SERBIA

VUCIC, MELESKANU DISCUSS REGION, EUROPEAN INTEGRATION, COOPERATION

BELGRADE, 26 December 2018 (Beta) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met with Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Meleskanu in Belgrade on Dec. 26, and discussed bilateral relations, the situation in the region and the priorities during Romania's EU presidency. According to the statement of the president's office, Vucic thanked Romania for voting against the admission of Kosovo into Interpol, and "for its principled position regarding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia." Vucic thanked him for the interest Romania was showing in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, for its support to the implementation of the Brussels agreement, for objectively perceiving the cause of obstruction in the dialogue, and for Romania's insisting on the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue being kept separate from the process of European integration, the statement reads. He said that Serbia was "entirely dedicated to finding a long-term and sustainable solution to the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, with full respect for the state interests and respect for international law and Resolution 1244. He expressed concern over the series of unilateral moves by Pristina, such as attempts at usurping the electricity grid in Kosovo and Metohija, decision to transform the Kosovo Security Force into the so-called Army of Kosovo and the imposing of import fees on Serbian goods, which represents the most flagrant violation of the CEFTA agreement," the statement reads. Vucic stated he was pleased with the traditionally good and friendly relations between the two countries, stressing that it was necessary to work on strengthening cooperation in the economy, infrastructure and energy. In the first ten months of 2018, trade amounted to EUR1.29 billion, which is 21.8 percent more than in the same period last year. Minister Meleskanu pointed out the importance of mutual support, stressing that Serbia was Romania's most important partner in the region and that it was necessary to work on strengthening economic cooperation, He added Romania would advocate the policy of enlargement during its EU presidency.

VUCIC TALKS WITH CEPURIN

BELGRADE, 26 December 2018 (Beta) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic had talks with the Russian ambassador in Belgrade, Aleksandar Cepurin, on Dec. 26. Cepurin conveyed New Year's greetings from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitrij Medvedev, it was stated by the presidency. In their messages, Putin and Medvedev welcomed the development of relations between Russia and Serbia so far, and stated they hoped they would progress further. Vucic and Cepurin concurred that preparations for Putin's visit to Serbia were being completed successfully, while the Serbian president stated that this visit was a great honor for Serbia. It is expected that several agreements will be signed during Putin's visit to Serbia.

MELESKANU AND BRNABIC: WESTERN BALKANS IS ONE OF PRIORITIES OF ROMANIA'S EU PRESIDENCY

BELGRADE, 26 December 2018 (Beta) - Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Meleskanu stated during his Dec. 26 meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic that the EU's enlargement in the Western Balkans would be one of the most important subjects during the forthcoming Romanian presidency of the EU in the first half of 2019, and added that his country would continue supporting the European integration of Serbia, the Serbian government has stated. Meleskanu stressed that Romania would also continue to support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia and the resumption of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, and that it was convinced that solving the issue of Kosovo was crucial for the region's stability. Brnabic thanked Romania for its support of Serbia's European integration, adding that Serbia was aware of the fact that the condition for stability, progress and economic development was a solid connection with its neighbors, among which Romania holds a significant place. Commenting on Pristina's decision to increase the import fee on goods from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to 100 percent, Brnabic said Belgrade would not resume the dialogue until the lifting of that measure, which was in violation of CEFTA, as well as of all agreements reached within the Brussels accords. Meleskanu stated that he wished for even better economic relations and regional cooperation with Serbia, as an important partner in the region, and that he was pleased with the latest indicators that showed a significant increase in trade. The collocutors assessed that the quadrilateral meeting of Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece, held in Belgrade this month, was very important for the development of mutual cooperation and the promotion of stability, security and development in the region. They once again stressed the significance of constructing the Belgrade-Timisoara motorway and reconstructing and modernizing railway infrastructure between the two countries, the statement reads.

GOJKOVIC MEETS WITH ROMANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

BELGRADE, 26 December 2018 (Beta) - Serbian Parliament Speaker Maja Gojkovic stated during her Dec. 26 meeting with Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Meleskanu that Serbia had great expectations from Romania's EU presidency. Meleskanu said one of the important aspects of Romania's presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2019 would be to advocate the idea of continued enlargement and that, in the context of the enlargement policy, the Western Balkans was the priority, the Parliament has stated. Gojkovic thanked Romania for its support of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia, while Meleskanu stated that Romania would not recognize the independence of Kosovo, adding that it was time for dialogue. The parliament speaker said Serbia had great expectations from Romania's presidency, which placed the enlargement process among the priorities of its presidency. She also said membership in the EU was the first foreign policy priority of Serbia, which is continuing the reforms and harmonizing its legislation with that of the EU. Gojkovic and Meleskanu said next year marked 140 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, and that the two countries should mark this significant date with joint projects. They concurred that the two countries were connected by traditionally good and friendly relations.