Nikolic: Kosovo resolution in parliament Jan 11

"I think that on January 11 the parliament will adopt the resolution which includes the platform, which will be changed somewhat from the original draft, but the principles will stay the same. Once the parliament adopts it, we will not be able to change it any more," Nikolic said on Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) while responding to questions sent in by viewers.

Nikolic said that if the EU rejected the document, it would mean it already treats Kosovo as an independent state, in which case Brussels should come out and say this openly.

"I did not think I could propose something the Albanians would be satisfied with, because that would be independence for Kosovo, but an ideal result would be one with which neither the Serbs nor the Albanians would be satisfied with," said Nikolic.

He believes the dialogue with Pristina could be wrapped up relatively quickly provided there is willingness on the other side and the EU decides to help.

"This can either take a long time or be resolved quickly because we want to make progress. I think a solution for Kosovo will be the crowning achievement of my term and this government's term," said Nikolic.

Talking about domestic political relations, Nikolic said that in light of the EU integration-related events coming up in the first half of 2013, Serbia would not benefit from early parliamentary elections.

"Serbia is waiting for a decision on a date for accession talks with the EU in June, and there is no time to waste on a campaign. I think the opposition will also shy away from elections before our term is up, because the parties in power are on the rise," said Nikolic.

According to the president, even though polls show the popularity of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) is growing, Serbia has nothing to gain from holding elections in March.

"A lot hangs on June, we can have elections after that," said Nikolic, warning it was unlikely the Serbian people would have a decent life if talks with the EU did not start.

Nikolic said he was convinced the rating of the SNS would continue to rise, and noted that considering the political circumstances and the lack of activity from the opposition, the party had reason to expect a repeat of its victory at the next election.

A series of questions from viewers was related to Serbia's relations with its neighbors, and Nikolic explained he had no problem cooperating with anyone, but that old-fashioned ideas about politics in some neighboring countries were troublesome.

"There are at least two presidents in countries close to us who still think they can win the support of their people by promising to protect them from Tomislav Nikolic and an awakened Serbia," said Nikolic, referring to Croatian President Ivo Josipovic and member of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency Bakir Izetbegovic.

Nikolic said he was nevertheless convinced he would meet with these two officials as well, because it was clear he did not have a negative attitude toward any country, despite having certain political objections.

When a viewer asked Nikolic about his stance on the monument to fallen fighters of the so-called Liberation Army of Presevo, Medvedja and Bujanovac in the southern Serbian town of Presevo, he said that if it was not removed by local Albanian political leaders, it should be taken down by the state.

When it comes to the fight against crime, Nikolic explained that he was in the minority because he thought the process should start from politicians.

Responding to a series of economic questions, Nikolic said the government was working on several fronts, knowing that results in combating crime could not be its only achievement.

He added there was interest from investors and that he was personally involved in attracting them, because in a meeting with the president they all look for a sign that Serbia will stand firmly behind them and will not cheat them.

Asked about security challenges, Nikoliic said he was opposed to reinstating compulsory military service, because Serbia did not have anyone to go to war against since it was surrounded by NATO member countries.

"If anyone wanted to attack us, they would have to go through the NATO member countries that surround us, and I guess NATO itself will not attack us any more, as there is no reason to target us," said Nikolic.

He believes, however, that Serbia should never join NATO.

Photo Tanjug, S.Ilic

Plaque in Presevo should be removed

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic said on Thursday evening that the state should remove the monument dedicated to members of the so-called Kosovo Liberation Army of Presevo, Medvedja and Bujanovac (OVPMB) in Presevo, if political leaders of the Albanians from the south of the country did not do that on their own, adding that he had discussed the matter with Prime Minister Ivica Dacic.

"Serbia must react, and Serbia will react, and that monument should be removed by the Albanians themselves, political leaders of Albanians from the south of Serbia, if they want to show that they lead their people in the way that ensures their good life in Serbia. If they do not want to do that, Serbia should remove that plaque in broad daylight, thus showing that the Serbian laws do not allow for something like that," Nikolic said in a live broadcast on Radio-Television of Serbia.

He underlined his support for the Serbian government to remove the plaque as soon as it delivered the decision, and that he stood ready to take a risk that someone from the international or Serbian public might criticize the state because of that.

"That is not allowed, nowhere in the world, so it will not be in Serbia either," the president said.

Nikolic voiced belief that the talks with political leaders of the Albanians from the south of Serbia were already being held, noting that Serbia had to demonstrate the same resolve as the one shown in the fight against corruption, in relation to large investments, and understanding about what should be made of the state.

"This is not a small thing, it refers to whether the evil is nipped in the bud or allowed to grow rapidly," the president said.

Serbia not able to implement parts of SAA

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic said on Thursday evening that there are some parts of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) that Serbia would not be able to start implementing, and that the country had to have intensive talks on that with the EU.

One of the greatest problems is the import of goods and agricultural products from the EU without customs duties, which should start in 2014, Nikolic said in a live broadcast on RTS.

The talks on that should be held with the EU- our farmer cannot cope with such competition, our state cannot handle the competition of countries such as France, Belgium that will invest in their farmer so that his product costs less than that of our farmer in our market," Nikolic said.

The time comes when the ministries and Serbia's EU Integration Office will have to underline issues on which they will have to negotiate with the EU, since Serbia will evidently not be able to fulfill these, the Serbian president said.