Serbian, Kosovo MPs on normalization of relations

PRISTINA - Groups of MPs of the Kosovo Assembly and the Serbian Assembly have met in Pristina to discuss the role that the parliaments should play in the process of normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina.

In the first part of the meeting on Saturday, which was open to the public, disagreeing stands were voiced on the Brussels agreement and the role of the MPs in the process of normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina.

Slobodan Petrovic, a minister in Kosovo's caretaker government and an MP in the new convocation of the Kosovo parliament, told Tanjug that the meeting of Serbian and Kosovo MPs will produce positive effects.

Petrovic said that it is important for the meeting to send a message that would be encouraging not only for the members of both parliaments, but also for the citizens, who expect the MPs to solve numerous problems.

Ilir Deda, MP of the Self-Determination Movement in the Kosovo parliament, told Tanjug that the meeting of Serbian and Kosovo MPs is not a step towards normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, but rather a forum at which the MPs voice their opinions.

Deda believes that the normalization of relations will be reached once Serbia recognizes Kosovo's independence.

Dejan Radenkovic, MP of the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) in the Serbian parliament, did not agree with that stance and pointed out that the talks between the MPs should not be like the ones in the past, while the living standard in the region remains low.

Petar Miletic, former deputy speaker in the Kosovo parliament, said that these meetings contribute to the normalization of relations between Serbs and Kosovo Albanians.
"It is good that people...