The leader of the Independent Liberal Party (SLS), Slobodan Petrovic confirmed for Dnevnik that the Serbian list would accept to be part of the new ruling coalition in Kosovo, while he denied that some special conditions would be placed for Hashim Thaci and Isa Mustafa. Petrovic, who has been vice president of Thaci’s previous government, explains that the basis for discussion would be topics that are on the table from day one – the issue of return, the formation of the ZSO, privatization, SPC and economic status of the Serbian community.
– For us it is important that the Serbian government fully backed the Serbian list. Thus the Serbian List has become much stronger and more important, and now it’s up to us to remain united in all fields. We will be able to achieve the best possible start, while we are aware of the fact that we cannot immediately change all that for years has created problems for the Serbs in Kosovo. In any case, the most important thing is to stick to those principles which we have defined when we formed a joint electoral list – Petrovic explains.
So far, said Petrovic to Dnevnik, there had been no concrete conversations between Thaci, Mustafa and the Serbian list about the composition of the government; only informal meetings took place which only confirmed an agreement of the two Albanian parties to form a government. However, these discussions have served as an opportunity to communicate desire and willingness of the Serbian List to be part of the executive power.
– Immediately after the election we declared that we are ready to take some responsibility in the executive branch. However, for some next steps, such as the precise definition of our participation through the ministries, and then about personal solutions, we will wait the official confirmation of the Prime Minister-designate. What is certain is that our goal is not to have as many positions in the new government; our goal is to take responsibility in those sectors that are of vital interest for the Serbian community.
He rejected speculation that, as soon as come up on the agenda “personnel issues”, i.e. when they start conversations on who would join the new Kosovo government and on what position – the Serbian list would tear up.
– We did not come to a situation that might endanger the unity of the Serbian List in any way, so I doubt it would happen because of “personnel issues”. Such insinuations mainly come from those who have nothing to do with us. Let me remind you that the Serbian list has been formed by the CI “Srpska”, the SLS and the CI SDP – Oliver Ivanovic, with a basic prerequisite to put aside parties’ interests. Each of us has proposed their candidates, but thereafter all of them become unified voice of the Serbian list.
Petrovic said that when it comes to the SLS, in this respect there are no ambiguities even in the case of members of the party, or him personally.
– As I have done it before, I will continue to care only about the interests of the Serbian community in Kosovo. Whether in government, either in parliament or in a third position, I will give my maximum. Of course, that everyone cannot be part of the executive power. But it is not, nor may be the subject of any discussion. It is clear that unity in these terms is more than necessary for us and it will be as we agree within the Serbian list.
