The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Janez Janša, who has been attending the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly in New York, today had separate meetings with the President of the Republic of Serbia, Boris Tadić, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Montenegro, Željko Šturanović.

 

Prime Minister Janez Janša met President of the Republic of Serbia, Boris Tadić (Photo: Tina Kosec/Bobo)

 

The main aim of both meetings was to exchange views on current affairs in the Western Balkans, and also discuss a letter sent by PM Janez Janša at the beginning of this week to the heads of state or government of EU member states and the European Commission about the region. In the letter, the Slovenian PM sought to caution that the different issues in the region should not be linked. "One of them is the European perspective on Kosovo," said the PM, expressing regret that the proposal by Special Envoy Ahtisaari had not been followed up by concrete steps.

 

The Slovenian PM asserted that Slovenia fully supports Serbia’s accession to the EU, and that the so-called Kosovo question is no obstacle to that. "I believe that negotiations with Serbia should be resumed right away, and not suspended until we see Serbia's position or its behaviour after a proposal on the final status of Kosovo is on the table." PM went on to stress that this was the only way to take the wind from the sails of Serbia's most radical political forces, who protest that they would not trade Kosovo for European perspective.

 

Prime Minister Janez Janša at the meeting with Montenegrin Prime Minister Željko Šturanović (Photo: Tina Kosec/Bobo)

 

Slovenia sees the Kosovo question, which it will definitely inherit from the Portuguese Presidency, as a challenge, and, according to PM Janez Janša, has been preparing for it intensively. "This year is hardly likely to see any concrete steps made or radical decision taken with regard to recognising an independent Kosovo," said the PM. The key periods will be this winter and next spring, when Slovenia will be carrying a huge responsibility for the region. According to PM Janez Janša, Slovenia will make every effort to achieve unanimity in Europe on the Kosovo question. The PM regretted that both among UN members and the Troika, which has to offer some sort of a solution, i.e. draw up a report, different opinions had been expressed beforehand. He believes that this approach restricts room for manoeuvre, as the list of different solutions is by no means endless.

 

At the meeting with his Montenegrin counterpart, PM Janez Janša agreed that the earliest possible resolution of the Kosovo issue would have long-term benefits for all parties, including Serbia. "Only in this way will this question cease to be an ongoing and the most exposed political issue, and the peoples of this part of Europe will finally be able to turn to the future," said the PM.

 

PM Janez Janša also discussed bilateral links and the strengthening of trade with the Serbian President and Montenegrin PM bilateral. Plans for the future include drawing up and signing various agreements that would further stimulate economic cooperation.