Serbia’s Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic urged politicians in Serbia to end conflicts regarding EU integration because, says Jeremic, both the advocates and opponents of the process agree that the implementation of European standards is beneficial for Serbia’s society.

“We are not at its beginning, but we are still far from its end. We are entering a period when we cannot afford inside conflicts regarding EU integration,” Jeremic said.

Jeremic warned that blind enthusiasm and categorical Euro-skepticism were harmful extremes.

“It is possible to agree on the rule of law, sustainable economic development and more efficient administration, which are all important segments of the reforms towards EU accession,” Jeremic said.

Jeremic spoke at the presentation of the latest issue of Challenges of European Integration.

“It should not be concealed that we have a difficult path ahead of us,” he said.

The diplomats will continue to create a good image about Serbia in the region, Jeremic stated, adding that the relations in the region were currently at their highest point since the start of the Yugoslav crisis.

“Serbia has done a lot to help that,” Jeremic said.

According to Jeremic, the government’s chief political goal in 2011 is to gain the status of an EU membership candidate and secure a quick start to the accession negotiations.

Some EU officials have said that Serbia must recognize Kosovo if it wants to become an EU member.

EU has sent a questionnaire to Serbia asking it to describe its relations with Kosovo.

Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic said that answers do not imply Serbia’s recognition of Kosovo’s independence in any way.

“The answer to question 150 states that according to the Serbian Constitution, Kosovo is an integral part of Serbia with a substantial level of autonomy,” said Djelic.

“The next question, 151, requires a description of the relations with the surrounding countries, and the answer refers to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Macedonia, Albania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania,” Djelic said.

“I just want to show that the European Commission took a neutral stand regarding Kosovo’s status and that Serbia has followed the Constitution in all its answers,” he stressed.

“Kosovo’s status is not in the European Parliament jurisdiction,” Djelic argued.

The questionnaire contains 2,483 questions divided into 6 annexes and 33 chapters. The Serbian government completed the questions mid-January.

January 24, 2011
SERBIANNA
Tanjug
Agencies

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