Dusan LAZIC: When we adopt the European laws, standards and values we do it first of all for ourselves

On November 4 Belgrade hosted the Central Euro­pean Initiative summit with the participation of the head of the Ukrainian government Mykola Aza­rov. On November 10-11 the Serbian president is going to visit our country. What does Serbia expect from today’s forum and the talks between Boris Tadic and the Ukrai­nian president? Dusan LA­ZIC, Ambassador Extra­or­dinary and Ple­ni­poten­tia­ry of the Republic of Serbia in Ukraine spoke about it in his interview to The Day.

In your first interview to The Day you said that our countries had to intensify the dialog at the highest level so that the relations between the two countries develop faster. What can you say about it? Have your hopes for a more intensive dialog realized?

“Yes, they have. Over the last year and a half the important positive changes in cooperation between our coun­tries have been happening. We have held quite many mutual political visits that have spurred further comprehensive development of our relations and cooperation.

“We will continue working on it. On November 4 Belgrade will host the Central European Initiative (CEI) summit of prime mi­nis­ters. Serbia will preside over this organization till the end of this year and then will hand the presidency to Ukraine. It is important to ensure good continuity of CEI’s work.

“This organization is very important for both Serbia and Ukraine as well as for all the CEI members since it deals with topical issues concerning the development of the regional coope­ration between the countries.”

What are the main questions to be discussed at this CEI summit?

“The Belgrade summit will touch upon the development of the econo­mic coope­ration in the region. This issue is extremely important and topical for all the CEI members. Everyone knows that the global economy and finances are facing serious problems. Proceeding from the agenda, I am sure that there will be a very useful discussion, information and experience exchange in order to create a good basis for the further economic coope­ration. Of course, other issues will be discussed as well but the economic problems will be in the focus of attention.”

And what about the bilateral meetings of the Ukrainian prime minister with the Serbian high-ranking officials?

“Of course, during the summit they will hold the meetings of the Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Aza­rov with our prime mi-­nis­ter, the head of our parliament and the President of the Republic of Serbia Boris Tadic who is going to pay an official visit to Ukraine soon.”

What does your country expect from this visit?

“These issues are still being prepared. We have seve­ral joint pro­jects. Some bilateral agreements are going to be signed. Our countries have a good legislative basis. However, some of the agreements are out-dated. Now we have new common challenges and they have to be agreed. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the visa-free regime agreement we have signed will soon enter into force. It is a very important moment concerning the development of communication between our countries. Certainly, the visa-free regime will contribute to the business activity.”

What questions are going to be resolved during this visit of your president to our country?

“During the top-level visits many questions can be resolved quickly and efficiently. However, I would like to emphasize that our countries do not have any open political questions. This is a very good basis for the coope­ration development in all the areas of our relations.”

Your country is inviting tenders in order to sell the airline Jat Airways. Is your country going to invite the Ukrainian investors to buy this airline?

“It is possible. The airline Jat Airways has existed for several decades and enjoys the international reputation.

“I would like to emphasize that a couple of weeks ago within the frame work of the long-term presence on the Ukrainian market our company MK Group opened in Jahotyn one of the largest grain elevators in your coun­­try. There are also good conditions for the Ukrainian companies on the Serbian market. We have created favorable investment climate and conditions for foreign investments in our country.

“With the purpose of the successful economic coope­ration we are preparing the meeting of the inter-go­vernmental Serbian-Ukrai­nian commission on trade and economic, scientific, and tech­nical cooperation.

“The possibilities for cooperation are really large. The Serbian and Ukrainian interests nearly coincide. That is why we have to continue working hard. The political visits make our work easier. The political dialog at the highest level green-lights the cooperation in all the areas.”

You say that we have good poli­tical relations. What do people in your country think about the mar­riage of Rinat Akhmetov’s 25-year-old son Damir and the 20-year-old daughter of the Serbian sugar lord Miodrag Kostic Diana?

“It is their private life and I would not like to comment it.”

Probably, it will positively influence the deve­lopment of the econo­mic relations between the two countries as well. The grain elevator belongs to Kostic, doesn’t it?

“Yes, it does.”

The media announce that in December Serbia will receive the status of the EU candidate; however, the EU is having hard times now. Many speculate about Europe’s decline. Does it influence Serbia’s determination to join the EU?

“The European integration and the membership in the EU is the main priority of our foreign and I would say domestic policy. We have been working on it for ages. It is a complicated process of social transformation. We have to do a lot: carry out not only economic but other reforms, too. We have achiev­ed a lot. The Euro­pean commission is supposed to give Serbia the status of the EU candidate at the end of this year in order to start negotiating about entering the EU. It is very im­portant for us. I would like to emphasize that we consider the European inte­gration not only as accomplishing the tasks gi­ven by the EU. When we adopt the Euro­pean laws, standards and values we do it first of all for ourselves, for the deve­lopment of our country and our people’s well-being.

“The world is facing serious problems now. Proceeding from it, we believe that we have to constantly and consistently pursue our Euro­pean policy. Both Serbia and Ukraine belong to Euro­pe and are European countries. Naturally, they are moving in this direction.”

Do you think the EU has to give Ukraine membership prospects in one or another form?

“I would not like to say whether it has to or not. The essential for Serbia and Ukraine is to realize meaningful reforms. If we realize the European reforms and are interested in becoming the EU members we will become the members of this club by fulfilling all the ne­cessary conditions and prerequisites.”

What is Serbia’s attitude towards the developments concerning the former prime minister and the members of the previous government considered by the West as an obstacle on the way of Ukraine’s integration into the EU?

“I would not like to interfere in other countries’ home affairs. The government chosen by the people during free elections has to resolve internal problems democratically and with respect to the mo-­dern achievements. Of course, if we want to become the EU members we have to adopt the laws and realize the reforms embracing not only the economic, political but other areas as well. As I can see, we are both moving this way. There are and there will be a lot of problems and obstacles on this way. Even when we become the EU members they will not subsidize. They will just move to another level. Our goal is to increase the living standards of our people and the development of the country in general.”