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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

US to improve cooperation with Serbia

Belgrade, 20 May 2009

Serbian President Boris Tadic today said that the meeting with US Vice President Joseph Biden was open and productive, adding that it can open a new phase in US policy towards Serbia and the Western Balkans.

Author: Fonet

At a joint press conference following the meeting Tadic stressed that he told Biden that Serbia considers the unilaterally declared Kosovo independence as a breach of international law.

Serbia does not recognise independent Kosovo and will never do so. It is our legitimate right to defend our integrity by peaceful, diplomatic and legal means. Despite our differing stances over Kosovo, Serbia wants the best possible partner relations with the USA. There are many topics that bring us together, which we look at from the same viewpoint and in which we can cooperate, stressed the Serbian President.

He said they agreed that this is the right time for the two countries to establish a completely new level of communication based on mutual respect, noting that Serbia and the USA can cooperate efficiently on the EU integration process of the Western Balkans and the fight against international crime and terrorism.

Tadic emphasised that the precondition of the historical reconciliation between the Balkan peoples is mutual respect and respect for the victims which each warring side suffered in the conflicts that marked the previous decade.

He also stressed that such conflicts must not be repeated, adding that Belgrade firmly advocates respect for the Dayton Agreement.

Serbia strongly advocates the stability of the entire region and the integrity of all UN members. As a signatory of the Dayton Agreement, Serbia is a guarantor of the territorial integrity of Bosnia-Herzegovina and encourages solutions stemming from the democratic agreement of the three constituting peoples, Serbs, Bosniaks and Croatians, said Tadic.

Recalling their traditional friendship and alliances during the two world wars, he stressed the importance of the Serbian-American alliance within the Partnership for Peace programme.

Cherishing the faith in freedom and democratic values which we are building in Serbia, we want to ensure the peace and prosperity of all citizens, which is why Serbia’s strategic goal is EU membership and US support for Serbia’s EU integration is of huge importance, said Tadic, who took the opportunity to invite US President Barrack Obama to visit Serbia.

Like the rest of the world, Serbia is carefully watching the work of President Obama and his team, which is faced with serious global challenges. We are aware of and greatly appreciate his new vision and the pragmatism with which the new US administration is approaching their problems, noted the President.

He also said that he and Biden discussed economic relations, recalling that US companies operate in Serbia despite the global crisis since there are possibilities for new investments.

Biden said that the USA does not expect Serbia to recognise Kosovo, adding that this is not a precondition for relations between the two countries or for the US support to Serbia on its EU road. However, he added that the USA expects Belgrade to cooperate with international institutions in both Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

We will continue insisting that Serbs in Kosovo get the highest possible protection. In return we expect Serbia to cooperate with the EU in Kosovo. Likewise, we wish for Serbia to help the EU and the USA in building a democratic Bosnia-Herzegovina, said the US Vice President.

I came to Serbia with a message that the United States of America would like to improve cooperation with Serbia and the region and help Serbia to become a factor for stability in the region, Biden said, adding that it is necessary that the two countries make progress in several issues over which there is no agreement at the moment, primarily the Kosovo-Metohija issue.

Biden also praised the “fantastic economic perspective“in relations between Belgrade and Washington, stressing that the USA will “utilise its energy and influence“to promote Serbia on its EU road.

According to him, Obama’s administration has just concluded its first 100 days in office and considers it important to visit the Balkans during the early days of the mandate to show that it wants strong relations with Serbia.

Author: Fonet

Serbian President Boris Tadic welcomed Biden this morning in front of the Serbian Government Palace and together they watched the parade of the Guard and listened to the national anthems of the two states.