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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Greece against one sided decision regarding Kosovo-Metohija status issue

Belgrade, 19 June 2007

Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic recommended today in talks with Greek President Karolos Papulyas and Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyanni in Athens that Greece as an EU member country of key importance in the region should more strongly advocate a solution based on compromise for Kosovo-Metohija.

Dora Bakoyanni and Vuk Jeremic

Author: Tanjug

Following the meeting today, Jeremic stressed that his visit to Greece is also his first visit to an EU country since he was appointed Serbia’s foreign minister, and said that this reflects the close friendly relations between the two countries.

He pointed to the fact that Serbia is ready to offer any form of autonomy to the southern province, but cannot give up a part of its territory.

Jeremic invited Pristina to new talks on the future status of Kosovo-Metohija, and reiterated that Belgrade wishes to reach a compromise.

We want to talk and we are ready for an agreement. We are willing to examine all options since we believe that any compromise is better than an imposed decision, said the Serbian Foreign Minister.

Bakoyanni reiterated that Greece is against a one sided decision which could destabilise the region, and added that new negotiations should be given a chance in order to reach a decision acceptable both to Belgrade and Pristina.

Jeremic also talked today with Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis and with ministers of defence and development Vangelis Meimarakis and Dimitris Sioufas, respectively.

He said that the main topic of these talks was the preservation of peace and stability in the region, primarily from the point of view of resolution of the future status of Kosovo.

The Serbian Foreign Minister said that Greek officials showed a high level of understanding for Serbia's position that negotiations on Kosovo should be continued.

According to Jeremic, Greece is the most important member of EU and NATO in the Balkans and in that sense it can play a very important role in this very delicate phase of the process of determining the future status of the southern Serbian province.

Another important topic were bilateral relations, especially in the sphere of economy, Jeremic said and added that it was agreed to sign an agreement on abolishing double taxation and start preparing a bilateral agreement on cooperation in the field of energy.

The Serbian Foreign Minister will close his visit to Greece with a session of the Greek-Serbian Business Council, which he will chair together with Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyanni.

Jeremic said that Greece is one of the greatest investors in Serbia and that there is a great interest for further investments, which will be the main topic of this evening's meeting.

Jeremic explained that the meeting will be attended by leading Greek businessmen who are interested in joint projects with Serbian businessmen in many fields, first of all in the field of energy, transport and agriculture.