Serbia and KiM / Serbia and the EU

While continuous dialogue between Belgrade and Priština is deemed important, the simple continuation thereof will not determine Serbia’s bid for EU membership. According to Dejan Vuk Stanković, an analyst based in Serbia, if Serbia is admitted to the EU despite continuing blockades in northern Kosovo, the Union would admit Belgrade simply on the basis of goodwill. If barricades were to be withdrawn while agreements between Priština and Belgrade were implemented with political support from Belgrade, EU membership would be more likely. The opinion of Germany is of special importance and will make or break Serbian membership to the Union. As Stanković stated, should Germany accept that the Priština – Belgrade dialogue be continued without tangible results, Serbia is likely to receive membership. Stanković, however, recalled Wolfram Mas’ statement by which EU membership is not a gift, but must be deserved adding that mere membership is not the goal. Instead, the goal is that citizens of Kosovo and Serbia can resolve open questions regarding their daily lives. In any case, former ambassador to Paris and political science professor Predrag Simić added that dialogues are not likely to lead to tangible results as negotiators leave without agreed upon mandates from the Serbian government.

Continued dialogue between Priština and Belgrade were finally announced on the 21 of November. Head of Belgrade’s negotiation team Borislav Stefanović stated that the EU is most likely to expect a settlement concerning the administrative crossings by Jarinje and Brnjak adding that Serbia will propose differing solutions. In other words, Stefanović pursues to achieve that Kosovo abandon its desire for independence. In addition, Stefanović seeks to revisit hitherto reached agreements, as implementing them would threaten Serbia’s constitutional laws as well as the UN resolution 1244. Meanwhile, Edita Tahriri, head Kosovo’s delegation announced that a solution to the current situation is only possible by the “integration of border management” which implies Kosovo’s independence. Such a solution would be in line with EU principles. Answering to questions regarding the neutrality of EULEX in accordance with UN Res 1244, Tahriri stated that EULEX is no longer neutral as the mission agreed to uphold the laws of Priština’s government. Stefanović stated that themes discussed will include questions regarding university diplomas, regional representation of Priština and administrative crossings while discussions revolving around telecommunications and electricity are possible.

Boris Tadić meanwhile stated that continued dialogue with Priština does not imply explicit nor implicit recognition of Kosovo while assuring that Serbia will continue to lead a constructive policy toward Kosovo. Tadić further said that Belgrade seeks to resolve the problems of citizens resident in Kosovo and does not wish to get rid of them without a real solution. In this vein, Serbia will continue its search for solutions, as problems in Kosovo may be lead to problems in Serbia – a region of the EU. Meanwhile, protecting Serbian citizens in Kosovo is among the most important missions in view of the Serbian government as well as its presidency.

Minister for the interior Ivica Dačić, however, stated that Serbia will subsist even if denied EU membership. If the price for Serbia’s EU membership means giving up Kosovo, than Serbia should never agree to such a deal as Serbia’s vital national interest are at stake. According to the minister, numerous EU member states see it as Serbia’s duty to recognize Kosovo, a stance he described as “unprincipled and hypocritical”. Dačić explained that Serbia cannot “shut its eyes” concerning attacks on Serb citizens in Kosovo as an attack on them is also an attack on Serbia. If Serbia proofs unwilling to help the people in Kosovo, then the people will help themselves, Dačić added. Therefore, Serbia must try to solve problems in Kosovo by peaceful means and continued dialogue. The very next day, Dačić stated that Serbia should not say that it would never go to war over Kosovo as doing so would send the wrong message to Kosovo’s prime minister Hašim Tači. According to Dačić, a “balance of fear” is important for continuous security in the region. The minister again stated that physical attacks on Serb citizens resident in Kosovo is an attack on Belgrade arguing that the Turkish minister was able to state that an attack on BiH meant an attack on Turkey. Yet, according to Dačić, Serbia is not allowed to make the same statements. Dačić recalled that full recognition of Kosovo was hitherto never a condition for EU membership adding that Serbia fulfilled all the conditions he saw thus far in documents regarding Serbia’s EU integration.

“Dačić: Srbija može da opstane bez EU”. Ekonom East Media Group. Accessed November 21, 2011. www.emg.rs/vesti/srbija/169186.html

“Lisovolik: Očekuje se stagnacija ekonomskog rasta u Evropi”. Ekonom East Media Group. Accessed November 20, 2011. www.emg.rs/vesti/srbija/169106.html

“Nismo bili nežni s Vladom Srbije”. Accesed November 20, 2011. www.politika.rs/rubrike/Ekonomija/Nismo-bili-nezni-s-vladom-Srbije-lt.html

“Tadić: Pregovori s Prištinom ne vode proznanju Kosova”. Ekonom East Media Group. Accessed November 21, 2011. www.emg.rs/vesti/srbija/169154.html

“Uz podstrek EU moguć dogovor o prelazima”. Dnevnik. Accessed November 22, 2011. www.dnevnik.rs.politika/uz/-podstrek-eu-moguc-dogovor-o-prelazima

“Stefanović: Uz podstrek EU moguć dogovor o prelazima”. Ekonom East Media Group. Accessed November 21, 2011. www.emg.rs/vesti/srbija//169132.html

“Stanković: Nastavak pregovora nije dovoljan za kandidaturu”. Ekonom East Media Group. Accessed November 20, 11. www.emg.rs/vesti/srbija/169108.html

“Dačić: Srbija može bez EU”. Radio-televizija Srbija. Accesed November 22, 2011. www.rts.rs/page/stories/sr/story/9/Politika/994924/Dačić%3A+Srbija+može+bez+EU.html

“Dačić: Potrebna ravnotežna straha”. B92. Accessed November 23, 2011. www.b92.net/info/vesti/index/php?yyyy=2011&mm=11&dd=23&nav_category=11&nav_id=559964

Serbia

Oliver Dulić, minister for the environment and spatial planning demented rumors regarding a possible crisis within the Serbian government adding that there are disagreements as to the Kosovo policy and EU integration. Dulić assured that the ruling coalition is not threatened and stated that elections will be held as announced. The minister added that he does not believe that any party is interested in overturning the current government, especially not in light of the upcoming announcement on Serbia’s EU membership accession announcement.

Head of the International Monetary Fund in Serbia Bogdan Lisovolik stated that stagnating EU growth is likely to affect Serbia. Serbian trade with EU states is sizable while Italy, Germany and Bosnia i Herzegovnia account for the largest trading partners. Italy will most likely go through a recession and Serbia’s connections with Italy lie in the banking sector, foreign investment and export business. Germany too will experience stunted economic growth while BiH is significantly tied up in the EU market. While the situation or Serbia is not optimal, Lisovolik nevertheless predicted an economic growth of 1.5%. If, however, negative economic growth rates a deeper recession in Italy transpires than foreseen, Serbia’s numbers too are poised to fall.

“Dulić: Nema krize Vlade”. Ekonom East Media Group. Accessed November 21, 2011. www.emg.rs/vesti/srbija/169131.html

“Blagojević: U vladajućoj koalicije nema ozbiljne krize”. Blic Online. Accessed November 21, 2011. www.blic.rs/Vesti/Srbija/290359/BlagojevicU-vladajucoj-koalicije-nema-ozbiljne-krize