Jeremic: Differences Exist in People’s Party over Kosovo, Serbia’s EU Accession

Vuk Jeremic (BETAPHOTO/EMIL VAS/EV)

The president of the People’s Party, Vuk Jeremic, said on July 17 that if there were any differences within the party, they were regarding the party’s policy on Kosovo and Serbia’s accession to the European Union (EU).

The People’s Party quoted Jeremic as saying during an interview with Nova S that at the next party convention, scheduled to take place on Oct. 22, he would present the policy adopted at the last session of the party’s steering committee.

“It means not only that the Franco-German plan for Kosovo’s independence should be rejected, but also that the People’s Party would no longer advocate Serbia’s EU accession if the plan was officially made an integral part of Europe’s accession process, which might happen as early as September or October,” Jeremic said.

The People’s Party leader also explained that initial differences emerged last April, when an action was launched to collect signatures for a new referendum to reject the Franco-German proposal.

Jeremic also described as “functional” the relationship with his vice-president and the People’s Party whip, Miroslav Aleksic, adding that Aleksic enjoyed his confidence in performing the two offices, but said it would be a conflict of interest if Aleksic decided to run simultaneously for the leading party post and chairmanship of the party’s executive committee, which organized and conducted the party’s elections.

When asked about the mass protests Serbia Against Violence, Jeremic said that “we are still far away from the unity necessary for the protests to succeed,” and that it would be good to think about offering cooperation to “extend a hand to those who haven’t had an opportunity to take part in the organization of the protests so far,” including right-wing parties as well.