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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Realisation of action plan requires political consensus of all democratic forces

Belgrade, 17 July 2006

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Ivana Dulic-Markovic said today in an interview for the news agency Tanjug that the action plan for realising full cooperation with the Hague tribunal has been completed and forwarded to the tribunal, and added that Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica will present it today in Brussels.

Dulic-Markovic explained that the plan implies taking concrete steps which will be verifiable and which the EU will be able to control, leading to communication between Serbia and The Hague.

She specified that the plan presents a series of steps and actions which must be transparent, and explained that this document in fact represents a system of information and confidence between Serbia, the Hague tribunal and the EU.

She pointed out that for the realisation of this plan, and for all other important national issues, it is necessary to have political consensus of all democratic forces.

According to Dulic-Markovic, Ratko Mladic must appear before the Hague tribunal, not because of the EU, but for Serbia and arresting him is easier than documenting everything that is being done to take him into custody.

The negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU could be continued even if Mladic is not handed over to The Hague, if we manage to convince the EU and provide documentation that Serbia is doing everything it can to arrest him, explained Dulic-Markovic.

She pointed out that a “plan plus” has also been prepared and it will be announced today in Brussels, only to be presented in the middle or end of August.

According to Dulic-Markovic, the document envisions arresting Hague fugitive Ratko Mladic or offering evidence that there are no data on his whereabouts.

She pointed out that the “plan plus” also stipulates lobbying for a debt write-off to the Paris club, liberalisation of the visa regime, and all Serbia should do to ensure that this support is executed.

This means that Serbia must be aware of its responsibility, but also say clearly what it wants, she noted and added that Serbia could gain a lot if it initiates cooperation in the region. She also said that Serbia gains most from free trade agreements for agricultural products as it exports more to other countries than it imports from them.

This is the case with other areas as Serbia has human capacities, Dulic-Markovic said noting that it is all about our initiative for regional cooperation.