Serbian president pledges faster EU integration

Belgrade, March 17 (IANS) Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic said that the new government will try to solve the Kosovo issue, establish “firmer cooperation with its traditional allies, Russia and China” and further advance towards EU.

“We will form a government that will continue the EU path with more stability and much faster,” he said after casting his vote in the parliamentary elections in New Belgrade with his wife Dragica, Xinhua reported.

Nikolic said he believes that the new government will be formed shortly after the elections so that it could dedicate to achieving better life for Serbian people.

“Those that have the majority of votes will have to take the responsibility for those that voted against them,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and the leader of the ruling Progressive party Aleksandar Vucic said that the new government will have to deal with painful reforms and fight against crime.

“It won’t be easy but I hope we will find the strength,” Vucic told reporters early morning after voting at New Belgrade where he came with his daughter.

He explained that Serbia needs reforms of fiscal policy and labor and privatization laws.

Vucic said that he expected that his party achieve better results than the others in the elections. However he said “he will respect the results of the election” whatever they turn to be.

Prime Minister and leader of the Serbian Socialist Party (SPS) Ivica Dacic said that after the elections the future government has to continue with the plans set by the past one.

After voting on Sunday morning at Dedinje, in Belgrade, in presence of his wife and children, Dacic said that it is more important for Serbia to advance in EU integrations and improve its international position than him to become it’s government leader again.

“It is important that Serbia takes as better position possible in international circles and to advance towards the membership of EU in accordance with its national interests,” Dacic told reporters.

Dacic said that measures that were started by the government he presided mustn’t be delayed.

“Political stability is the precondition for any kind of serious development,” he said.

Early parliamentary elections ended at 8 p.m. Sunday.