Füle reiterates Kosovo clause for Belgrade

BELGRADE - Agence France-Presse

European Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Füle speaks in Serbia. AP photo

The EU on Oct. 14 called Serbia to improve relations with Kosovo to meet “the only condition” for its further progress towards a membership in the 27-member block.

“We have identified only one key priority... related to the progress in relations with Kosovo,” EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Füle said after meeting Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic. “The ball is on your side. Whenever there is a substantial progress the (European) Commission will recommend to the member states the date that accession negociations commence,” he said. In its yearly report on the progress of countries aspiring to join the EU, the European Commission said earlier this week that Serbia was ready to become a candidate if it resumes dialogue with Pristina on technical issues and implements deals already agreed.

 However, the commission said a date for opening accession talks will be set only once Serbia makes progress in the dialogue and in its relations with Kosovo. Serbian President Boris Tadic said Belgrade was “looking for constructive approaches through a dialogue with Pristina.” “We are looking for solutions exclusively by peaceful means and any unilateral action that would mean use of force we consider dangerous and counterpoductive,” Tadic told a summit of regional leaders focused on EU perspectives of the Western Balkans, also attended by Füle.