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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Preservation of sovereignty and territorial integrity to be government’s top priority

Belgrade, 18 December 2008

Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic today stated that the government has made considerable progress regarding Kosovo-Metohija, EU integration and economic policy so far.

Author: Fonet

Addressing MPs at the Serbian parliament, Cvetkovic refuted opposition parties’ accusations that the government has achieved nothing in this respect, mentioning EULEX, the UN resolution, 64 bills forwarded to parliament, high economic growth and low inflation.

The Prime Minister reiterated that the adoption of the UN Security Council’s resolution regarding the International Court of Justice’s opinion on the legality of Kosovo independence is Serbia’s biggest diplomatic success.

The government also managed to ensure that EULEX operates under UN jurisdiction and the government took an active part regarding this issue.

Cvetkovic pointed out that Serbia wants to be part of the European family, adding that it is well aware that a lot still has to be done.

He said that the government’s top priority is the preservation of Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity through legal and diplomatic means.

The government has rejected taking an extremist position on the Kosovo issue and chosen an uncompromising political battle by peaceful and legal means, said Cvetkovic.

Speaking about EU integration, the Prime Minister said that in order to be put on the Schengen “white list” Serbia needs to pass two more laws, ratify five conventions and form three institutions, adding that these institutions are the anti-corruption agency, the directorate for the management of confiscated assets and the office of the public trustee.

He said that the government will forward the necessary laws to parliament and prepare the required strategies during the first quarter of next year, while the institutions can be formed only once the laws are passed by parliament.

Cvetkovic said that until now the government has put before parliament 64 bills, three strategies and a comprehensive national EU integration programme.

Talking about economic policy and the global financial crisis he said that two months ago it became obvious that Serbia will not be spared the effects of the crisis and the government formed a group that has made recommendations about dealing with these effects.

He said that one of the measures to mitigate the effects of the crisis is a restrictive budget, adding that developmental projects such as Corridor 10 will still go ahead, although some have made assertions to the contrary.

He said that next year, with the help of the measures the government is implementing Serbia will manage to make it through the crisis with a good GDP growth, which according to plans should be 3.5%.

Speaking to the press, Cvetkovic said that the debate on the 2009 budget should open on December 20.

He said that he hopes that MPs will not vote for the motion of no-confidence currently under debate in the Serbian parliament, adding that at today’s debate he responded to arguments from opposition by summing up the government’s work since its formation in three areas, the Kosovo issue, EU integration and economic policy.