Doyle-Price: Kearnes's statements do not reflect positions of UK gov't , parliament

BELGRADE - British MP Jackie Doyle-Price, who is heading a UK parliamentary delegation visiting Serbia, said on Tuesday statements by British MP Alicia Kearnes, who has accused the Serbian Orthodox Church of weapons smuggling from central Serbia to Kosovo-Metohija, did not reflect the official position of the UK government and parliament but a personal view.

At the delegation's meeting with MPs of Serbia's ruling coalition, Doyle-Price noted that the delegation members were interested in, and committed to, strengthening the ties with Serbia, the Serbian parliament said in a statement.

It said the delegation had also inquired about Russia's influence in Serbia and about Serbia's position in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

The Serbian MPs said Serbia was pursuing a policy that was in line with its own national interests while respecting international agreements, and that, while adhering to those positions, it expected the same treatment from other countries.

They also said Serbia had fulfilled all expectations put before it in the EU-facilitated talks on Kosovo-Metohija, whereas the establishment of a Community of Serb Municipalities by the interim Pristina institutions was now over a decade overdue.

They stressed that Serbia would continue to be militarily neutral and a part of the Partnership for Peace Programme, and remain committed to peace and stability in the region.