(Last updated: 8 February) The European Union Troika travelled to Belgrade yesterday (7 February) to explore ways of intensifying cooperation with Serbia's political leaders less than three weeks after the country's parliamentary elections.
The EU Troika – consisting of Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on behalf of Germany's EU Presidency, Javier Solana, High Representative for the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, and Commissioner Olli Rehn – met President Boris Tadic, Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovic in Belgrade. The subsequent Portuguese EU Presidency was represented by Manuel Lobo Antunes, State Secretary for European Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Federal Minister Steinmeier stressed that the EU Troika had come to Serbia to make it clear that "Europe has extended its hand". The EU hoped that Serbia would take up its rightful place. Serbia belonged to Europe. He added that Serbia's electorate had opted for the European way at the last parliamentary elections, as more than two thirds of the votes went to democratic parties. Now the domestic reforms in the spheres of rule of law, democracy and the economy had to be steadfastly continued.
The EU and Serbia emphasized how important it is that the negotiations on a stabilization and association agreement, suspended at present, are resumed. EU Commissioner Rehn said that a new government could make a fresh start on this. This would require a firm commitment to full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. "Concrete steps" in this direction had to be taken. Then Serbia would find that the EU was a partner which offered help and support. Another key matter was the resolution of the Kosovo status issue. Federal Minister Steinmeier stated that following the submission last week of recommendations for a status solution by UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari the task was to conduct a frank dialogue in order to pave the way for a compromise. He also praised President Tadic for seeking a broad parliamentary majority for a mandate for the forthcoming talks. He went on to say that UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari would have to decide on the ten-day postponement of the first round of negotiations suggested by President Tadic. However, Federal Minister Steinmeier stated that he was certain Martti Ahtisaari would carefully consider Serbia's arguments in favour of postponement.
