Brussels, 02/08/2012 (Agence Europe) - The spokesperson for EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton, Maja Kocijancic, told Agence EUROPE on Wednesday 1 August that arrangements in the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue are going to change. Consultations are currently underway on the modalities, she said, and the way in which the dialogue will be led will change. She added that more will be known in the autumn. While in Serbia on Monday 30 July, the Italian minister for foreign affairs, Giulio Terzi, welcomed the fact that Belgrade wants to take the dialogue with Pristina to a higher political level and said that in this case it is the high representative who should serve as mediator in the negotiators. Until now that task has fallen to the European facilitator, Robert Cooper.
During his meeting with Terzi, the Serbian prime minister, Ivica Dacic, said that the dates for the continuation of the discussion should be discussed in September. “The continuation of the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, as well as the continuation of the reforms, are of crucial importance for Serbia's European route”, the two men stressed at a joint press conference. Terzi also said that Italy is ready to provide “all the aid necessary” for the continuation of the dialogue with Kosovo.
No additional conditions for opening the negotiations. Dacic reminded his audience that European integration remains the priority for the new government, adding that accession negotiations have to begin as quickly as possible. The president, Tomislav Nikolic, for his part, said that his country will implement the recommendations put forward by the EU.
“There will be no additional conditions for Serbia on the route to European integration, except those set out by the European Council at the beginning of the year - the continuation of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, and the reforms of State and society”, Terzi and Dacic said (our translation throughout).
Serbia obtained its status of candidate for accession in March 2012. (CG/transl.fl)