European Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele stated that it is important for Belgrade and Pristina to reach an agreement on regional presentation and reiterated that both sides should maintain maximum flexibility.

In an interview for the Belgrade-based weekly Nedeljnik, when asked whether the EU considers as acceptable the solution according to which Kosovo would be represented at regional forums by a plate bearing the title of Kosovo together with the symbol of UN Security Council Resolution 1244, Fuele stated that it is important for the relevant sides to reach an agreement on the issue within the dialogue, and added that it is not up to him to anticipate the outcome of the process. In recent contacts with representatives of both sides, I called for maximum flexibility so that a feasible solution could be found which would be acceptable for both sides, Fuele stated.

The EU official said that the European Commission is willing to issue a recommendation for opening the talks on Serbia's EU accession as soon as sufficient progress has been made in achieving the key priority, that is the need for Serbia to take further steps toward normalising the relations with Pristina.

We hope that this goal can be achieved promptly, and it is up to Serbia to make it possible for the goal to be achieved this year already, Fuele stated.

When asked whether annulment of parallel institutions in northern Kosovo could be a condition for Serbia's EU membership, Fuele stated that Serbia is expected to stick to conditions defined in the process of stabilisation and association with the EU and to respect its international obligations, including the relevant resolution adopted by the UN Security Council.

In this context, he said, a credible process would be needed to clarify the status, functions and funding of structures in northern Kosovo, and at the same time the EU calls on Pristina to exert influence on people in northern Kosovo and initiate an inclusive long-term policy for the north.

The EU commissioner noted that the fight against corruption is also one of the main obstacles on Serbia's EU path, since it represents one of the most serious long-term challenges which need to be resolved with great energy and persistence, just like is the case in other world countries.