Differences over Kosovo no obstacle to regional cooperation

BRATISLAVA, June 5 (Tanjug) - Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic has expressed the expectation that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) would not support the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo and that the case will end up in a calling for new negotiations.

In an interview published by Slovakia's daily Pravda on Saturday, Minister Jeremic said that the conference in Sarajevo showed that different views on the future status of Kosovo does not mean the end of regional cooperation, but that it can thrive in spite of differences.

“Anyone who would try to misuse the term of regional cooperation to force Serbia to change its position on Kosovo, remained after the conference in Sarajevo without an argument. Serbia will not change its position on Kosovo at any cost,” said Jeremic.

Minister Jeremic warned that unilateral steps are a "recipe for instability" and that every international problem can be resolved only through negotiations, not by taking unilateral steps.

He also said that the EU, as opposed to worries that it is tired of the enlargement, sent out a signal from Sarajevo that it confirms its promise of integration of Western Balkans into the EU.

For us it is important to go in the right direction and I believe it will be possible to move quickly, said Jeremic.

“Participation of representatives of Pristina at the meeting does not mean either reversal or a change in the position of Serbia on the issue of Kosovo. This position is unchanging, and, under no circumstances, we shall give up the territorial integrity of our state,” underscored Jeremic.

Jeremic reiterated that it is important for Serbia that every appearance of any representative of Pristina is in compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

EULEX accuses Taci of imposing pressure on justice

PRISTINA, June 5 (Tanjug) - Kosovo Premier Hasim Taci is one of the officials to have directly imposed pressure on the legal system of Kosovo, that is who had influenced the independence of justice, EULEX evaluated in its annual program report.

On Friday, EULEX presented its Program Report 2010 which analyses the progress made by the Kosovo institutions in the rule of law area during the past twelve months in terms of the monitoring, mentoring and advising carried out by EULEX.

It is underscored in the report that Taci had influenced the court proceedings against Rustem Mustafa, former regional commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army in Podujevo.

Mustafa is now vice-president of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, deputy and president of the parliament Committee for Internal Affairs and Security.

The report also quotes Taci's statements to media in which he expressed his expectations that EULEX will be smarter than UNMIK.

Bogdanovic: North demonstrated strength

BELGRADE, June 5 (Tanjug) - Minister for Kosovo and Metohija Goran Bogdanovic has stated that the last week's successful elections in the north of Kosovo were a blow to a joint strategy of Pristina and European Union Special Representative Pieter Feith.

“Their strategy stands no chance in the north. However, we must not relax believing that its authors had given up. All those who believe they should use force to implement it will also have to assume the consequences, which may be fatal for the already fragile stability,” Bogdanovic said in a statement published by Vecernje Novosti on Saturday.

Bogdanovic underscored that the international presence has to assume responsibility for violence, because its mandate is to prevent it.

“We have obtained information about what was getting prepared for Sunday and we informed KFOR, EULEX and UNMIK in time. The response on the bridge was timely and adequate,” Bogdanovic said, adding that he is not satisfied with the events in Zac, because assaults are being repeated.

“KFOR and EULEX should create such security conditions that no one dares even think about attacking returnees. The essential problem is in Pristina and its strategy to prevent the displaced from returning. The international community's response should be directed at the initiators of that strategy - the so-called Kosovo government and the local community. That is the only way Pristina may be forced to change its attitude towards the return of the expelled Serbs,” said Bogdanovic.

He said that after the elections in Mitrovica and Novo Brdo, he expects a coalition to be formed, similar to that at the republic level.

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