The chairwoman of the European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with the countries of south-east Europe, Doris Pack, and former chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, Elmar Brock, paid a one-day visit to Serbia on 20 February 2007. Having met with the Serbian President, Boris Tadic, and the Prime Minister, Vojislav Kostunica, EP officials also held a meeting with Deputies.

On the Serbian side, Milos Aligrudic, Gordana Comic, Suzana Grubjesic, Ana Makanova Tomanova, Bojana Aleksic, Dusan Prorokovic, and Pasztor Balint took part in the meeting.

The discussion focused on a Working Paper on the future of Kosovo and the role of the European Union, to be discussed by the European Parliament in late March or early April. The Serbian delegation expressed dissatisfaction and concern with the draft Working Paper, prepared by the EP rapporteur, Joost Langedijk, and explicitly recommending independence for Kosovo. The Serbian side pointed out that such a solution was incompatible with current UN Security Council documents, and underlined that it was unacceptable and could have significant negative impact on the region, as well as serve as a negative example for secessionists in other countries. Based on comments made by MEPs to the draft Working Paper, the Serbian Deputies proposed that the European People’s Party bloc in the EP – to which both Ms Pack and Mr Brock belong – should propose amendments to change parts of the document unacceptable to the Serbian side.

The EP officials said the draft Paper was unacceptable even in their opinion, as some of the views expressed in it are even more drastic than proposals outlined in the Ahttisaari Plan, and said they would propose amendments to it. The visiting officials expressed their view that it was important for Serbia to commit all of its resources to social and economic development, and give up the ‘burden of the past’ as quickly as possible, which would lead to swifter integration into the EU.

The Serbian side also stressed the importance accorded to EU integration, and expressed its conviction that negotiations on the Association and Stabilisation Agreement would be resumed as quickly as possible.