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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Full EU integration of West Balkans only path to regional stability

Belgrade, 2 September 2008

Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic and Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kinga Goncz agreed today that the only path to peace and regional stability is the full European integration of the West Balkans.

Vuk Jeremic and Kinga Goncz

Author: Tanjug

Speaking at a joint press conference, Jeremic stressed that Serbia’s EU integration is the government’s strategic priority, and efforts to attain that goal will be continued.

The Minister said that Hungary is one of the EU countries that strongly supported Serbia’s EU integration and in his meeting with Goncz he was reassured that the Hungarian government will continue to support Belgrade.

He said that the talks were not easy since relations between Serbia and Hungary changed after the Hungarian government recognised Kosovo’s unilaterally declared independence.

The Hungarian government’s decision to recognise Pristina’s illegal move delivered a blow to relations between Belgrade and Budapest, said Jeremic and added that a lot more needs to be done on improving bilateral relations.

He said that he conveyed Serbia’s firm and unflinching stance that Kosovo’s declaration of independence on February 17 was unacceptable and will never be acceptable.

Jeremic said that he informed Goncz about Serbia’s initiative requesting the UN General Assembly to seek the opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legal validity of Kosovo’s unilaterally declared independence, and sought Hungary’s support for this initiative.

According to Jeremic, Serbia will continue to fight will all legal and diplomatic means available, above all, in the UN and ICJ, to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Speaking about tomorrow’s visit to Brussels by a high level Serbian delegation, Jeremic said that the main topic of talks will be Serbia’s EU integration and steps that must be taken by the end of this month and by the year’s end.

The Minister said that problems faced by Serbia in EU integration, including the issue of peace and stability in the region and Kosovo, will also be discussed.

Goncz said that Serbia and Hungary have differing positions regarding Kosovo and stressed that for Budapest Serbia is one of the key countries in the stability of the West Balkans.

Hungary is one of the EU countries giving strong support to Serbia’s EU integration, because this is of great importance, for Serbia’s economy and stability, as well as the stability of the entire Balkans region, she said.

She said that differences regarding Kosovo should not affect bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction at the return of Serbia’s ambassador to Budapest.

The Minister said that the two neighbouring countries have very close relations and recalled the economic and cultural cooperation between Belgrade and Budapest, as well as close cooperation on minority rights issues.

According to Goncz, Hungary is willing to make proposals for helping Serbia in the EU integration process, keeping in mind the fact that the country went through good and bad times on its way to EU membership.