Analysts: Partition statements aimed at scoring points

BELGRADE -- Analysts say that Deputy PM Ivica Dačić’s statements regarding partition of Kosovo are aimed at scoring “political points”.

Ivica Dačić (Beta)
Ivica Dačić (Beta)

A question has been raised, however, whether the deputy prime minister overstepped “the red line” when it comes to the state policy toward Kosovo.

Partition of territory among the Serbs and Albanians, which was strongly opposed by all Serbian governments since the democratic changes took place, is actually a solution that was discussed by the Serbian parliament in late 1960s, Serbian President Boris Tadić said commenting on Dačić’s statements.

The deputy prime minister spoke about partition of Kosovo last week.

Tadić pointed out, however, that Dačić's positions did not affect relations within the ruling coalition.

Political analyst Milan Nikolić believes that the deputy PM thinks that these statements will increase his popularity.

Analyst Đorđe Vukadinović thinks that Dačić's opinions could have a negative impact on Serbia's position ahead of the Belgrade-Priština talks that will be held in June. He added that he believed that Serbia was slowly renouncing Resolution 1244 by voicing ideas about partition of Kosovo.

Serbian Constitution from 2006 states in its preamble that Kosovo is an integral part of Serbia and that all state bodies need to protect Serbia's state interests in Kosovo.