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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Italy strongly supports Serbia-Montenegro’s EU integration

Belgrade/Rome, 8 June 2005

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica met today with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini, who said that Kostunica’s two-day visit to Italy and his reception at the top level of the Italian government confirms the excellent relationship that exists between the two countries.

Vojislav Kostunica, left, and Gianfranco Fini

Author: Tanjug

Kostunica told reporters at the Italian Foreign Ministry’s premises that the visit to Italy was important and came at an appropriate time.

He said that Italian President CarloAzeglio Ciampi, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini, and other Italian officials have shown understanding for the preservation of stability in the Balkans. He added that this attitude stems from their good knowledge of the situation in the region as well as good and friendly relations between the two countries.

Kostunica said that he insisted in all his meetings in Italy on the importance of receiving support for the preservation of the state union of Serbia and Montenegro and maintaining stability in the region. He stressed that the state union’s survival is crucial for a balanced and objective resolution to the issue of Kosovo-Metohija.

Stressing the need for European integration rather than disintegration, Kostunica explained that the issue of relations between Serbia and Montenegro within the state union must be resolved in the context of European integration.

Kostunica repeated that a solution for Kosovo-Metohija must be a result of compromise and dialogue, with no absolute winner or loser, and with the preserved territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia-Montenegro.

Kostunica said that all the officials he had met in Rome were unanimous in the stance that any further fragmentation would be an introduction to instability in the region.

Following the meeting with Kostunica, Fini stressed that Italy supports the process of Serbia-Montenegro’s association with the EU and NATO and he pointed out that “there can be no stability in the region without Belgrade”.

Speaking about Kosovo-Metohija, Fini called for the respect of European standards, especially when it comes to the return of displaced persons, and he asked Kostunica to call on Kosovo Serbs to take part in the province’s provisional institutions.

The Italian Deputy Prime Minister also mentioned telling Kostunica that Italy and the EU hold him in esteem because of the cooperation Serbia has made with the Hague tribunal, and pointed out Italy’s attitude about there being only an individual guilt, for which a whole nation cannot be blamed.

Kostunica stressed that the cooperation with the tribunal must be completed and reiterated that it will happen when all those indicted and claimed to reside on Serbia-Montenegrin territory are brought to justice.

Vojislav Kostunica and Pier Ferdinando Casini

Author: Tanjug

When asked by the Italian press about the Serbian government’s actions concerning the broadcast of the film on crimes in Srebrenica, Kostunica recalled that immediately after the broadcast, certain measures were taken and several suspects, who appeared in the film, were arrested and imprisoned. He also pointed out that such actions speak volumes about the country’s attitude towards crimes committed at the end of the 20th century.

Kostunica also talked with the Italian officials about the economic and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

He stressed the extreme importance of Italy’s soft loan of €30 million to Serbia for the purpose of developing small and medium-sized enterprises, because these businesses represent the driving force of countries in transition.

Kostunica and Fini agreed that in the first couple of months of 2005, Italy became Serbia’s main trade partner.

Kostunica also met President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Pier Ferdinando Casini.

The Serbian delegation in their two-day visit to Italy also includes Minister of Economy Predrag Bubalo, Minister of International Economic Relations Milan Parivodic, and Minister of Capital Investment Velimir Ilic. Yesterday, the ministers talked to State Secretary of Italy Roberto Antonione.