Vucic on corruption, Kosovo, Merkel's message
First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic has said that the fight against corruption has only just began, that problems with customs on goods crossing into northern Kosovo would be resolved and that he would confer with Angela Merkel's closest associate regarding her latest statement on EU enlargement.
(KosovoCompromiseStuff) Sunday, December 16, 2012
In an interview for the Sunday edition of Politika, Vucic recalled that only five of the 24 problematic privatization cases were currently under investigation, and once again stressed that no one would be able to count on his protection, not even members of his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).
He said he hoped businessmen Miroslav Miskovic, who was arrested this week, would name the politicians who were on his payroll.
"Before the official interview at the Prosecutor's Office, Miskovic had already told the police about his power, about how much and in what way he helped many people, so it would be good if he would talk about this again in the official part," said Vucic.
He said some people close to him and people from several political parties appealed on Miskovic's behalf after his arrest.
"In the Miskovic case, the state has proven its strength and will," said Vucic, who is in charge of fighting corruption.
To those doubting his motives for taking on corruption and accusing him of trying to divert the people's attention from the border at Jarinje, Vucic said the crossing with northern Kosovo had existed for many years.
Responding to the interviewer's comment that customs are now charged at the crossing, Vucic said there were no charges on goods worth up to EUR 3,000, and that, according to the agreement, trucks also did not have to pay customs if they were only traveling as far as northern Kosovska Mitrovica.
"There is a technical problem which should be resolved on Monday," he said, noting that any changes in the customs regime would be openly discussed with Kosovo Serbs. Vucic recalled that "someone made some agreements before", and the state and government had to keep their credibility without jeopardizing the survival of Serbs in Kosovo or national interests.
Vucic confirmed that Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic would meet with parliamentary whips in the coming days to present a draft platform for Kosovo, which he said was quite realistic.
He believes that sufficient progress in the dialogue with Pristina, which the EU wants to see before it sets a date for accession talks with Serbia, means reaching agreements in the energy sector and telecommunications, but that the most difficult thing is the implementation of the agreement on integrated crossings management.
Vucic expressed hope the EU would not make any additional demands. He also hopes German Chancellor Angela Merkel's statement that right now the EU would not be making any decisions to start accession talks with candidate countries does not mean delaying Serbia's date.
"This would be very bad news for Serbia. I will talk to her chief advisor Mr. (Christoph) Heusgen in the next few days and I will know more then," said Vucic.
He said he hoped businessmen Miroslav Miskovic, who was arrested this week, would name the politicians who were on his payroll.
"Before the official interview at the Prosecutor's Office, Miskovic had already told the police about his power, about how much and in what way he helped many people, so it would be good if he would talk about this again in the official part," said Vucic.
He said some people close to him and people from several political parties appealed on Miskovic's behalf after his arrest.
"In the Miskovic case, the state has proven its strength and will," said Vucic, who is in charge of fighting corruption.
To those doubting his motives for taking on corruption and accusing him of trying to divert the people's attention from the border at Jarinje, Vucic said the crossing with northern Kosovo had existed for many years.
Responding to the interviewer's comment that customs are now charged at the crossing, Vucic said there were no charges on goods worth up to EUR 3,000, and that, according to the agreement, trucks also did not have to pay customs if they were only traveling as far as northern Kosovska Mitrovica.
"There is a technical problem which should be resolved on Monday," he said, noting that any changes in the customs regime would be openly discussed with Kosovo Serbs. Vucic recalled that "someone made some agreements before", and the state and government had to keep their credibility without jeopardizing the survival of Serbs in Kosovo or national interests.
Vucic confirmed that Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic would meet with parliamentary whips in the coming days to present a draft platform for Kosovo, which he said was quite realistic.
He believes that sufficient progress in the dialogue with Pristina, which the EU wants to see before it sets a date for accession talks with Serbia, means reaching agreements in the energy sector and telecommunications, but that the most difficult thing is the implementation of the agreement on integrated crossings management.
Vucic expressed hope the EU would not make any additional demands. He also hopes German Chancellor Angela Merkel's statement that right now the EU would not be making any decisions to start accession talks with candidate countries does not mean delaying Serbia's date.
"This would be very bad news for Serbia. I will talk to her chief advisor Mr. (Christoph) Heusgen in the next few days and I will know more then," said Vucic.
