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Jeremic: Whatever Troubles Slovakia, Troubles Serbia As Well
Thursday 03 June 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, June 3 (TASR) - Serbia shouldn't be viewed as a role model when it comes to dual citizenship, as the situation that emerged in the wake of Yugoslavia's break-up in the 1990s was region-specific, Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Vuk Jeremic said at a press conference held in Bratislava on Thursday.
Jeremic said that Slovakia can count on Serbia's support in all issues. "Whatever troubles Slovakia, troubles Serbia as well. Any problem of Slovakia becomes a problem of Serbia as well. We're partners and friends," he stated.
Jeremic added that it's most important to create a balance between the country of descent and the country of permanent residence. When it comes to delicate issues like Hungary's dual citizenship amendment, extensive bilateral talks are a must. "Serbia is strictly against any form of unilateralism, as problems need to be addressed by bilateral discussions," said Jeremic, adding that despite its good relations with Hungary, Serbia will support Slovakia. He refused to comment on the controversial Hungarian bill in question, as this would be inappropriate.
Slovak Foreign Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajcak said that Slovakia has no interest in having Serbia join some sort of anti-Hungarian coalition. "Slovakia is strong enough and self-confident enough, with plenty of strong arguments to defend its own positions," he said. On the other hand, it's unacceptable for Serbia to join any alliance against Slovakia, "or let anyone else use it as a shield instead of engaging Slovakia in discussion."
Lajcak praised the way in which the Slovak minority in Serbia's Vojvodina is integrated into society. "Its representatives are loyal citizens of the country in which they live, yet at the same time they're able to maintain a cordial relationship with the country of their ancestors and develop their cultural identity and language," he said. He is convinced that the Slovak minority in Serbia can serve as a model of how minority policies can bring two countries together.
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