Foreign Minister Discusses Western Balkan Topics with MEPs

Ljubljana, 12 October

Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel met on Friday a delegation of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs led by its vice-president Libor Roucek for talks on the priorities of Slovenia's EU presidency in 2008. The meeting focused on Western Balkans' European future, in particular Serbia's accession to the EU and the future status of Kosovo.

"Slovenia is aware that it is facing certain challenges at the end of the year and at the beginning of 2008. Slovenia would like the EU to stay united in those challenges," Rupel told the press on Friday in Ljubljana after meeting Roucek. He expressed hope that a consensus would be reached. Rupel and Roucek agreed that the best foundation for a solution of the future status of Kosovo is still a plan put forward by UN special envoy for Kosovo Martti Ahtisaari. Rupel said that "many more things can be agreed on between Belgrade and Pristina".
Regarding Serbia's accession to the EU, the Slovenian minister expressed hope that the same criteria that had been applied to Croatia would be applied to Serbia. He mentioned a possibility that certain deadlines could be loosened.
The minister exepcts not only that Serbia and the EU sign the agreement on the stabilisation and association, but that Serbia is granted the status of an EU candidate during Slovenia's EU presidency. Of course, under the condition that the country fully cooperates with the Hague tribunal, added Rupel. Roucek meanwhile said that the EU should support pro-European forces in Serbia. It is important for all countries in the Western Balkans to have a clear prospect and that the prospect is EU membership, according to the member of the European Parliament.
Regarding a further round of EU enlargement, Roucek said it would be possible only after the ratification of the new EU reform treaty. "This will be one of the main challenges in 2008. If the EU wants to enlarge in the future, it has to agree on the reform treaty and ratify it," he said. Rupel also briefed Roucek on the preparations for a meeting of foreign ministers from Western Balkans countries which will be held during a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Slovenia in March 2008.

Foreign Minister Discusses Western Balkan Topics with MEPs

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