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Kostunica meets with French Foreign Minister
Belgrade,
23 July 2004
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica met with French Minister of Foreign Affairs Michel Barnier in Belgrade today.
Michel Barnier and Vojislav Kostunica
Kostunica said that the disintegration of the state union is not the right way towards European Union membership, stressing that Serbia and Montenegro must harmonise their economic relations to prove that they are ready to integrate into the EU.
Barnier said that it is important for Serbia and Montenegro to preserve the state union on their EU path, adding that the two state union members must harmonise their economic relations. He also stressed that France is ready to help Serbia-Montenegro prepare a special programme for the state union’s integration into the EU.
Noting that support from Brussels is important not only for Serbia-Montenegro, but also for the entire region, Kostunica said that any change of borders in the Balkans could seriously harm peace in the region.
The Prime Minister went on to say that local Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija have been deprived of their basic human rights, adding that only institutional guarantees can improve security conditions for the Serb community in the province. UNMIK has suggested a local government reform, while the Serbian government has proposed autonomy for the Serb community, said Kostunica, noting that the two proposals do not exclude one another.
Barnier pointed to the importance of resolving the problems in Kosovo-Metohija, adding that the Serbian government’s plan is of great significance for settling the situation in the province. The French Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the Contact Group will take the plan into consideration, stressing that France will offer its full support and assistance for making progress in the province.
Barnier also offered assistance for training Serbian administrative workers in France and added that France is interested in opening a French school in Belgrade.
Barnier said that it is important for Serbia and Montenegro to preserve the state union on their EU path, adding that the two state union members must harmonise their economic relations. He also stressed that France is ready to help Serbia-Montenegro prepare a special programme for the state union’s integration into the EU.
Noting that support from Brussels is important not only for Serbia-Montenegro, but also for the entire region, Kostunica said that any change of borders in the Balkans could seriously harm peace in the region.
The Prime Minister went on to say that local Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija have been deprived of their basic human rights, adding that only institutional guarantees can improve security conditions for the Serb community in the province. UNMIK has suggested a local government reform, while the Serbian government has proposed autonomy for the Serb community, said Kostunica, noting that the two proposals do not exclude one another.
Barnier pointed to the importance of resolving the problems in Kosovo-Metohija, adding that the Serbian government’s plan is of great significance for settling the situation in the province. The French Minister of Foreign Affairs said that the Contact Group will take the plan into consideration, stressing that France will offer its full support and assistance for making progress in the province.
Barnier also offered assistance for training Serbian administrative workers in France and added that France is interested in opening a French school in Belgrade.
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