Polish, Serbian FMs discuss EU, bilateral affairs

Poland supports Serbia's European aspirations and opts for easing visa requirements toward Serbia, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on Thursday after meeting with his Serbian counterpart Vuk Jeremic.

Addressing a joint press conference, Sikorski said that relations between Poles and Serbians are traditionally excellent, while relations between the two countries are very good.

However, the Polish minister added that there are also one or two issues on which the two sides have major differences, the Polish news agency PAP reported.

Jeremic confirmed that one of the points of dispute between Poland and Serbia is the status of Kosovo. However, he stressed that this issue does not stand in the way of full and increasingly closer Polish-Serbian relations.

Jeremic said that his country's stand on the declaration of independence by Kosovo is clear. "We do not recognize the declaration of independence by Kosovo nor do we recognize the authorities of the seceded province," he stated.

The Serbian minister, who was in Poland on a working visit, also stressed that his country should first feel that the EU is open, and that EU membership is in Serbia's reach. He said that Serbia's nearest goal is the liberalization of the EU's visa system so that Serbians could easily travel to EU member states.

"Before Serbia takes a place in the European family of nations, to which it aspires, Poland will support such practical issues which foster contacts with Europe, especially in respect to young Serbs," said Sikorski.

Sikorski also said Poland will support "strengthened economic and investment relations between our countries," adding that the recently-resumed Warsaw-Belgrade air connection should contribute to this trend.