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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Government optimistic about decision by EU Council of Ministers

Belgrade, 12 September 2008

Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic said that the government is optimistic about the decision by the EU Council of Ministers on September 15, when the Council should unfreeze the Transitional Trade Agreement and stressed that he expects no obstacles to arise which would prevent the EU from making a positive decision.

Cvetkovic told Pink TV that it is obvious that there are positive steps forward in Serbia’s cooperation with The Hague, adding that he highlighted crucial aspects of our country’s cooperation with the tribunal in yesterday’s meeting with Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Serge Brammertz.

Should the EU seek a report from Brammertz on Serbia’s cooperation with The Hague before the submittal of his report to the UN in December, we would not expect problems and expect it will be satisfactory even for the Netherlands which was against unfreezing the Transitional Trade Agreement.

It is very important that the Transitional Agreement is unfrozen as its application will start immediately, he stressed and explained that the agreement is important for commerce, i.e., export to EU countries.

The Prime Minister explained that under the agreement, Serbia will get a grace period for certain types of goods to reduce taxes and improve competitiveness for the EU market.

Speaking on the abolishment of the visa regime for travel in the EU, he said that Serbia is expected to join the White Schengen List next year, noting that apart from the biometric passport a set of laws need to be adopted by the year’s end.

Cvetkovic announced that first draft laws in the next parliament session will be related to visa abolishment.

Speaking on the resolution proposed by Serbia seeking an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality of the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo-Metohija, he said that this is part of the government’s programme goals that Serbia will fight for affirmation of its sovereignty in Kosovo in peaceful and diplomatic way.

The Serbian resolution upset certain countries and Serbia will propose this resolution at the forthcoming 63rd session of the UN General Assembly, he said.

Cvetkovic recalled that Serbian President Boris Tadic asked UN members to support the resolution and that Serbia expects the resolution to be on the agenda.

Serbia asks whether the unilateral declaration of independence is in accordance with international law, the Prime Minister said and noted that some countries do not want Serbia to initiate this issue before the ICJ.

Cvetkovic announced that the Coordinating Body for Kosovo-Metohija will move to Gracanica next week, which proves that the state really cares about the population in Kosovo.

Speaking about inflation, he said that inflation has already reached the planned 6.5% for this year and added that nearly RSD 7 billion more need to be provided for pension funds every month.

He added that RSD 27 billion is set aside each month for pensions, one third of which is from the budget, he said.