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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

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Kostunica proposes Ivana Dulic-Markovic as deputy prime minister

Belgrade, 20 June 2006

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica proposed to Serbian parliament today that Ivana Dulic-Markovic be appointed Serbian deputy prime minister and Goran Zivkov be elected for minister of agriculture, forestry and water management.

Vojislav Kostunica addresses the Serbian parliament

Author: Tanjug

Kostunica told parliament members that the composition of the government would basically remain the same since both Dulic-Markovic and Zivkov have so far performed their duties successfully.

He said that if chosen, they would make the government even better and more efficient in solving priorities.

Kostunica said that the priorities in the upcoming period are new constitution, promotion of EU integrations, successful solution to Kosovo status, implementation of the Dayton Agreement and a forceful investment programme.

He stressed that the new constitution must result from a consensus of all political forces, adding that Serbia needs a new constitution in order to regulate the state in a legal manner and prove its strength and the stability of all its institutions.

This will meet the demands of all those parties requesting new elections because once the constitution is adopted, parliamentary and presidential elections will ensue, he said.

Stressing the importance of EU integrations for Serbia, Kostunica reiterated that the government is advocating a partnership with Europe, adding that "the policy of setting conditions is wrong and inappropriate".

He said that it is a political decision and political will of the Serbian government to conclude cooperation with the Hague Tribunal because it is in the country's interest and would help it to survive and go forward. It is therefore incomprehensible and unacceptable to continue with the policy of applying conditions towards Serbia, he added.

The Serbian government will continue to pay attention to Kosovo-Metohija and it would be very detrimental if this policy of conditions affects the talks on the province's future status, said Kostunica.

He recalled that Serbian parliament adopted a very important act more than six months ago, namely the Resolution on political talks on the future status of Kosovo-Metohija. The Resolution clearly states the coordinates for determining the province's future status, that is, what can and cannot be done.

Also, parliament is determined that any imposed solution for Kosovo would be rejected as illegitimate and as a form of legal violence over Serbia, said Kostunica.

According to Kostunica, along with Vienna negotiations on Kosovo, very intense diplomatic activity is underway whose purpose is to explain and strengthen Serbia's position.

Personally and through my associates I am always in touch with governments of Contact Group member states and with UN functionaries who take part in this process of negotiations, Kostunica said and added that the last such meeting he had was only a few days ago with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Kostunica reiterated that the Serbian government argues in favour of full respect for international law and order, which can be seen from all of his actions as the Serbian Prime Minister, both in the country and abroad.

I firmly believe that the law and legal principles must be applied universally and that there can be no selection or exceptions at all when it comes to the basic rules that are the foundation of international legal order that guarantees stability and peace in the international community, and that is territorial integrity and sovereignty of the existing states, Kostunica said.

According to him, the Serbian government is committed to the full respect of the Resolution 1244 that guarantees substantial autonomy for Kosovo-Metohija and confirms Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern province.

He underlined that in the same way as it respects Resolution 1244, Serbia has the same position towards other international elements, including the Dayton Accords.

The Prime Minister said that in line with the Dayton Accords, on a recent visit of a delegation of the Serbian government to Banjaluka, it was agreed to launch the process of amending the Agreement on special parallel relations between Serbia and Republika Srpska, in line with the Dayton Accords and following changes in Serbia's status.

That possibility is a confirmation of the Dayton Accords, and Serbia and Republika Srpska will work on expanding and improving cooperation within that framework, in the fields of politics, economy, culture and others, Kostunica explained.

He said that the Serbian government will soon launch a strong investment programme that should bring us closer to the crucial goal, and that is to work harder and better in Serbia, and thus enable higher living standards.

Since the preparation of the investment programme is at its initial phase, Kostunica expressed belief that all parties will have an opportunity to have their say on this document and thus fully contribute to its elaboration and implementation in the period that is ahead of us.