will discuss all forms of bilateral cooperation and an agreement on international road transport between the Serbian and Belgian governments will be signed on the occasion, it is said in the statement.

CROATIA-SERBIA-EU

Croatia in EU in 2013, because of border problem with Serbia

ZAGREB, March 3 (Tanjug) - Croatia will not join the European Union before 2013 because of its border problem with Serbia, writes the Croatian weekly Globus, pointing out that Brussels has informed official Zagreb that the country will enter the EU together with Iceland in 2013 only if it resolves open border issues with Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina by 2011.

Ahead of Thursday's visit by Croatian President Ivo Josipovic to Brussels, the weekly points out that the negotiations between Croatia and the EU, which is becoming less and less interested in enlargement, are being slowed down by new demands which are making the expected accession date of 2012 appear illusory.

The weekly concludes that the EU cannot allow things to develop as they did in Cyprus and that Brussels is therefore pressuring the three countries to resolve all open border issues.

Globus writes that the verdict against the Croatian generals charged with crimes against Serbs during and after Operation Storm will be reached by the end of the year and will probably shock the public. Croatia will also be asked to provide evidence that its war crimes prosecution system is working and that Serbs are returning to the country, and Zagreb will be asked to expend additional effort on this matter, the paper points out.

“It would be good if the negotiations with Serbia on the sensitive border issue were completed before the verdict against the Croatian generals,” Globus writes.

JEREMIC-HUNGARY-KOSOVO

Jeremic: Serbia does not choose between EU and Kosovo

BUDAPEST, March 3 (Tanjug) - Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said Wednesday, during his visit to Budapest, that tying Serbia's European perspective to the problem of Kosovo would be “a tragic mistake.”

Anyone who thinks that Serbia, in case it had to choose between the European Union (EU) and Kosovo, would choose the EU is wrong, Jeremic told a press conference after a meeting with his Hungarian counterpart Peter Balazs, the Hungarian News Agency MTI has reported.

Balazs pointed out that there is no need to impose such an impossible choice on Serbia, and added that Belgrade has done a lot on its European pathway.

He said that Budapest relies on Serbia in efforts for the stabilization of the Western Balkans which is the priority of Hungary's foreign policy, MTI quoted.

Hungary thinks that its strategic mission is to help the stabilization of the entire Western Balkans, and this cannot be done without Serbia, the Hungarian foreign minister stressed.

He underscored that Serbia plays a key role in the region, and added that he is always ready to help neighboring countries to resolve their problems.

During his visit to Budapest, Jeremic will also meet with Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom.

SERBIA-WORDSWORTH-INTERVIEW

Wordsworth:Serbia will join EU in seven or eight years

BELGRADE, March 3 (Tanjug) - British Ambassador to Belgrade Stephen Wordsworth said that Serbia will join the European Union in seven or eight years, if it focuses all of its efforts on European integration and removes all the obstacles in its path.

Asked if Serbia will get EU member candidate status this year, Wordsworth responded that it is hard to say, but that 2011 is much more likely. Great Britain was ready to start the ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) in December 2009, but not all 27 EU member countries share that position. The ratification of SAA will most likely start in June, as long as Serbia maintains a good level of cooperation with The Hague Tribunal, he said in an interview for the Belgrade daily Vecernje novosti.

Asked if Serbia will have to recognize Kosovo in order to join NATO, Wordsworth said that nobody is asking Serbia to recognize Kosovo. Joining NATO is not a precondition for joining the EU - there are even some EU members countries which are not in NATO, he explained.

Ambassador Wordsworth considers Serbia's attempts to open negotiations on the status of Kosovo completely unrealistic. Talks between Belgrade and Pristina are necessary - not on Kosovo's status but rather on how to resolve numerous issues and provide a better life for Kosovo citizens. This does not necessarily entail a formal recognition of Kosovo, he pointed out.

SERBIA-ITALY-PARLIAMENTS

Stefani: Serbia has to join EU as soon as possible

BELGRADE, March 2 (Tanjug) - Chairman of the Italian Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee Stefano Stefani said in Belgrade on Tuesday that Serbia has to join the EU as soon as possible, and that it enjoys Rome's support on that path.

After the meeting with his Serbian counterpart Dragoljub Micunovic, Stefani said that he, his committee and all of Italy are convinced that Serbia is Europe.

Stefani noted that Italy supports and hopes for Serbia's fast EU integration, adding that he feels the other EU countries also wish for Serbia to become a member of the organization.

Micunovic said that they discussed how well Serbia is prepared for European integration, current situation in the region and various forms of cooperation.

Stefani remarked that the meeting helped him understand the situation in Serbia even better.

The situation is characterized by the first and foremost issue, which is Kosovo, said Stefani, adding that they also mentioned other areas where Serbia has an interest and responsibility, Bosnia-Herzegovina being one of them.

EU-AGREEMENT-COMMITTEE

Serbia successfully implements Interim Trade Agreement

BELGRADE, March 2 (Tanjug) - The members of the Committee for the Implemetation of the Interim Trade Agreement with the EU concluded that Serbia has been successfully implementing the Agreement for 14 months, which is a great success for the Serbian government and its citizens, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic stated after the first Committee meeting Tuesday.

"Today, Serbia has officially entered a partnership relation with the EU. For the first time we had a Committee in which the EU's and Serbia's interests are intertwined," Djelic said.

As of today, the interests of the Serbian manufacturers will be protected in the EU market in the same way that the European manufacturers are protected in Serbia, he pointed out.

Djelic said that the trade with the EU was discussed at the meeting, as well as the fulfillment of quotas for the export of goods from Serbia, adding that 80 percent of Serbia's export goes to the EU market, and that more than 75 percent of the goods in the Serbian market comes from the EU.

Nevertheless, there was a 25 percent decline in the volume of trade with the EU, but the crisis did not affect the agriculture sector, in which Serbia achieved a surplus, Djelic underscored.

He said that Serbia is the only country of the Central and Southeast Europe to achieve a surplus in agriculture in the trade with the EU, which was twice as large as the one in 2008.

It was also stated at the meeting that the quota for the export of the white beef from Serbia to the EU was not fulfilled, as only 12 percent of the total amount allowed was exported. Similarly, only 8 percent of the quota for the export of wine was used, and fish was also exported below the allowed quota.

Djelic stressed that the export quota of 180,000 tons was fulfilled only when it comes to sugar, adding that he announced to the European Commission Serbia's initiative to raise this quota.

BELGIUM-ASYLUM-SEEKERS -DJELIC

Djelic:Implementation of readmission due to attempted misuse

BELGRADE, March 2 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic announced Tuesday penalties and implementation of the readmission agreement for those who misused or attempted to misuse a liberal law of Belgium concerning political asylum.

Anyone who misuses the Schengen regime jeopardizes the freedom of all the citizens of Serbia, Djelic explained, and added that those who are to be returned in the process of readmission will have more problems to visit any of the Schengen territories.

Djelic told the Belgrade TV station B92 that, according to the data he has, there are 300 persons who took part in an organized attempt to misuse the liberal law of Belgium concerning political asylum.

Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said that the visa-free travel regime for Serbian citizens will not be jeopardized by Belgium's complaint that there has been an increase in asylum seekers from southern Serbia in the country and that all the asylum seekers will be returned from Belgium to Serbia.

BELGIUM-SERBIA-VISAS

False promises on asylum

BONN, March 2 (Tanjug) - European Parliament rapporteur for visa liberalization Tanja Fajon urged the Serbian and Macedonian authorities to launch informative campaigns and update their citizens on the agencies which take them money giving false promises about better life in the West.

Being concerned that the increased number of asylum demands in Belgium submitted mainly by ethnic Albanians from the South of Serbia and Macedonia will jeopardizes the visa liberalization, Fajon said that possible measures have not been discussed yet, but that control at border crossings should be tightened and conditions of entrance more strict in view of travel insurance and similar.

According to her, countries on the way to obtain visa-free regime can also face the problem.

We are in the middle of preparations for the visa liberalization for Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) and Albania. Given that we have a problem of mass migrations to Belgium, the EU member states will be even more worried and I am afraid that this will lead to deceleration of the procedure, Fajon stated for the Cologne-based radio Deutsche-Welle.

SERBIA-INTERVIEW-KOUCHNER

Kouchner: Solution to Kosovo issue poses political necessity

BELGRADE, March 1 (Tanjug) - French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Monday that Serbia is at the threshold of the EU, which is where its future lies, but that a few more stages remain to be overcome before it becomes a member, adding that the relations between Serbia and Kosovo have to be less tense, as that will make Serbia's future in the EU easier.

France has helped Serbia a lot, mostly in persuading its European friends, which helped make Serbia's path towards the EU as simple as possible, Kouchner told B92 during his visit to Belgrade on Monday.

There is already the Interim Agreement, visa liberalization and EU membership application, said Kouchner, adding that the next stage is for Serbia to receive the status of EU candidate country, which involves a number steps, the second report by the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia Serge Brammertz being the first of those.

Kouchner noted that a solution to the Kosovo issue is not a condition for Serbia to be associated into the EU, but that it is instead a political necessity.

There are no prerequisites to join the EU, Kouchner remarked, but stressed that he thinks it impossible for a country to become part of the EU with an unresolved border dispute and a possible conflict or unresolved past conflict within its territory.

Underscoring that, in his opinion, the relations with Kosovo should be as simple as possible, friendly and less tense, which will facilitate Serbia's future within the EU, Kouchner said that there are many among the 27 EU members who do not agree with a new enlargement, recalling the Cyprus experience, which should not repeat itself, Kouchner said.

Since we are friends, I want us to be sincere and direct. What I want to say is that there is no conditioning in the form that Serbia has to resolve the issue of Kosovo, and that the problems with Serbia have to be settled in Kosovo, but rather that once Serbia has become an EU member, the atmosphere will make it possible to regulate everything, he underscored.

Kouchner said that Kosovo is a European problem as well, but also an issue of good will.

SERBIA-KOUCHNER-INTERVIEW

Less tense relations with Kosovo - easier EU future

BELGRADE, March 1 (Tanjug) - French Foreign Minister Bernad Kouchner has said that the relations between Serbia and Kosovo have to be less tense as that will make Serbia's future in the EU easier.

(French President Nicolas) Sarkozy and I do not require from Serbia to recognize Kosovo, but rather that a process of dialogue, engagement, normalization of relations is launched, Kouchner said in an interview for TV B92.

Pointing out that Serbia is on the EU threshold, Kouchner said that France strongly believes that Serbia's future lies within the EU.

Since we are friends, I want us to be sincere and direct. What I want to say is that there is no conditioning in the form that Serbia has to resolve the issue of Kosovo, and that the problems with Serbia have to be settled in Kosovo, but rather that once Serbia has become an EU member, the (relaxed) atmosphere will make it possible to regulate everything, he underscored.

The French minister pointed out that among the 27 member states of the European, there are many that disapproved of the Union's further enlargement, and reminded of the experience of the divided Cyprus, which, as he put it, no one wants to repeat itself.

KOUCHNER-JEREMIC-STATEMENTS

Kouchner: Serbia belongs to EU

BELGRADE, March 1 (Tanjug) - French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner stated in Belgrade on Monday that Serbia belongs to the EU, adding that the relations between the two countries are improving although there are some discrepancies from time to time.

“Serbia has a natural, historic, cultural and political place in the EU,” Kouchner stated after the meeting with his Serbian counterpart Vuk Jeremic, adding that his country will continue to support Serbia on its EU path.

Kouchner pointed out that although there are occasional discrepancies, the issue of Serbia's EU admission was never debatable.

The French minister also said that Serbia will not be demanded to recognize the independence of Kosovo, adding that there will be no preconditions in view of the issue but pointed out that a compromise is necessary.

Jeremic said that the Monday talks fortified France's determination to back Serbia's EU path in every way.

Kouchner previously conferred with Serbian President Boris Tadic, Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic and laid a wreath at the grave of murdered Serbian prime minister Zoran Djindjic.

Following his visit to Belgrade, Kouchner will travel to Pristina.

SERBIA-FRANCE-TADIC

Tadic and Kouchner also discuss Kosovo

BELGRADE, March 1 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic discussed with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner in Belgrade on Monday the issue of bilateral relations, continuation of Serbia's European integration and Kosovo and Metohija, the president's cabinet released in a statement.

President Tadic underlined that France strongly supports Serbia's membership in the European Union, the statement reads.

The collocutors also agreed that no additional conditions will be imposed on Serbia regarding its EU membership.

President Tadic said that Serbia expects that the opinion of the International Court of Justice (on Kosovo independence) will pave the way for the reaching of a sustainable and compromise solution for Kosovo.

The negotiations on the agreement on strategic partnership between France and Serbia have been successfully completed and the document will be signed during a future visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Serbia.

The meeting between Tadic and Kouchner was also attended by Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, the statement says.

BIH-EUROPE-GROSS

Gross: BiH is Europe's biggest problem

BANJA LUKA, March 1 (Tanjug) - Member of the Swiss Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Andreas Gross has said that Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) is Europe's biggest problem at the moment, and added that, what is even more important, Europe is not fully aware of that.

It is clear that BiH is having problems every society is faced with, but the situation in BiH is somewhat more complicated due to historical and other events. A way must be found for BiH to keep the existing differences, but they should be integrated without divisions, which is why a mutual language must be found, Gross told the Banja Luka-based daily Glas Srpske.

He added that Switzerland is one of few countries in Europe which created a state for itself.

People agreed to create a state, and not like in BiH, which has a frame of a state yet to be made, Gross underlined, stating that a good election law which leads to integration and not to division of the country is the priority.

EU-SERBIA-ENLARGEMENT

Commissioner Fule to visit Belgrade on March 17

BRUSSELS, March 1 (Tanjug) - EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule should visit Belgrade on March 17, his cabinet informed Tanjug.

Commissioner Fule plans to arrive in Serbia on March 17, but the date has still not been definitely confirmed, said Fule's Spokesperson Angela Filote.

On his first day as EU enlargement commissioner on February 11, Fule met with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic.

On that occasion, Fule announced that Serbia will receive the questionnaire for EU member candidates soon.

Serbian President Boris Tadic submitted Serbia's bid for EU membership in Stockholm on December 22, 2009.

KOUCHNER-SERBIA-VISIT

Kouchner in Belgrade today

BELGRADE, March 1 (Tanjug) - French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner will meet with Serbia's top officials in Belgrade Monday to discuss the issues of bilateral cooperation, Serbia's EU integration and Kosovo.

Kouchner will meet with Serbian President Boris Tadic, Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic and Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic.

It was stated in Paris that Kouchner's visit has three essential aims - to intensify bilateral relations, to express France's support to Serbia's EU integration and its engagement in the development of the entire region and improvement of relations between Belgrade and Pristina.

GREECE-SERBIA-EU

Droutsas: Serbia may be accepted in EU by 2014

BELGRADE, Feb 27 (Tanjug) - Brussels should soon support lifting of the freeze of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) and Serbia's candidacy for the European Union membership, Greek Alternate Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas has evaluated.

“In regards to the recent submission of Serbia's application for the EU membership, our stand is clear - it should be discussed as soon as possible in a fair and essential way, just like in the case of other West Balkan countries. Serbia belongs in the European family and the sooner it gets the place it deserves the better it will be for the country and Europe as a whole,” Droutsas said in an interview published by the Belgrade daily Danas.

Minister Droutsas said that the Agenda 2014 - the initiative of Athens to have the Western Balkan countries become members of the EU by the year 2014 - is too ambitious but also plausible.

“Our essential goal is double: first, to renew the Union's interest in the region and second, to have the target date, 2014, serve as an incentive for the region countries to intensify their aspirations towards the EU…A final result, of course, continues to depend on the concerned sides. However, it is equally important to make the EU's will visible,” underscored Droutsas.

SERBIA-EU-KOUCHNER

Kouchner: France does not request recognition of Kosovo

BELGRADE, Feb 27 (Tanjug) - French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has stated that Kosovo's independence is irreversible for France but that its recognition is not a condition for the continuation Serbia's European Integrations.

Kouchner, who is due to arrive in Belgrade for an official visit on Monday, and will visit Pristina on Tuesday, said in an interview published by Vecernje Novosti today that “Serbia, just like any other candidate state, should solve its problems with its neighbors, who also intend to become EU members, before it gets accepted in the EU.

He underscored that regardless of the difference between Belgrade and Pristina, there are domains in which they may agree with the assistance of the EULEX mission.

“I am going to Belgrade to tell the citizens of Serbia that we are, and will be, with them on their country's path to the EU. We have been and will be active within the EU in order to speed up Serbia's accession,” Kouchner said.

He also evaluated that Serbia's is making big efforts on its path to the EU.

After the visa regime liberalization and the going into effect of the Provisional Agreement, progress should now be made towards gaining the status of a candidate state and starting negotiations for the country's membership, said Kouchner.

He believes that the role of Serbia is a central one and that Serbia has special responsibility for the strengthening of peace and continuation of the reconciliation process in the region.

SERBIA-EU-DEMICHELIS

De Michelis: Western Balkans central issue for EU

BELGRADE, Feb 26 (Tanjug) - The issue of the Western Balkans is of central importance for the European Union (EU), and Italy is especially interested in Serbia's process of EU integration, former Foreign Minister of Italy Gianni De Michelis evaluated on Friday.

A positive perspective is being opened for the Balkans and it will not be a disappointing one. Italy is interested in the development of the process, especially when it comes to European integration of Serbia, De Michelis pointed out at the opening of the second day of a conference dubbed 'Serbia: A Step closer to European integration' held at the National Bank of Serbia.

He, however, warned that, in the Europe as well, it is now hard to explain the necessity of expanding the EU and that this has to be faced with realistically, and added that Serbia is on the way of reconstruction and that, for the first time in the recent Serbian history, the Kosovo syndrome is not the prevailing one.

De Michelis advised the authorities and the citizens of Serbia not to think about the time horizons of entering the Union, assessing that it could happen sooner than expected.

The former Italian foreign minister explained that the issue of Western Balkans is of central importance for the EU, because of the close religious and historical relations between the region and Russia, but also because the region is connected with the Mediterranean area.

SERBIA-SPAIN-PARLIAMENTS

Martines: Spain backs Serbia's EU integration

BELGRADE, Feb 26 (Tanjug) - President of the Spanish Congress of Deputies Jose Bono Martines stated Friday in Belgrade that Madrid supports Serbia on its EU path and welcomed the efforts that the Serbian government and people have made in view of the EU integration.

It is certain that Spain's support to Serbia's EU accession is real, and we are satisfied with and proud of Serbia, Martines said after the meeting with Serbian parliament speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic. He added that he hopes that Spain and Serbia will both be members of the EU very soon.

Spanish and Serbian parliament speakers conferred in Belgrade on the promotion of inter-parliamentary and all other forms of cooperation.

Djukic-Dejanovic underscored that this was an opportunity to express gratitude to her Spanish colleague on the behalf of Serbian MPs, citizens and state on Spain's official stand in view of Serbia's territorial integrity and sincere support to its EU path.

GERMANY-TADIC-DWELLE

Tadic: Deceleration of EU enlargement would be wrong

BONN, Feb 26 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic stated Thursday during his visit to Berlin that it would be a mistake to decelerate the EU enlargement to the West Balkans, the Cologne-based radio Deutsche Welle reported on Friday.

Tadic also underscored that it is “necessary for the European institutions to discuss the possibility of acceleration of the enlargement process in the following period”.

That should be done, as he put it, by “Germany which is one of the key EU members”, the radio reported.

Tadic conferred with President of the German Bundestag Norbert Lammert on Thursday in Berlin on Serbia's EU integration and political and economic cooperation between the two countries.

SERBIA-EU-DELEVIC

Delevic: 2010 important for harmonization of legislation

BELGRADE, Feb 25 (Tanjug) - Serbia is making progress on its pathway towards European integration, but it is necessary to speed up the work on the implementation of the Interim Trade Agreement, bearing in mind that this is a bilateral contract relation, as well as on enforcement of reform processes, Director of the EU Integration Office Milica Delevic said late Thursday.

“Serbia is expected to harmonize the process of passing laws, as well as its enforcement, with European legislation, which will be the issue of the 2010 report of the European Commission,” she said at the conference dubbed 'Serbia: a step closer to European integration' organized by Italian Development Cooperation in Serbia.

Raffaele Trombetta, Deputy Director General for European Integration, pointed out that the relations between Serbia and Italy are important for security in the region, and said that Serbia's admission to the EU will bring benefit to the Union, because of its contributions to European culture, history and tradition.

We are dedicated to supporting Serbia's EU candidacy, and during the Spanish presidency in the Union a conference on Western Balkans will be held on a high level. The cooperation between Serbia and Italy is also important in the area of security in the Adriatic-Ionian region, Trombetta underlined.

SERBIA-EU-IPA

Serbia to get EUR 850 from IPA funds

BELGRADE, Feb 25 (Tanjug) - The EU has set aside some EUR 850 million for Serbia from its pre-accession (IPA) funds and relevant projects have already been prepared, deputy head of the European Commission delegation in Belgrade Adriano Martins said Thursday.

He told a conference on Serbia's integration in the European Union organized by the Italian Development Cooperation Office in Belgrade that the EC will be deciding in November on concrete projects to compete for IPA funds for 2010.

He commended Serbia's authorities for their endeavors to have as many projects as possible prepared and adopted by that time.

Depending on progress in Serbia’s compliance with EU standards, the EU expects significant funds to be transferred in 2011 and 2012, he said.

Italian Ambassador to Belgrade Armando Varricchio said he expects the results achieved in December 2009 to be consolidated in 2010.

He was referring above all to the implementation of the Interim Trade Agreement between Serbia and the EU and to visa liberalization.

The process of Serbia's accession to the EU has a good perspective, he said.

He also emphasized the importance of further commitment of the EC to that process and of a more active participation of the civil sector.

DANUBE-STRATEGY-DJELIC

Djelic: Danube strategy to mark this year

BUDAPEST, Feb 25 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minster Bozidar Djelic assessed in Budapest on Thursday that the Danube will be the backbone of Serbia's development in 2010.

“If, with our overall progress towards Europe, the visa liberalization was what marked 2009, the Danube strategy will mark Serbia's European integration in 2010,” Djelic told reporters during a break at a Danube summit, opened Thursday morning at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and continued in the parliament.

According to Djelic, today's second Danube conference was of particular importance for Serbia, because practically all of official Belgrade's initiatives were accepted.

“Our initiative to include security and science issues among the strategy's priorities, discussed at the recent Danube Rectors Conference in Novi Sad, was accepted. Our proposal to hold a donors' conference in Belgrade in September 2010 to raise money for certain projects in the future Danube strategy also received support,” Djelic added.

He said that what makes the support to our proposals even more significant is the fact that Serbia is not even a candidate for EU membership, let alone the body's member.

BUDAPEST-DANUBE CONFERENCE

Djelic: Serbia wants to be equal partner on project

BUDAPEST, Feb 25 (Tanjug) - Serbia wants to take an active and equal part in the European Union project for the Danube basin, Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic said in Budapest today.

At the international conference and the Danube strategy organized by the European Commission and Hungarian government, which started today, Djelic pointed out the great importance of the Danube River as a river that links and provides possibilities for an accelerated economic development of the region as a whole.

Djelic urged for promotion of the navigation system on the Danube, aimed at increasing safety, having closer cooperation among neighbors along its banks and called on the participants to come to the Exit Festival in Novi Sad this summer and to a new conference on the Danube, planned to be held in Belgrade in autumn.

The European Union already has a strategy for the macroeconomic development of the Baltic Sea, and it is now the Danube Basin's turn, while Spain has recently launched an initiative to draw up a strategy for the development of the Mediterranean.

GERMANY-CONFERENCE-WATER

Three students and a teacher form Serbia at Aachen conference

AACHEN, Feb 24 (Tanjug) - Three students and a teacher of the Catering and Tourism School in Belgrade have been chosen as representatives in the European Science Parliament (ESP), this parliament said Wednesday.

Serbia's representatives will attend an ESP conference whose topic will be water, and which is to be held in the German city of Aachen, known as the host-city of the Charlemagne Awards (Karlspreis), given annually to the personalities of outstanding service to the unification of Europe.

The students from Belgrade were involved in an on-line discussion on the topic, which has been posted on the ESP website, and is still ongoing. Beside technological, socio-political and economic aspects of the topic, the question of individual responsibility was also raised.

The conference, dubbed “H2O - More than just a drop,” will be attended by 120 students, scientists, politicians and citizens from 120 countries, and its results will be formulated as “the Aachen Declaration,” which will be presented to EU institutions.

GERMANY-SERBIA-MAAS

Maas: Serbia closer to EU every day

BELGRADE, Feb 24 (Tanjug) - German Ambassador to Serbia Wolfram Maas said Wednesday that Serbia is getting closer to the European Union every day and that cooperation between Serbia and Germany can be fostered in the energy, telecommunications and infrastructure sectors.

In an interview to the Economic magazine, Maas said he did not wish to speculate on the dates when Serbia will get the status of candidate or gain EU membership, as this depends on the speed of reforms in the country.

Maas said that when he came to Serbia, the country was making slow progress, but that reforms were accelerated in the meantime.

The distance from the EU is being reduced and Serbia is getting closer to the EU every day, he said.

Serbia's political course has become much clearer and noone doubts any more that EU membership is the priority of its government, he said.

The government, parliament and state administration have made great steps to that end in the past year and a half, Maas noted.

Referring to economic cooperation between Serbia and Germany, Maas said that Germany is Serbia's leading trade partner.

Cooperation can, however, always be improved, he added.

An attractive market is very important for investors, as any of them who wish to come to Serbia will want not only to sell their products in this country, but also to export them, Maas said.

Germany's bilateral support to Serbia reached a record level in 2009, he said.

This proves that even in a difficult economic situation, Germany continues to support Serbia and carries its support further, he said.

CVETKOVIC-BOC-MEETING

Cvetkovic: Serbia appreciates Romanian support over Kosovo

BUDAPEST, Feb 24 (Tanjug) - Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic had a meeting with his Romanian counterpart Emil Boc on Wednesday, during which he said that Serbia deeply appreciates the principled stance of Romania regarding the defense of principles of international law in the Kosovo-Metohija issue.

During the meeting with Boc, which took place at the margins of the Energy Security Summit in Budapest, Cvetkovic said that Serbia appreciates Romania's involvement in all procedural phases of determining the illegality of the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo before the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

If Romania advocated that the process of ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement between EU and Serbia start sooner and that the country receive EU candidate status as soon as possible, Serbia would be very grateful, Cvetkovic pointed out.

Serbian prime minister conveyed that, with regard to economy, Serbia is interested in concrete projects which would serve the interests of both countries, and that it considers there is big potential for further cooperation, especially in joint projects for improvement of motorway and railway infrastructure, and for mutual investing.

Cvetkovic conveyed Serbia's interest for enhanced exploitation of the river Danube and Constanta seaport for purposes of Serbia's export-import business.

ENERGY-SUMMIT-DECLARATION

Budapest summit: Final declaration adopted

BUDAPEST, Feb 24 (Tanjug) - The participants of the Energy Security Summit, held in Budapest on Wednesday, adopted its final declaration, announcing joint action in the energy sector, Hungary's Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai told a press conference at the end of the event.

The document was signed by the prime ministers of Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania and Bulgaria, as well some high ranking officials from Austria and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

According to Bajnai, the current energy routes should be kept, but new ones should also be build, so that the countries in central, eastern and southeastern Europe would not be dependent on one supplier.

The hosts suggested alternative routes, with the eastern one representing the Nabucco pipeline, the northern one would start at a terminal in Poland and the southern one from a storage facility in Croatia, located on the island of Krk.

Bajnai said that EU funds would be used to develop the project, which should be completed by 2014-15.

CVETKOVIC-FISCHER-MEETING

Cvetkovic thanks Czech Republic for support

BUDAPEST, Feb 24 (Tanjug) - Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic said Wednesday meeting his Czech counterpart Jan Fischer that Serbia is ready to intensify its endeavors to foster all forms of cooperation with the Czech Republic, especially in the economy.

He also thanked the Czech Republic for its active support so far to the fostering of the relations between Serbia and the European Union.

Serbia would particularly appreciate the Czech Republic's support to ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU and to its endeavors for getting the status of candidate for EU membership, Cvetkovic said.

Cvetkovic also conveyed to Fischer Serbia's interest in fostering economic cooperation with the Czech Republic, in increasing the volume of bilateral trade and in investments, especially in the sectors of energy, transport infrastructure and environment protection.

He thanked the Czech Republic for its development aid and for its readiness to include Serbia's priority projects in environment protection in its development aid program for 2010-2012.

Cvetkovic also conferred on the sidelines of the Energy Security Summit underway in Budapest with the Prime Ministers of Hungary and of Romania Gordon Bajnai and Emil Boc respectively.

CVETKOVIC-SUMMIT-STATEMENT

Cvetkovic urges prevention of eneregy crises in region

BUDAPEST, Feb 24 (Tanjug) - Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic said Wednesday that the participants of the Energy Security Summit in Budapest discussed the ways of medium and long term prevention of eneregy crises in central, eastern and southeastern Europe.

After the plenary session of prime ministers, Cvetkovic told the press that the main topics were building an energy infrastructure linking the region's countries, and diversification of energy sources.

The participants noted that the region's countries should in the future develop a single regional strategy in the energy sector rathern than individual ones, he said.

Serbia's strategic partnership with Russia in the energy sector and the process of its integration in European structures are not mutually exclusive, he said.

The European Union imports large amounts of energy from Russia and will probably continue to do so in the future too, he said.

Endeavors should be made to get energy from several sources, as, like in any other market, more suppliers are better for users, he said.

Cvetkovic said he had bilateral meetings with the prime ministers of several participating countries on the sidelines of the summit.

SUMMIT-ENERGY-CVETKOVIC

Using money for energy means investing into future

BUDAPEST, Feb 24 (Tanjug) - The investments in energy infrastructure are investments in future development of the regional countries which have to catch up with advanced economies on their EU path and secure higher level of stability and living standard for their citizens, Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic stated on Wednesday.

Cvetkovic underscored at the Energy Security Summit in Budapest which gathered countries of the Central, Southern and Southeastern Europe that the region represents an important energy knot and a transitional part for energetic supply from Russia and Central Asia.

“Therefore, we have to put in joint efforts so as to realize the planned transitional projects in the shortest possible term, which will secure Europe's stable energy supply and diversification of energy sources, routes and markets,” Cvetkovic said.

He underscored that Serbia's priority is realization of the South Stream gas pipeline that should provide considerable amounts of natural gas for the European market.

“The investments in the annual reconstruction of the energy capacities equal about billion euros, and I expect that the amount will increase in the following five years,” Cvetkovic said.

He recalled that Serbia has also launched important investments in new electricity generation capacities that include construction of two lignite-fired power plants and one gas power plant of the total capacity of 1,750 MW which represents 20 percent of the total generation capacity of Serbia.

“At the same time, we put in maximum efforts to promote generation of electricity from renewable sources. As a result, we have launched activities on usage of the remaining hydro potential, particularly of the Drina River, which is assessed to have capacity close to 1,000 MW with middle annual production of about 3,800 GWh,” Cvetkovic said.

CVETKOVIC-BAJNAI-MEETING

Cvetkovic, Bajnai end meeting in Budapest

BUDAPEST, Feb 24 (Tanjug) - During his today's meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai, Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic stated that Serbia would appreciate it very much if Hungary would start the procedure of ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) soon and support Serbia in obtaining the status of an European Union candidate state.

Underscoring that the relations between the two countries are developing continuously, Cvetkovic informed his counterpart that Serbia is ready to work together with Hungary on developing all forms of cooperation, particularly economic.

Cvetkovic met with Bajnai on the sidelines of the summit on energy security which gathered prime ministered of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe.

EU-BALKANS-BILDT

Bildt: EU needs to be stricter to Southeastern Europe

BRUSSELS, Feb 24 (Tanjug) - Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said in Brussels that Europeans view the Western Balkans' EU accession as a mere formality, and that the EU needs to be stricter to countries in Southeastern Europe in order to help them.

Speaking before the European Policy Center on Tuesday, Bildt said that the Western Balkans is a lot more demanding than Turkey in terms of EU enlargement.

Bildt was referring to weak state institutions in countries such as Bosnia-Herzegovina, which is overwhelmed by the implementation of tens of thousands of pages of European legislation.

Bildt said he was in favor of closing down the Office of the High Representative in Sarajevo as soon as possible.

The office has hurt BiH in the last few years, because it caused Bosnians to discuss probelms only with foreigners, and not with other Bosnians, the Swedish foreign minister said.

EU-SERBIA-CANDIDACY

Lajcak: Serbia's candidacy topic of EU meeting in March

BRUSSELS, Feb 23 (Tanjug) - Slovakia's Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak said Tuesday that European Union foreign ministers might consider Serbia's candidacy for EU membership at their meeting in March in Cordoba.

The agenda of the Monday meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council did not include Serbia or Western Balkans, Lajcak noted.

Lajcak, however, expects the issue of Serbia's candidacy to be a topic of the informal meeting of foreign ministers in March.

Serbian President Boris Tadic presented last December in Stockholm to the Swedish EU Presidency Serbia's oficial application for candidacy for EU membership.

Spain, which took over the EU Presidency from Sweden in January, has repeatedly stated it would do everything for Serbia to get candidate status as soon as possible.

According to procedure, the EU Council must ask the European Commision's view on candidacy, after which Serbia must answer a series of questions before pre-accession negotiations can start.

EU-SERBIA-CONFERENCE

Conference on Serbia's European integration

BELGRADE, Feb 23 (Tanjug) - A two-day conference dubbed “Serbia: A step closer to European integration,” dedicated to the process of European integration of Serbia and financial instruments of the European Union for supporting reforms, will be held in Belgrade on February 25-26 the conference organizer stated on Tuesday.

Eminent Italian, Serbian and international experts will take part in the conference which is co-organized by the Italian Embassy in Belgrade, the office of the Italian cooperation for development and Italian Foreign Trade Institute.

The process of European integration of Serbia will be discussed at the conference, while participants are planned to present the current situation and analyze the EU's financial instruments, aimed at providing support to the reforms necessary for the country's adjustment to the Union's regulations.

This will also be an opportunity for representatives of the public and private sectors to exchange views on strategies of adjustment to the EU and initiatives that are being promoted with the help of the instruments for the pre-accession assistance.

WBALKANS-EU-PRIVILEGES

EU suggests extending trade privileges for Serbia

BRUSSELS, Feb 22 (Tanjug) - The European Commission suggested Monday that the EU extends its trade privileges for the Western Balkan countries, including Serbia, by another five years.

The arrangement, first signed in 2000, allows export of almost any goods from Serbia, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro and UNMIK-Kosovo to the EU without customs barriers and quantity limitations.

This status allows the Western Balkan countries to be part of the Stabilization and Association Process.

Together with the bilateral agreements currently in effect, these trade preferences help those countries' economic integration into the EU, thereby supporting political stability and economic progress in the entire region, says an announcement by the Commission.

The preference agreement was already extended once in 2005, so it is due to expire in December 2010.

The new extention needs to be confirmed by EU ministers and the European Parliament.

The announcement states that ending the trade privileges might cause negative consequences to the overall economic condition within the Western Balkan countries and their reform processes.

The EU is the biggest trade partner to the Western Balkans.

BBC-SERBIA-EU

BBC: Corruption and organized crime obstacles on EU pathway

LONDON, Feb 22 (Tanjug) - The arrest of the two Hague indictees Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic is the most commonly mentioned obstacle Serbia has to overcome on its pathway towards the European Union (EU), but it is rarely spoken that one of the conditions for entering the Union will also be fighting corruption and organized crime, a BBC commentator warned on Monday.

The BBC stated that, after the reception of Bulgaria and Romania in the EU, officials in Brussels sent a message to the Balkan countries that they will not be admitted to the Union until they resolve the problem of corruption and crime.

According to a research conducted by the Transparency International, Serbia is at the bottom of list in Europe, and only Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina are below when it comes to the degree of corruption.

The Serbian government does not deny the problem, which was confirmed by Minister of Interior Ivica Dacic in an interview for BBC, when he pointed out that the fight against corruption is more complex than the fight against organized crime, but added, however, that the Serbian Police do not “sit on their hands.”

“In 2009 the Serbian police arrested more people over corruption than in the last five years together. But, this too is insufficient,” Dacic evaluated.

On the other hand, President of the Transparency Serbia Prof. Vladimir Goati noticed that there were a lot of promises that the fight against corruption will begin, but that was only on “the local level.”

He stated that the undertaken actions were aimed at the so-called “petty corruption”, such as bribe in medical institutions, police or municipalities, but added that the high level corruption in ministries, public companies and political parties remained intact.

“The problem at the high level is that political parties are the generator of corruption. When they are ruling, you have little chance to reveal their backstage, mysterious agreements which are never written,” Goati underlined.

USA-BALKANS-SERBIA

Gordon: USA backs Serbia's EU candidacy

WASHINGTON, Feb 22 (Tanjug) - US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Gordon has stated that the EU integration of the Southeastern Europe is one of the priorities of US President Barack Obama and underscored that the USA backs Serbia's EU candidacy.

The Balkans certainly does not dominate the front pages such as Afghanistan or Iran, but I would like to point out that the stabilization and integration of the area between the Adriatic Sea and the Black Sea is an important issue in the foreign affairs program of the current administration, Gordon stated last week at a lecture at the University of Harvard.

According to him, NATO and EU are backbone of the European freedom and prosperity and the USA would like to work together with the European partners on the admission of the Southeastern Europe to those institutions.

The Southeastern Europe is still faced with some of the problems that burdened the region during the previous century, although great progress has been made compared to the end of the nineties, said the US official who visited the Balkans earlier as a member of Clinton's administration.

One of the examples of the progress is a dramatic change in the Serbia-USA relations. Only ten years ago, the USA bombed Serbia. Last year, US Vice President Joe Biden visited Belgrade and delivered a message that the USA is ready to turn the page and wants to be partner with Serbia, Gordon recalled.

DJELIC-EU-KOSOVO

Djelic: EU integration and Kosovo separated processes

BELGRADE, Feb 21 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic has stated that Serbia will never agree that Kosovo becomes a precondition for the EU accession and underscored that the EU integration and the resolution of the status of Kosovo are two separate processes.

"This is Serbia's policy but also the policy of the EU that does not have a single stand in view of Kosovo," Djelic said in an interview for the Belgrade-based daily Vecernje novosti, adding that Serbia has excellent relations with Brussels.

He pointed out that the EU tendency to integrate the whole West Balkans is "a very strong impetus for all to reach a historical compromise between Belgrade and Pristina. That should be a compromise, not a dictate. Therefore, the policy: both Europe and Kosovo is so efficient for Serbia".

Djelic said that orders have been already issued to the ministries to prepare by the end of April responses to several thousand questions from the questionnaire that Serbia received from the neighboring countries, adding that new EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule has promised that Serbia will be sent the official questionnaire the day the country receives green light from the EU countries.

"If we receive the questionnaire in June, we will fill it in before the summer holiday, and then we will have an opportunity to become an EU candidate state by the end of 2010 or latest by mid 2011," he said.

He stated that the next report of International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz on Serbia's cooperation with ICTY will be positive and added that we should be aware that ICTY will be a precondition that will burden our EU integration until it is completely fulfilled.

When asked whether the NATO membership will be one of the requirements for the EU admission, Djelic answered negatively.

WBALKAN-EU-DROUTSAS

West Balkan in EU in 2014 after fulfillment of preconditions

ATHENS, Feb 20 (Tanjug) - Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas has stated that 2014 could be the year of the West Balkans' EU integration, adding that previously the countries have to fulfill all preconditions for the EU admission.

We would like to revive the 2003 Thessaloniki Agenda and today we think that 2014, as a symbolic hundred-year anniversary of the beginning of World War I, could be the year of EU accession. We should show to the West Balkan countries that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that they should hurry up and seriously take the reforms they have to carry out, Droutsas said and the Greek media reported.

He added that the Thessaloniki Agenda has not been realized because of the EU enlargement exhaustion.

Discussing the Kosovo issue, Droutsas said that this is an EU issue and that it should be addressed within the EU.

When the issue was discussed, we have clearly heard the stands of the USA and Russia but not the EU. Given the West Balkan countries' EU perspective, the Kosovo issue should be addressed in the EU, the Greek minister said.

SERBIA-JEREMIC-ASHTON

Jeremic and Ashton discuss European integratons and Kosovo

BELGRADE, Feb 19 (Tanjug) - Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, during his Friday talks with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, expressed the readiness of official Belgrade to continue to jointly work with Brussels on the EU accession of the West Balkans.

According to a statement issued by the Serbian Foreign Ministry, Jeremic and Ashton also discussed the issue of Serbia's Euro-integration and the current situation in Kosovo and Metohija.

During the talks, the two ranking officials expressed their satisfaction over the progress Serbia has made so far in the field of European integration and called for an even more intensive cooperation between Belgrade and Brussels.

With her meeting with the Serbian foreign minister, Ashton concluded her first visit to Belgrade, during which she met with the country's president and prime minister, Boris Tadic and Mirko Cvetkovic respectively, and addressed the representatives of the civil sector in Serbia.

EU-SERBIA-SVOBODA

Svoboda:EU cannot require from Serbia to recognize Kosovo

BELGRADE, Feb 19 (Tanjug) - The European Union cannot not require from Serbia to recognize Kosovo, because some EU member states have not even recognised the unilateral declaration of independence of Serbia's southern province, Austrian member of the European Parliament and Vice-President of the socialist group in the EP Hannes Svoboda has stated.

We should promote Serbia's accession in the EU, but, at the same time, we should include Kosovo in European integrations. We cannot demand from Serbia to recognize Kosovo, since it has not been recognized by some EU member states either. The majority of the EU states have done it, but not all of them. We have to find a way, but we are not to pressure Serbia over Kosovo, Svoboda said in a statement published by Politika.

In his last week's address to the EO members in Strasbourg, Svoboda also said that no one knows the formula for Serbia's accession in the EU if the country does not recognize the independence of Kosovo, and pointed out that it will be a difficult diplomatic formula, which Serbia has yet to find.

He also clarified that the EU does not want to import problems, but rather to export stability.

KOSOVO-EU-ASHTON

Ashton: Whole EU is clear that future of Kosovo is European

PRISTINA, Feb 19 (Tanjug) - European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said on Friday that an EU team will visit Pristina in the coming weeks, in order to prepare the assessment necessary for Kosovo's visa liberalization.

After a meeting with Kosovo Prime Minister Hasim Taci in Pristina, Ashton told a press conference that “the EU as a whole is clear that the future of Kosovo is European,” and reiterated that the Western Balkans region is a major foreign policy priority for the EU.

She stressed the importance of cooperation between Kosovo institutions and the EU on Kosovo's economic development, and insisted that the rule of law must be established, saying that Kosovo authorities are already working with EULEX to make this happen.

EU high representative met with EU Special Representative Pieter Feith, Head of the EULEX Mission Yves de Kermabon and Head of the European Commission Liaison Office Renzo Daviddi at the EULEX office in Pristina on Friday morning.

DJELIC-POMEROY-STATEMENTS

Djelic: US support Serbia's EU integration

BELGRADE, Feb 19 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic stated Friday that Serbia has full support of the USA for speedier EU accession.

“Of course, America is not part of the European Union (EU) but its stand has great influence in the dialogue with Brussels and represents an important support for Serbia's EU future,” Djelic pointed out after the talks with US Congressman Earl Pomeroy.

Djelic said that he discussed a number of bilateral issues with Pomeroy, who is the member of the House of Representatives, and underscored that his honorable American guest offered him support for signing of a bilateral agreement on science-technological cooperation.

Pomeroy said that he is looking forward to the return to Serbia, where he stayed during his high-school period, adding that such personal bonds are important since they reflect on the relations at other levels of the US-Serbia cooperation.

Pomeroy, just like US Ambassador to Belgrade Jennifer Brush, came to Serbia in 1973 for the first time as part of a student exchange program.

Back then, Pomeroy and Brush stayed in Kraljevo. Many of the participants in the program, including the two of them, have stayed in touch with their host families.

Therefore, Pomeroy will use his arrival to Serbia to visit Kraljevo and to meet again with his former hosts.

EU-SERBIA-ASHTON

Ashton ends visit to Belgrade

BELGRADE, Feb 19 (Tanjug) - High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton ended today her visit to Belgrade, during which she met with Serbian President Boris Tadic and Premier Mirko Cvetkovic, with a meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, and addressed representatives of the civil sector in Serbia.

Ashton left for Pristina, where she is scheduled to meet with EU special representative Pieter Feith, EULEX Head Yves de Kermabon and European Commission Liaison office Head Renzo Daviddi.

She is also planned to meet with Premier Hasim Taci.

Ashton on Thursday stated that Serbia is truly committed to the process of European integrations ad that she is glad Serbia had made progress on its European path.

“Serbia still has a lot to do, but I have a feeling that it is truly committed to the implementation of the necessary reforms and that it will be our reliable partner in European integrations,” said Ashton.

EU-SERBIA-SVOBODA

Svoboda: EU may not ask Serbia to recognize Kosovo

BELGRADE, Feb 19 (Tanjug) - The European Union may not request Serbia to recognize Kosovo, because the unilateral declaration of independence of Serbia's southern province had not been recognized by some EU member-states, Austrian member of the European Parliament and Vice-President of the socialist group in the EP Hannes Svoboda has stated.

“We should promote Serbia's accession in the EU, but, at the same time, we should include Kosovo in European integrations. We may not ask Serbia to recognize Kosovo, which has not been recognized by some EU member states either. The majority of the EU states have done it, but not all of them. We have to find a way, but we may not pressure Serbia now for Kosovo,” Svoboda said in a statement published by Politika.

In his last week's address to the EO members in Strasbourg, Svoboda also said that “no one knows the formula for Serbia's accession in the EU without recognizing the independence of Kosovo” and “it will be a difficult diplomatic formula, which Serbia has to find.”

He also clarified that the EU does not want to import problems but to export stability instead.

TADIC-ASHTON-DISCUSSION

Serbian President confers with EU High Representative

BELGRADE, Feb 18 (Tanjug) - President of Serbia Boris Tadic conferred with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton in Belgrade on Thursday. They discussed the EU integration of Serbia and Western Balkans, and the situation in Kosovo-Metohija, the president's press service has released in a statement.

President Tadic pointed out that Serbia's main goal is EU membership, and added that he hopes the country's application for candidacy will be considered as soon as possible.

The Serbian president reiterated that, when it comes to the cooperation with The Hague Tribunal, Serbia still puts all its efforts into the cooperation and works on locating and arresting of the remaining two Hague indictees, Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic, on a daily basis.

Serbia wants the best possible relations with countries from the region, Tadic stressed, and underscored that the country supports the integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Tadic underlined that Serbia will never recognize the independence of Kosovo and reiterated that the so-called plan for the integration of the northern part of the province is a threat for the stability in the region as a whole.

SERBIA-CVETKOVIC-ASHTON

Ashton: Serbia committed to EU integration

BELGRADE, Feb 18 (Tanjug) - Vice-President of the European Commission (EC) and European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said Thursday that Serbia is truly committed to the EU integration process.

Serbia still has much to do, but has made progress and seems truly committed to implementing the necessary reforms, she said.

Serbia will be a reliable partner in the EU integration process, Ashton said after a meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic.

Cvetkovic said that Ashton assured him that Serbia will get full support from the EU in the integration process.

He presented to Ashton Serbia's plans for EU integration in 2010.

The talk also focused on the economic and financial situation in Serbia, the issue of Kosovo-Metohija and fighting organized crime.

BALKANS-EU-ASHTON

Ashton: Future of whole Western Balkans is in EU

BELGRADE, Feb 18 (Tanjug) - Vice-President of the European Commission (EC) and European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, said Thursday that the future of the whole Western Balkans is in the EU, and added that the countries from the region have to resolve their bilateral and border problems.

Good neighborly relations and improvement of regional cooperation are key factors on EU pathway, and the Union supports the dialogue between the countries in the region. We will be happy when Serbia and Kosovo resolve their problems, Ashton said in Belgrade, addressing the representatives of the civilian sector.

The vice-president of the EC pointed out that Serbia's cooperation with The Hague Tribunal is of utter importance, and praised Belgrade for its cooperation with the Tribunal, expressing belief that the next report of ICTY Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz will be positive.

Ashton also praised the initiative of Serbian President Boris Tadic to condemn the massacre in Srebrenica.

Speaking of the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH), Ashton assessed that there is no compromise on the political scene of the country, and pointed out that BiH can enter the EU only as one state.

The rhetoric which flirts with the secession is very harmful and the EU will never accept dismembering of BiH, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy concluded.

SERBIA-EU-FULE

Fule in Belgrade in next several weeks

BRUSSELS, Feb 18 (Tanjug) - Newly appointed EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule will visit Serbia in the next few weeks as part of his efforts to set the entire western Balkan region on a firm path towards European integration, Tanjug learned at Fule's office.

The commissioner (Fule) plans to visit in Serbia during the next several weeks, his spokesperson Angela Filote told Tanjug.

According to her, Serbia is among Fule's priorities, since he is in charge of all Western Balkan countries in the EU enlargement process.

Fule's determination is proven by the fact that already on his first day in office this Czech diplomat received Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic.

This meeting was the first and very fruitful opportunity for exchange of opinions and a beginning of a very intensive cooperation, Filote said.

Stefan Fule visited Zagreb on Thursday, to attend the inauguration of the new Croatian President Ivo Josipovic, and on Friday he should be in Skopje.

SERBIA-EU-DJELIC

Djelic: EU candidate status to be granted by mid 2011 latest

BELGRADE, Feb 18 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic stated Thursday that Serbia's goal is to receive the status of an EU candidate by the end of 2010 and the latest by mid of 2011.

Djelic said at a session of the parliamentary committee on EU integration that Serbia's aim is for the European Commission to be given green light to take into consideration Serbia's EU candidacy bid during Spain's six-month EU presidency and to receive the candidate status during the next mandate in which Belgium is to hold the EU rotating presidency.

Djelic said that Serbia puts considerable efforts for the candidacy application to be put on the agenda at one of the upcoming sessions of the EU Council of Ministers, adding that Serbia is actively preparing for such a course of events regardless if they will take place in spring or summer.

On the occasion of the presentation of the report on the implementation of Serbia's National Program for EU Integration for the period between October and December 2009, Djelic said that the total fulfillment of the quarterly report is 77 percent, meaning that out of 115 provisions, 88 have been adopted.

According to him, the Serbian parliament adopted 22 bills in the mentioned period which is, as he put it, more than planned thus making it one of the three most efficient parliaments in 2009.

“This proves that Serbia's EU path is not possible without the Serbian parliament,” Djelic said and expressed hope that Serbia and its institutions will realize all their goals in 2010.

He stated that the end of 2012, as a deadline by which all Serbian regulations should be harmonized with the EU ones, is an ambitious goal and that all countries had problems with that, adding that by then another 420 provisions should be adopted and that demands even greater productivity of the government and a parliament which is still among the three most efficient.

SERBIA-EU-DJELIC

Djelic: EU candidate status to be granted by mid 2011 latest

BELGRADE, Feb 18 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic stated Thursday that Serbia's goal is to receive the status of an EU candidate by the end of 2010 and the latest by mid of 2011.

Djelic said at a session of the parliamentary committee on EU integration that Serbia's aim is for the European Commission to be given green light to take into consideration Serbia's EU candidacy bid during Spain's six-month EU presidency and to receive the candidate status during the next mandate in which Belgium is to hold the EU rotating presidency.

Djelic said that Serbia puts considerable efforts for the candidacy application to be put on the agenda at one of the upcoming sessions of the EU Council of Ministers, adding that Serbia is actively preparing for such a course of events regardless if they will take place in spring or summer.

On the occasion of the presentation of the report on the implementation of Serbia's National Program for EU Integration for the period between October and December 2009, Djelic said that the total fulfillment of the quarterly report is 77 percent, meaning that out of 115 provisions, 88 have been adopted.

According to him, the Serbian parliament adopted 22 bills in the mentioned period which is, as he put it, more than planned thus making it one of the three most efficient parliaments in 2009.

“This proves that Serbia's EU path is not possible without the Serbian parliament,” Djelic said and expressed hope that Serbia and its institutions will realize all their goals in 2010.

He stated that the end of 2012, as a deadline by which all Serbian regulations should be harmonized with the EU ones, is an ambitious goal and that all countries had problems with that, adding that by then another 420 provisions should be adopted and that demands even greater productivity of the government and a parliament which is still among the three most efficient.

SERBIA-ASHTON-DJELIC

Djelic: Steps towards candidate status already taken

BELGRADE, Feb 18 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European integrations Bozidar Djelic today stated that Serbia has already started taking steps that should secure its status of a candidate state in the European Union as soon as possible.

On the occasion of today's visit by High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton to Belgrade, Djelic said that her support for Serbia's overcoming of the economic and financial crisis, together with Europe, will be requested from her.

In an RTS broadcast, Djelic announced that the candidacy for the EU, submitted on behalf of Serbia by President Boris Tadic in Stockholm on December 22, should be included in the agenda of one of the upcoming meetings of the EU Council of Ministers.

EU-ASHTON-LIHT

Sonja Liht: Catherine Ashton's visit important for Serbia

BELGRADE, Feb 18 (Tanjug) - President of the Serbian Foreign Ministry Council for Foreign Policy Sonja Liht stated late on Wednesday that it is very important that newly appointed High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton is coming to the region.

In a statement with television B92, Liht evaluated Ashton's visit as very important, because “it is always important to be on the European Union's agenda as a country and region.”

“Unlike Solana, who did not have his own budget to invest in certain activities, Ashton's function is much stronger, it includes two important functions, that of a head of diplomacy and security policy and that of a vice-president of the EU Commission and she has her own budget,” said Liht.

Liht believes that Serbia's role in the EU's new strategy for Kosovo is very big, because Kosovo is a topic that remains on the EU agenda.

“Five EU countries have not and will not recognize independence of Kosovo. The EU as such may not have a unique stand, but this does not mean that it will not have an active role in the attempt to find a solution for this serious problem,” said Liht.

SERBIA-EU-ASHTON

It is all in Serbia's hands now

BELGRADE, Feb 18 (Tanjug) - High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, who is arriving today in Serbia on her first visit, has stated that she is going to Belgrade to discuss the next steps Serbia intends to make in order to have its candidacy for the EU membership make a progress.

She underscored that Western Balkans is the main priority of the European Union's foreign policy.

It is a region in which the EU has invested great effort over the past two decades and the region in which we had assumed the biggest responsibility, said Ashton. We remain committed to the European prospects of the region as a whole, but consolidation of stability and progress towards the EU essentially remain in the responsibility of governments and citizens of the region, said Ashton.

“Europe's door will be open for the region countries when the conditions get met, and we are working together with them to achieve that,” Ashton said in an interview published by Vecernje Novosti today.

She said that consultations among the EU member states on Serbia's applications are in progress, aiming at finding the most suitable moment for decision making.

Serbia should now continue to further develop its recent achievements and go forward in its European agenda, which we fully support,” said Ashton, adding that the pace of the process depends on Serbia.

DJELIC-ASHTON-VISIT

Djelic: I expect Ashton to support Serbia's EU aspirations

BELGRADE, Feb 17 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic said Wednesday that the visit of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Catherine Ashton, is very important, and added that he expects her to support Serbia's EU aspirations .

“Serbia's goal is to get the status of a EU candidate as soon as possible, but also, during the Spain's EU presidency, to work on the future European strategy which implies the inclusion of Roma people, and the solution of the issue of refugees in Western Balkans,” Djelic told a press conference at the Serbian government's building.

When asked what he expects of the talks, having in mind that during her visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina Ashton said that Western Balkans will be the priority of EU foreign policy, Djelic said that this shows that “statements that we often read are based on a true cognition of the importance of a faster EU integration of Western Balkans.”

He pointed out that during her first visit to Serbia, Ashton will be able to see the economic and social problems teh country is faced with in the time of economic crisis.

“She will see great efforts our citizens are ready to make in order to sustain economic and financial stability, as well as the problems inside the region. At the same time, she will see the great potential of Serbia and Western Balkans,” Djelic underscored.

SERBIA-EU-ASHTON

EU high representative to visit Serbia Thursday

BELGRADE, Feb 17 (Tanjug) - The European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton will pay Thursday a one-day visit to Serbia during which she will confer with President Boris Tadic and Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic.

She will also meet representatives of civil society organizations.

Before leaving on her Balkan tour during which she will visit Sarajevo first, Ashton said her talks with Serbian officials will focus on the next steps Serbia wishes to take after it applied for EU membership at the end of 2009.

Serbian officials will inform Ashton that EU integration remains the absolute priority of the Serbian government, Cvetkovic said.

Serbia remains committed to EU integration, Cvetkovic emphasized.

Ashton also said that Western Balkans is an important priority of the EU foreign policy and that the EU remains committed to the region's European perspective.

After Belgrade, Ashton will also visit Pristina.

SERBIA-BELGIUM-EU

Tadic thanks Leterme for supporting Serbia in EU integration

BELGRADE, Feb 17 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic and Prime Minister of Belgium Yves Leterme discussed Wednesday the bilateral relations, the European integration of Serbia and the situation in Kosovo-Metohija.

As Tadic's cabinet has released in a statement, Tadic and Leterme assessed that the bilateral relations have improved, and the president of Serbia expressed gratitude to Belgium for supporting the abolishment of visas for Serbian citizens and the continuation of the country's European integration.

During the meeting, Tadic stressed that “Serbia will never recognize the independence of Kosovo-Metohija”, and added that “the so-called plan for integration of North Kosovo is a threat for stability in the whole region.”

President Boris Tadic also expressed his deepest condolences over the big rail accident which recently took place in Belgium.

SERBIA-BELGIUM-LETERME

Leterme: It is clear that Serbia is heading towards EU

BELGRADE, Feb 17 (Tanjug) - Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme said in Belgrade on Wednesday that what is really important is not when the Council of Europe will discuss Serbia's candidacy for EU membership, but rather the fact that it has become clear that Serbia is part of the European integration process.

It is still uncertain whether Serbia's candidacy will be on the agenda of the EU summit in spring or in June, but it is certain that the EU Council will forward the candidacy to the European Commission and seek an opinion from it, Leterme told a news conference, following a meeting with his Serbian counterpart Mirko Cvetkovic.

What is important is that it is clear now that Serbia has joined the European integration process, Leterme stressed.

He also said that the European integration of the entire region is one of the most important reasons why he decided to tour the West Balkans, and pointed out that his visit will help Belgium prepare itself for the EU presidency which it will take over from Spain in July.

Now that all authorities in the region have a pro-European orientation and opt for European integrations, the EU leaders have to use this historic moment in the best way they can, he said.

Leterme reminded that the Balkans is a region with sensitive issues.

However, there are often different views on certain matters within the EU itself, and this is why the essence of one's presiding over this body is to make it reach compromise on such issues, he added.

The present task of the Belgian authorities is to improve the relations with Serbia and, at the European level, to assist the country's European integration, he said.

The prime ministers of Belgium and Serbia agreed that the bilateral relations are good, but pointed out, however, that there is still room for further improvement.

Leterme said that about twenty Belgian companies had already invested in Serbia, and that many more are interested in investing in the country.

However, before they do that, the economy in Belgium itself has to recover, he added.

The Belgian prime minister visited Montenegro and Albania on Tuesday, but his stay in Kosovo, which was scheduled for Monday, was postponed due to the train crash in Belgium.

EU-LAW-DJELIC

Djelic: Serbia should become respectful EU member

BELGRADE, Feb 17 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European integrations Bozidar Djelic evaluated late on Tuesday that it is important that Serbia becomes a “respectful and proactive member of the European Union,” which will defend and respect its own national interests.

During a presentation of a “Guide to the European Union's Law” at the Belgrade Faculty of Law, Djelic said that Europe is a major legal construction and that there is an ongoing debate about whether there is too much law, i.e. legal regulations, within the EU, and that many member states complain about this.

“Harmonization of the regulations with EU standards never ends, and by the end of 2010 the domestic legislative framework should be harmonized fully with the EU regulations” said Djelic, who is also the Serbian Minister of Science and Technological Development.

He clarified that another 480 regulations need to be adopted between 2010 and 2012 in order to complete the process successfully, adding that 77 percent of the work had been dome so far.

EU-ASHTON-BALKANS

Ashton: W Balkans main priority of EU's foreign policy

BRUSSELS, Feb 17 (Tanjug) - Ahead of her visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo on February 17-19, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton underscored that the Western Balkans is the priority of the Union's foreign policy.

During her visit to Western Balkan countries, Ashton is scheduled to meet with political leaders and representatives of the civil society, as well as representatives of the EU missions in the region, including EULEX in Kosovo and missions in Bosnia-Herzegovina, it was underscored in a statement released in Brussels late on Tuesday.

The Western Balkans is the EU's important priority and we remain devoted to the European future of the region as a whole, Ashton said. However, leaderships and people in the region are responsible for the consolidation of stability and progress towards the EU, she said, adding that Europe's door is open to the region as a whole, when the conditions get met.

As far as Serbia is concerned, we will discuss further steps that Belgrade wishes to take in order for its application for the EU membership to make progress, said Ashton. In Kosovo, I am particularly interested in discussing the progress that has been made in the area of the rule of law, fight against corruption and organized crime, as well as good rule, said Ashton.

SERBIA-EU-NETHERLANDS

Serbia makes progress to EU accession

BELGRADE, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - Dutch Ambassador to Belgrade Ronald Van Dartel said Tuesday that Serbia has made considerable progress towards integration in the European Union, as demonstrated by visa liberalization and unfreezing of the Interim Trade Agreement.

Ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement should start in June this year, if the next report of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz on Serbia's cooperation is positive, he said.

The ratification process might start in June, but cooperation with ICTY is one of the main factors, he said.

Van Dartel was addressing the press after meeting members of the National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED) comprising representatives of local self-governments in Serbia.

SLOVENIA-EU-BALKANS

Ashton supports conference on West Balkans

LJUBLJANA, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - The international conference on the West Balkans that is to be held late in March in Slovenia will be an important event for the region, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor stated Monday evening during talks in Brdo near Kranj.

Pahor pointed out that the meeting will be decisive factor for many aspects and Ashton told the Slovenian prime minister that he will have her full support in the organization of the conference, which will be the first meeting of all leaders in the West Balkans after 18 years, the Ljubljana-based news agency STA stated.

The conference was initiated by Pahor and his Croatian counterpart Jadranka Kosor and the organizers will be, besides Slovenia and Croatia, the European Council and the European Commission.

SERBIA-STATEHOOD-CVETKOVIC

Cvetkovic: Serbia's European pathway no longer questioned

BELGRADE, Feb 15 (Tanjug) - Serbia's European pathway is no longer being questioned, we are getting closer to the EU membership, and we are reestablishing connections with the world, which had been disrupted for years, Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic stated at a ceremony at the National Theatre in Belgrade Sunday evening, on the occasion of the marking of the Statehood Day.

Cvetkovic stressed that the Serbian citizens can now travel freely, adding that there is an unobstructed flow of goods and capital with Europe, which is a confirmation, as he put it, that Serbia is an economically and politically stable country.

Serbia is becoming a regional leader, without jeopardizing anyone, by introducing European and civilization standards in the establishment of a legal order and the respect of human and minority rights of all citizens, Cvetkovic underscored.

"The issue of Kosovo-Metohija, the most delicate issue not only for Serbia's, but also for the regional and European security and policy, is being resolved with our strong determination to defend our legitimate rights in our own territory, in accordance with the international law, by peaceful means, patiently and with perseverence, he said.

Cvetkovic pointed out that there is no reason and that it makes no sense for anyone to doubt that Serbia will concede in the defense of its legitimate interests regarding its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

"We are trying to initiate a genuine process of the return of the displaced people and to create conditions for a normal life in the southern Serbian province. Future cannot be built with conflicts, but rather with agreements, and the inhabitants of this territory depend on each other and that is why Serbia is in favor of serious talks which will be a basis for a healthy process of reconciliation in the Balkans," Cvetkovic said.

"We want all the citizens of KiM to live in peace, to enjoy all the rights and possibilities to work and earn their living," the prime minister stressed.

DJELIC-SERBIA-EU

Djelic: We will be prepared for EC questionnaire

BELGRADE, Feb 13 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic stated that Serbia will be prepared for the European Commission's (EC) questionnaire.

Immediately after we have been given "the green light", the EC will send us the questionnaire, Djelic said in an interview for the Belgrade daily Politika, adding that this information was confirmed by newly appointed EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fuele during their talks in Brussels.

Djelic said that this is "very reassuring," as Serbia will be ready for this step and that by May it will have prepared all answers to the questions received by the countries which are one month ahead of Serbia in this process.

He announced that the first session of the Serbia-EU committee for monitoring the implementation of the Interim Trade Agreement will be held on March 2.

"We will examine everything we have done since January 2009, so we will have strong arguments in that respect as well," Djelic underscored, adding that the assessment of Serbia's European capacities concerning the reduction of administration is currently underway.

Djelic stressed that the Spanish EU Presidency said that they will try to bring Serbia's request for EU membership before the Council of the EU as soon as possible, but they also made it clear that this requires a consensus of all EU member states.

EU-SERBIA-VISIT

Ashton in Belgrade on February 18

BRUSSELS, Feb 12 (Tanjug) - European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton will visit Belgrade late next week to meet with Serbia's state leadership, diplomatic sources in Brussels have confirmed to Tanjug.

Ashton is scheduled to be in Belgrade on Thu, February 18, as part of her tour of the former Yugoslav republics.

From Belgrade, Ashton will go to Pristina, where she is planned to meet with representatives of the local authorities and EULEX on February 19.

When appointed to this post, Ashton stated her priorities in her future work, adding that she finds the engagement on the Western Balkans as very important.

MAAS-GERMANY-SERBIA

Maas: Serbia's accession in EU in 2014 not realistic

BELGRADE, Feb 12 (Tanjug) - Unreserved support Germany offers to Serbia on its way to the European Union did not change, but it is not realistic to expect the country's accession in four years, German Ambassador to Serbia Wolfram Maas has stated.

In an interview published by Vecernje Novosti on Friday, Ambassador Maas said that it now all depends on the pace of the reforms in Serbia and whether the prerequisites placed before each candidate had been met.

The 2014 agenda that Serbia strived for and under which the region countries would become part of the European family in four years is not realistic, said Ambassador Maas.

“Caution is required since such goals may easily create frustrations,” the ambassador said. We should always keep in mind the time other countries needed to get accepted, said the ambassador, adding that the road from candidacy to accession may not realistically be completed within four years.

“The prerequisites for Serbia are the same as those for other candidates. They include cooperation in the spirit of good neighborly relations. I have never heard anyone say that Serbia should break its ties with the north of Kosovo. It would not be in keeping with our vision of good neighborly relations. When I think about the north of Kosovo, I always have before me Northern Schleswig, Germany's region of a similar size populated by the Danish minority. No one in his right mind would expect our fellow countrymen of Danish origin to stop their communication with Copenhagen. There are Danish schools there, kindergartens, the Danish queen comes to visit…Nothing is disputable and the administrative and state structure is not disturbed,” said the ambassador.

EU-DJELIC-FULE

Djelic:Discussion of Serbia's candidacy probably in mid-2010

BRUSSELS, Feb 11 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic has said that, during the Thursday talks with Stefan Fule in Brussels, the new European enlargement commissioner said that, unless there is a further cooperation with The Hague Tribunal, the issue of Serbia's EU candidacy will be in front of the Council of Ministers in mid-2010.

Djelic told Tanjug that Fule confirmed that EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton will visit Belgrade on February 18, and that the new European commissioner for enlargement will attend the inauguration of the new Croatian President Ivo Josipovic on the same day.

“This way, the European Commission confirms that the integration of the Western Balkans is one of the priorities of the EU and that is something very positive, which we welcome,” Djelic underlined.

According to him, Fule has guaranteed that, as the chief of the commission in the enlargement section, he will very soon forward to Serbia the questionnaire and perform all other administrative tasks which could lead the country to the formal status of a candidate.

Stating that the meeting with Fule was very encompassing and that it covered all the aspects of European integration of Serbia, Djelic underscored that it is not only symbolically that the commissioner decided to meet with the Serbian delegation on his first working day.

Djelic underlined that during the meeting it was also evaluated that a further development of the regional cooperation, especially between Serbia and Croatia, is one of important elements of our European future, and added that Fule stressed that he will make a great contribution to it personally.

He added that the Serbian delegation offered that Belgrade be the center of the future transport community of Southeastern Europe.

KOSOVO-EU-ASHTON

EU high representative to visit Kosovo next week

PRISTINA, Feb 11 (Tanjug) - Vice President and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton will visit the Balkan region next week, and during the stay the ranking EU official will also visit Kosovo, Tanjug learned at the European Commission office in Pristina.

Ashton will arrive in Kosovo on February 19, and she is supposed to meet with the representatives of international missions and the interim institutions in Kosovo.

Talks are also envisaged with the political representatives of Kosovo Serbs.

This will be Ashton's first visit to Kosovo ever since she assumed the post of EU high representative late last year.

EU-SERBIA-VERHEUGEN

European perspective can resolve problems in Balkans

BRUSSELS, Feb 11 (Tanjug) - A clear European perspective can help resolve the bilateral problems in the Western Balkans, assessed former European Union commissioner for enlargement assessed Gunter Verheugen.

Verheugen, who performed the duty of commissioner in 2004, the year of the Union's greatest expansion when as many as 10 new countries joined it, holds that the Balkan countries have to settle their mutual disputes if they want to be admitted into the EU.

Asked if that meant that Serbia's recognition of Kosovo would be posed as a condition for the country's EU accession, he answered that EU membership talks with Serbia are still far away and that it is pointless to speak now about any specific conditions or criteria.

What we can do is keep repeating loud and clear that Serbia stands a good chance to become an EU member state and that we want the country to be part of the Union, Verheugen said in an interview for the Novi Sad daily Dnevnik.

Verheugen assessed that the fact that certain EU member states have not recognized Kosovo is a good argument against posing such a condition (recognition) to Serbia.

This is a very good argument, and I am curious how, once the Lisbon Agreement has come into force, the EU will manage to speak the same language about foreign policy issues, including that of Kosovo, he said.

BRUSSELS-DJELIC-FULE

Djelic to meet Fule in Brussels today

BRUSSELS, Feb 11 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integrations Bozidar Djelic will meet with EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule in Brussels today.

The Serbian delegation will be the first to be received by the newly appointed EU enlargement commissioner.

Djelic said that the main topic of the meeting will be the date Serbia's application for its membership in the EU might be included in the agenda of the Union's Council of Ministers.

Djelic also said that they will discuss Serbia's participation in the project of Strategy for the Danube Basin, our country's candidacy to become the seat of a future transport community in Southeast Europe and implementation of the European budget.

AUSTRIA-SERBIA-SPINDELEGGER

Spinedelegger: Seize the moment for accession in EU

VIENNA, Feb 11 (Tanjug) - States of the Western Balkans have to seize the current developments to get accepted in the European Union, because there are voices within the EU that believe that a pause should be made after Croatia's accession, Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger said in a statement published by the Frankfurt-based Vesti today.

He also said that the key moment to sum up the achieved results is the year 2014, which symbolically coincides with the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I. According to him, until then Serbia is expected to make progress in reforms, particularly to develop good neighborly relations.

“The year 2014 is more of a symbol, to have strong relations among all Western European countries on the 100th anniversary of the beginning of WW I and to join the EU. This is not the date for expected membership in the EU. The more realistic date is 2020,” said Spindelegger.

Spindelegger also said that he openly discussed the Kosovo with his Serbian counterpart, but that, in the end, no one expects Serbia to recognize Kosovo this year.

“Every state has its own goals, but when it comes to Serbia, I expect that the SAA in effect and talks on accession in the EU will be its goals. It would not be realistic to expect it to become a member. A lot has to be done - to carry out reforms and look towards the neighborhood. Good neighborly relations are one of the conditions to move forwards,” concluded Spindelegger.

BALKANS-EU-MEETING

Comprehensive strategy for W. Balkans needed

VIENNA, Feb 11 (Tanjug) - The European Union should have a comprehensive strategy for the Western Balkan countries' movement closer to the Union, participants of a debate on the Western Balkans evaluated in Vienna late on Wednesday.

The Western Balkans has to realize that a solution to the current problems is the key to the accession in the EU, State Secretary in the Austrian Finance Ministry Andreas Schieder said.

In many areas of the foreign policy on the Balkans, great attention was being paid to the importance of the former Yugoslav republics gaining independence as a solution to all problems, said Schieder, adding that it would be more useful to look at the Western Balkans as a single region.

Criticizing indirectly Austria's previous cabinet, Schieder believes that the problem is that only a part of the EU had recognized Kosovo, because it is unclear now what will happen with Kosovo and which organization it may join.

We should have first understand all of the problems, such as unemployment and bad infrastructure, in the region, solve them and them think about independence, underscored Schieder.

BLIC-SPINDELEGGER

Spindelegger: Talks on SAA should starts as soon as possible

BELGRADE, Feb 11 (Tanjug) - Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger has stated that his country supports the states of the Western Balkans to get included in the “European agenda”, underscoring that he hopes that the EU will start talks with Serbia on ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) as soon as possible.

I hope that we will be able to start the ratification process of the Stabilization and Association Agreement with Serbia soon this year and that in 2014 we will start negotiations on its membership in the EU, Spindelegger said in an interview published by Blic.

He said that his visit to Belgrade on Wednesday was aimed at passing Austria's support to Serbia's European integrations on directly, at the moment when the European Union member states are unanimous about the Union's enlargement, particularly about the pace with which the Western Balkan countries should join it.

The aim is to have all Western Balkan countries become members of the European Union by the year 2020, said Minister Spindelegger, adding that his country is investing efforts in showing other EU countries that it will back the Western Balkan countries to get included in the European agenda.

KOSOVO-EU-READMISSION

Hammarberg to visit camps in Kosovo Thursday

PRISTINA, Feb 10 (Tanjug) - Council of Europe (CE) Commissioner for Human Rights Thomas Hammarberg will visit Kosovo from February 11 to 13 to see the living conditions in camps accommodating persons who were returned to Kosovo from the European Union in keeping with the readmission program.

According to UN figures, over 2,500 people were returned to Kosovo from Europe, mainly Austria, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland.

Hammarberg will visit Cesmin lug and Ostorode camps in northern Kosovska Mitrovica accommodating returnees, mainly Roma.

The camps are located at the waste dump of the Trepca lead processing industry, and Hammarberg had requested their closure last year.

SERBIA-EU-ANASTASIJEVIC

Anastasijevic: Claims about warnings sent to Jeremic untrue

BELGRADE, Feb 10 (Tanjug) - Brussels correspondent of the Belgrade-based weekly Vreme Dejan Anastasijevic confuted and qualified as untrue the claims about alleged strong warnings of the western leaders to Serbia that they will no longer tolerate the behavior of Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic and his insisting on Kosovo.

With reference to the claims published on the EUobserver website, Anastasijevic stated that ten days ago he spoke to Jeremic in Brussels before the latter's return to Belgrade, and that he also conferred with the European officials who attended Jeremic's meetings in Belgium.

Absolutely no warnings whatsoever were made on the occasion, he stressed.

“These are but fabricated untruths presented to the media,” Anastasijevic said for Belgrade-based B92.

Anastasijevic stressed that the article first appeared in Novi Sad daily Dnevnik, part of the big VAC Media group, and was later taken over by the Belgrade-based daily Danas, appearing finally on the EUobserver website.

According to Anastasijevic, the same author signed yet another articles peaking about Serbia's unfounded optimism regarding the country's EU integration, and this text was also published in VAC.

The EUobserver website says that Serbia's leadership cherishes unfounded optimism with regard to the country's possible EU integration, and also points out that a group of officials supposedly sent a diplomatic note to Minister Jeremic, demanding that he "cools down" his rhetoric about Kosovo.

Neither of the two texts has been confirmed so far, and the embassies of the leading European countries know nothing about the diplomatic note.

SLOVAKIA-SERBIA-GASPAROVIC

Bratislava supports Serbia on its EU pathway

BRATISLAVA, Feb 9 (Tanjug) - During his encounter with Serbian parliament speaker Slavica Djukic Dejanovic in Bratislava on Tuesday, Slovakia's President Ivan Gasparovic said that the official Bratislava will support Serbia in all the activities on its EU pathway, and added that it would be very good if Croatia and Serbia entered the EU at the same time, although Croatia is one step ahead of Serbia.

Djukic-Dejanovic, who is paying a two-day visit to Slovakia, told Tanjug that Gasparovic supports Serbia in all developmental projects and advocates a more intensive cooperation in the economic, cultural and educational field, characterizing all that Serbia does, when it comes to bilateral relations, as a positive step of a friendly country.

Gasparovic pointed out that Slovakia will not change its position concerning Kosovo and Metohija, and that Bratislava will respect UN Security Council Resolution 1244, she stressed.

Slovakia did not recognize the unilateral independence of Kosovo.

During her two-day visit, the Serbian parliament speaker also talked with Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico.

She assessed that on the occasion of the visit it was confirmed that Serbia has friends in the EU and that this friendship should be further nourished.

Djukic-Dejanovic underlined that it was concluded that, on all levels, the status of the Slovakian national minority in Serbia is extremely good and that this could be a role model for many of the EU countries.

The president of the Serbian Assembly, who will end her visit by a meeting with the representatives of the Serbian diaspora, reminded that the Serbs living in Slovakia last week acquired the status of a national minority in that country.

SERBIA-EU-LAJCAK

Lajcak: There are no quick solutions

BELGRADE, Feb 9 (Tanjug) - Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak assessed that the Western Balkans and Serbia have a clearly determined European perspective and that now all the countries need to focus on carrying out reforms, and not on guessing dates.

In an interview for the Belgrade daily Vecernje novosti Tuesday, in view of the EU membership candidacy that Belgrade submitted in December, Lajcak said that this issue has still not been discussed.

I suppose that the candidacy will be discussed at one of the next ministerial meetings, Lajcak said. This is a technical step for us and there should be no unnecessary politization, since the political part begins only when the European Commission (EC) has given its opinion.

When asked if he knows when Serbia's request for obtaining the candidacy status may be forwarded to the EC for its opinion, Lajcak answered that, based on Montenegro's and Albania's experience, it is known approximately how long it takes and that in case of Serbia it will certainly not last longer.

Lajcak pointed out that he is in favor of the EU enlargement and that he supports the NATO membership of the Western Balkan countries.

AUSTRIA-KOSOVO-SPINDELEGGER

Austria supports Kosovo's European perspective

VIENNA, Feb 8 (Tanjug) - Kosovo constitutes a test for Europe's efforts to stabilize the Western Balkans, to promote the economy and integrate the region in the long term in the European Union, Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger said meeting the visiting Kosovo Prime Minister Hasim Taci in Vienna.

"Austria is fully behind the European perspective of Kosovo. We were one of the companions of Kosovo's independence and now also offer a platform for international engagement in this country," he said.

The minister commended the successful holding of the first elections after independence was declared one year ago, and added that the fact that the Serb community exercised their right to vote, was a positive sign for the development of a multiethnic Kosovo.

Pristina must, however, actively pursue its efforts regarding the Serb people", Spindelegger underlined.

Local elections in Kosovo were held last November. The turnout of Serbs in three central municipalities was quite high, while Serbs in the north boycotted the polls.

Spindelegger will visit Serbia on Wednesday.

SLOVAKIA-SERBIA-PASKA

Paska: Serbia on right path to EU

BRATISLAVA, Feb 8 (Tanjug) - Slovakian Parliament Speaker Pavol Paska said Monday that Serbia is on the right path to the European Union and that his country would support the unfreezing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement as soon as possible.

In order to get the status of candidate for full EU membership, a country must fulfill all the necessary conditions and commitments, Paska said.

All EU member-states have had to go through this complicated process, he told Tanjug.

Paska, who conferred Monday in Bratislava with Serbian parliament Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, said that Serbia has great support from Slovakia as an EU member-state.

The two countries share many historical parallels and joint future interests, he said.

SLOVAKIA-DJUKIC-PARLIAMENTS

Djukic: Slovakia supports Serbia's EU path and Kosovo issue

BRATISLAVA, Feb 8 (Tanjug) - Slovakia offers sincere support to Serbia on its EU integration path and its principled stand in view of unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo, Serbian parliament speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, who is on a two-day visit to Bratislava, told Tanjug on Monday.

Djukic-Dejanovic, who conferred with Slovak parliament speaker Pavol Paska upon her arrival at Slovakia, said that this was a discussion between friendly parties, during which it was confirmed that Slovakia would like to ease the current position of Serbia using its experience including the one on the parliamentary level .

She pointed out that Slovakia offers sincere support to Serbia on its EU path.

“The two countries should establish a more intensive relations between the representatives of the Serb and Slovak citizens, MPs, which will definitely stimulate economic and other political relations that are extremely important in the domain of parliamentary democracy,” Djukic-Dejanovic stated.

DJELIC-KOSOVO-ISG

Djelic: ISG conclusions are irrelevant

BELGRADE, Feb 8 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic stated Monday that Serbia does not recognize the International Steering Group (ISG) for Kosovo since it is illegal being created on the basis of Martti Ahtisaari's plan, which was not accepted both by Serbia and UN Security Council (SC).

“Any conclusion of the ISG is irrelevant,” Djelic pointed out in Belgrade at an international conference at which the cooperation between Serbia and EU was discussed.

The ISG opened Monday a meeting in Vienna that will discuss the mandate of Chief of the International Civilian Office (ICO) in Kosovo Peter Feith, Tanjug was told in the capital of Austria.

The political heads of the foreign ministries of 25 ISG member states will confer behind closed doors on the extension of the mandate of ICO Chief Peter Feith that is based on Martti Ahtisaari's plan.

The participants of the ISG meeting in Vienna will confer on a strategy for the establishing of greater rights of Kosovo institutions in the North of Kosovo.

DJELIC-FULE-MEETING

Serbia's EU membership candidacy to be discussed with Fule

BELGRADE, Feb 8 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic said Monday that the main topic of the meeting with new EU Commissioner designate for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule, scheduled for Thursday, will be the possible date when Serbia's application for EU membership might be put on the EU Council of Ministers' agenda.

“This issue is primarily under the jurisdiction of Spain, as it holds the EU presidency, and less under the European Commission, although the latter also has an influence on the matter,” Djelic explained in a statement to the press at the Belgrade Continental Hotel.

Djelic reminded that Serbia's goal is to obtain EU candidate status by the end of the year, or at the beginning of 2011 at the latest.

According to him, it is “a little more than symbolic” that, of the 20 countries he is in charge of, Fule decided, on the first day of his new office, to meet with a Serbian delegation.

JAGODINA-FURNITURE-EU

Serbia's furniture up to European standards

JAGODINA, Feb 8 (Tanjug) - The furniture fair in Cologne, along with the fair in Milan, is the biggest in Europe and it showed that the Serbian factories produce furniture that can compete with the largest world producers by its quality, design and price, Selling Manager of Jagodina-based furniture factory Jela Nikola Radovanovic told Tanjug.

Radovanovic said that Jela and the Kraljvo-based upholstered furniture factory Jasen are the only two Serbian furniture factories that took part in the furniture exhibition in Cologne from January 19-24 among 1,100 factories from all over the world, adding that the furniture made in Serbia does not at all fall behind the European and world standards.

The Jela products can be bought in over 300 stores in 74 towns in Serbia. The factory has arranged export to the Greek market this year, and talks with Czech consumers are underway.

SERBIA-EU-DELEVIC

Serbia's citizens will benefit from agreement with EU

BELGRADE, Feb1 (Tanjug) - Director of the Serbian European Integration Office Milica Delevic told Tanjug Monday that the official start of the implementation of the Interim Trade Agreement (ITA) between Serbia and the EU means that Serbia and the EU have entered a contractual relationship which will benefit consumers and producers in Serbia as well as foreign investors.

ITA should within six years lead to the creation of a free trade zone, counting 2009 as the first year of its implementation, she said.

Serbia and the EU now have a two-way contractual relationship binding for both sides, she said.

The process of trade liberalization was until now based on statements of good will by both parties - autonomous trade measures taken by the EU and unilateral implementation of ITA by Serbia, she said.

The EU is now expected to continue to grant Serbian exporters free access to its market and Serbia is expected to continue to reduce customs duties on imports from the EU, Delevic said.

This is the second year of trade liberalization and Serbia is harmonizing its legislation with EU laws, she said.

There are now bilateral bodies which will supervise the implementation of ITA, she said.

As regards foreign investors, coming to an environment under contractual relationship with the EU would mean much more to them, she said.

This also secures predictability of that environment, Delevic said.

SERBIA-EU-DJOGOVIC

Djogovic: Agreement implementation will boost competition

BELGRADE, Feb 1 (Tanjug) - The full implementation of the Interim Trade Agreement (ITA) between Serbia and the EU is positive for Serbia as it will boost competitiveness at the domestic market and lead to gradual breakup of cartels and monopolies in some sectors, associate of the Belgrade Market Research Institute Sasa Djogovic said Monday

Another positive effect is the abolishment of customs duties, he told Tanjug.

This will remove any uncertainties investors might have in this regard, he said.

However, if Serbia is to make full use of the Agreement, its production capacities must be restructured and a more stable business environment must be created, he said.

Serbia must improve the range of goods it produces, and export more highly processed goods in order to improve its foreign trade results, he said.

The state must also provide incentives to farmers to improve their competitiveness, he said.

The full implementation of the Interim Trade Agreement between Serbia and the EU, the final objective of which is to create a free trade zone, began on Monday.

SERBIA-CEREALS-EU

Sakovic: EU is largest purchaser of Serbian corn

BELGRADE, Feb 1 (Tanjug) - When it comes to the export of corn, Serbia has been well positioned on the EU market for several years, and it uses all the benefits of the market, Director of the Fund for grain Vukosav Sakovic told Tanjug on Monday.

The EU is “our largest corn purchaser,” and this agriculture plant is placed mostly on the market of Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy, he pointed out.

Commenting on the Interim Trade Agreement between Serbia and the EU, fully implementation of which began today, Savkovic underscored that the enforcement of the agreement will not change anything when it comes to cereals.

In 2009, Serbia broke all-time record of the corn export, by exporting 1.6 million tons of the cereal and such trend was continued after the harvest in October, November and December.

In the three months, around 561,000 tons of corn were exported, which is, viewed in quarters, the absolute all-times record, and, as Savkovic told Tanjug earlier, if such a tempo continues, Serbia could in 2010 export around two million tons of corn.

SERBIA-CEREALS-EU

Sakovic: EU is largest purchaser of Serbian corn

BELGRADE, Feb 1 (Tanjug) - When it comes to the export of corn, Serbia has been well positioned on the EU market for several years, and it uses all the benefits of the market, Director of the Fund for grain Vukosav Sakovic told Tanjug on Monday.

The EU is “our largest corn purchaser,” and this agriculture plant is placed mostly on the market of Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy, he pointed out.

Commenting on the Interim Trade Agreement between Serbia and the EU, fully implementation of which began today, Savkovic underscored that the enforcement of the agreement will not change anything when it comes to cereals.

In 2009, Serbia broke all-time record of the corn export, by exporting 1.6 million tons of the cereal and such trend was continued after the harvest in October, November and December.

In the three months, around 561,000 tons of corn were exported, which is, viewed in quarters, the absolute all-times record, and, as Savkovic told Tanjug earlier, if such a tempo continues, Serbia could in 2010 export around two million tons of corn.

EU-SERBIA-AGREEMENT-BBC

Full implementation of Interim Trade Agreement begins

BELGRADE/LONDON, Feb1 (Tanjug) - The full implementation of the Interim Trade Agreement (ITA) between Serbia and the EU, the final objective of which is to create a free trade zone, has begun today, the British BBC stated Monday.

BBC reports that the Director of the Serbian European Integration Office Milica Delevic assessed that the implementation of the agreement represents a clear political signal and opens a path for Serbia's EU accession.

The analysts point to the great significance of the ITA implementation.

Consultant at the European Institute for Economy and Commerce Dragomir Jankovic assessed that with the implementation of ITA Serbia is becoming a predictable partner and therefore more attractive for foreign investments.

"On the other hand, Serbia makes a good bridge towards the eastern market, and the companies from the West will certainly be interested in that. Taking this into account, Serbia can be an attractive place for foreign investments, that is for the creation of new companies, which would export their products in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine under more favourable conditions," Jankovic stated for BBC.

The agreement envisages trade liberalization between Serbia and the EU, which has given rise to criticism that the reduction, that is the abolishment of customs duties, may harm the Serbian economy.

However, Jankovic believes that the benefits from the implementation of the agreement are greater than the possible damages.

SERBIA-EU-AGREEMENT

Interim Trade Agreement fully implemented as of today

BELGRADE, Feb 1 (Tanjug) - The full implementation of the Interim Trade Agreement (ITA) between Serbia and the EU, the final objective of which is to create a free trade zone, has begun Monday.

Serbia began unilaterally implementing the ITA one year ago, whereas way back in 2000 the European Union allowed customs free import from Serbia, with the exception of certain groups of products.

The decision to unblock the Interim Trade Agreement was made by Foreign Ministers of the EU member states at the meeting in Brussels on December 7, based on the positive report of the ICTY Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz.

The ITA represents only a commercial part of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) that Serbia signed in April 2008 and it will be valid until the moment the SAA takes effect.

With the ITA, the EU confirms its unilateral decision, whereby in 2000 it allowed customs free import and abolished the majority of quotas for the goods exported from Serbia into the EU.

According to an earlier announcement of the Serbian government, taking into account that the decision expires in 2010, the beginning of the implementation of the Interim Trade Agreement is very important, as it makes the abolishment of customs duties to the export from Serbia a contractual obligation of the EU.

AGREEMENT-IMPLEMENTATION-DJELIC

Djelic: Clear validation of Serbia's EU integration

BELGRADE, Feb 1 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic stated Monday that the decision on full implementation of the Interim Trade Agreement (ITA) between Serbia and the EU represents a clear validation of Serbia's speedy EU integration.

Djelic told Tanjug that such EU's decision fully validates the policy of the Serbian government, which decided to unilaterally implement this very important agreement with Europe in January 2009.

"Owing to our activities, but also the activities of the EU, at the first meeting of the committee for the control of the implementation of ITA to be held in Belgrade in the third week of March, we will be able to consider the implementation which lasts more than a year, rather than only several weeks that the agreement will be implemented bilaterally," Djelic pointed out.

According to him, the result of Serbia's decision to begin implementing ITA last year was not only the reduction of certain prices for domestic consumers, particularly in the import of cars, but also of other goods.

The full implementation of ITA between Serbia and the EU has begun Monday, whereas Serbia began unilaterally implementing the ITA one year ago.

EU-SERBIA-ANALYST

By implementing ITA Serbia more attractive for investments

LONDON, Feb 1 (Tanjug) - Consultant of the European Institute for Economy and Commerce Dragomir Jankovic assessed that by implementing the Interim Trade Agreement (ITA), Serbia is becoming a predictable partner and therefore more attractive for foreign investments.

"Serbia is a bridge towards the eastern market, therefore it can be an attractive place for foreign investments, that is for the creation of the new companies, which would export their products in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine under more favourable conditions," Jankovic stated for BBC.

Commenting on the fears that the trade liberalization between Serbia and the EU, envisaged by the agreement, may harm the Serbian economy, Jankovic pointed out that the benefits from the implementation of the agreement are greater than the possible damages.

"Consumers are to obtain more competitive, that is cheaper products, as the Serbian market will demonopolize, whereby the consumption will increase. An increased consumption means more funds from the VAT for the budget, which will annul the negative effects of abolishing certain customs duties," he underscored.

The full implementation of the ITA between Serbia and the EU, the final aim of which is to create a free trade zone, has begun Monday.

SERBIA-EU-AGREEMENT

Interim Trade Agreement fully implemented as of today

BELGRADE, Feb 1 (Tanjug) - The full implementation of the Interim Trade Agreement (ITA) between Serbia and the EU, the final objective of which is to create a free trade zone, has begun Monday.

Serbia began unilaterally implementing the ITA one year ago, whereas way back in 2000 the European Union allowed customs free import from Serbia, with the exception of certain groups of products.

The decision to unblock the Interim Trade Agreement was made by Foreign Ministers of the EU member states at the meeting in Brussels on December 7, based on the positive report of the ICTY Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz.

The ITA represents only a commercial part of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) that Serbia signed in April 2008 and it will be valid until the moment the SAA takes effect.

With the ITA, the EU confirms its unilateral decision, whereby in 2000 it allowed customs free import and abolished the majority of quotas for the goods exported from Serbia into the EU.

According to an earlier announcement of the Serbian government, taking into account that the decision expires in 2010, the beginning of the implementation of the Interim Trade Agreement is very important, as it makes the abolishment of customs duties to the export from Serbia a contractual obligation of the EU.

EU-SERBIA-BILDT

Serbia might gain EU candidate-state status in spring

BELGRADE, Jan 30 (Tanjug) - Serbia's application for the status of a European Union (EU) candidate state might be forwarded to the European Commission to give its opinion in spring, Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt has evaluated.

In an interview published by Vecernje Novosti on Saturday, Bildt said that Serbia might gain the candidate status even before the ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) gets unfrozen.

Expressing his optimism in regards to Serbia's further progress towards the EU, Bildt said that the Western Balkans has made a certain progress and that it is no moving forward faster than before. Of course, there are still outstanding issues, but I believe that the situation is better than six months ago, said Bildt.

Serbian President Boris Tadic handed the application for Serbia's accession over the Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt in Stockholm on December 15, 2009.

Speaking about the time needed for the application to be discussed, Bildt said that there is a kind of a parliamentary process within the EU institutions now.

One of the things that has taken place over the past several years is that national parliaments need to give their opinion when it comes to certain decision making within the EU, said Bildt, adding that it will be the same in Serbia's case, just as it was in case of Albania and Montenegro.

Let's say that all Western Balkan countries should be in a strong accession program by 2014, which is ambitious enough, said Bildt.

SERBIA-SLOVENIA-EU

Tadic and Pahor discuss economy and EU

BELGRADE, Jan 30 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic and Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor discussed in a informal meeting in Belgrade late on Friday bilateral relations between the two countries and promotion of those relations through economic cooperation.

President Tadic and Premier Pahor also discussed Serbia's European integrations after the country's submission of an application for the status of an EU candidate country, Tanjug learned at the president's cabinet.

Pahor underscored that Slovenia continues to fully support Serbia on its path to the EU.

Tadic and Pahor maintain regular contacts and meet both formally and informally.

SERBIA-EU-AGREEMENT

ITA to be fully implemented as of February 1

BELGRADE, Jan 29 (Tanjug) - The Interim Trade Agreement (ITA) between Serbia and the European Union will be fully implemented as of February 1, and the final objective will be to create a free trade zone in six years time, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to the Republic of Serbia Vincent Degert said on Friday.

Degert reminded at a press briefing that Serbia started to imply the agreement unilaterally on February 1 last year, and that way back in 2000 the European Union allowed customs free import from Serbia, with the exception of certain groups of products.

He explained that what is new now, is that there is a contractual agreement between Serbia and the EU on the implementation of the ITA, which implies joint monitoring of the process of the document's implementation and a gradual liberalization of Serbia's import from the EU member countries. Degert announced that the committee in charge of the Interim Trade Agreement, a joint body comprising representatives of Serbia and the EU that will follow the implementation of the document and progress made in that respect, will hold its first meeting in mid-March.

According to him, the agreement refers to five crucial issues - trade liberalization, competition, intellectual property, transit transportation and control of state financial assistance.

Degert underlined that the implementation of the Interim Trade Agreement will bring a number of benefits to Serbia, the main ones being the definition of foreseeable rules of trade, better competitiveness of companies, cheaper EU input and the implementation of diagonal cummulation of rules of origin.

EU-DANUBE-SERBIA

Djelic: Serbia joins in drafting Danube strategy

BRUSSELS, Jan 29 (Tanjug) - Serbia officially joined Friday in Brussels the drafting of the European Union strategy for the Danube Basin Countries, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic told Tanjug.

Serbia will also host next autumn a summit to consider ways of financing the strategy, he said.

The strategy will be officially presented during Hungary's term of EU presidency in the first half of 2011, he said.

This will be the first strategy in which Serbia will be involved from the outset on equal footing as all EU member-states, he said after a meeting with European Commission for EU Regional Policy Directorate General Director Dirk Ahner.

The Danube strategy is a great future EU macro-regional strategy similar to the one drafted last year for the Baltic region, Djelic said.

Serbia has considerable potentials, such as nearly 600 kilometers, or a quarter of the total navigable length of the Danube, he said.

It also has considerable potentials in infrastructure, environment protection, tourism and transport and will therefore be very active in drafting and implementing the strategy, Djelic noted.

Considerable funds from the EU budget will be earmarked for the strategy, he said.

Serbia's participation in the strategy will also enable it to consolidate its role as a key country in transport in southeastern Europe, he said.

By linking the Danube Corridor 7 with the railway and road Corridor 10, creating a cargo center and developing multi-modular transport, Serbia will become a logistic center of southeastern Europe, he said.

To that effect, Djelic will present Serbia's priorities and projects at a summit next Tuesday in Ulm, Germany.

SERBIA-NATO-CONFERENCE

Serbia's NATO membership is not precondition for entering EU

BELGRADE, Jan 29 (Tanjug) - Serbia does not have to become a NATO member in order to enter the EU, and the country should decide on its own whether to join the North Atlantic Alliance or not, representatives of a delegation of the European Commission (EC) and the USA Embassy in Belgrade stated on Friday.

Serbia's NATO membership is not the precondition for the EU membership. There are countries which are in the EU but not in NATO, and that is a fact, Chief of the Political Section of the EC Delegation Thomas Gnocchi said at a conference dubbed 'Let's talk about NATO.'

At the meeting organized by a non-governmental organization 'Euro Atlantic Studies Centre', he said that the EU and NATO share a number of positions on the security policy, and added that it is good that Serbia has public debates concerning the geostrategic course the country should follow.

IVANOVIC-KOSOVO-EU

Serbia will be able to solve issue of KiM when it joins EU

BELGRADE, Jan 29 (Tanjug) - State Secretary at the Ministry for Kosovo-Metohija (KiM) Oliver Ivanovic assessed that, when it becomes a EU member, Serbia will be in a stronger position for the solving of the KiM issue in its own favor.

In an interview for the Novi Sad daily Dnevnik, Ivanovic said that the new economic and political atmosphere which will be created in Serbia by its EU membership will enable a historic agreement between the two sides.

"If you ask me, this is the only way to reach a sustainable model for the solution to the national issue of Serbs and Albanians," Ivanovic said, pointing out that the Kosovo Albanians and Serbia will not reach an agreement on their own until the EU membership is a certain future.

Only after joining the EU did Cyprus obtain a possibility to resolve its open territorial issues in a sustainable way, therefore the rights and obligations imposed by the EU will not be applied to KiM until its final status is determined, he stressed.

"Only this will change the current extremely rigid position of Albanians, but it will also make Serbia think of a very inventive solution to the status of its southern province," Ivanovic underscored.

When asked whether this means that the citizens will soon have to be told that Serbia will not join the EU with Kosovo as its autonomous province, Ivanovic said that people will have to be made clear about this.

"After all, in 2003, when Vojislav Kostunica was president, we accepted the double track principle, and it was completely rational, taking into account that the interest of all of our citizens, regardless of where they live, is that Serbia should make progress rather than wait buried in a trench," Ivanovic said.

EU-BIH-GALLACK

Gallack: Wishes of BiH people come first

BRUSSELS, COLOGNE, Jan 29 (TAnjug) - Brussels wants Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) to follow the pathway of political stability, which leads towards EU membership, and in order to do that, it is necessary that BiH leaders reach a consensus on the country's key issues, Spokesperson for the Spanish Presidency of the EU Cristina Gallack said on Friday.

The EU's foreign ministers agreed in Brussels on Monday that BiH has to move forward, and follow the pathway of political stabilization that leads towards the EU.

In order for that to happen, it is necessary that BiH leaders reach a consensus over the key issues for the country. The EU is ready to help them in the process,” Gallach told the German radio Deutsche Welle.

“Without important decisions made at the highest political level by all the parts in BiH, it will be difficult to continue with what the citizens really want, and that is to approach to the EU. This includes visa liberalization, better economic and political cooperation with the EU, and, finally, the realization of the accession to the European institutions,” she underlined.

The spokesperson of Spain, the country which is heading the EU, said that BiH leaders have to take responsibility and give advantage to the fulfillment of the citizens' wishes, instead of wasting time on internal disputes.

DJELIC-BRUSSELS-VISIT

Djelic to meet European officials in Brussels today

BELGRADE, Jan 29 (Tanjug) - Deputy Prime Minister for European Integrations Bozidar Djelic will be in Brussels today on a working visit, during which he will discuss Serbia's priorities in developing an EU strategy for the Danube region countries with EU with European Commission for Regional Policy Directorate General Director Dirk Ahner.

Djelic will also meet with a team of the Directorate General, headed by Natalie Verschelde, who is in charge of contacts with representatives of the Serbian government in the process of the strategy development.

Djelic will also meet with Ambassador Etienne Philippe, France's permanent representative in the EU, and with General Director European Commission's Directorate-General for Energy and Transport Matthias Ruete.

SERBIA-SPAIN-EU

Gallach: Spain wants Serbia to be as close to EU as possible

BRUSSELS, Jan 28 (Tanjug) - Spain would “like to see Serbia as close to the EU as possible, and as soon as possible,” Spokesperson for the Spanish Presidency of the EU Cristina Gallach has said, and added that in the following period “there will be no lack of either political will or political activities in order to move ahead.”

Serbia made a significant progress towards EU integrations in 2009, and Spain, which is currently heading the EU, would like it to continue with such a rhythm. However, we do not expect that Serbia makes such dramatic steps towards the EU in 2010 as it did in 2009, Gallach told Deutsche Welle Radio.

She pointed out that the process of consultations between the EU's 27 member states regarding Serbia's candidacy was initiated right after Spain took over the EU presidency, and added that this issue will be one of the key priorities of its sixth-month presidency.

“We hope that we will reach an agreement soon. Spain's position on the matter is very positive, but we have to ensure that the rest of the EU countries agree,” Gallach underlined.

She announced that her country will continually work on Serbia's accession to the EU, since it “is the key state for the EU.”

SERBIA-EU-PROJECT

Crnobrnja: EU integration means for modernizing Serbia

NOVI SAD, Jan 28 (Tanjug) - European Union is the only serious, and also the best alternative for Serbia, and EU integration is not the goal but the means for modernizing our society, Prof. Dr. Mihailo Crnobrnja, one of the people behind the study project dubbed “Effects of Serbia's EU Integration,” said on Thursday.

The costs of the modernization of Serbia will be much lower if we go through the EU on the way, Crnobrnja said in a discussion about the part of the project concerning energy, to be carried out by the Serbian government, Serbian Chamber of Commerce and the Faculty of Economics, Finance and Administration (FEFA).

The study, which stems from the project on the integration of Serbia in the EU, is a result of work by 68 experts from 26 institutions, and was presented by Crnobrnja at the Chamber of Commerce of Vojvodina.

He said that, after becoming an EU member, Serbia might expect a positive net financial growth of 1.5 percent of the gross domestic product excluding the financial support from the EU budget, whose annual amount is now EUR 200 million.

The study shows that by becoming a member-state in near future, the per capita gross domestic product would be more than EUR 6,000 in 2016, and if Serbia remains outside the EU, the value would be EUR 500 lower, Crnobrnja said, underlining that a number of great obstacles would have to be overcome on the way.

EU-JOURNALISTS-PATRIARCH

Irinej: No reason to show reluctance to EU

BELGRADE, Jan 28 (Tanjug) - If Europe is prepared to respect our identity, culture and Orthodox religion, there is no reason to show reluctance to the EU, the Serbian Patriarch Irinej stated Thursday.

At the first news conference at the Serbian Patriarchate, Irinej announced an official meeting with Serbian President Boris Tadic, adding that the state and the Church should help each other.

"We are one unity and one organism and we should help each other. The state should performs their part of tasks, and the tasks of the Church are known to everyone," Irinej said.

Irinej said that the Church will help the government in preserving Kosovo-Metohija.

Irinej pointed out that his enthronement in the Pec Patriarchate on April 25, should be viewed as the presence in the center of our church and the ancestral seat of the Serbian patriarchs.

"I hope that our visit to the center of the Serbian church will be viewed in a proper manner, that our brothers in Kosovo will realize that this is no provocation and that this solemn act only continues the ancestral tradition of enthronement of Serbian patriarchs," Patriarch Irinej underscored.

USA-SERBIA-JONES

Washington's support to West Balkans

WASHINGTON, Jan 28 (Tanjug) - US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Stuart Jones has stated that all the West Balkan countries that want to joint the Euro-Atlantic community can count on Washington's wholehearted support and help.

Pointing out that the policy of US President Barack Obama's Administration is not to exert pressure on any country, Jones said that, when it comes to relations between Belgrade and Washington, it is necessary to find a means for specific cooperation with the aim of a better life of Serbs and Albanians.

According to Jones, the most important thing is the progress made in the US-Serbia relations after the visit of US Vice-President Joseph Biden to the region in May 2009.

Biden said that the US and Serbia should put aside their disagreements regarding Kosovo and devote to a better mutual understanding, shared goals and cooperation in the region, Jones said in an interview for the Voice of America.

Pointing out that Serbia and the US having different opinions on Kosovo is the main obstacle for closer cooperation between the two countries, the US official said that Washington believes that Kosovo's independence is irreversible, but that they accept the different position of Belgrade.

Belgrade has a different position - that Kosovo is still a part of Serbia. At the end we will have to find a solution, Jones said.

Concerning the dispute on northern part of Kosovo, Jones said that the US would support neither the division nor any extreme circumstances.

AUSTRIA-SERBIA-EU

Spindelegger: First ratification of SAA, then other steps

NOVI SAD, Jan 27 (Tanjug) - Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger has said that it is not possible for the EU to reach consensus on the next step which should be made in the direction of Serbia's application for EU membership before the issue of the country's cooperation with The Hague Tribunal is resolved, but voiced expectation, however, that agreement will be reached in the next few months.

According to him, certain EU member countries, such as Holland, insist on a clearly defined schedule of moves and seek stronger proof that Serbia is cooperating with the Tribunal, without which, as they claim, it is not possible to reach accord and require from the Council of Ministers to seek an opinion from the European Commission on Serbia's readiness for EU membership.

I am confident that in the next couple of months we will be in a position to convince them that Serbia is fully cooperating with The Hague Tribunal, Spindelegger a said in an interview for the Novi Sad daily Dnevnik, noting that this would be a step forward toward the ratification of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) and all the other moves which Serbia will have to make on its EU pathway.

Our number one goal is that the EU Council reaches a decision on the ratification of the SAA with Serbia, because this decision is essential for the next step that implies Serbia's application for EU membership, he said.

Austria unconditionally advocates for a decision to be reached on the ratification of the SAA, Spindelegger underlined, noting that for the moment, no one knows when exactly that will happen.

He said that there is no direct official link between Serbia's further progress in the EU integration process and the country's attitude toward Kosovo, but assessed, however, that efforts should be put so as to avoid the possibility that someone (in the EU) decides, after all, to bring these two issues in connection.

AUSTRIA-GREECE-SERBIA

Austria and Greece launch initiative for Balkans in EU

VIENNA, Jan 27 (Tanjug) - Austria and Greece have realized their initiative for the Western Balkans by handing over a letter to EU High Representative for Foreign Police Catherine Ashton and foreign ministers of the Union member states, in which they urge for the accession of the region countries in 2014, on the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I.

As Tanjug was informed at the Foreign Ministry in Vienna, the letter was addressed on the basis of the agreement Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Schpidnelegger and Deputy Foreign Minister of Greece Dimitris Drucas on actualization of the initiative of the two countries to speed up the process of accession of the Western Balkan countries in the EU reached in Athens last week.

The two diplomats called for a ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) with Serbia soon.

They also recommend that the EU should take steps in regards the candidate status which Belgrade applied for late last year.

According to their idea, mainly that of Athens, all countries of the Western Balkans should become members of the EU in 2014, because it is a symbolic year.

MORATINOS-JEREMIC-KOSOVO

Moratinos, Jeremic confer on north of Kosovo-Metohija

BRUSSELS, Jan 26 (Tanjug) - Spain's Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, whose country currently presides over the European Union (EU), announced Monday that the EU will work on finding a practical solution for the north of Kosovo that will be of use for everyone.

Moratinos told at a joint press conference with Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic and departing EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn that within the political dialogue with Serbia, it was also discussed about the strategy for the north of Kosovo-Metohija composed by the Pristina authorities and the International Civilian Office (ICO).

We are working pragmatically and constructively. We will be in contact in the forthcoming period and find a practical solution that will be useful for everyone, the Spanish minister stated.

Jeremic said that Belgrade does not recognize the existence of the ICO headed by Pieter Feith since it is not in conformity with international law.

“We can confer with EULEX or anyone else having a legal mandate in Kosovo in keeping with UN Security Council (SC) Resolution 1244,” Jeremic said.

“As for the strategy for the north of Kosovo, we believe that it is supported by the countries that support the ICO operation, but is not supported by EU,” he added.

Jeremic warned that one sided moves should not be taken any more, which have been, as he put it, too numerous so far, adding that cooperation has to be realized.

SERBIA-EU-TRADE

Provisional Trade Agreement goes into effect on Feb 1

BELGRADE, Jan 26 (Tanjug) - The Provisional Trade Agreement between Serbia and the European Union will officially go into effect on February 1, although it has been implemented since December 8, 2009, it was said at a Monday expert meeting on effects of a mutual implementation of the Provisional Agreement held at the Chamber of Commerce of Belgrade.

Deputy Director of the government Office for accession in the EU Srdjan Majstorovic said that representatives of the Serbian government and European Commission for implementation of the agreement will hold a meeting in Belgrade in March, while a positive evaluation will speed up the receipt of a questionnaire for the EU membership.

He also recalled that duties will be abolished this year for 58% of industrial products, while the same will apply to 10% of the products in 2011, another 20% in 2013, while in 2014 duties for the most sensitive products will be abolished.

BRUSSELS-EU-JEREMIC

2010 important for Serbia's European future

BRUSSELS, Jan 26 (Tanjug) - The year 2010 will be very important for the European future of Serbia and the West Balkans as a whole, Spain's Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, whose country currently presides over the European Union (EU), departing EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn and Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic concluded in Brussels after a session of the foreign policy dialogue between Belgrade and EU on Monday.

The year 2010 will be important for the European future of the whole West Balkans. We will do everything in our might to continue with the EU integration of the whole region. The beginning of the ministerial political dialogue with Serbia was good, Moratinos told a press conference after the meeting with Jeremic.

Rehn recalled that the last year was very important for Serbia's EU integration and expressed belief that the Spain's EU presidency will additionally promote the process in the following six months.

Recalling that the EU welcomed Serbia's EU candidacy application, Rehn pointed out that the EU executive body is ready to launch the preparation of the official opinion on the matter as soon as the EU Council demands it.

Jeremic said that Serbia achieved such results in view of the EU integration in the previous year that it will be difficult to outshine them, but that it is determined to transfer the 2009 success to 2010.

We hope that this process will develop as fast as possible. We will do our part of the job and continue to cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague as we have done so far, Jeremic said.

KOSOVO-EU-VISAS

Talks on visa liberalization for Kosovo begin

PRISTINA, Jan 26 (Tanjug) - The representatives of (interim) Kosovo institutions and the European Commission will begin talks in Pristina this week on the visa liberalization for Kosovo citizens, reported the media in Pristina.

The Kosovo Interior Ministry announced that the talks should get underway on January 27, when a meeting with the European Commission visa experts is scheduled. The first meeting is expected to last three days.

Spokesperson for the Interior Ministry Fisnik Redzepi said that the meeting marks the beginning of the visa liberalization dialogue, and that the agenda and the criteria for visa abolishment will be presented.

The European Commission has not given any instructions for the liberalization of the visa regime for Kosovo, and the main obstacles are its unresolved status and the fact that five EU countries do not recognize its independence.

EU-SERBIA-JEREMIC

Serbia readily awaits questionnaire for SAA ratification

BRUSSELS, Jan 26 (Tanjug) - Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic has stated that he will convey to the EU officials at today's meeting in Brussels his expectation that the process of ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) will begin as soon as possible.

He also expressed hope that Serbia will enter the next phase of the EU integration soon, which is the forwarding of the country's application to the European Commission (EC) and EC's sending of the questionnaire to Belgrade.

"Serbia is ready for the questionnaire and we eagerly anticipate it. However, after the submitting of candidacy for the EU membership, it is now up to our European partners to make a move. At today's meeting, we will receive better information on what is the position of all 27 EU member states," Jeremic said in a statement for the BBC radio.

When asked how much longer Serbia will have to wait for the necessary concensus within the EU on the beginning of SAA ratification, taking into account the well-known position of Holland regarding Serbia's full cooperation with the ICTY, Jeremic said that he hopes it will happen soon.

Commenting on the EU's insistance on regional cooperation, including Belgrade's cooperation with EULEX, he said that Serbia will request that "rules should be obeyed", the most important one of which is that EULEX is a "status neutral mission which operates in Kosovo in accordance with the Resolution 1244 under the auspices of the UN."

"We will request for the mandate confirmed in the Security Council to be fully observed in order to preserve peace and stability," the minister pointed out.

EU-SERBIA-DJELIC

Djelic: Serbia's relations with region main topic in Brussel

BELGRADE, Jan 26 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integrations Bozidar Djelic has stated that Serbia's relations with the region will be the main topic of today's political dialogue between Serbia and the European Union in Brussels, but that Serbia's candidacy for the EU will also be discussed.

“It is certain that it may not be included in the agenda of the council of ministers before March because the European Commission has yet to be constituted after the withdrawal of Bulgaria's commissioner candidate. It will take place in mid-February,” Djelic said in a statement with B92.

“On the other side, I have to say that the number of countries that currently believe that it would be better to wait until after the agreement ratification procedure scheduled for June is not small, but it is up to us to have our candidacy included in the agenda in spring,” said Djelic.

He also said that if that happens, Serbia has an opportunity to fill out a questionnaire by summer and to catch the train for acquiring the status of a candidate country by the end of the year.

EU-SERBIA-SPAIN

Uncertain date for candidacy status

BELGRADE, Jan 26 (Tanjug) - The EU-Serbia meeting in Brussels on Tuesday will be a political dialogue rather than a formal meeting and it is difficult to say whether the decision will be made on the date of bringing Serbia's application for candidacy status before the Council of Ministers, said Inigo De Palacio Espana, Spanish Ambassador to Serbia, whose country is currently holding the EU Presidency.

In an interview for the Belgrade-based daily Vecernje novosti, Espana said that Spain does not believe that the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo is compatible with the international law, adding that it is clear that it is in accordance neither with the Serbian Constitution nor with the Resolution 1244.

I have carefully observed the oral debate and I believe that it will be very difficult for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to clearly decide that the declaration is legal, he added.

ICJ judges often have a different view on certain issues than what the final official stand of the Court, Espana said. But if you are unable to say that the declaration is legal, it means that there are serious doubts about its legality. We expect for the advice to be the instrument which will lead to a dialogue in order to find a sustainable solution and reach an agreement between Pristina and Belgrade, he stressed.

As for Greece's proposal on including the West Balkans in the EU by 2014, Espana stated that it may be overambitious, adding that it is true that it is difficult to talk dates in the EU, since the fulfilling of requested standards varies from one state to another.

However, Spain supports the plan as a reference point, but we should not forget that we still have plenty of work ahead in expanding towards the western Balkans, Espana underscored.

SERBIA-FINLAND-PARLIAMENT

Finnish MPs: Finland supports Serbia's EU integration

BELGRADE, Jan 25 (Tanjug) - Finnish Parliament delegation members on a visit to Serbia said Monday, during their meeting with Serbian colleagues, that Finland supports Serbia in its EU integration process, adding that it is willing to provide support in the fight against corruption, environment protection and improving health care and education.

Chairman of the Parliament of Finland Grand Committee Erkki Tuomioja said at a separate meeting with members of the Serbian Parliament committees for EU integration and foreign affairs, as well as members of the Serbian-Finnish Parliamentary Friendship Group, that the relations between the two countries are developing successfully, says an announcement by the Serbian Parliament.

The delegation led by Tuomioja pointed out that a more efficient operation of the Serbian Parliament and better cooperation with the country's government are the key to the next phase in the EU accession process.

The discussion between the Finnish MPs and the Serbian Parliament EU Integration Committee was about the current situation concerning Serbia's EU integration process and the Parliament's role in that process, according to the announcement.

EU-MINISTERS-SERBIA

Consultations on Serbia's nomination start today

BRUSSELS, Jan 25 (Tanjug) - The European Union's stand on Serbia's nomination for the status of a candidate country might become clearer today, when a meeting of EU foreign ministers will start in Brussels.

As it has been announced, priorities of Spain's presidency will be underlined at the meeting, while emphasis will be placed on the implementation of the Lisbon Agreement, EU's economic revival and strengthening of the Union's foreign policy.

A political dialogue between the EU and Serbia, which will be represented by Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, is scheduled for Tuesday.

This will be an opportunity to see the Union's disposition on Serbia's nomination for the status of a candidate member state and further steps to be taken.

EU-SERBIA-MEETING

Serbian, EU officials to discuss relations Tuesday

BRUSSELS, Jan 22 (Tanjug) - Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic and European Union officials will confer on EU - Serbia relations Tuesday in Brussels, Spanish EU Presidency told Tanjug Friday.

The meeting, a part of the EU - Serbia political dialogue, will be chaired by Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos.

Serbia's request for EU membership was discussed by the EU only as information, the presidency said.

Serbia applied for candidacy for EU membership on December 22.

SERBIA-EU-DEGERT

Degert: Serbia must comply with procedure in EU integration

BELGRADE, Jan 22 (Tanjug) - Head of the European Union Delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert said Friday that Serbia must comply with the set procedure in EU integration.

The first step in this regard will be the ministerial meeting next wek in Brussels, at which Serbia's candidacy for EU membership will be discussed, he said.

He could not predict any dates when Serbia might get candidate status.

The process has started and will take some time, as all procedures and legal regulations must be respected to complete the job, he said.

At the Brussels meeting, questions will be asked regarding Serbia's candidacy for EU membership, and high EU officials will attend that meeting, he said.

The EU an Serbia will pursue Tuesday in Brussels their regular political dialogue envisaged by the Lisbon treaty, on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting.

LJAJIC-EUROPE-PARLIAMENT

Ljajic meets with Monitoring Mission delegation

BELGRADE, Jan 22 (Tanjug) - Minister of Labor and Social Policy Rasim Ljajic met in Belgrade on Friday with the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Monitoring Mission to discuss issues related to the process of the labor and social policy system reforms in Serbia, as well as the mission's results in Serbia so far.

According to the statement issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, Ljajic said that laws passed in 2009, and those whose adoption is expected in 2010, will represent one step further in the implementation of the European Social Charter, which was ratified by the Serbian parliament in 2009.

Speaking about the results of the PACE mission in Serbia so far, Minister Ljajic and the other speakers agreed that conditions have been created for the Monitoring Mission to end its activities, because Serbia has completed most of the tasks set by this European Council body.

SERBIA-EU-DJELIC

Djelic: Serbia to become EU candidate by end of 2010

BELGRADE, Jan 22 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic has said that he expects the country's application for obtaining the status of EU candidate to be passed to the European Commission (EC) in the spring, and that Serbia will become a EU candidate by the end of 2010.

In an interview for the Friday edition of the Belgrade daily Vecernje novosti, Djelic reminded that a regular political dialogue between Serbia and the EU will be continued in Brussels on January 26, adding that the issues will be the situation in the region and Serbia's candidacy, and that on January 29 the country will present its priorities in the scope of the future EU Danube strategy.

According to him, it is not realistically that our application be passed to the EU Ministers and then to the Commission in January, and not even in February, since Bulgaria has withdrawn its candidate for the commissioner which will prolong the formal constitution of the EC as well. He therefore expects that Serbia's application be passed to the EC in the spring.

When it comes to the begging of negotiations on the membership, he assessed that “it is highly unlikely that this happens before the country fully completes the cooperation with The Hague”, which was also the case with Croatia, and added that Serbia should try to avoid to have the same fate as Macedonia, that has been the candidate since 2005 and still has not began negotiations.

Speaking of the suggestion of the Greek Prime Minister Georgios Papandreou regarding Serbia in the EU in 2014, Djelic said that “it is important that the Greece's suggestion was supported by Italy, and that Austria announced to support it as well,” but added that “the timetable is on the edge of technical possibilities, and it will depend a lot on the economic situation in EU countries.”

PARLIAMENT-DELEGATION-VISIT

PACE delegation visits Serbian parliament

BELGRADE, Jan 21 (Tanjug) - A delegation of the Monitoring Committee of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) conferred Thursday with representatives of the ruling majority and the opposition in the Serbian parliament on Serbia's progress in fulfilling its commitments stemming from CE membership.

The goal of the visit is also to discuss the commitments the Serbian parliament should fulfill in 2010, the parliament press service said.

The delegation is headed by PACE Rapporteurs for Serbia Andreas Gross and Davit Harutinian.

For European Serbia whip Nada Kolundzija said that the Serbian parliament is able to honor all its commitments and that priority will be given this year to coordinating the legal system with EU standards.

The Monitoring Committee delegation also conferred with representatives of the Liberal Democratic Party, Democratic Party of Serbia, New Serbia, Serbian Radical Party and of minority parties.

AUSTRIA-BALKANS-SPINDELEGGER

All West Balkan countries to join EU by 2020

VIENNA, Jan 21 (Tanjug) - Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger assessed on Thursday, in addressing the ranking officials at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, that his vision of Europe is that all West Balkan countries join the European Union by 2020.

I expect that in the next few months, the EU member-countries will finally approve the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with Serbia, Spindelegger pointed out.

Speaking about the priorities of Austria's foreign policy in 2010, he underlined that Vienna has a leading role in the Balkans as an advocate of that region, and added that Austria is interested in the fastest possible EU accession of those countries.

ROMANIA-SERBIA-BASESCU

Basescu: Serbia's EU accession in Romania's interest

BUCHAREST, Jan 20 (Tanjug) - Serbia's acession to the EU and NATO represents a national interest for Romania, Romanian President Traian Basescu said at the start of his new five-year term.

Western Balkans is extremely important for Romania as a stable and prosperous area in its immediate proximity, which, for the states in this region, translates as supporting the European and Euro-Atlantic integration processes, he said during the annual meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Bucharest, on Wednesday.

Romania has built an international image of a state that respects and promotes the law in the international relations and backs its interests by relying on the full respect for the international law, Basescu said.

"In February 2009, the International Court of Justice pronounced a fair solution on the case of the delimitation of the Black Sea maritime areas. This positive experience offers me the necessary arguments to encourage the use of the international jurisdiction system in full confidence. There is similar logic in Romania's active involvement in the case of expressing a consultative opinion at the International Court of Justice on Kosovo issue", the president said quoted by Romanian agency Agerpres.

SERBIA-AGRICULTURE-EU

Dragin: Serbia will get assistance for EU integration

BELGRADE, Jan 20 (Tanjug) - Serbian Agriculture Minister Sasa Dragin said Wednesday that Serbia's delegation to the second summit of agriculture ministers in Berlin was assured that Serbia will get all available assistance in the process of EU integration.

The participants assured the delegation that the Serbian Agriculture Ministry will get all available financial and political assistance for capacitating its institutions for integration in the European Union, he told Tanjug.

Serbia's delegation attended last week-end the second summit of agriculture ministers held in Berlin on the sidelines of the Green Week food, agriculture and technology fair.

All interlocutors in bilateral meetings commended what Serbia has done in the agriculture sector in the past year, Dragin said.

He noted that 28 laws on the agriculture sector were drafted and 15 were passed.

These laws were coordinated with the EU agricultural policy, he said.

In addition, several institutions necessary for EU integration were created, Dragin said.

One of these institutions is the administration for agrarian payments, which will be responsible for receiving aid totalling between EUR 50 and 60 million annually once Serbia becomes a candidate for EU membership, he said.

SERBIA-CZECHREPUBLIC-COOPERATION

Kohout: Serbia is on right path to EU integration

BELGRADE, Jan 20 (Tanjug) - The Czech Republic unreservedly supports Serbia's endeavors for European Union integration, Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Jan Kohout and Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic said Wednesday.

The Czech Republic also advocates placing the issue of Serbia's candidacy for EU membership on the agenda of the EU Council of Ministers session in the spring, they noted after their meeting.

In 2009, the Czech Republic also supported the visa liberalization for Serbia's citizens and the implementation of the Interim Trade Agreement, and today it supports granting to Serbia the status of candidate for EU membership as soon as possible, Djelic noted.

Kohout said that the Czech Republic will also provide assistance to Serbia in fulfilling the necessary criteria for EU integration.

Serbia is on the right path to EU integration, and its negotiations with European structures is strongly supported in the EU, he said.

Djelic said that Serbia can learn a lot from the Czech Republic, as one of the most successful countries in transition and a new EU member-state.

In the past 20 years, the Czech Republic has attracted nearly USD 90 billion in foreign investments, he said.

Energy and railways are important sectors in bilateral cooperation, Djelic said.

Negotiations are underway on an investment of up to EUR 300 million in the Nis - Dimitrovgrad Corridor 10 rehabilitation, he added.

The two ministers also agreed Wednesday to sign later this year a technical memorandum on cooperation in EU integration process.

SERBIA-CZECHREPUBLIC-EU

Czech Republic to support Serbia's EU candidacy

BELGRADE, Jan 20 (Tanjug) - The relations between Serbia and the Czech Republic are very good and the two countries have managed to isolate the only seriously open issue - the status of Kosovo - in such a way that it does not represent the obstacle for the further improvement of relations, Serbian and Czech Foreign Ministers, Vuk Jeremic and Jan Kohout respectively, said on Wednesday.

"There are not many open issues between our two countries, and only one of them is serious, but we found the way to isolate the issue, i.e. the status of Kosovo and Metohija, in such a manner that it does not represent the obstacle for the further strengthening of the mutual relations," Jeremic told a press conference in Belgrade.

Kohout assessed that the relations between Serbia and the Czech Republic are "friendly and excellent" and said that his country supports the European integration of Serbia and Western Balkans, adding that the Czech Republic will support Serbia's candidacy for EU membership at the meeting of EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs.

The EU Foreign Ministers will soon have on their desk Serbia's application for EU membership. I convince you that Czech position will be absolutely positive, Kohout pointed out, stressing as very important that both sides - Brussels and Belgrade - keep the good tempo in the process of Serbia's approaching to the EU.

Apart from the cooperation in the process of European integration of Serbia and the region, the two ministers discussed the political, security, economic and cultural cooperation, the promotion of trade and investments, cooperation on third markets, and they expressed hope that the bilateral relations will be strengthened in 2010.

Kohout congratulated Serbia on the success achieved last year in the field of European integrations and underscored that the fact he chose Belgrade for his first foreign visit in 2010 testifies to the good bilateral relations.

SERBIA-KOHOUT-VISIT

Czech Deputy Prime Minister Jan Kohout visits Serbia

BELGRADE, Jan 20 (Tanjug) - Czech Deputy Prime Minister Jan Kohout is paying a one-day visit to Serbia Wednesday, during which he will meet with Serbia's officials and discuss the process of Euro-integration and the cooperation between the two countries.

Kohout will meet with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic and Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, it has been released by Djelic's cabinet and the Czech Embassy in Belgrade.

The talks between Kohout and Djelic will focus on further development of bilateral cooperation between the two countries within the process of Serbia's EU integration, as well as the support and the assistance the Czech Republic can offer in that respect.

SERBIA-EU-MORATINOS

Moratinos: Serbia is crucial country in region

VIENNA, Jan 19 (Tanjug) - Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos assessed in Vienna Tuesday that Serbia is a crucial country in the West Balkan region, adding that Madrid supports its request for receiving the candidate status for EU accession.

In his address to the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Moratinos said that the European perspective of the western Balkans is very important and that all regional countries should head in the direction of the EU.

All western Balkan countries are on their way towards the EU and Spain supports them in that path, Moratinos pointed out.

Serbia is the crucial country in the region and Spain, as the one currently presiding over the EU, is pleased about the submitting of the request for receiving the candidate status, he stressed.

When it comes to Croatia, Moratinos expressed hope that there will be some progress in the following months, so that negotiations with that country could be completed in 2010.

According to Moratinos, it is important that all the West Balkan countries that tend to join the EU fulfill the necessary conditions, and Spain intends to support them in it.

Moratinos stressed that the Corfu dialogue on European security should be used as a possibility, as this process reactivated the role of OSCE and it offers a strategic perspective.

The Corfu process showed that security in Europe has a global and indivisible character, Moratinos underscored.

SERBIA-EU-NEIGHBORS

Delevic: Good neighbor relations prerequisite for EU

BELGRADE, Jan 18 (Tanjug) - Director of the EU Integration Office of the Republic of Serbia Milica Delevic stated Monday that the good neighbor relations between the states in the Western Balkans will be one the criteria for the EU accession.

In an interview for the Radio Free Europe, Delevic pointed out that this was also a criterion for the countries of the Central and Eastern Europe to join the EU.

"The criterion is more formalized in case of the Western Balkan countries, bearing in mind the difficult war history that these countries had. Therefore, the EU insists on good neighbor relations as one of the criteria," Delevic pointed out.

Speaking about the relations between the regional states, she stated that since the change of the regime in Croatia and Serbia in 2000, all countries in the region had governments that were pro-democratic and orientated toward market economy and the idea of EU integration.

"You cannot overcome all problems easily and right away. However, it is irrefutable that since then, the whole region moves toward the EU integration and that this is the basis for easier cooperation between the countries," Delevic said.

Discussing Serbia's potential NATO accession, Delevic said that NATO membership is not a prerequisite for Serbia's EU admission.

According to her, if Serbia moves toward the membership, at the end the citizens will declare on the issue at a referendum.

SERBIA-EU-ESPANA

Spain will encourage EU integration process in Balkans

BELGRADE, Jan 18 (Tanjug) - During its EU Presidency, Spain will encourage the EU integration process in the West Balkans and Serbia will be in Madrid's focus of attention, Spanish Ambassador to Serbia Inigo Palacio de Espana stated Monday.

At a news conference, Spanish Ambassador expressed his expectation that negotiations with Croatia on EU accession will be completed during Spain's EU Presidency, and that Montenegro and Albania will continue their progress towards the EU.

He pointed out that special attention will be devoted to intensifying the EU integration process in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and to resolving the issue of Macedonia's name.

De Espana announced a ministerial conference of the Western Balkan countries in Sarajevo in May.

De Espana stressed that four most significant priorities of Spain's EU Presidency are the carrying out of the Lisbon Treaty, promotion of economic recovery, gender equality and eradication of poverty.

BALKANS-EU-SUKLJE

Suklje: Western Balkans could join EU in 2014 or 2015

LJUBLJANA, Jan 18 (Tanjug) - The Western Balkans countries could join the European Union together in 2014 or 2015, said Slovenian Institute for Strategic Studies Director and former ambassador to Belgrade Borut Suklje.

This package admission would be even more likely if Serbia managed to arrest Ratko Mladic, he said in an interview published in the Monday edition of the Ljubljana-based daily Delo.

Analyzing the situation in the Western Balkans, Suklje pointed out that the fear of a possible breakup of Bosnia-Herzegovina is rather unfounded, because the division would lead to war.

KOSOVO-FEITH-IVANOVIC

Ivanovic: Dangerous action of Pieter Feith

BELGRADE, Jan 18 (Tanjug) - EU Special Representative Pieter Feith and the International Civilian Office (ICO) in Pristina tend to annul and eliminate UNMIK in Kosovo, State Secretary with the Ministry for Kosovo-Metohija Oliver Ivanovic evaluated Monday, pointing out that UN Security Council Resolution 1244 gives Serbia the right to keep fighting for the preservation of its territorial integrity.

Commenting on the initiative of some representatives of the international community and the aim of Albanians to integrate the north of Kosovo into the so-called independent state, Ivanovic assessed that this is “a dangerous action of Pieter Feith” who has the support of the Kosovo government.

“It is their mutual interest to prove that they can introduce what they call law and order in the north of Kosovo,” he told the Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS).

Ivanovic pointed out that Serbia will not agree with such action and added that at the new local elections in April “credible people who will rule out any kind of such plans” will be elected.

According to him, if the Serbian institutions closed in Kosovo, there would be little chance for the Serbs to stay and live there, and because of that it is important to elect a competent local self-government which will regulate the situation in Kosovska Mitrovica.

BALKANS-TRILATERAL

Ministers of Serbia, BiH and Turkey on Balkans cooperation

BELGRADE, Jan 15 (Tanjug) - The foreign ministers of Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Turkey ašešed on Friday, after the trilateral meeting in Belgrade, that good relations in the Western Balkans region are key to the countries' advancement towards the EU.

Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said, after the meeting with his Turkish and Bosnian counterparts Ahmet Davutoglu and Sven Alkalaj, that Serbia strongly supports Bosnia-Herzegovina's sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also the existence of Republika Srpska as an entity within BiH.

"This does not mean we don't support Republika Srpska and its sovereignty as an entity within BiH, as well as its democratic leadership, but we view it as a part of BiH," Jeremic added.

The Turkish foreign minister exprešed approval of his Serbian counterpart's support to BiH's sovereignty and territorial integrity, pointing out that all the people in the Balkans will benefit from a peaceful region.

Davutoglu said that trust has been built among the three foreign ministers during their talks at the series of trilateral meetings, adding that there is more agreement than disagreement on išues.

Alkalaj said that the goal is to further relations with Serbia, with whić BiH has important political and economic ties.

"It is important that BiH gets the visa liberalization and that it submits its EU membership candidacy soon," Alkalaj said.

He said that all three countries, Serbia, BiH and Turkey have the strategic goal of joining the EU.

SERBIA-EU-INTEGRATION

65 percent of citizens back Serbia in EU

BELGRADE, Jan 15 (Tanjug) - As much as 65 percent of Serbian citizens would support the country joining the EU at this moment, Director of the government's EU Integration Office Milica Delevic said in Belgrade on Friday.

Presenting the research on the European orientation of Serbian citizens from December 2009, Delevic said that the citizens' Eurooptimism is experiencing a notable resurgence, which is obviously due to the country's success on the European integration front.

According to Delevic, the support has risen by four percent compared to the research conducted in May 2009.

Delevic pointed out that the people's optimism is a reaction to the forward movement and to the EU offering Serbia a hand, but that it also implies the people's readiness for reform and their willingness to work harder when the goal is in sight.

The citizens expect the EU integration will bring a better future for young people (54 percent), the possibility of travel within the EU (39 percent), greater employment opportunities (37 percent), as well as a better general situation in Serbia (29 percent).

USA-SERBIA-KUPCHAN

Kupchan: Serbia on right track

WASHINGTON, Jan 15 (Tanjug) - One of the things the European Union has to do is work on its further enlargement, and I think this implies that the NATO and EU will complete their mission in the Balkans, Adviser of the influential Council of Foreign Relations Charles Kupchan has said, pointing out that Serbia is on the right track as far as European integration is concerned.

The EU will wait for the situation to calm down in Kosovo and Serbia, as well as in Bosnia-Herzegovina, after which, without a doubt, the whole Balkan region will become an integral part of the European continent. The question is only when this will exactly happen and whether things will go smoothly or not, Kupchan said, and the Voice of America reported on Friday.

It seems that there is a consensus in Serbia that the country should follow the EU pathway. However, the country still has to fulfill the conditions for membership and solve its position on Kosovo. Such issues have not been resolved yet, but the convoy is heading the right way, he concluded.

KOSOVO-EULEX-STATEMENT

Kermabon against Serbian institutions in Kosovo-Metohija

PRISTINA, Jan 14 (Tanjug) - EULEX Head of Mission Yves de Kermabon stated Thursday that the EU Mission does not recognize neither assist the so-called parallel structures in Kosovo, adding that Belgrade's political decision to nominate judges for Serb courts in Kosovo has to be dealt with urgently.

Kermabon said in a written statement that there is not a single place in Europe with two judicial systems operating at the same time and covering the same area, adding that this would mean non-existence of justice.

“This will trigger conflicting decisions which will go against the rights of the population. There can be only one judicial system in Kosovo,” Kermabon said.

“The political decision by Belgrade to nominate judges for Serb courts in Kosovo has to be dealt with urgently. EULEX is working on the reestablishment of a functioning justice in North Mitrovica, has reopened the court and conducted five trials there,” Kermabon added.

According to him, EULEX top priority is to get Kosovo Serb and Kosovo Albanian judges and prosecutors back to the Mitrovica District Court, so that justice can be delivered by a local, multiethnic and single judiciary.

He underscored in the written statement that EULEX mission's mandate is clear concerning the Serbian institutions in Kosovo and drawn based on the Joint Action adopted by all 27 member states of the EU.

“It says that we are here to assist the Kosovo institutions, judicial authorities and law enforcement agencies. EULEX is determined to help to reinforce the Kosovo institutions in the rule of law area,” the EULEX head of mission said.

Kermabon stated that strong, fair and multiethnic rule-of-law institutions for all communities are the only option, adding that this will be a guarantee for a fair justice and will make the so-called parallel structures irrelevant.

“We are not in Kosovo to govern, but to help the Kosovo authorities in the rule of law area. Until now, we have worked in the North on a step by step approach. This approach proved quite efficient,” Kermabon said.

SERBIA-KACIN-EU

Kacin for Tadic's initiative, but against two resolutions

BRUSSELS, Jan 13 (Tanjug) - European Parliament Rapporteur for Serbia Jelko Kacin welcomed Wednesday the announcement of Serbian President Boris Tadic that the Serbian parliament will adopt the Srebrenica resolution and expressed hope that this will be done soon.

“To condemn this most atrocious crime in the West Balkans should be a priority in Serbia's efforts to distance from all war crimes which burden its past,” Kacin said in a statement filed to Tanjug.

However, Kacin pointed out that it would be better for Serbia to adopt just one resolution, the one that refers to Srebrenica, and not two as Tadic announced, including the other one referring to the condemnation of Serb victims.

“Not denying the need to condemn all crimes, the question arises why Belgrade connected the additional resolution with the moment of the adoption of the Srebrenica resolution,” Kacin said and added that by the adoption of the second resolution, the Serbian parliament would “to a certain extent relativise and weaken the message that would condemn the genocide in Srebrenica.”

EP-FULE-STATEMENT

EU backs West Balkans' integration

BRUSSELS, Jan 12 (Tanjug) - European Commissioner designate for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule said on Tuesday that the EU would continue to encourage the reforms in the West Balkan countries which were essential for the countries' admission into the family of European nations.

Addressing the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs, the newly-appointed enlargement commissioner said that the West Balkans carried a heavy historical burden and that the EU should help the countries in that region to overcame that burden.

An enlargement of the EU is success, and it will make Europe stronger. I want new members to join our family in the next five years, he said.

Fule added that one of the main goals of the EU was to support the stability and reforms in Eastern Europe.

Answering the questions of the EP members, the commissioner underscored that the abolishment of visas for the citizens of Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia represented an important step in the relations between the EU and the West Balkan region.

We will continue to make effort that visas be abolished for Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania by mid-2010, he said, and pointed out that a constructive dialogue would be continued with Serbia, bearing in mind the progress the country had made in the integration process.

We will also continue to back the reforms in Kosovo, Fule added.

EP-WESTERNBALKANS-SPEECH

Catherine Ashton: Western Balkans is one of EU priorities

BRUSSELS, Jan 11 (Tanjug) - EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said Monday that the future of Western Balkans will be one of the priorities of her foreign policy activities, and pointed out that she wants for the whole region to progress towards the Union in the future.

In a speech before the MPs of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament (EP), she characterized visa abolishment for citizens of Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia as a positive step, and described the political situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina as complex.

Visa liberalization is a positive step for the three countries. When it comes to Bosnia, we should find a more effective strategy that will improve the country's current position, Ashton underlined.

The new high representative for the EU foreign affairs stressed that her priorities will be to strengthen the Union and to assume a more credible role of the EU in the world.

Her appearance before the EP marked the beginning of the hearing of the Commissioners designate which will last until January 19.

EU-SERBIA-FULE

Process of SAA ratification may begin in summer of 2010

BRUSSELS, Jan 10 (Tanjug) - Newly-appointed EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule has expressed his expectation that the process of ratification of the EU's Stabilization and Association Agreement with Serbia may begin in the summer of 2010, adding that this will enable the beginning of a new era of relations between the EU and Serbia.

Fule said also expressed his willingness to use all available EU instruments in order to support the progress of Kosovo, without prejudging the issue of its status.

According to the presentations that Fule and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton have submitted to the European parliament (EP) for the confirmation of their candidacies, and which have been published at the EP's website, they stated that the speeding up of EU accession of the West Balkans is their priority.

SERBIA-FRANCE-TERRAL

Terral: France will help Serbia on its EU pathway

BELGRADE, Jan 9 (Tanjug) - French Ambassador to Serbia Jean Francois Terral stated Saturday that he is convinced that Serbia has the capacity to quickly progress towards the EU, taking into account the country's great potential, adding that France will help Serbia on its EU pathway.

Terral did not wish to assess when Serbia may become a EU member, but he repeated the position of French President Nicolas Sarcosy who told Serbian President Boris Tadic that the recognition of Kosovo's independence will not be a condition for Serbia's EU accession.

In an interview for B92, Terral said that he doubts that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will decide that the unilateral proclamation of Kosovo's independence was illegal, and added that he expects the opinion of this court will be balanced and that it will begin a new chapter.

SPAIN-EU-BALKANS

Spain stands by its position not to recognize Kosovo

MADRID, Jan 8 (Tanjug) - Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said in Madrid on Friday that Spain, which took over the six-month EU presidency at the beginning of 2010, intends to continue talks on the EU expansion into the Balkans and repeated that it stands by its position not to recognize Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence.

Speaking with EU reporters, Moratinos said that talks are in progress with Macedonia, mentioning its conflict with Greece over the country's name, as well as Montenegro, Albania and Serbia.

When it comes to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Moratinos was less specific, and commenting on Kosovo, he stressed that Spain holds to its decision not to recognize it.

EU-SPAIN-SERBIA

Spain informs EU ambassadors about Serbia's application

BRUSSELS, Jan 8 (Tanjug) - Spain, which is currently holding the EU Presidency, has informed the representatives of the EU member states about Serbia's request for obtaining the EU candidate status, Press and Information Councellor of the Permanent Representation of Spain to the EU Ana de Miguel Langa stated for Tanjug.

At yesterday's meeting they discussed Serbia's application, she said.

According to the announcements, Serbia's candidacy application should soon be on the agenda of the EU Council of Ministers, which, if the consensus is reached, will forward it to the European Commission and ask for their official opinion.

On December 22, Serbian President Boris Tadic handed to Swedish President Frederik Reinfeldt, whose country held the EU Presidency at the time, Serbia's application for receiving candidate status for full EU membership.

BELGRADE-DEESPANA-BLIC

De Espana in favor of Belgrade-Pristina dialogue

BELGRADE, Jan 8 (Tanjug) - Spain and many of its EU partners want for Belgrade and Pristina to enter into a dialogue which would lead to a joint solution that could be realized in actual life, Spanish Ambassador to Serbia Inigo de Palacio Espana has stated.

De Espana, whose country took over the EU Presidency on January 1, said in an interview for the Belgrade-based daily Blic that he thought that Serbia could obtain the EU candidate status without the Kosovo-Metohija issue being fully resolved, particularly since Spain had not recognized the unilaterally declared independence of the province.

Spanish Ambassador expressed his support to Belgrade's idea to open a dialogue with Pristina after the completion of the process before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the Hague on the legality of the unilateral secession of interim institutions of Kosovo on February 17, 2008.

In view of Serbia's EU accession process, De Espana said that, with its last moves at the end of 2009, the official Belgrade showed that it cooperated with the ICTY, adding that big steps had been made.

We believe that Serbia fully cooperates with the Tribunal and that it may not be capable to arrest the remaining fugitives, De Espana said. If Serbia continues to cooperate with the ICTY, there will be no arguments against the ratification of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement in June, he underscored.

SERBIA-PARIS-DJELIC

Djelic to attend 'New World, New Capitalism' symposium

BELGRADE, Jan 6 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic will attend the symposium dubbed 'New World, New Capitalism', upon the invitation of French Minister of Immigration, Integration, National identity and Solidary development Eric Besson.

The symposium will take place in Paris, on January 7 and 8.

Djelic will preside over a session dubbed 'New world, new governance', scheduled for January 7, the deputy prime minister's cabinet has released in a statement.

French Minister of Economy, Industry and Employment Christine Lagarde and Italian Minister of Economy Giulio Tremonti will attend the symposium as well.

TADIC-SERBIA-DIPLOMACY

Tadic: Serbian foreign policy has four priorities

BELGRADE, Jan 5 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic said Tuesday that the priorities of Serbia's foreign policy in 2010 will be to approach to the European Union, preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, strengthen regional cooperation and good neighborly relations, and boost economic diplomacy.

At a press conference in the Palace of Serbia, Tadic evaluated that the success of Serbia's external policy is an articulation of relations with the biggest world powers: Russia, the USA and China.

Concluding that the contemporary international relations are changeable, he pointed out that it is necessary that the country's external policy be flexible.

According to him, Serbia will have to cooperate more intensively with “political entities” for which it did not have enough time in the past, and relations should be especially improved with the BRIC group (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and with the countries of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Speaking of the relations with the countries of the “Old Continent”, the president reminded that Serbia has established close relations with Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Greece, Slovakia, Hungary, etc.

The guest of honor at the conference which was attended by Serbian ambassadors is Greek Prime Minister and Foreign Minister George Papandreou.

EU-GALLACH-SERBIA

Gallach: EU Council to debate Serbia's candidacy bid soon

BERLIN, Jan 5 (Tanjug) - It is still not known when the EU Council of Ministers will consider Serbia's EU application, but it will certainly be soon, because this is a priority issue for Spain, which currently holds the rotating EU presidency, said on Tuesday spokesperson for the Spanish Presidency Cristina Gallach.

We do not know the date yet (when the application will be considered). What I can tell you is that Serbia's application will be discussed as early as this Thursday, at a meeting of ambassadors of EU member states, Gallach told Tanjug.

This is a priority issue for Spain and it will no doubt be on the agenda soon, she said.

On December 22, 2009, Serbian President Boris Tadic submitted the candidacy application for full-fledged EU membership to Swedish Prime Minister Frederick Reinfeldt, whose country was presiding over the EU at the time.

The next step will come from the EU Foreign Ministers Council, and if consensus is reached, the body will turn over the bid to the European Commission and request an official opinion.

SPAIN-SERBIA-DANAS

Espana: Serbia's cadidacy bid should be approved soon

BERLIN, Jan 5 (Tanjug) - Spanish Ambassador to Serbia Inigo de Palacio Espana said that Spain, which overtook the rotating EU presidency on January 1, holds that Serbia's EU candidacy bid should be debated as soon as possible.

We hope that, together with other EU member states, we can give a positive rating to Serbia's application and thus ensure the European Commission gives its opinion as soon as possible, the Spanish ambassador said in an interview for Belgrade daily Danas.

He said that in order for this to happen, consent of all member states is needed, adding that it is hard to predict at this early stage when the European Council will offer its opinion on Serbia's EU application.

SERBIA-GREECE-PAPANDREOU

Papandreou: Greece is Serbia's ally on EU path

BELGRADE, Jan 5 (Tanjug) - Greece will be Serbia's close ally along its EU path given that the country has proved its political will to move forward by submission of EU candidacy bid and joining the Schengen White List, Greek Prime Minister and Foreign Minister George Papandreou stated in Belgrade on Monday.

After a meeting with Serbian President Boris Tadic, Papandreou congratulated Serbia on filing EU candidacy application and the visa liberalization, adding that those steps represent a proof of progress, efforts that have been made, courage of the government and the Serbian people and political will to go forward, that Greece has always supported.

Papandreou recalled that Greece has initiated the EU accession of the West Balkan countries in 2014 and added that this could be the goal that would mobilize both EU and the West Balkan countries.

SERBIA-GREECE-TADIC-PAPANDREOU

Tadic: Serbia and Greece are historic friends

BELGRADE, Jan 4 (Tanjug) - Serbia and Greece are historic friends and partners in the present and will certainly be strategic partners in the future, Serbian president Boris Tadic noted Monday evening after his meeting with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou in Belgrade.

“George Papandreou has once again given us his support on our road of European integration. This is the man who launched Agenda 2014, when all of southeastern Europe should become part of the EU, a hundred years after the start of World War One,” said Tadic.

The Serbian president said that the talks with the guest from Athens included discussion of bilateral relations and the economic difficulties the two countries are facing after the world economic crisis.

There was also talk of a joint fight against corruption and organized crime, and the EU future of southeastern Europe in general, Tadic stressed.

“There are hardly any issues on which we have a different stance. There are hardly any problems our countries and Europe are facing on which we have different positions. I can say that our partnership has a significant strategic dimension,” the Serbian president concluded after the meeting with the Greek prime minister, who was a guest at the ambassadors' conference in Belgrade.

SERBIA-GREECE-PMS

Serbia - Greece cooperation very good

BELGRADE, Jan 4 (Tanjug) - Greek and Serbian Prime Ministers George Papandreou and Mirko Cvetkovic described Monday bilateral cooperation as very good, the Serbian government said.

The prime ministers conferred on all-round cooperation and condluded that it can be fostered further, especially in the economy.

Cvetkovic thanked Greece for its support to Serba's EU integration.

Serbia highly appreciates Prime Minister Papandreou's initiative on the Agenda 2014 for the integration of Western Balkans in the EU, he said.

SERBIA-EU-DJELIC

EU membership candidate status by end of year

BELGRADE, Jan 4 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic expressed Monday his conviction that Serbia will receive the status of EU membership candidate by the end of that year.

Negotiations on accession will start immediately afterwards, he told the two-day conference of ambassadors which started in Belgrade on Monday.

SERBIA-DIPLOMACY-JEREMIC

Jeremic: Serbia's 2010 goals - joining EU, defending Kosovo

BELGRADE, Jan 4 (Tanjug) - Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said opening the two-day conference of ambassadors which started in Belgrade on Monday that Serbia's foreign policy priorities remain unchanged.

The central strategic priority of the Serbian government will still be the accession to the European Union and continuing to fight for the preservation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty in Kosovo-Metohija, he said.

2009 was a year of challenges, and the main tasks of Serbian diplomats will be to keep the successful achievments and make them even greater in 2010, he said.

Besides EU membership and defense of sovereignty in Kosovo-Metohija, Jeremic also pointed to the importance of fostering good-neighborly cooperation in the Western Balkans region.

Another priority is fostering economic diplomacy at the time of global recession, he said.

Serbia's foreign policy rests on four pillars - Brussels, Moscow, Beijing and Washington, he said.

The first pillar is Brussels, as Serbia wants accession to the European Union as soon as possible, he said.

The second pillar is Moscow, as Serbia shares a historic partnership with Russia, he said.

Russia is also Serbia's ally in the peaceful defense of its territorial integrity, he said.

The third pillar is Beijing, as Serbia has established strategic partnership with China, he said.

Last, but not least, is Washington, as the US is a key player in the world and Western Balkans, he said.

Referring to the 2014 agenda, Jeremic expressed his conviction that promises made in Salonika can be fulfilled in Athens in 2014.

This is an ambitious goal, but Serbia is certain that it can be realized, he said referring to Greece's idea that Serbia should join the EU in 2014.

Serbia is determined to complete its cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, as its legal and ethical commitment to itself, its neighbors and the world, he said.

CROATIA-CANDIDATE-BANDIC

Bandic: Croatia, Serbia have potential for EU future

ZAGREB, Jan 4 (Tanjug) - Zagreb Mayor and candidate for Croatia's president Milan Bandic said Monday that open issues between Croatia and Serbia should be resolved with lowered guard.

Croatia and Serbia have potentials for a bright European future and cooperation if they resolve their open issues, he told Tanjug.

Problems should be resolved with lowered guard, Bandic said, adding that he therefore intends to visit Serbia in a near future.

He also advocated the fostering of the relations between Croatia and Serbia.

Bandic came second in the first round of the Croatian presidential election after Ivo Josipovic.

He listed the main open issues between Croatia and Serbia as the problem of missing Croatian combattants who, according to Croatia's claims, were held captive in Serbia during the war, the extradition of persons suspected of war crimes in Croatia and the return of Serb refugees to Croatia.

Serb refugees should return to Croatia as it is their homeland, he said.

Croatia has done much to enable Serb refugees to return to Croatia, he said.

SERBIA-GREECE-PAPANDREOU

Papandreou: Serbia deserves EU candidate status

BELGRADE, Jan 4 (Tanjug) - Serbia has capacities for an accelerated progress toward EU and deserves an important place on the European agenda that includes the acquiring of a candidate status, Greek Prime Minister and Foreign Minister George Papandreou has stated.

"Greece completely supports Serbia's perspectives for full EU membership and will back the Serbian people throughout this long and demanding phase of EU integration," said Papandreou who is to visit Belgrade on Tuesday.

Stressing the exemplary relations between Serbia and Greece, Papandreou said in an interview for the Belgrade-based daily Vecernje novosti that the current Serbian government is pro-European orientated and is carrying out comprehensive reforms with clear and obvious results.

"Serbia has proved its commitment to the EU integration implementing key political reforms in keeping with the EU standards. We believe that Serbia deserves to have an important place on the EU enlargement agenda," Papandreou said.

"However, we should bear in mind that the speed at which the West Balkan will approach the EU depends on success of every country in relation to the arranged principles and conditions. We believe that Serbia's efforts will soon yield results," Papandreou added.

"I symbolically proposed 2014 as the common goal for a new era for the West Balkans and the European family," the Greek prime minister said.

SERBIA-GREECE-PAPANDREOU

Papandreou: Serbia deserves EU candidate status

BELGRADE, Jan 4 (Tanjug) - Serbia has capacities for an accelerated progress toward EU and deserves an important place on the European agenda that includes the acquiring of a candidate status, Greek Prime Minister and Foreign Minister George Papandreou has stated.

“Greek completely supports Serbia's perspectives for full EU membership and will back the Serbian people throughout this long and demanding phase of EU integration,” said Papandreou who is to visit Belgrade on Tuesday.

Stressing the exemplary relations between Serbia and Greece, Papandreou said in an interview for the Belgrade-based daily Vecernje novosti that the current Serbian government is pro-European orientated and is carrying out comprehensive reforms with clear and obvious results.

“Serbia has proved its commitment to the EU integration implementing key political reforms in keeping with the EU standards. We believe that Serbia deserves to have an important place on the EU enlargement agenda,” Papandreou said.

“However, we should bear in mind that the speed at which the West Balkan will approach the EU depends on success of every country in relation to the arranged principles and conditions. We believe that Serbia's efforts will soon yield results,” Papandreou added.

“I symbolically proposed 2014 as the common goal for a new era for the West Balkans and the European family,” the Greek prime minister said.

SERBIA-EU-DEGERT

Degert on Serbia's candidacy

BELGRADE, Jan 2 (Tanjug) - Head of the European Commission (EC) Delegation in Serbia Vincent Degert said that Serbia's application for EU membership could be considered as early as this January.

A meeting of European Union foreign ministers will be held on January 14, Degert said, adding he expects that Spain will put on the agenda the issue of Serbia's candidacy.

Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos says he strongly supports Serbia's decision to submit its EU candidate status bid.

According to Moratinos, that was a logical and good step by a country whose future is in the European family.

Moratinos stressed that if the Serbian people want to join the EU, it is up to the EU to understand and seriously consider their wish.

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