J. Joksimović: Macron underlined the key role and responsibility of the EU for stability in the region

July 17 2019 | Belgrade

J. Joksimović: Macron underlined the key role and responsibility of the EU for stability in the region

Discussions held between French President Emmanuel Macron and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić were really open and more importantly fruitful, and both understood each other’s positions on the issue of Kosovo, stated Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović today.

Asked about her opinion on the promise of French President Emmanuel Macron to support the renewal of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and the announcement of a special meeting aimed at reaching an agreement, Joksimović told O2 television that Macron understood Serbia’s position on this issue that had been presented by President Aleksandar Vučić during a long-standing conversation, and that he (Macron) enthusiastically said that he would engage in getting the counterparts to continue the talks, but under the condition that Pristina withdrew its tariffs.

Joksimović expressed her opinion that, during his two-day official visit to Serbia, Macron conveyed another important message, namely, that this region was European and that the responsibility for its stability was borne by the EU.

Indirectly, she continued, this meant that the stabilization of the situation, the resolution of the Kosovo-Metohija problem and the continuation of the dialogue were tests for the EU's functionality in regards to issues of security and stability within the European continent and European area.

“He is returning the responsibility to the EU as a signatory to the Brussels Agreement”, said Joksimović.

She stressed that, through certain statements and actions, Pristina had relentlessly attempted to tear down the EU's credibility.

“The EU is the one that bears responsibility and Macron decisively said it”, indicated Joksimović, recalling that German Chancellor Angela Merkel had called Pristina to withdraw its tariffs on Serbian goods, which Belgrade set as a condition for the continuation of the dialogue.

Joksimović observed that the same request was made by US Ambassador Kyle Scott, stressing that there was a synergy of calls directed towards Pristina to withdraw its unilateral tariffs that were violating agreements, including the SAA, and recalling that it was precisely due to the unilateral tariffs imposed by Pristina that a meeting scheduled for early July between representatives from Pristina and Belgrade with Macron and Merkel had been cancelled in Paris.

“We will see what the effects of these calls will be. This synergy must result in Pristina withdrawing its tariffs, a relatively prompt continuation of the dialogue and attempts to seek a solution that, as Macron said, would acknowledge both sides and not the maximalist demands of either side”, concluded Joksimović.

Source: О2 and Tanjug