(Interview with Jelena Divkovic - journalist - newspaper Today "Данас" 5-6. 2. 2011.) 

English translation: Branislava  Mitrovic

Živadin Jovanović, formerly Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, gives interview to “Danas” Daily on the occasion of receiving a Russian honorary medal

Belgrade – The actual politicians lack awareness that the actual administration will, in time, become a former one. There is too much of party politics where we need state and national approaches.

“The government exercises excessive optimism, and the citizens demonstrate distrust. It is necessary to abolish feudalism within government and prevent feudalization of state territory” – this is how former Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Mr. Živadin Jovanović, sees the ongoing political situation in Serbia.

In an interview for the Belgrade “Danas” daily on the occasion of receiving a high recognition from the Russian Federation, Russian Honorary Medal, which will be awarded to him next Monday by Russian Ambassador in Belgrade, H. E. Aleksandar Konuzin, Mr. Jovanović underlines that Serbia’s legitimate aspirations to become a European Union member state “should not be exercised by renouncing vital state and national interests, especially not by conceding to requisition of Kosovo and Metohija, because nothing is comparable with the latter, not even the EU”.

How do you perceive the current relations between Serbia and Russia, and is there anything to be changed?

- Serbia needs a strategy of balanced relations with all important stakeholders. As a European country, Serbia should pay greatest attention to her relations with neighbors and the EU countries. Having said that, I am of the opinion that the pace of improving relations with Russia need to be quicker. We need greater openness for cooperation, as urges not only the tradition but also sheer interests. We have been sharing common market with Russia for the past 11 years, but it is debatable to which extent Serbia makes use of this opportunity. Further, Serbia is rather interested in establishing energy security jointly with Russia.

Still, Belgrade administration attributes the highest priority to EU integration.

- Serbia’s aspiration to become a EU member state is legitimate. However, this should not be exercised by renouncing vital state and national interests, especially not by conceding to requisition of Kosovo and Metohija, because nothing is comparable with Kosovo and Metohija, not even the EU.

What do you think of relations between Belgrade and Washington?

- Relations with the USA are important for the international standing of Serbia; however, Belgrade need have its own agenda rather than rubberstamping one coming from Washington. The entire American politics demonstrates that it favors all former Yugoslav Republics much more than Serbia. Besides, military relations between Serbia and the US should not outclass the political ones, especially bearing in mind that the US has led NATO aggression in 1999, and that it was the sponsor of the KLA, and is the key power seeking to dispossess Serbia of Kosovo and Metohija.

When should begin the dialogue with Priština? Should the talks include the question of Kosovo status?

- Dialogue with Priština is necessary, yet it has to be different than previous attempts of talks. It should begin with easier issues. However, the dialogue format should remain within United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, given that it retains permanent importance and none is questioning it. This means that the dialogue must include status of Kosovo, which may be resolved by means of a compromise solution within Resolution 1244.

Presently, the most topical issue concerning Kosovo is the Report of Dick Marty, Special Rapporteur of the Council of Europe. How do you appraise this document, and what could unfold as its follow-up?

- I deem that Marty’s Report and resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe are most important for revealing the truth about events in Kosovo and Metohija throughout 1990s and also thereafter. Now is crucial to ensure full protection of witnesses, and conduct efficient investigation to which Serbia can contribute considerably. I believe that this investigation should be conducted by an independent international team of experts, not EULEX, because the latter has already failed in this same matter.

How do you evaluate the performance of Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić?

- What Vuk Jeremić does is related with higher levels of administration, the Government of Serbia and the President of the Republic. Jeremić is not on his own in foreign policy, he executes what is agreed at the highest state level. I think Jeremić is energetic and dynamic and, if there are any objections concerning the foreign policy, he is the last one to be blamed.

Do you have any objection against the situation in Serbian ‘internal’ politics?

- It does no good to anyone to keep finding excuses for the ongoing situation in Serbia only in past regimes and global crisis. There is lack of awareness that the actual administration will someday become a former one. There is too much of party politics where we need state and national approaches. The government exercises excessive optimism, and the citizens demonstrate significant distrust. It is necessary to abolish feudalism within government and prevent feudalization of state territory.

The Russian Honorary Medal will be awarded to Živadin Jovanović on Monday, 7th February, in a ceremony in Russian Home, in marking the 75th anniversary of the beginning of fighting against fascism, and 65 years since the Allies victory in World War II. Last year, this same medal was received by President of Serbia Boris Tadić. “I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from the country who suffered the biggest human sacrifices and gave the greatest contribution to combating fascism”, said Jovanović.