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Organisation of EBRD Annual Meeting in Belgrade is confirmation of Serbia-Montenegro’s European commitment

Belgrade, 20 May 2005

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica expressed satisfaction today that Serbia-Montenegro is hosting this year’s Annual Meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), adding that this event is the most important one organised in our country in the past 30 years.

Organisation of EBRD Annual Meeting in Belgrade is confirmation of Serbia-Montenegro’s European commitment

After meeting with EBRD President Jean Lemierre, the Prime Minister said that the meeting will gather over 2,000 businesspeople, bankers and political leaders, noting that the event carries three kinds of messages.

According to Kostunica, one message is political, as the meeting is being held after the country received a positive feasibility study from the EU, which once again confirmed the country’s European course and EU integration commitment.

The economic message arising from the talks that will take place among bankers and political leaders will once again prove the stability of the country’s institutions and safety of investment in the country, Kostunica said.

He added that the fact that the EBRD Annual Meeting takes place in Belgrade carries some symbolism as the conference takes place prior to negotiations on the stabilisation and association agreement with the EU.

Kostunica voiced hope that this event and the negotiations will reaffirm Serbia's commitment to join the union of European nations.

He said that this meeting was a very successful one and welcomed the positive assessment of the Feasibility Study.

Lemierre said that today's talks focused on the EBRD Annual Meeting, progress which Serbia has made so far and negotiations with the IMF. He said that this meeting was a very successful one and welcomed the positive assessment of the Feasibility Study.

The EBRD Annual Meeting will increase investors' interest in Serbia and improve its image in the world, the EBRD President said.

Lemierre said that he and Prime Minister Kostunica also touched on the issues of infrastructure, banking sector, greenfield investment, small and medium-sized enterprises, creation of new jobs and the unemployment problem.

The meeting was also attended by Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Miroljub Labus, Minister of Finance Mladjan Dinkic, Minister of Economy Predrag Bubalo and Minister of International Economic Relations Milan Parivodic.