Kosovo issue should not be imposed as a precondition for Serbia’s membership in the European Union, Slovakian Minister for the Interior Daniel Lipsic.

There is not any kind of common ground in the EU regarding Kosovo, only views of individual members, and therefore the issue should not be a precondition for Serbia’s EU membership, Lipsic said at a press conference after the signing of a readmission agreement.

Lipsic was meeting Serbia’s Interior Minister Ivica Dacic.

Slovakia’s minister reiterated that Bratislava’s will not recognize the unilaterally proclaimed Kosovo independence and that such Slovakia’s position is a firm stance which will remain unchanged until the sides reach a solution within Serbia itself.

Certain principles of international law that took years to evolve cannot be disturbed, and the case of Kosovo is a precedent, Lipsic said.

Minister Dacic thanked his Slovakian counterpart for the principled stance his country has taken regarding the southern Serbian province and for the support it gives to Serbia in its European pathway.

Serbia believes that such a position of Slovakia, as an EU member, which puts respect of international law as the basic principle in international relations, greatly contributes to balanced attitudes towards Serbia when it comes to Kosovo-Metohija, the Serbian minister said.

Dacic stressed that Belgrade can make great use of Slovakia’s experience in the path to EU.

The two ministers also discussed on cooperation in information exchange regarding the criminal group of Darko Saric and on joint fight against organized crime.

Serbian Army Chief of Staff Miloje Miletic and KFOR Commander Erhard Buehler on Nov. 18 said the situation along the administrative line between Serbia and Kosovo “is peaceful and stable.”

Buehler informed Miletic about the plans to downsize and reorganize KFOR units, stressing that his forces will thereby increase their mobility, flexibility and alertness.

November 20, 2010
Tanjug

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