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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Karamanlis, Kostunica agree that Serbia's place is in Europe

Belgrade, 3 March 2005

After today's meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica voiced hope that Serbia will obtain a favourable assessment of the feasibility study in late March and that that will contribute to better functioning and preservation of the state union.

Kostunica told a press conference that Karamanlis's visit came at a moment that is important for Serbia-Montenegro, since a favourable feasibility study is expected. He pointed out that Greece has always supported the state union on that path.

Kostunica said that he assured Karamanlis that the Serbian government is firmly committed to cooperation with The Hague Tribunal and fulfilment of its obligations through voluntary surrender of indictees, as that is in the best interest of both the state and the indictees.

The Serbian government thinks that a solution for the problem in Kosovo-Metohija can be found if there is a high level of autonomy given to the southern province within the state union, Kostunica said and highlighted that such a solution excludes changing of borders and the province's independence. He said that this is a common opinion on the issue, shared by all political factors, regardless of any differences they have on other specific issues.

“We are giving priority to a solution in which there will be no losers and winners, including the ethnic Albanians, the Serbs and the international community”, Kostunica said.

He stressed that Serbian authorities are willing to take an active part in fulfilling the standards set forth for Kosovo, first and foremost that of human rights. He added that Belgrade is very unsatisfied with the situation of human rights in Kosovo, including the freedom of movement, return of the displaced and safety of the people.

Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis said that Serbia's place is in Europe and that the path towards the European Union must be opened for the state union of Serbia-Montenegro as soon as possible.

Vojislav Kostunica and Kostas Karamanlis

Following the meeting with the Serbian Prime Minister, Karamanlis said that the stability of all of Europe, and not just the region, depends on a European orientation of the Balkans.

“Serbia's place is in Europe, it deserves that”, Karamanlis said and reiterated that full cooperation with The Hague Tribunal is a precondition for Serbia-Montenegro's integration in the EU.

He added that Greece, as a member of the EU, NATO and provisional member of the UN Security Council, will try to ensure that standards in Kosovo be fully achieved and that the final solution of the province's status be in line with European standards. According to Karamanlis, Belgrade's participation in the talks will significantly contribute to stability in the region.

The two prime ministers agreed that bilateral relations of Greece and Serbia are very good and discussed their further improvement, as well as the issue of cooperation in the construction of the Corridor 10.