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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

October 5 led Serbia into Europe

Tamnava-Medosevac, 5 October 2005

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said today that Kolubara and October 5, 2000 created the possibility for changes in Serbia and for something that Serbia has not had for half a century, which is a democratic state structure with a free market economy where people will live better and in compliance with the world.

During the visit to Tamnava and Medosevac, on the anniversary of the October 5, 2000 democratic changes, Kostunica pointed out that the democratic country began its development and that its contours are before us, on October 5 of this year.

He said that the country doesn’t represent an isolated island in Europe, but it is an integral part and added that Serbia-Montenegro is part of something that is in its natural surroundings and our wider family, and that is Europe.

The Prime Minister said that the EU Council of Ministers’ decision on Serbia-Montenegro’s beginning negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union (SAA) confirms this, and added that EU accession will gradually offer all of us a richer and happier life. He said that although life in the past five years has been difficult, progress has been made.

Kostunica said that in these crucial times for Serbia-Montenegro, it is necessary to work together, and that many investments are necessary, as well as compliance. According to him, this compliance is more necessary at this moment than ever before, and added that Kolubara sends the message that this most difficult work can be realised in agreement.

Kostunica pointed out that he is honoured today, as he was five years ago, to be in Kolubara and said that there is no place that is more appropriate for remembering what took place on October 5, 2000.

The Prime Minister stressed that we had gathered back then for something that represented the erasing of the people’s will, concerning the election committee’s decision that a second round of presidential elections was necessary, although the people’s will had already been demonstrated in the first round of elections.

Following the general strike invitation, which the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) had called for, the whole of Serbia rose, but above all Kolubara, Sumadija, Cacak and Gornji Milanovac, added Kostunica.

He said that October 5 would not have taken place if it hadn’t been for Kolubara, and added that October 5 represents a significant historical event in the history of Serbia and a symbol of the people’s will.

Kostunica said that October 5 is a date which reminds us about everything that has once been said and on all those that were with us, and added that it is our duty to continue where they had left off. He stressed that when he says this, he is referring to Zoran Djindjic, who is no longer with us.

During his stay in Medosevac, Kostunica spoke with the workers and miners, and on that occasion pointed out that the future of Serbia is in Kolubara, and that the future of Kolubara is in increasing coal extraction.

He said that coal reserves are being exhausted, but that there are large new coal deposits in the village of Vreoce, as confirmed by all recent studies.

According to him, the Serbian government agrees that a section of the mine must be extended from field D to field E, meaning 450 million tonnes of coal and a future for Kolubara to 2050.

Kostunica opened today the major district heating transmission system Vreoci - Lazarevac in Sopici, and pointed out that this system, built in 4 months, will provide central heating for the whole town of Lazarevac.

He particularly stressed the importance of the project, considering the fact that it was not funded by foreign investments, but by a joint venture of Lazarevac, Kolubara, Kragujevac, Zrenjanin and Kumanovo, therefore representing a type of regional cooperation.

Kostunica said that this is one of the strongest proofs that we have taken the right course since October 5, and that Serbia is not just about empty promises, but actual results.

The Serbian government delegation that today visited Tamnava and Medosevac included Minister of Capital Investment Velimir Ilic, Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Policy Slobodan Lalovic and Minister of Energy and Mining Radomir Naumov.