Brussels – At his meetings with the EULEX Head of Mission Yves de Kermabon and Director General for Common Foreign and Security Policy Robert Cooper today in Brussels, Minister for Kosovo-Metohija Goran Bogdanovic discussed all open issues regarding relations between Belgrade and EULEX but also the situation in general in the southern Serbian province.

In his talks, Minister Bogdanovic insisted that the EULEX Mission must strictly and consistently abide by its mandate, implementing the competences that the said mandate provides, while all the time remaining unconditionally status-neutral.

Speaking openly, the Head of EULEX de Kermabon and Minister Bogdanovic looked at issues related to judiciary, police and customs, as well as the functioning of the Serbian mobile operators in the province.

Bogdanovic recalled that over the last few months Pristina made several unilateral moves demonstrating violence against Serbs south from the Ibar River in order to exert even more pressure and render the position of the remaining Serb population even more difficult.

The Minister demanded that EULEX acts in line with its mandate, prevents any kind of violence and ‘restrains’ Pristina, as well as that it establishes a better communication and coordination with the Serbian state organs.

The Minister also reiterated that any plan for integration of the northern part of the province is unacceptable for Serbs in the province and for official Belgrade.

Serbia is ready for pragmatic and constructive continuation of cooperation, but will not be forced into accepting any unilateral decision and creation of an artificial balance between the northern and southern part of the province, Minister Bogdanovic concluded.