Serbian Ambassador: ‘Don’t make us choose EU or Kosovo’

EurActiv reported that Serbia would not allow recognition of Kosovan independence to become a condition of its EU membership and believed the Pristina authorities were acting unilaterally in liaison with the US, according to the country’s ambassador to Berlin in an interview with EurActiv Germany.

However, German Chancellor Angela Merkel bluntly told Serbia on the 24 August 2011 that it must give up control of northern Kosovo if it wanted to join the EU. Serbia had de facto control of an ethnic-Serb-dominated enclave in northern Kosovo. She issued the ultimatum at a press conference with Serbian President Boris Tadic in Belgrade during her first-ever state visit to Serbia.

Deutsche Welle, 23.8.11: Kosovo tensions visible as Merkel visits Belgrade http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15337157,00.html

EUObserver, 24.8.11: Germany tells Serbia to give up northern Kosovo http://euobserver.com/15/113401

ESO: Background information: Serbia and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/serbia-2/

ESO: Background information: Reforms for Serbia accession 'on very positive track' http://www.europeansources.info/record/reforms-for-serbia-accession-on-very-positive-track-eu-ambassador/

ESO: Background information: EU criticises Kosovo over border stand-off http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-criticises-kosovo-over-border-stand-off/

EUObserver, 12.9.11: Serbia shows sympathy for Kosovo amid EU talks http://euobserver.com/15/113573

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