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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Prime Minister Kostunica underlines government commitment to EU integration

Belgrade, 21 July 2004

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica met today with Bernard Bot, the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Committee of Ministers at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Kostunica highlighted the Serbian government’s strong commitment to the integration into the European Union, which he said is also the priority of the state union of Serbia-Montenegro.

The establishment of the state union has put an end to the process of disintegration in the region, said Kostunica, noting that Serbia-Montenegro has formed all state institutions.

The EU wants to see West Balkan countries integrate into European institutions, said Bot, adding that the West Balkans region is the EU’s priority.

The preparation of a feasibility study for launching negotiations of the European Union and Serbia-Montenegro on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement requires patience, due to the specific character of the state union, said Bot. He added that the European Union firmly supports the preparation of a single feasibility study for the state union of Serbia-Montenegro.

Kostunica said that Brussels's support is very important for Serbia-Montenegro on its path to the EU integration. He said that granting of preferential rates for export of sugar to the European Union is of great help, as well as the textile agreement, which should be signed as soon as possible.

The talks also dealt with the situation in Kosovo-Metohija and position of Serbs in the province. Kostunica said that granting institutional guarantees to Serb and non-Albanian population is of great importance. He added that the maintaining of peace and stability in the region must be taken into account when resolving the problem of Kosovo-Metohija.

Bot said that the European Union endorses maintaining peace and stability in the Western Balkans. Due to inability to avert violence which occurred in the province, the reform of UNMIK police is to be undertaken under the guidance of new chief Soren Jessen-Petersen, said Bot.