Ljubljana, 07/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - The president-in-office of the European Council, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa, is confident that the warnings from Belgrade slamming the EU's position on Kosovo and criticising the future ESDP mission will not, at the end of the day, be followed by initiatives that bring Serbia's process of European integration to a halt. In recent days, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica asserted that recognition of a future independent Kosovo by Europeans, and the deployment of the ESDP mission on the ground would automatically cancel out the recent initialling of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) and would, de facto, block any future rapprochement between Serbia and the Union (EUROPE 9573). Mr Jansa, who has an extremely good grasp of the political situation in Belgrade, feels that these remarks are mere electoral rhetoric prior to the presidential elections in Serbia (first round to be held on 20 January, second round on 3 February). Mr Jansa told journalists on Monday 7 January in Ljubljana that “before each election in Serbia over the past ten years, strong nationalist views have been voiced. But most of these declarations and promises have been forgotten shortly after the ballot”. The EU must therefore remain firm and united, he said, and not allow itself to be impressed by Serbian comments of this kind. Instead of linking its own European destiny to the future of a province inhabited at 90% by Albanians, Serbia would do better to put its stakes on its own European integration by considering the EU as its “main ally”, mainly when it comes to protecting the Serbian minority in Kosovo. “By opposing an international presence in Kosovo, Serbs act de facto against the interests of Serbs on the ground”, he said, adding that the EU will be insisting on the strongest possible protection of all minorities.
The Slovenian EU Council presidency will be guided by two ambitions on the Kosovo issue, the Slovenian prime minister continued, saying these were to reach a definitive solution on the status “by the end of June” and to maintain the “unity” of the 27 on this dossier. But how can the EU speak with a single voice if some member states (Cyprus, Romania) categorically refuse to recognise an independent Kosovo, and while others (Greece, Spain, Malta and Slovakia) are reticent and continue to have doubts about the legal base of the future ESDP mission without UN Security Council approval? When it comes to the question of recognition, Mr Jansa points out that unanimity by the EU27 is not required, as each member state is free to recognise this new state, or not, at any moment. He therefore seeks to reassure the reticent member states by saying that the “independence” of Kosovo should be put into perspective. “In reality, one cannot even speak of full independence and complete sovereignty for Kosovo as we cannot send an ESDP mission into a country that is fully independent and sovereign. This is more of a first step” towards full independence which, for the president-in-office of the European Council, is “inevitable”. Regarding the decision on the ESDP mission (legal base and operational arrangements), which will require unanimous support from the 27, the Slovenian EU presidency is confident that the mission will be approved by the Council without too many problems in February at the latest. The subject will be discussed during the General Affairs Council on 28 January.
Western Balkans. The European prospect for the countries of the region must be “reaffirmed”, Mr Jansa said, in the hope that all Stabilisation and Association Agreements (SAA) with these countries will be signed by the end of June (two signatories are missing: Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina). Bosnia-Herzegovina causes particular concern for the Slovenian prime minister who takes the view that the political and ethnic tensions in this country are “a more serious problem for the stability of the Balkans than Kosovo”. “On Kosovo, it is more or less clear what will happen (controlled independence), the only question being 'how'. But, in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the question is more fundamental: - do the Dayton Agreements work or not?”, Mr Jansa explained, considering that this question must be examined in earnest (he said it could be a subject for the Czech EU presidency during the first half of 2009). The presidency also hopes to help the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) along. Since obtaining candidate country status in December 2005, the country has made significant progress without being given a date for opening membership talks. “We do not want Macedonia to be forgotten”, Mr Jansa stressed. The chances of setting a date in 2008 are, however, minimal. Croatia's membership is actively supported by Slovenia but Mr Jansa criticised the fact that Zagreb extended its environmental and fishing protection zone on 1 January 2008 (EUROPE 9572) “contrary to what had been agreed in the agreement concluded in 2004 with the European Commission, Italy and Slovenia”. This situation must be put right in order to prevent it having an impact on accession talks with Croatia. “A commitment made must be upheld. It is a matter of principle”, he said.
Lisbon Treaty. Mr Jansa expressed the hope that a majority of member states would ratify the treaty by the end of June. “According to our indications, more or less 20 member states plan to do so”, he said. Slovenia intends to set the example: ratification should be completed by the end of February, according to its prime minister.
Russia. It is in the interest of both parties to restore normal relations, Mr Jansa said, saying there is a chance that the opening of talks on the new partnership agreement will be unblocked in the near future. (H.B.)