Meeting did not ensure step forward

After his first meeting with Jahjaga and High EU Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, Nikolic told reporters that progress in the dialogue and an agreement would be difficult to reach if Pristina remains firm in its stand that Kosovo is an independent state, although it is not recognised by the UN.

The Serbian president stated that Jahjaga is exclusive in her stand that Kosovo is an independent state which should nurture good neighbourly ties with Serbia.
Nikolic underscored that by the parliamentary resolution, Serbia recognises the specific nature of the territory of Kosovo-Metohija with an independent judiciary, president, government and the parliament, but there are also communities there, such as the Serb or the Roma community, and they should have a certain autonomous status within it.

The Serbian president underscored that during the meeting, he voiced all the stands included in the Resolution adopted by the Serbian parliament.
He noted that this is the framework Belgrade's negotiating team will not overstep in the continuation of the dialogue.
Nikolic stated that this is a good start because the book of agreements has been opened, but it is uncertain just how long the process would last.

"After all, this is not so important. It is better for the talks to last longer and yield a solution eventually," he said and added that it would be difficult to reach an agreement if Pristina's stand about its independence remains firm and unchanged although it is not recognised by the UN.

Nikolic said that without Serbia's consent, there can be no independence for Kosovo-Metohija for as long as the UN exists in their current form, adding that he does not see why authorities would be unwilling to discuss another solution which would improve living conditions both in Serbia and in the Balkans as a whole.

"There is no other solution save for the agreement and if you read the Resolution of the Serbian National Assembly, you will realise that Serbia offered the solution according to which Kosovo would be able to function and develop almost as an independent state, but no country can be expected to recognise the independence of any of its parts without asking their citizens first," Nikolic said.

He added that everyone should bear in mind that there is a number of countries which have not recognised Kosovo independence because they are aware it would open problems in their own.

Nikolic optimistic concerning EC report

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic stated in Brussels late on Wednesday that High EU Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton did not voice any remark which could serve as grounds for doubt that the European Commission (EC) report would be positive.

Nikolic expressed optimism and added that in his view, the fact that Serbia wants to conduct talks with ethnic Albanians and is doing so is positive for the country.
"EU membership is our primary goal and we will do all a country and a nation with their pride can do," Nikolic said in a statement for reporters after the meeting with Ashton and Kosovo Official Atifete Jahjaga.

 Serbia listens for messages from Germany

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic said in Brussels on Wednesday Serbia was listening for messages from Germany, but was not steered by the wishes of those who wanted Kosovo recognized.
He said what he heard from members of the German parliament simply helped him make decisions based on the

Constitution and the resolution and platform on Kosovo. Serbia has no other way, and the path Serbia has chosen regarding Kosovo is not a narrow one, but wide, where ethnic Albanians can find something for themselves and which can help improve life, he told reporters in response to statements by German parliament members on the need to recognize Kosovo and indirect recognition.

Why should Serbia listen to those who want Kosovo recognized, Nikolic noted, but stressed it was important to listen to messages from Germany, since the country could be the main obstacle to starting the accession talks between Serbia and the EU.

Nikolic said EU High Representative Catherine Ashton told him on Wednesday Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel was satisfied with the meeting she had had with him in Chile and the topics started.
Merkel is very pleased with the topics started, and she said the meeting was very good and constructive, Nikolic told reporters after a trilateral meeting with Ashton and president of the Kosovo provisional institutions Atifeta Jahjaga.

Ashton had nothing negative to say on Serbia's progress in meeting the criteria set by the European Commission to start the accession talks, he stated.

Serbia will do all it can, and the EU has its own principles, rules and solutions, he noted. Once Serbia fits into those, it will finally be able to feel at home in Brussels, the president added.

 Jahjaga: Useful and fair meeting with Nikolic

 Head of the Pristina interim government Atifete Jahjaga stated after the meeting with Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic on Wednesday that this was the 'first meeting between presidents of two independent and sovereign countries'.

In a telephone statement for Radio and Television of Kosovo, Jahjaga noted that the meeting was constructive and that strong support was given to the normalisation of the two countries' relations, which constitutes an important contribution to peace and stability.

Jahjaga said that strong support was given to the dialogue headed by the prime ministers with a view to normalising the relations between the two countries and resolving the problems which the two countries' citizens are facing.
When asked as to the biggest winner in the meeting with President Nikolic, Jahjaga said Kosovo and Serbia are the winners, as well as peace and stability, both in the two countries and the wider region.

Ashton: Nikolic, Jahjaga are commited to dialogue

 EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton said after meeting with Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic and Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga Wednesday that she saw constructive engagement coming from both sides.

Ahton said in a press release that she met in Brussels today with the two heads of state to discuss the on-going dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, which has already produced a number of significant achievements.

"We are now tackling the issue of northern Kosovo and the coming weeks will be critical, she said.
The European foreign policy chief said that Both Nikolic and Jahjaga have assured her of their continued support and commitment to the dialogue and their respective European agendas.

"I reaffirmed the European perspective for both Serbia and Kosovo and encouraged both sides to continue with the efforts needed for further progress towards the European Union, along the lines of the December 2012 Conclusions of the Council of the EU," Ashton said.