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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

EU Council of Ministers’ decision recognition of Serbia-Montenegrin reforms

Belgrade, 4 October 2005

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica met today with Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs Erkki Tuomioja and on that occasion said that the EU Council of Ministers’ decision on the beginning of Serbia-Montenegro’s negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union (SAA) is recognition of the reforms carried out by Serbia-Montenegro.

Kostunica pointed out that the decision confirms the Serbian government’s correct strategy, as well as that further steps will be directed towards achieving the country’s strategic goal, which is full EU membership.

He said that the Council of Ministers’ decision is most significant for our country and that it represents an additional incentive for a proper social structure, by respecting European principles and values, and following a clearly defined road to the EU.

The Prime Minister stressed the government’s commitment to fulfilling international obligations and said that cooperation and mutual confidence between the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague and Serbia-Montenegro has been achieved, and added that it is necessary to complete this cooperation.

Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs Erkki Tuomioja, who will preside over the European Union when Finland assumes the EU’s rotating presidency in the latter half of 2006, congratulated Serbia-Montenegro on the EU Council of Ministers’ decision to start negotiations on the SAA.

Tuomioja expressed satisfaction with the fact that he is visiting Belgrade today, after yesterday’s EU Council of Ministers’ decision in Luxembourg and pointed out that the beginning of talks represents great success for the state union of Serbia-Montenegro.

Kostunica and Tuomioja agreed that the relations between the two countries are very good and that there are capacities to expand economic cooperation.