Dacic: We want EU integration, recognition of so-called Kosovo unacceptable

ROME - Serbian First Deputy PM and FM Ivica Dacic said on Monday Serbia wanted to be a part of European integration but could not accept the integration being conditional upon its recognition of the so-called Kosovo.

"When it comes to European integration, we have no essential objections. We want to be a part of European integration. The only thing we cannot accept is it being conditional upon a recognition of 'Kosovo'. On the other hand, we look forward to any idea about ways to strengthen the Western Balkans economically. If there are concrete ideas, we will take part in them," Dacic said in Rome, where he attended a ministerial meeting on the Western Balkans.

He said Serbia was not against dialogue but wanted to see merit-based evaluation for all, and added that there should be no defending of those obstructing dialogue and making negative and detrimental moves, jeopardising not only the dialogue but also peace and stability in the region.

The minister said Serbia was also interested in ways to avert the potential negative consequences of attempts to interpret parts of the Ohrid Agreement - which he noted Serbia had not accepted - as recognition or membership of the so-called Kosovo in the UN and other international organisations and include those parts in Chapter 35 of Serbia's EU accession talks.

"That would practically threaten European integration. That way, European integration would be made conditional upon a recognition of 'Kosovo', which is absolutely unacceptable to Serbia," Dacic said.