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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Romania's, Serbia's stance on Kosovo compatible

Belgrade, 17 January 2007

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica stated today that Romania's and Serbia's stances on Kosovo issue are very compatible since both states advocate that a solution be found within the international law framework and the UN Charter, with the respect of the inviolability of state borders and territorial integrity and sovereignty of existing states.

Trajan Basesku, left, and Vojislav Kostunica at today's press conference

Following the meeting with Romanian President Trajan Basesku Kostunica told the press that not a single country had to give up its territorial integrity and sovereignty or one portion of its territory before entering the EU.

He reiterated that the solution to the complex Kosovo issue may be easily reached if international law is respected, but this would be hard to achieve if the law is not respected or even breached.

Bearing in mind the recent allusions that the Kosovo issue could be one of the ways to condition further talks on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU, Kostunica told Basesku that this is unacceptable for Serbia.

At the same time he voiced expectations that the talks on the SAA will resume after parliamentary elections in Serbia, adding that he regrets there was a stall in the talks in the first place.

Several European states, including Romania, are of the opinion that the talks should never have been halted and that it would have been better if everything had been put off until the very signing of the SAA, said Kostunica.

The Serbian Prime Minister said that he and Basesku also discussed the talks that have already taken place, namely the ones regarding visa relaxations for Serbian citizens because Romania has recently formally become an EU member.

He explained that it is in Serbia's interest to make the country open for the traffic of goods and people, adding that immediately after the elections this issue will be looked into at the state level between Romania and Serbia.

Our bilateral relations are more than satisfactory and friendly, both economically and politically, said Kostunica and added that he also drew Basesku's attention to the importance of upcoming elections since they would implement the new democratic Constitution of Serbia and create a completely different governing and political system. Along with a modern, democratic legislature, this will bring Serbia even closer to the EU, he added.

Kostunica concluded that his meeting with President Basesku was friendly and open, just like relations between Serbian and Romania.

Basesku reiterated that Romania's stance on Kosovo has remained consistent and emphasised that the Kosovo issue must be resolved with the respect of Serbia's territorial integrity and in line with the principle of the inviolability of state borders.

He said that Romania will provide unconditional support to Serbia's progress towards the EU, and with the benefit of his country's experience. Basesku added that a state will join the EU when its people really want this to happen.

According to Basesku, the EU has certain standards when it comes to democracy in the social, political and economic sectors, and it is up to each individual state to achieve them.

Romania is prepared to give free visas to all Serbian citizens wishing to travel to Romania, stressed Basesku and voiced hope after the elections in Serbia a new agreement concerning the crossing of state borders will be discussed.