German MPS: First chapter on Kosovo

BELGRADE - The continuation of the Belgrade-Pristina talks bears major importance for Serbia's European integration and Germany maintains the stand that the talks with Serbia should begin by opening the chapter on Kosovo, German MPs said in the Serbian parliament on Thursday.

Members of the Serbian parliament European Integration Committee conferred with members of the delegation of the German Bundestag and the Chair of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for Relations with the States of South-Eastern Europe Peter Weiss, the parliament released.

The meeting covered Serbia's European integration, the role of the Serbian parliament in the process, the support of citizens to the process and the parliamentary ties between Serbia and Germany, and the hosts noted that opening the negotiating chapters would serve as a positive signal for Serbian citizens.

Weiss underscored that Germany believes the talks should begin by opening Chapter 35 on Kosovo, after which other negotiating chapters should open as well.

He underscored that the accession of Western Balkan countries is important for their stability and perspectives, but the economic crisis in Europe calls for additional efforts aimed at convincing citizens and most MPs in the Bundestag that the EU enlargement needs to continue.

European Integration Committee Chair Aleksandar Senic and Committee members Natasa Vuckovic, Dragan Sormaz and Laslo Varga conducted talks with German MPs.

Senic said that the Serbian parliament has a consensus on the issue of European integration and that opening of negotiating chapters would bear major importance.

He noted that the role of the Serbian parliament and the European Integration Committee is embodied in adjustments of...