Nikolic meets with Eulex head, no joint statement

BELGRADE - Meeting with EULEX Mission head Alexandra Papadopoulo on Thursday, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic highlighted the mission's significance and contribution to preserving the rule of law in Kosovo-Metohija.

"The policy of non-recognition of Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence is slowing us down on the European integration path, and we have to live with that. Despite this, we will continue to talk to the Albanians. However, if they get as far as being given a mandate to protect the Serbian heritage in UNESCO, we will have no motives to continue the Brussels dialogue," the presidential press office quoted Nikolic as saying.

The office said attempts to coordinate a statement with EULEX had failed after the Mission's staff "refused, in an utterly brazen and inappropriate manner, to allow the positions of its chief to be released to the public."