Nikolic: Kosovo is part of Serbia

PROLOM BANJA – Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic said Saturday that Kosovo was and would remain a part of Serbia, adding that others could see the issue differently, but that no one could take Kosovo away from Serbia as long as it refused to give it.

Commenting on the conditions Serbia was asked to fulfill on its way to the EU, which have been outlined by some German officials in recent days, Nikolic said that other countries, parliaments and governments could voice their positions, but that Kosovo remained a part of Serbia.

He added that everyone who represented the people in Serbia would have to sit down and come to an agreement about Serbia's policy and goals.

"Kosovo was, is and will be a part of Serbia. Others can see the issue differently, but as long as we refuse to give Kosovo, they cannot take it away from us," Nikolic said in Prolom Banja in southern Serbia.

Andreas Schockenhoff, a member of the Bundestag and a high-ranking official of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the party led by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, stated that Germany expected Serbia to sign a joint, legally-binding statement on mutual relations with Kosovo before it is allowed to start accession talks with the EU, which would be implemented by the end of these talks.

Germany also expects implementation of the agreements reached in the Belgrade-Pristina talks, and a deal on continuation of the dialogue beyond the already agreed issues such as energy and telecommunications.

Moreover, Germany expects Serbia to begin dismantling its parallel structures in the security apparatus and administration in north Kosovo and stop their financing.

Berlin also wants Belgrade to consistently encourage Serbs in northern Kosovo to cooperate with EULEX and KFOR.

Germany also expects full realization of the action plan agreed with the EU, with a special focus on the continuation and implementation of the ongoing justice system reform and fight against corruption at all levels.
Belgrade is also expected to make visible progress in the investigation and prosecution of the attack and arson at the German Embassy in Belgrade in February 2008 following Berlin's recognition of Kosovo's independence, and show clear signals it is continuing to pursue reconciliation in the region.