Serbia to up diplomatic activity over Kosovo
Aleksandar Vucic, Serbia's first deputy prime minister and defense minister, said Tuesday that everything that happens in connection with Kosovo will be painful for Serbia, adding the country will intensify its diplomatic efforts in the coming weeks in an attempt to defend national and state interests.
(KosovoCompromiseStuff) Tuesday, November 27, 2012
After his meeting with Italian Defense Minister Giampaolo di Paola, Vucic told reporters that the ruling coalition was discussing Kosovo on a daily basis and that in the next few days he expected to meet with representatives of Serbs in northern Kosovo and those living south of the Ibar river.
"There are certain things the previous government agreed to and now we need to see how to defend our national and state interests, and still get a positive report and a date for starting accession talks with the EU," said Vucic.
He added the next two weeks were very important for Serbia and announced meetings with foreign officials.
Vucic said that Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin would arrive in Serbia on Wednesday, and Austrian Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger was also expected, while he would soon visit the United States.
"We will ask EU member countries, Russia and the United States for support. There are issues in the technical talks which are still unresolved, and which are crucial. We will need support to arrive at a reasonable solution. When we speak about compromise, it must come from both sides, and not only be demanded of Belgrade," said Vucic.
Commenting on the latest incidents in northern Kosovo, Vucic noted that the verdict against Ramus Haradinaj is expected in The Hague on November 29, and Albanian national holiday Flag Day is also coming up.
"We are very concerned and we are monitoring the situation," said Vucic.
"There are certain things the previous government agreed to and now we need to see how to defend our national and state interests, and still get a positive report and a date for starting accession talks with the EU," said Vucic.
He added the next two weeks were very important for Serbia and announced meetings with foreign officials.
Vucic said that Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin would arrive in Serbia on Wednesday, and Austrian Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger was also expected, while he would soon visit the United States.
"We will ask EU member countries, Russia and the United States for support. There are issues in the technical talks which are still unresolved, and which are crucial. We will need support to arrive at a reasonable solution. When we speak about compromise, it must come from both sides, and not only be demanded of Belgrade," said Vucic.
Commenting on the latest incidents in northern Kosovo, Vucic noted that the verdict against Ramus Haradinaj is expected in The Hague on November 29, and Albanian national holiday Flag Day is also coming up.
"We are very concerned and we are monitoring the situation," said Vucic.
