Balkans: Serbia 'will never recognize Kosovo'

Belgrade, 6 Sept. (AKI) - Serbia will never recognize Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008, despite such hints from European Union officials, prime minister Ivica Dacic said on Thursday, after a two-day visit to Brussels.

Serbia got a status of an official candidate for EU membership last March, but the EU has tied its bid to “visible improvement of relations with Kosovo” and “normalization” of relations.

However, EU parliament president Martin Schulz said after talks with Dacic that “at the end of long road” the recognition of Kosovo would ultimately pop up as main condition for membership.

“The statement by the president of the European parliament, Martin Schulz, was wrongly interpreted,” Dacic said in an interview with Belgrade daily Vecernje novosti. “Serbia will not recognize Kosovo,” he said.

Belgrade officials have tried to play down Schulz’s statement, saying it was his personal opinion, not the position of the EU. But analysts have warned that any of 27 EU members could block Serbia’s entry based on Kosovo or any other issue.

Dacic said he expected a clear stand fro the EU on what Serbia has to do to join the 27-nation club. Belgrade will then say what it can do and what can’t “and will be sincere in that”, he added.

“On the other hand, we expect from the EU not to post ‘movable targets’, and conditions which are constantly being changed,” he said. “Serbia expects from the EU to clearly state where the finishing line of the race we are running is,” Dacic concluded.

Belgrade opposes Kosovo independence, which has been recognized by ninety countries, including the United States and 22 out of 27 EU members. But it has agreed to EU sponsored talks on normalization of relations.