Bearing in mind the deep economic and political crisis challenging
today's Serbia, we appeal to all decision-makers to make an
attainable goal - continuation of the process of EU integration -
the priority of all priorities. The only way Serbia could possibly
secure its economic recovery in the long run and thus not only
better living conditions for all citizens but also normalization of
the relations with Kosovo is to obtain EU candidacy and begin
accession negotiations as soon as possible.
The false choice between Kosovo and EU is pushed
by the part of the political elite that has been profiting from
Serbia's economic and social disintegration for the past twenty
years. This political option imposes on Serbia tensions and conflicts as
regional and global foreign policies while doing all in its power to
obstruct Belgrade-Pristina talks only through which regional
stability and Serbs' rights in Kosovo could be secured. In pursuance to regional stabilization Belgrade
has to cooperate on the abolishment of Serb parallel structures in
the North and on placing the entire territory of Kosovo under EULEX
control, as well as to encourage local Serbs to integrate into
Kosovo society and subsequently look after them in an adequate way.
By accepting the already existing plan that envisages a high degree
of autonomy for Serbs in Kosovo's north Belgrade would make a major
step in that direction.
And with an eye to EU membership and its only
democratic future Serbia has reach a new national consensus on
Kosovo as soon possible. The decision-makers presently in power are
accountable for intensifying all the activities leading towards EU
candidacy and the beginning of accession negotiations with EU, and
mobilize the civil society, the media, rational political elites and
other reform oriented actors for the process. We appeal to them not
to hesitate in taking upon themselves this difficult task.
Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia
Civil Initiatives
BKV Fund
FRACTAL
Lawyers' Committee for Human Rights
Center for Cultural Decontamination
Policy Center
Women in Black
Center for Euro-Atlantic Integrations
Forum for Security and Democracy |
