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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

New Constitution guarantees protection of national minorities

Subotica, 6 October 2006

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said today in Subotica that for the first time the new constitution of Serbia has among its general principles a provision which defines the protection of national minorities as a basic value.

Kostunica's speech at the panel on the new constitution in the City Hall

Speaking about the new constitution at a panel held in the City Hall in Subotica, Kostunica called on citizens of the seven municipalities of Severni Banat district - Subotica, Senta, Ada, Backa Topola, Mali Idjos and Novi Knezevac to turnout at the referendum and support the adoption of the highest legal act of Serbia.

He explained that with the new constitution a large step forward has been made in the field of human and minority rights, adding that Serbia has a good tradition of respecting human and minority rights and good foundations in that area.

The new Constitution guarantees that the achieved level of human and minority rights cannot be reduced, in which process minority rights are guaranteed as collective rights.

The highest legal act explicitly guarantees the equality of national minorities in public affairs, as well as the autonomy of Vojvodina, whose competencies have been broadened.

Kostunica reiterated that the adoption of the new constitution must be based on the widest possible consensus which has been reached and demonstrated in Serbian parliament. He added that the constitution on which the citizens will declare themselves on October 28 and 29 is good, European and democratic. All its provisions are subject to changes.

The revolutionary provision of the new constitution is the one which explicitly prohibits assimilation of national minorities and artificial change of Serbia's national structure.

Serbian Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government Zoran Loncar announced that Subotica as economic and cultural centre of Vojvodina’s north could soon get the status of a city.

Loncar said that the new Serbian Constitution made a big step forward in decentralisation of powers, thus opening more options for other towns in Serbia to become cities.

He reiterated that the new Constitution treats human and minority rights according to European standards.

He also noted that solutions for Vojvodina are also good and added he expects that the new Constitution will be largely accepted by citizens of the province.

Serbian Minister of Economy Predrag Bubalo said that only those who wanted a state within the state are dissatisfied.

According to Bubalo, the 7% of the Serbian budget guaranteed for Vojvodina is the same amount as for all local administrations in the whole of Serbia, Vojvodina included.

The Minister also pointed out to the economic importance of this legal act, as it abolished socially owned property and makes city land equal with agricultural land, thus opening the doors for arrival of more investors.

The Serbian Prime Minister met today with President of Subotica Municipality Gez Kucer and President of the Association of Vojvodina Hungarians Jozef Kasa in the Subotica City Hall and they visited the National Theatre. Kasa said that the theatre building has been under reconstruction for years already, but that the complete renovation of one of the most beautiful buildings in Subotica, which is also its symbol, requires €23 million.

According to a protocol that has already been signed, 45% of the costs of reconstruction will be covered by the Ministry of Culture, 45% by the Municipality of Vojvodina, and 10% by the local self-government.

The Serbian government delegation visiting National Theatre of Subotica

According to Kasa, €3.3 million has been set aside from the National Investment Plan for the building's reconstruction, while the local self-government provided €2 million, which will be sufficient for the reconstruction of a part of the building which due to underground water has to be pulled down completely.

Kostunica stated that during the referendum campaign he will also visit other places.

In response to the question if there are parts of the Constitution with which he is not satisfied, Kostunica said that his dissatisfaction is less in comparison with his satisfaction with the fact that the Constitution was unanimously adopted by Serbian parliament.

He explained that it has been decided that votes on the Constitution will be cast over two referendum days, with the intention of making certain that everyone reaches the polling stations.

Commenting on the objection that there was no public debate on the Constitution, Kostunica recalled that a total of 10 drafts for the constitution were submitted and these were constantly discussed since 2004.

Due to that I believe that there was a debate, and a long one, said the Prime Minister and added that the drafts were submitted by political parties, non-governmental organisations, even individuals.

Speaking on the Action Plan for cooperation with The Hague, Kostunica said that the government has done everything in its power regarding the issue until now.

I am convinced that Europe needs Serbia and Serbia needs Europe, and whether things will unfold slowly or quickly, is yet to be seen, said the Prime Minister, and added that it would be better if it were quicker.

At the end of his visit to Subotica Kostunica visited Nova Brazda farm, under the private ownership of Dusan Bikicki in Djurdin, and expressed his satisfaction on the occasion that owing to the new Constitution, such successful agricultural enterprises will grow in number.

He said that the owner of Nova Brazda is his friend whom he has known for years and with whom he participated in what they are working on even now, the creation of a new democratic Serbia and the acquisition of a fitting Constitution.

The Serbian Prime Minister has now traveled on from Djurdin to Becej with Serbian Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government Zoran Loncar and Serbian Minister of Economy Predrag Bubalo.

Kostunica shakes hands as he departs Becej

After visiting Subotica and Djurdjin, Kostunica went to Becej, where he expressed belief that Serbia’s supreme constitutional act will be confirmed in the October 28-29 referendum.

He explained that the new Constitution will increase the number of cities and noted that connections of national minorities with their home countries will be guaranteed.

In a press conference in Becej, Kostunica pledged for scheduling early elections after the new Constitution is confirmed in the referendum.

The sooner the better, Kostunica stressed and added that the date of elections must be defined in parliament, through the Constitutional Law on implementation of the Constitution, which also needs two-third majority in parliament to be adopted.