EU greets Kosovo-Serbia pact

“First of all, I am very happy that we reached an agreement. I know that it has been extraordinarily difficult for PMs Boris Tadic and Hashim Thaci, but they showed courage and leadership, and I expressed my respect for this. These agreements enable both parties to move ahead”, declared Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the EU.

“Serbia has fulfilled the conditions for the EU candidate status, but allow me to say that the agreement that was reached on the last week has also laid the foundations for contractual relations between Kosovo and the EU. This has a great significance for Kosovo too, if it will happen”, declared Carl Bildt, Foreign Minister of Sweden.

The Ministers are expected to come out with conclusions about the candidate status for Serbia and the feasibility study about Kosovo.

“I hope that it will be possible to give the candidate status to Serbia, in today’s and tomorrow’s council, but also by the end of the week, at the European Summit. I am sure that the agreement reached between Pristina and Belgrade was good, and I will defend today the candidate status for Serbia”, declared Didier Reynders, Foreign Minister of Belgium.

“We will see and discuss it today, and by keeping in mind what the colleagues said in the last weeks, I think that we can reach our goal”, declared Michael Spindelegger, Foreign Minister of Austria.

After the EU Council of Foreign Ministers review, Serbia’s candidacy will be discussed this Tuesday at the Council of General Matters, before the final decision is taken, and also during the Summit of the EU Heads of States and governments, which will be held this weekend.

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