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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Most of ministers vote on the first day of referendum

Belgrade, 28 October 2006

Most of Serbian ministers have voted in favour of the adoption of the new Constitution of Serbia on the first day of the referendum. They called on citizens once more to go to the referendum in large numbers.

Zoran Stojkovic casts his ballot during the constitutional referendum in Belgrade

Author: Tanjug

Minister of Justice Zoran Stojkovic voiced hope that the referendum will be successful and added that this is a good day for Serbia because after 100 years, everyone of us can create foundations of our state.

Asked by reporters if some irregularities can happen, Stojkovic said that the procedure of box security is very simple and that he does not expect any problems to occur.

However, if disputed situations take place, the procedure is similar to that of elections, the Minister explained, adding that the voting could be repeated only if case of voting breaches that could harm the referendum's outcome.

Mladjan Dinkic

Author: Fonet

Minister of Finance Mladjan Dinkic said today that the Constitution of Serbia is the supreme legal act worth of going to the referendum for because it will mark a turning point in Serbia's development.

Dinkic told reporters after he had voted at the referendum that there are days in the history of every state when it is necessary to show national unity, and in case of Serbia, those days are today and tomorrow.

He reiterated that the new Constitution guarantees a modern and developed Serbia and brings many improvements in the field of human and minority rights protection, and especially in the economic part because it abolishes social ownership and provides for a balanced development of all regions of Serbia.

According to Dinkic, after many years Serbia again brings a Constitution that deals only with Serbia, which will round off its statehood.

Dinkic voiced hope that the majority of citizens, or all those who love Serbia will go to the referendum and vote for the supreme legal act.

Minister of Economy Predrag Bubalo said after having voted in Kikinda that he expects the new Constitution to definitely round off Serbia's territorial integrity and added that its adoption is a good basis for Serbia's further development.

Bubalo said that every well-organised house has to have a foundation, so if we have a coat of arms, flag and anthem, than we need the fourth element, and that is the Constitution.

He added that he expects further stabilisation on Serbia's political scene which, along with the new Constitution, will be a basis for further reforms and approximation to the European Union.

Minister of Health Tomica Milosavljevic said after the voting that the Constitution is a new page in Serbia's development and the identity card of its state independence.

Minister of Capital Investment Velimir Ilic said after the voting in Cacak that the referendum for the new Constitution is "to be or not to be for the Serbian state".

He said that he is sure that citizens will go to the referendum even in greater numbers than expected and vote for their state.

Minister of Interior Dragan Jocic said that by voting for the new Constitution citizens of Serbia today also make a decision for their ancestors, children and themselves.

Jocic said that this Constitution is different from all others and that it represents an agreement of all political factors and social groups, and even of individuals in the country, as to how Serbia should look like.

Jocic added that Serbia should be integral, unified, rounded off and authentic. For that reason, this day is not only historic but fateful as well for all its citizens.

Minister of Science and Environmental Protection Aleksandar Popovic said that citizens of Serbia will confirm today and tomorrow at the referendum that Serbia is becoming a stable, responsible and democratic society.

Popovic said that in these two days not a single citizen of Serbia has more important thing to do than to vote at the referendum and voiced hope that the Constitution will be confirmed by a great majority of votes.

In these two days, Serbia will win the battle for a better future and foundations of its own statehood, Popovic said. After that, we can all finally dedicate ourselves to other issues that are also very important for one's life, such as the economy and building of democratic institutions.

President of the Coordinating Centre for Kosovo-Metohija Sanda Raskovic-Ivic said that October 28 and 29 are great days for Serbia because on these days it will be confirmed that Kosovo-Metohija will remain an integral part of our territory.

As a citizen of Serbia, I am proud to take part in the creation and direction of our country's future, which will contain Kosovo-Metohija as the heart of Serbia and the essence of our being, Raskovic-Ivic pointed out.

Minister of Defence Zoran Stankovic voiced hope that after the adoption of Serbia's supreme legal act its citizens will live better.

I have gone to the polls in order to fulfill my civic duty, Stankovic said and pointed out that the adoption of the new Constitution of Serbia represents a new beginning of a new state.

Head of the Sport Directorate of the Ministry of Education and Sport Aleksandar Sostar said after the voting that we all know very well what a constitution means for a country and called on citizens to give their opinion on it.

Sostar said that we have to adopt the new Constitution and set a groundwork for all that that is awaiting us in the future.