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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Constitutional Charter must be respected

Belgrade, 11 September 2004

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica returned today from an official visit to Brussels, where he met with EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana. The two officials unanimously agreed that the Constitutional Charter of Serbia-Montenegro must be respected.

Speaking at a press conference held late Saturday, Kostunica voiced satisfaction with the talks held with the EU High Representative, who called for full implementation of the Charter. The Charter entails the improvement of the functioning of state institutions and adoption of important legislation.

Speaking about the stabilisation and association agreement, Kostunica emphasised that it is an agreement for a single state with two different tracks, where certain economic difficulties and particularities are taken into account. He noted however that the implementation of the charter should not influence the approaching of the state union to the European Union.

The Prime Minister stressed that only consistent and full implementation of the Charter can guarantee that a common goal of Belgrade, Podgorica and Brussels be achieved, namely the preservation and strengthening of the state union.

The Brussels talks also focused on Kosovo-Metohija. The Serbian government's plan for the solution of the situation in the province was discussed.

Kostunica reiterated that self-government for the Serbs in Kosovo is a minimum that can guarantee their survival and respect of their human rights. This will provide them encouragement to take part in the Kosovo parliamentary election, scheduled for October 23.

According to Kostunica, Solana agreed that the solution for guarantees that would enable Serbs to go to the polls should be discussed within the International Contact Group.

Kostunica also presented measures carried out by the Serbian state bodies, the Serbian government, parliamentary committees and proper ministers to establish the situation in Vojvodina, as well as measures that will be taken to eliminate problems. He stressed that the situation in Vojvodina should not be internationalised, adding that stability in the region will not be jeopardised by such cases, but rather by their exaggeration.

The Prime Minister also said that he briefed the EU High Representative about the internal political situation in Serbia. He announced that such meetings will be held more frequently. The envoys of Solana and EU Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten will arrive in Belgrade on September 14, while Solana himself will come to Serbia-Montenegro in early October. Speaking about cooperation with the Hague tribunal, Kostunica said that no conditions for the cooperation were set during the Brussels talks. He said that Solana showed interest in Serbia-Montenegro’s cooperation with the Hague tribunal and Serbia's position on the issue.

The Prime Minister said that he will present a report on his trip to Brussels at a government session on Thursday.