Brussels, 08/04/2013 (Agence Europe) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic announced on 8 April that “we are proposing that the government does not sign the agreement on normalising relations with Kosovo because it does not take into account any of our national interests at all”. He also announced at the same time that “the government is expected to propose the urgent and immediate continuation of talks in an attempt to reach a solution as soon as possible”. This declaration was made at the end of his party's executive meeting. His party is the largest partner in the coalition currently in power.
According to Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, Belgrade has until 9 April to say whether it accepts what “Brussels has offered it”. On 7 April, he explained that diplomatic efforts to find a sustainable solution for the North of Kosovo would continue “over the next few days”.
Maja Kocijancic, the spokesperson for EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton, stated that the EU was awaiting the official Serbian decision, which had to come through formal channels. She added that then would be the moment to consider what had to be done. Kosovo's minister for European integration, Vlora Citaku, explained that this was a missed opportunity for getting things back to normal and was a victory neither for Kosovo nor for Serbia. (CG/transl.fl)