Brussels, 08/02/2007 (Agence Europe) - The new Serbian government must provide full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), the European Union insists. “The new government can make a new start,” said Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn on Wednesday, answering questions on a possible resumption of negotiations on a stabilisation and association agreement between the EU and Serbia. These talks, which are currently suspended, were still coming up against the lack of cooperation from Belgrade with the ICTY, and “we expect the new government to be fully committed to meeting all conditions, including achieving full cooperation with the ICTY,” Mr Rehn stated. Speaking to press in Belgrade, where he had been taking part in the EU-Serbia Troika, he added, “Once we can witness that, Serbia will find a very supportive partner in the EU”. Also in Serbia for an unconnected visit, UK European Affairs Minister Geoff Hoon was in full agreement with these statements, and said he was awaiting wider cooperation than simply on the cases of Radovan Karadzic and Radko Mladic, who are both still being sought for genocide. “We want to see full cooperation with the international tribunal. That has always been our position. And that does not necessarily mean that any particular individual has to be delivered to the Hague,” he said.
On the issue of Kosovo, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, speaking after discussions with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, EU High Representative for the CFSP Javier Solana and Commissioner Rehn, said, “We need a minimal delay in order to form the parliament and take other necessary measures”. UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari, who presented his proposals last Friday and who is in charge of the timetable, originally wanted consultations between Serbs and Kosovars to begin in Vienna on 13 February, and to continue until the end of the month or the start of March. Before his meeting with Mr Kostunica, Mr Solana indicated that the Europeans would agree to a slight delay, if that meant the Serbs could put in place the institutions which would allow them to engage constructively in these consultations (see EUROPE 9361). It was “very important” that the new government be formed “as soon as possible”, he reiterated after the meeting with the prime minister, who had assured him of his determination to make efforts on this issue. “Serbia will act constructively, but it will also be firm in its determination to ensure that its territorial integrity is respected,” Mr Kostunica also stressed, confirming the strong line adopted by Belgrade, which wishes to restore its sovereignty over the majority Albanian province. (ab)