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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Former Yugoslav states should try to build European identity

Belgrade, 6 September 2010

Serbian Parliament Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, opening a two-day session of the Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Belgrade, stated that the European perspective is helping Western Balkan countries and the entire region to remain on the path of peace and stability.

Djukic-Dejanovic underlined that Serbian parliament and the government are continuously affirming Serbia’s commitment to the creation of a democratic society founded on the rule of law and the respect of human and minority rights, the principles of a market economy and the creation of state institutions in line with EU accession criteria.

She recalled that the Serbian parliament has shown readiness to pass new laws under accelerated procedure and harmonise them with EU legal regulations and the Council of Europe standards, noting that it is trying to facilitate the process with the help of parliamentary diplomacy.

The two-day meeting, which will mostly concern “The Creation of Peace in Former Yugoslav States”, underscores the good cooperation between PACE and the Serbian parliament, she noted.

Head of the Serbian PACE delegation Dragoljub Micunovic stressed that the EU entry of former Yugoslav countries is an ideal scenario which may help them put aside hatred, intolerance and other obstacles to mutual cooperation.

These states should try to create a new, European identity which implies embracing tolerance, cooperation and equality, Micunovic explained, adding that the Council of Europe, as a shared home for all of these states, plays a crucial role in the process.

Micunovic added that the Council’s role in the reconciliation process is decisive and immense.

The two-day meeting at the Serbian parliament will be used to exchange opinions with Serbian officials, since it will be attended by Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration and Minister of Science and Technological Development Bozidar Djelic, Minister for Kosovo-Metohija Goran Bogdanovic and State Secretary of Foreign Affairs Borko Stefanovic.

The meeting will look at topics which are regularly on the Committee’s agenda. It will also hold a debate on the creation of peace in former Yugoslav countries as part of the presentation of a preliminary report “Reconciliation and Political Dialogue between Former Yugoslav States” by PACE rapporteur Pietro Marcenaro.

On the first day of the meeting the participants will discuss the possibilities of setting up a trans-national committee for truth, justice for war crimes and EU integration as a mechanism for dialogue.