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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Positive assessment of feasibility study will attract foreign investment

Belgrade, 14 April 2005

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said last night that a positive assessment of the Feasibility Study, apart from sending out a positive signal to the world, will attract foreign investors to Serbia.

Vojislav Kostunica

Kostunica said in an interview to the state television RTS that talks with foreign representatives in Serbia, ambassadors and businessmen confirm that it is necessary to make that first step towards Europe and that this step acts as a guarantee to foreign investors, because a country that slowly enters Europe is much safer than a country which is not in Europe.

He said that the decision on the positive assessment of the Feasibility Study made by the European Commission is expected to be formally confirmed on April 25 by the Council of Ministers of the European Union. Since these two bodies make consultations, a positive outcome can be expected.

Speaking about cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY), which proved to be a very important factor for obtaining the positive assessment of the feasibility study, Kostunica said that the Serbian government has proved in the past several months that it turns its words into actions. He added that the cooperation will continue in a way that will be best for the country and its citizens, as well as for the indictees and their families.

Just like the road towards Europe, cooperation with the ICTY is a one-way trip, but the state chose a path that is the most favourable, the least painful and the safest for the stability of institutions and the efficiency of the implementation of the task, Kostunica said and added that the Serbian government chose a path which was recognised to be correct both in the country and abroad.

The government will continue to do everything to meet its obligations towards the ICTY applying the same method as it has so far, Kostunica said and stressed that nothing in that respect will hinder Serbia's European future.

The Prime Minister said that after obtaining a positive assessment of the Feasibility Study, the agreement on stabilisation and association will come soon.

After the decision of the EU Council of Ministers, preparations for negotiations on the stabilisation and association agreement should begin late this year or early next year.

“This is about the process that calls for certain actions, but also a kind of trust between the negotiating parties, and I think that the trust has been gained thanks to what we have done in the previous period”, Kostunica said.

Kostunica said that after so much pessimism that surrounded us in years past, there is a realistic optimism now and added that the government will do everything to speed up the process of European integration.

According to Kostunica, countries stricken by wars and sanctions are without doubt lagging behind.

The final EU accession depends on the starting position that has not been the same for all countries as it depends on historic, political and economic situations, Kostunica explained.