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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbia has clear pro-European orientation

Belgrade, 7 May 2004

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica gave an interview to Italian magazine Avvenire in which he spoke about the country’s integration into European institutions, its cooperation with international institutions, as well as the government’s efforts to build a stable judicial system. The official website of the Serbian government brings excerpts from the interview.

Vojislav Kostunica

On Serbia’s current position:

Regardless of whether Serbia has a formal membership in the European Union or not, we feel as a part of Europe. With the ongoing government’s efforts to integrate the country into European institutions, it is only a matter of time before Serbia obtains EU membership. In a way, Serbia and Montenegro may have been a part of Europe much earlier, when they gained independence after the 1878 Berlin congress. It would be better if we formally joined the EU in the nearest possible future, but even without that we have a clear pro-European orientation and determination to accomplish a number of goals so that we can formally join the EU. We also have a problem which new EU members did not have or have addressed it previously. I would refer to it as the “state status” or the nature of relations between Serbia and Montenegro. Another problem is Kosovo.

On government’s EU integration activities:

All government ministers are engaged in different forms of cooperation with institutions in Europe. The Serbian government has also established an EU integration office.

On political stability as a precondition for attracting more foreign investment:

Although political stability is often seen as a precondition for attracting foreign capital and investors, “legal stability” is much more important for investors. In my opinion, legal stability implies strong institutions, a law abiding state, an independent judiciary, simple and less costly administrative procedure, transparency and the fight against corruption. The first democratic government had a kind of revolutionary enthusiasm, but may have failed to focus on democratic and legal reforms.

On the assassination of prime minister Djindjic:

The assassination of the prime minister marked the start of a major assault on reforms. The assassination might have happened because state institutions were not strong enough to curb organized crime and corruption, with local institutions unable to fight crime.

On the adoption of Hague assistance legislation which the Serbian Constitution later suspended:

We respect the independence of courts and the Constitutional Court ruling. The law on providing financial and legal assistance for Hague indictees certainly has its flaws. A provision stipulating financial assistance to cover legal fees and travel expenses of indicted Serb nationals aims to protect “state interest” in cases involving civil servants. Certain articles of the provision are controversial even to me. The law was not proposed by the government but rather by deputies in the parliament.

On the US suspending aid after deputies, including those from the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS), adopted the provision:

The SPS is not responsible for the US aid suspension, Ratko Mladic is. He is the problem. We do not know where he is hiding but they [the US] believe he is in Serbia.

On whether Ratko Mladic is the main obstacle for Serbia’s EU integration:

At this point, it seems he is. However, there are some other issues, such as cooperation with European institutions. The government has pledged to meet its international obligations, including cooperation with the Hague tribunal, no matter what anyone thinks of the tribunal or its trials.

On the plan for a political solution to the situation in Kosovo-Metohija through ethic cantonisation:

“Cantonisation” is one of the possible solutions. There is another and its name is “March 17,” that is the repeat of the tragedy that happened that day. From this point of view, there are two alternatives: preserving small communities of Serbs and other non-Albanians in Kosovo or doing nothing.