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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Solution for Kosovo-Metohija to be sought through dialogue and compromise

Belgrade, 9 December 2005

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica stressed today during talks with French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy that in the talks on the future status of Kosovo-Metohija the principles of international law be respected, and whose basic principle is the preservation of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Kostunica said that the solution should be sought through dialogue and compromise of both sides without imposing one, and pointed out that Belgrade is ready to provide substantial autonomy to the province.

He said that during the talks, special attention should be paid to keep the stability in the region. He added that the way in which the issue of the province's status is solved will influence the future of the region and Europe.

Douste-Blazy agreed that the solution of the future status of Kosovo-Metohija should be sought through dialogue, and that it must secure stability, highlighting that Serbia is a factor of stability in the region.

He stressed that it is necessary to fulfil standards in the province and create conditions for the return of the expelled Serbian population, and secure a maximum respect of the Serbs' human rights.

The two officials also touched on the issue of relations within the state union of Serbia-Montenegro. Kostunica said that the state union is the best framework for EU accession, especially bearing in mind that Serbia-Montenegro has entered the talks on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. He said that while European integration of the state union is in full swing, disintegrations must not take place in the Balkans.

Kostunica said that when it comes to the issue of a possible referendum in Montenegro, the already familiar position of Europe has been expressed through the opinions of the Venetian Commission, and he expressed conviction that the state union will survive.

Douste-Blazy said that a possible referendum should be held in accordance with the rules of the international community, and added that as wide as possible dialogue and agreement platform between the government and opposition in Montenegro is needed.

Speaking on the issue of fulfilling the remaining international obligations of Serbia, Kostunica said that Serbia is aware of them and is ready to conclude its cooperation with the Hague tribunal, above all because that is in the interest of Serbia itself.

The participants in the meeting said that Serbia and France have traditionally good friendly relations, and during the talks readiness was expressed concerning the improvement of economic cooperation.

Kostunica and Douste-Blazy especially emphasised the good level of cultural cooperation between Serbia and France and announced that soon a French secondary school will be opened in Belgrade.