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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Only a European solution for Kosovo-Metohija is acceptable

Belgrade/Rome, 31 March 2006

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said today in Rome that only a European solution for Kosovo-Metohija is acceptable, which means an essential autonomy for the province as part of Serbia and self-government for the Serb community within Kosovo-Metohija.

Vojislav Kostunica

Author: www.eppcongress2006.org

Kostunica pointed out that Serbia's aim is to find a compromise for its southern province by respecting international law, justice and democratic principles. He added that there must be no winners or defeated sides in the quest for the future Kosovo-Metohija status.

Nowhere else in Europe, and probably in few places in the world, human rights are violated so openly and violently like in Kosovo-Metohija, the Serbian Prime Minister said. He explained that the whole ethnic Serb community as well as other non-Albanian ethnic groups are exposed to brutal pressures, with over 60% being evicted from the province, while the rest are deprived of fundamental physical safety and freedom of movement.

There are no political liberties in Kosovo-Metohija at all, while religious freedoms are in great danger, Kostunica said that the largest part of religious and cultural legacy in the province has been destroyed. The fact that the political talks on Kosovo-Metohija's future status are underway does not mean that the endangered population in the province should remain deprived of basic human rights and protection during that period, Kostunica warned.

Kostunica said that even today the Serbian government is strongly trying to build the rule of law system in Kosovo-Metohija as it goes together with economic reforms and overall society's development.

According to Kostunica, a new economic environment needs to be created which will be harmonised with the EU systems in terms of standards, institutions and administration. All this is not possible without the EU's strategic support based on mutual trust and understanding, Kostunica underlined.

The Serbian government pledges support for preservation of the state union with Montenegro, actions aimed at finding a compromise in Kosovo-Metohija future status talks, purposeful use of financial and technical support from the EU, realisation of necessary results in cooperation with The Hague, as well as starting the process aiming to conclude the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU. These are EU integration activities Serbia is already taking, Kostunica said.

He recalled that the country's debt has reduced over the past two years while exports grew and foreign currency reserves almost doubled in the same period. Also, an uncompromised battle with corporate crime and corruption has been launched, hundreds of laws harmonised with the EU legislation have been adopted, Serbia-Montenegro received a positive feasibility study from the EU and large steps have been taken in EU integration talks, the Prime Minister said noting that all this confirms the country's role of a factor of stability in the region.

Kostunica, who is on a two-day visit to Rome where he is taking part in the Congress of the European People's Party (EPP), met yesterday with Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and then with Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis.