Mit - Index

Mit - UVK_Sinfo_2008_02February4 - Index

I have explicitly mentioned a series of statements by the Secretary-
GeneralI in the report which was published on 3 January this year,
to answer that part of the question concerned with undermining
the authority of the UN. After all attempts at an agreement between
the sides failed, in that very report the Secretary-General to
the seriousness of the problem and to the danger of the situation
if no changes occurred. Intervention by the European Union was
therefore vital. In the position adopted on 18 February in Brussels
we clearly stated that Kosovo is an exceptional case, as it has been
managed by the United Nations via UNMIK since 1999, and it cannot
be compared to any other region in the world. Serbia considers
Kosovo its property, regardless of the fact that since 1974 it was
equal to the Republics in terms of the highest representation of
Yugoslavia. Kosovo cannot be a precedent. These are the positions
of the European Union, and Slovenian views on the problem of
Kosovo are the same as the other Member States of the EU.
WHAT DEVELOPMENTS IN RELATIONS
WITH SERbIA DO yOU EXPECT WITH
REgARD TO THE LATEST EVENTS IN
bELgRADE AND IN KOSOVO?
I would like to repeat that the European Union offered Serbia a political
agreement with the purpose of speeding up its integration
in the European Union. It is an important positive attitude of the
EU, but Serbia has not signed the agreement so far. Our offer is, of
course, still valid, as we really want Serbia to become a member of
the European Union as soon as possible, of course when it meets
the conditions for that.
It is also understandable that the declaration of independence decided
by the parliament of Kosovo is a difficult moment for Serbia.
In recent presidential elections, the candidate TadiÊ was elected on
the basis of two catchwords in the election campaign: for Serbian
accession to the European Union and against the independence
of Kosovo. We have always claimed that these are two separate
questions, and we are still convinced of that. I don’t understand
why Serbia is punishing itself because of the decision of the Kosovo
parliament, and does not accede to a political agreement
which would make its integration in the European Union easier.
We are, of course, worried because of the violent demonstrations
which occurred in Belgrade and some other cities, and especially
the vandal attack on the Slovenian embassy in Belgrade. We have
vigorously protested against these acts. These events are contrary
to international law, as the Serbian authorities were responsible for
protecting the Slovenian embassy. I think that it is clear to every-
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IntERview
body that violence is not the way to resolve questions; in the past
two decades we’ve had too much violence in the Western Balkans
and we are sincerely hoping for peace.
THE RECENT MEETINg Of THE EU-
RUSSIA TROIKA IN bRDO DID NOT DECIDE
TO DETERMINE NEW RELATIONS WITH
RUSSIA, bUT THE RE-DEfININg Of THE
EUROPEAN-RUSSIAN PARTNERSHIP
IS HEADINg fOR SOME TURbULENT
MONTHS. HOW DO yOU PREDICT THE
DEVELOPMENT Of THESE RELATIONS?
The European Union and Russia are neighbours; they collaborate
well and are interdependent in many areas. Russia is an important
strategic partner of the EU and both sides have an interest in even
closer and more effective relations. Trade in goods between the
EU and Russia is growing year by year and in 2007 it amounted to
approximately 200 billion euros. Slovenia contributes to that with
more than 1 billion euros in mutual trade in goods. Also, political
dialogue between the EU and the Russian Federation is happening
in numerous areas and at various levels, and is more extensive
and successful than ever before. Also in the area of four common
spaces, collaboration is good and in recent years we have achieved
considerable progress. Slovenes and Russians simply love each
other. Look at the Forum of Slavic Cultures.
Slovenia as the state holding the Presidency of the EU supports the
efforts to start negotiations about a new framework agreement to
succeed the current PCA as soon as possible. We are hoping that
the Council of the EU will soon be able to pass a negotiating mandate
for a new agreement between the EU and Russia, and that
negotiations with the Russian Federation could start even before
the termination of the Slovenian Presidency. And in the bilateral
area, Slovenia is striving to maintain excellent relations with Russia,
which was confirmed in addition to the last meeting of EU Troika
with the Russian Federation at the level of foreign ministers in Brdo
on 13 February.
The European-Russian partnership is perhaps really heading for ‘turbulent
months’, but in a positive sense. The numerous talks and negotiations
that are planned during the time of Slovenian Presidency
of the EU as well as later will lead to an even higher level of collaboration
and trust between the EU and Russian Federation than so far.
In June, in Hantij Mansijsk in Siberia, an EU-Russia summit will
february 08 sinfo