"The provisional Pristina institutions PM saying that the so-called 'Kosovo Army' could enter the north of Kosovo is a threat to the entire region's peace," stated Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin.
He told the public broadcaster, RTS, that the Serbian Army was "confident, strong and capable of preserving peace and stability throughout the country."
Serbia should recognise Kosovo as an independent, sovereign country and Kosovo should do the same, said Matthew Palmer, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State.
"The talks between Belgrade and Pristina are not about the border change, but about recognition. Serbia should recognise Kosovo as an independent, sovereign country, and Kosovo should do the same," Palmer said in Delfi, at the fourth Delphi Economic Forum, Danas daily reported.
David McAllister, the European Parliament (EP) Rapporteur for Serbia told Radio Free Europe (RFE) in an interview his delegation called on Pristina authorities to revoke the decision on the 100 percent import taxes on goods from Serbia to enable the Belgrade – Pristina dialogue to resume, the Beta news agency reported on Wednesday.
On Monday, Nathalie Loiseau, French Minister for European Affairs said ahead of her visit to Belgrade that the current situation in the EU did not allow enlargement under the satisfactory conditions.
The European Movement in Serbia Secretary-general Suzana Grubjesic told N1 on Wednesday that the European Union showed fatigue with the enlargement but added Serbia should continue with the reforms.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that the representatives of the Kosovo Serbs, both from the south and from the north, asked from him
to leave all the Kosovo institutions and added that he asked them to wait for an answer for a maximum of 45 days, in order to have the opportunity to speak with the Chinese President and other world leaders.
The current situation in the European Union does not allow enlargement under the satisfactory condition, Nathalie Loiseau, French Minister for European Affairs said ahead of her visit to Belgrade, the Beta news agency reported on Monday.
She said the May election would be crucial for the future of the EU.
Serbian Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajic says to Radio Television of Serbia that throughout Kosovo there are Serbian goods, which arrive there through alternative roads, reported Belgrade based daily Danas.
Ljajic recalled that Serbian officials promptly warned of the development of the black market immediately after the introduction of a tax.
German Ambassador to Belgrade Thomas Schieb told Serbian Trade and Telecommunications Minister Rasim Ljajic his country pressured Pristina to urgently lift the 100 percent import tariffs on goods from Serbia, FoNet news agency reported.
Schieb added the taxes should be abolished to normalize the trade cooperation in the region and enable the resumption of the Belgrade – Pristina dialogue on normalization of relations, facilitated by the European Union.
European Commission Spokesperson Maja Kocijancic told Tanjug news agency the issue of Trepca status should be resolved through legally binding agreement on normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina.
She added, “that all open issues between the two sides should be resolved through finalization of the dialogue.”
If Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic decides that extraordinary elections would be held on 31 March, they would be called for on 30 January, latest by 14 February, one day prior to Serbia’s Statehood Day, Prva TV reports this morning.
However, if a decision is to have an election by mid-April, then they should be called for from 13th to 18th February. If elections are to take place, campaign according to this calculation, should start after Statehood Day (15 February), Prva TV continues, referring to the Serbian media reports.