Belgrade, March 2, 2010

SERBIA – KOUCHNER

TADIC & KOUCHNER DISCUSS KOSOVO, MEETING ATTENDED BY JEREMIC

BELGRADE, March 1 (Tanjug) - President Boris Tadic discussed with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner the issue of bilateral relations, continuation of Serbia's Eu integration and Kosovo and Metohija, the president's cabinet released in a statement. Tadic underlined that France strongly supports Serbia's membership in the EU, the statement reads. The collocutors also agreed that no additional conditions will be imposed on Serbia regarding its EU membership. Tadic said that Serbia expects that the opinion of the ICJ will pave the way for the reaching of a sustainable and compromise solution for Kosovo. The negotiations on the agreement on strategic partnership between France and Serbia have been successfully completed and the document will be signed during a future visit of French President Sarkozy to Serbia. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic.

JEREMIC & KOUCHNER: SERBIA BELONGS TO EU

BELGRADE, March 1 (Tanjug) - French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner stated that Serbia belongs to the EU, adding that the relations between the two countries are improving although there are some discrepancies from time to time. "We do not always agree, fortunately or unfortunately - I do not know, but we make progress together. I want to convince you that there are no misunderstandings regarding the importance of Serbia becoming a EU member," Kouchner told a joint press conference held with his Serbian counterpart Vuk Jeremic. "Serbia has a natural, historic, sentimental and political place in the EU," added Kouchner, reminding that his country has worked on that despite the fact that some EU members do not agree with the continuance of EU enlargement. Jeremic reminded that during 2009 Serbia made significant progress in approaching the EU with visa abolishment, unfreezing of the ITA and applying for EU candidacy."Serbia had the support of France in every phase of the progress and we are grateful for that," Jeremic said, and expressed expectation that the country will not be deprived of the support of Paris in the next steps - the ratification of the SAA and delivering of Serbia's candidacy from the Council of the EU to the EC. Jeremic underlined that, although the two countries do not agree on the issue of the future status of Kosovo, "a modality for the talks on the future has been found." The French minister pointed out that Serbia will not be demanded to recognize the independence of Kosovo. The two ministers also discussed economic and cultural cooperation in scope of which one of the biggest French firms should reach an agreement with Serbia on the construction of a metro in Belgrade, as well as the opening of a French Grammar School in Serbia's capitol, but also the fight against organized crime.

DJELIC & KOUCHNER: PLENTY OF ROOM TO IMPROVE COOPERATION

BELGRADE, March 1 (Tanjug) - French Foreign Minister Kouchner said, during his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic, that Paris will support any future initiative and activity by Serbia on its path to the EU, adding that there is plenty of room to improve bilateral cooperation. According to an announcement by Djelic's office, Kouchner commended Serbia's activities in making the EU strategy for the Danube region, remarking that France wishes to be included in the process as an observer, even though it is not a part of the Danube basin. France will also back the initiative to put the headquarters of the secretariat of the future southeastern Europe transport union in Belgrade. Djelic stated that the key areas of interest in Serbia for French companies are the construction of the Belgrade subway system and Corridor X, as well as investments in energy and local infrastructure.

KOUCHNER: LESS TENSE RELATIONS WITH KOSOVO - EASIER EU FUTURE

BELGRADE, March 1 (Tanjug) - French Foreign Minister Kouchner has said that the relations between Serbia and Kosovo have to be less tense as that will make Serbia's future in the EU easier. Sarkozy and I do not require from Serbia to recognize Kosovo, but rather that a process of dialogue, engagement, normalization of relations is launched, Kouchner said for TV B92. Pointing out that Serbia is on the EU threshold, Kouchner said that France strongly believes that Serbia's future lies within the EU. Since we are friends, I want us to be sincere and direct. What I want to say is that there is no conditioning in the form that Serbia has to resolve the issue of Kosovo, and that the problems with Serbia have to be settled in Kosovo, but rather that once Serbia has become an EU member, the (relaxed) atmosphere will make it possible to regulate everything, he underscored. The French minister pointed out that among the 27 member states of the European, there are many that disapproved of the Union's further enlargement, and reminded of the experience of the divided Cyprus, which, as he put it, no one wants to repeat itself.

KOUCHNER: SOLUTION TO KOSOVO ISSUE POSES POLITICAL NECESSITY
 
BELGRADE, March 1 (Tanjug) - French Foreign Minister Kouchner said that Serbia is at the threshold of the EU, which is where its future lies, but that a few more stages remain to be overcome before it becomes a member, adding that the relations between Serbia and Kosovo have to be less tense, as that will make Serbia's future in the EU easier. France has helped Serbia a lot, mostly in persuading its European friends, which helped make Serbia's path towards the EU as simple as possible, Kouchner told B92. There is already the Interim Agreement, visa liberalization and EU membership application, said Kouchner, adding that the next stage is for Serbia to receive the status of EU candidate country, which involves a number steps, the second report by the Serge Brammertz being the first of those. Kouchner noted that a solution to the Kosovo issue is not a condition for Serbia to be associated into the EU, but that it is instead a political necessity. There are no prerequisites to join the EU, Kouchner remarked, but stressed that he thinks it impossible for a country to become part of the EU with an unresolved border dispute and a possible conflict or unresolved past conflict within its territory. Underscoring that, in his opinion, the relations with Kosovo should be as simple as possible, friendly and less tense, which will facilitate Serbia's future within the EU, Kouchner said that there are many among the 27 EU members who do not agree with a new enlargement, recalling the Cyprus experience, which should not repeat itself, Kouchner said. Since we are friends, I want us to be sincere and direct. What I want to say is that there is no conditioning in the form that Serbia has to resolve the issue of Kosovo, and that the problems with Serbia have to be settled in Kosovo, but rather that once Serbia has become an EU member, the atmosphere will make it possible to regulate everything, he underscored. Kouchner said that Kosovo is a European problem as well, but also an issue of good will.

KOUCHNER: KOSOVO'S INDEPENDENCE NOT AN ISSUE

PRISTINA, March 1 (Tanjug) - French Foreign Minister Kouchner said in Pristina that Kosovo's independence is not an issue, adding that it is now up to Kosovo's institutions to conduct judicial reforms and begin the fight against corruption. Speaking to the members of the Kosovo Parliament, Kouchner stated that Kosovo's independence is not an issue, adding that history cannot be reversed and everyone should accept that. Kouchner will meet with Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiju and Prime Minister Hasim Taci after his parliament address. The French minister insisted on reforming the justice system in his parliament speech, stressing that the people in Kosovo have to develop a sense of trust in the justice system. An atmosphere of trust needs to be created now, so the people would regain their faith in the fight against corruption, said Kouchner, adding that privatization should remain transparent and continue providing guarantees for the rights of workers and investors. Kouchner was UN administrator in Kosovo back in 1999 and 2000.

SERBIA – EU

DJELIC: FIGHT AGAINST CRIME DRAWS SERBIA CLOSER TO EU

CACAK, March 2 (Tanjug) - Deputy Prime Minister Djelic stated that an entire series of measures taken by the government is drawing Serbia closer to the EU."Serbia is winning huge points with the European people due to its bitter fight against organized crime. Furthermore, the willingness of the Serbian judiciary, prosecutions and the police to see this fight through is increasing," Djelic said for TV Cacak. He said that Serbia will become a candidate for the EU accession at the end of 2010, in 2011 at the latest. Djelic stressed that no one is imposing conditions on Serbia's EU integration by requesting it to recognize Kosovo, adding that a compromised solution acceptable for everyone should be found.

TANJA FAJON URGED SERBIAN AUTHORITIES

BONN, March 2 (Tanjug) - European Parliament rapporteur for visa liberalization Tanja Fajon urged the Serbian and Macedonian authorities to launch informative campaigns and update their citizens on the agencies which take them money giving false promises about better life in the West. Being concerned that the increased number of asylum demands in Belgium submitted mainly by ethnic Albanians from the South of Serbia and Macedonia will jeopardizes the visa liberalization, Fajon said that possible measures have not been discussed yet, but that control at border crossings should be tightened and conditions of entrance more strict in view of travel insurance and similar. According to her, countries on the way to obtain visa-free regime can also face the problem. We are in the middle of preparations for the visa liberalization for BiH and Albania. Given that we have a problem of mass migrations to Belgium, the EU states will be even more worried and I am afraid that this will lead to deceleration of the procedure, Fajon stated for Deutsche-Welle.

DJELIC: IMPLEMENTATION OF READMISSION DUE TO ATTEMPTED MISUSE

BELGRADE, March 2 (Tanjug) - Deputy Prime Minister Djelic announced penalties and implementation of the readmission agreement for those who misused or attempted to misuse a liberal law of Belgium concerning political asylum. Anyone who misuses the Schengen regime jeopardizes the freedom of all the citizens of Serbia, Djelic explained, and added that those who are to be returned in the process of readmission will have more problems to visit any of the Schengen territories. Djelic told TV B92 that, according to the data he has, there are 300 persons who took part in an organized attempt to misuse the liberal law of Belgium concerning political asylum.

DACIC: ASYLUM SEEKERS TO BE RETURNED FROM BELGIUM

BELGRADE, March 2 (Tanjug) - Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said that the visa-free travel regime for Serbian citizens will not be jeopardized by Belgium's complaint that there has been an increase in asylum seekers from southern Serbia in the country. In a statement for Blic, Dacic said that all asylum seekers will be returned from Belgium. Dacic said that Serbian authorities "will confer with the EC and representatives of Belgium in the coming days, and cooperate with them in the coming period to prevent such occurrences." "These are ethnic Albanians from southern Serbia and Macedonia, but we have not received enough information yet. The number is not as great as the media are claiming - there are about 300 of them. After entering Belgium with biometric passports, they seek asylum and claim they have no personal documents. We will also act preventively and explain to Serbian citizens that asylum seekers, i.e. fake asylum seekers, will not be granted asylum and will all be repatriated in accordance with the readmission agreement," .

KONUZIN: SECURITY IN EUROPE HAS TO BE UNDIVIDED

BELGRADE, March 1 (Tanjug) - The adoption of a legally-binding agreement on European security would be in favor of Serbia's interests, Russian Ambassador to Serbia Konuzin stated, adding that after the proclamation of military neutrality, Serbia would find an international confirmation of such a decision in the agreement. Security in these areas should be undivided and rely on international legal norms, Konuzin said at a lecture dubbed Russia in the world of international coordinates at the Faculty of Law in Belgrade. Konuzin pointed out that the tragedies of South Ossetia and unilateral proclamation of the independence of Kosovo probably would not have happened if the issues had been given more attention in 2008, adding that the military-security policy is one of the priorities of Russia's foreign policy. The logic of the NATO enlargement is wrong and does not fit the current state of affairs, Konuzin said. The NATO enlargement jeopardizes Russia's security and therefore we see no interest in the accession to the organization. We cooperate with the NATO in view of fight against international terrorism, piracy and human trafficking on one hand, while on the other we want to prevent arms distribution, Konuzin said. He added that Russia's policy is pragmatic and tends to eradicate divisions which were engendered in Europe after the Cold War. Konuzin said that Serbia, as any other UN member, should fulfill international obligations concerning the ICTY, adding that Ratko Mladic is exclusively a problem of Serbia.

SERBIA

TADIC ADDRESSES CONDOLENCES TO CHILEAN PRESIDENT

BELGRADE, March 1 (Tanjug) - President Tadic addressed his condolences to Chilean president Michelle Bachelet following the devastating earthquake which wreaked havoc in her country. The people of Serbia sincerely share the pain of the Chilean people for the numerous victims and heavy material damage.


JEREMIC: SERBIA IS LEADER IN HONORING OF RIGHTS

GENEVA, March 2 (Tanjug) - Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic stated before the UN Human Rights Council that Serbia has become a regional leader in the honoring of human rights, but that there is a place within the constitutional borders of the Republic of Serbia where human rights standards fall well below acceptable minimums: Kosovo and Metohija."My Government is proud of its record as a leader in human and minority rights protection in Southeast Europe. We have nearly accomplished our goal of total compliance with all relevant international standards," Jeremic said. "Serbia is a place of tolerance, in which close to 30 ethnic communities live harmoniously together, not just side by side," he added. "But there is a place within the constitutional borders of the Republic of Serbia where human rights standards fall well below acceptable minimums: Kosovo and Metohija. On the basis of SC resolution 1244 adopted in June 1999, our southern province falls outside of the direct jurisdiction of our Government institutions. Standing in stark contrast to the rest of Serbia, the state of human rights there is dismal. In that respect, Kosovo is without a doubt the darkest corner of Europe," Jeremic pointed out.Jeremic recalled that in the last decade, the population of Kosovo Serbs, Roma, Bosniaks and other non-Albanians has been cut by half, and according to the UNHCR, more than 210,000 remain internally displaced."In addition, hundreds of others have been killed, and thousands more have disappeared without a trace-including many whose organs were subsequently harvested in camps located in northeastern Albania. Tens of thousands of homes and businesses have been destroyed, and tens of thousands more have been illegally occupied," he stressed. The UN Committee on HR has harshly criticized the lack of human rights protection in Kosovo, concluding that "discrimination against Serbs and Roma is widespread." Amnesty International has echoed those words, Jeremic said.Jeremic pointed out that the UNHCR has even recommended against returning Kosovo Serbs and Roma to areas largely populated by ethnic Albanians-while the UN Special Rapporteur has concluded that "today's chief obstacles to sustainable returns are the entrenched patterns of discrimination, lack of access to employment and livelihoods and too few schools for minorities."Jeremic recalled that HRW has reported that "Kosovo is a place where human rights are frequently violated, where political violence, impunity for common and political crimes, intimidation and discrimination, are commonplace." Jeremic reiterated that Transparency International reported that the province ranks as one of the four most corrupt economies in the world and that Freedom House categorized Kosovo as "Not Free"-the worst possible classification this leading international watchdog organization can bestow. Since June 1999, more than 150 Serbian Orthodox monasteries and churches have been destroyed in wanton acts of cultural cleansing, including 35 in a blitz pogrom in March 2004, Jeremic underscored.According to him, these assessments are central to understanding the dark reality of Kosovo today. It should shock the conscience of this Council, and is an integral part of the tragic context in which the Febr 17th, 2008, unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo's ethnic Albanian authorities must be viewed.

MALOVIC: GANIC ARRESTED, SERBIA TO REQUEST EXTRADITION

BELGRADE, March 1 (Tanjug) - Justice Minister Snezana Malovic has told that former member of Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency Ejub Ganic was arrested at Heathrow Airport based on the warrant issued by the Belgrade Interpol office. "On Tuesday, the Justice Ministry will file a request with the UK authorities for Ganic's extradition to Serbia," Malovic announced. The minister said that the London Interpol office notified the Serbian branch about Ganic's arrest. The Serbian Ministry of Interior issued arrest warrants for 19 people from BiH at the start of 2009, among whom are members of the BiH wartime Presidency Ganic and Kljujic, for the attack on a Yugoslav Army convoy in Sarajevo back in May 1992. The BiH Army and special forces of the BiH police attacked the convoy during its withdrawal from Sarajevo on May 3, 1992, killing and wounding a number of soldiers and officers.

DACIC: GANIC TO APPEAR IN COURT ON MARCH 29

BELGRADE, March 2 (Tanjug) - Member of the wartime BiH Presidency Ganic, who was arrested in London, was denied bail and remanded in custody until his court appearance scheduled for March 29, Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dacic told. Dacic added that Ganic's passport has been temporarily confiscated. Ganic was arrested again in London around 2 p.m. on Monday, on a warrant issued by the Serbian police, as he was trying to leave Great Britain. In early 2009, the Interior Ministry issued warrants, at the order of the investigative judge, for 19 BiH citizens, including wartime members of the BiH Presidency Ganic and Kljuic, for the attack on a Yugoslav People's Army convoy in Dobrovoljacka Street in May 1992.

BRITISH AMBASSADOR CONFIRMS GANIC'S ARREST IN LONDON

BANJA LUKA, March 2 (Tanjug) - British Ambassador to Sarajevo Michael Tatham confirmed that member of the wartime BiH Presidency Ganic was arrested in London based on Serbia's initial extradition warrant. Tatham stressed that the action in no way represents a diplomatic or political statement of the British government, or its position on the past. This act is the authorities in the United Kingdom fulfilling their legal obligations, Tatham said. He said that Ganic will appear before the Westminster Magistrates' Court where the allegations against him will be presented.

US STATE DEPARTMENT PUBLISHES DRUG TRAFFICKING REPORT

WASHINGTON, March 2 (Tanjug) - Serbia is a major transit country for narcotics and other drugs along the Balkan smuggling corridor from Central Asia to Central and WEurope, and a relatively small amount of smuggled narcotics remains in Serbia, it is said in the annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report of the US SDepartment. Heroin from Central Asia accounts for the majority of the drug trafficking - experts estimate that over 80 tons of the drug travels along this route from Afghanistan every year, it is stated in the report. Large amounts of marijuana flow from Albania through Montenegro and onward through Serbia to WEurope, and Serbian organized groups have increased trafficking of cocaine directly from South America to WEurope, although some of this cocaine comes overland to Serbia. Serbian authorities assess that a relatively small amount of smuggled narcotics remains in Serbia for domestic consumption. Porous borders and corruption are among Serbia's main problems, while the country has made progress in cooperation with its neighbors, South American countries and the US. In the section on Kosovo, experts noted that the Pristina authorities are facing a growing domestic narcotics market, porous borders, corruption and limited resources, which is why the counternarcotics branch is given low priority.

SERBIA – REGION

DEJANOVIC & BEBIC: PARLIAMENTS-GREAT USE IN ESTABL. GOOD RELATIONS

ZAGREB, March 1 (Tanjug) - Parliament speakers of Serbia and Croatia, Djukic-Dejanovic and Luka Bebic respectively, agreed that the two parliaments and their diplomacy can be of great use for the establishment of good neighborly relations and speedier movement of Serbia nad Croatia on their EU path. After the meeting with Croatian Parliament speaker, Djukic-Dejanovic told that the cooperation between the bodies of the Serbian and Croatian parliaments should be concretized. "We have to overcome the statements which were not spoiling but rather stopping the improvement of the relations, since the parliamentarians do not want to add anything which would corrupt or slow down the process," Bebic underlined. Croatia wants to establish friendly and good neighborly relations with Serbia, as well as that Serbia moves towards Eu integration, Bebic underscored, and added that his country wants to share its experiences with Serbia, and not impose them in a patronizing manner, but rather be fully equal, as well as to cooperate as much as possible. Pointing out the existence of some open issues such as borders, Bebic said that the governments, foreign ministries and correlating bodies of both countries will solve such issues via special discussions. He also stressed that Kosovo is a painful issue for Serbia, and added that Croatia did not express any kind of gloating but rather waited, adding that Kosovo "is a reality which should be respected by politicians, but with the least possible frustration, polemics and reasons for a slowdown in the relations."Both Dejanovic and Bebic said they expect that the meeting of the two countries' presidents will soon take place. "The meeting is necessary and in interest of the citizens of both countries," Dejanovic sad.

DEJANOVIC: IMPORTANCE OF PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION CONFIRMED

ZAGREB, March 1 (Tanjug) - Serbian parliament Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic expressed her satisfaction with the talks she had in Zagreb. The importance of parliamentary cooperation was confirmed in the talks, she said after meeting her Croatian counterpart Luka Bebic. The common system of values and commitment to integration in the EU were reiterated at the meeting, she said. Although Serbia and Croatia are currently at different stages in EU integration, they can help each other very much, she told. During her visit to Zagreb, Djukic-Dejanovic also attended a meeting with the heads of Serbian, Croatian and Bosnia-Herzegovina delegations to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The IPU meeting focused on the forthcoming session to be held in Bangkok from March 26 to April 1, Djukic-Dejanovic added. Western Balkans will attend that session jointly, as its countries have much in common and share many interests, especially as regards human rights, environment protection and some personnel issues, she said. Expressing hope that Serbian and Croatian presidents will meet soon, Djukic-Dejanovic said that the leaders of the region's countries must maintain contacts and endeavor to resolve all open issues.

ROCEN: MONTENEGRO & SERBIA WILL BE EVEN BETTER FRIENDS

PODGORICA, March 1 (Tanjug) - The Darko Saric case has unnecessarily raised tensions between Montenegro and Serbia, but will not affect bilateral relations, Montenegrin Foreign Minister Rocen said. Attending a session of the committee for international relations and integration in Europe, he expressed his conviction that Montenegro and Serbia will be even better friends, despite the tensions. He rejected claims that his statements have in some way contributed to deteriorating relations or that he is following an anti-Serbian policy. The current raised tensions between Montenegro and Serbia will not affect bilateral relations, Rocen said. As regards the Saric case, the problem is in Serbia, not Montenegro, he said.

SERBIA – ECONOMY

DRAGUTINOVIC: STATE AND NBS SHARE RESPONSIBILITY

BELGRADE, March 2 (Tanjug) - Minister of Finance Dragutinovic has stated that the government, together with the NBS, has to contribute to the reduction of the dinar euroisation and increase in demand for dinars which will definitely mitigate the oscillations of the exchange rate. "This can be realized, for instance, via promotion of securities market, particularly the long-term securities (18 or even 24 months), development of the corporate and local securities market, and providing conditions for conversion of foreign currency to dinar loans. Anyhow, the state and the NBS share the responsibility," Dragutinovic said for Vecernje novosti. She pointed out that the exchange rate is not a goal to itself, adding that it may be a good idea to pose a question which type of exchange rate suits our economy and which exchange rate level will support the new model of economic growth. "We can conclude based on its influence on inflation on one hand and reduction of export imbalance on the other whether the exchange rate is acceptable or not," the minister said.

SERBIA PRESENTED AS PARTNER FOR INVESTMENTS AT CEBIT

HANNOVER, March 1 (Tanjug) - Serbia was presented as a partner for investments to Lower Saxony businessmen at the CeBIT fair and a meeting at the Hannover Chamber of Commerce, Serbian Minister of Trade Slobodan Milosavljevic told. CeBIT in Hannover is the world's largest trade fair showcasing digital IT and telecommunications solutions for home and work environments. German companies showed interest in investing in automobile parts manufacturing industry and programs of interest to FIAT and other vehicle industries seeking good quality and low prices, Milosavljevic said. Interest was also expressed in the agriculture sector, mainly the import of frozen fruit and vegetables and seeds from Serbia, he said. A very serious manufacturer of agricultural machinery is considering investments and moving some of its plants to Serbia, he said. Serbia's strategy is to have its officials visit several German regions and provinces to discuss future investments with their businessmen, he said.

JELASIC: DEPOSITS IN GREEK BANKS IN SERBIA ARE SAFE

BELGRADE, March 1 (Tanjug) - National Bank of Serbia (NBS)Governor Jelasic stated that all Greek banks in Serbia are separate legal entities with their own separate capital, outside of their parent banks in Greece, assessing that the citizens' deposits in the banks with the majority of Greek capital are safe. Jelasic told the journalists that the share of the Greek banking sector in Serbia, when compared to the total balance sum of the Greek banks on a cumulative level, is relatively small, so there is no need for the citizens to be concerned about the business activities of Greek banks, nor any other bank in Serbia. At the roundtable dedicated to the Vienna Agreement, President of the Executive Board of Eurobank EFG Philippos Karamanolis stressed that Greece is currently going through a crisis of the fiscal and budget system, rather than the banking sector. Banks in Greece are well capitalized and profitable, so the entire banking sector is very strong, Karamanolis said.

ALGERIA AND SERBIA HAVE GOOD POLITICAL RELATIONS
BELGRADE, March 2 (Tanjug) - There is strong political will to further improve the good political relations and cooperation between Algeria and Serbia on all levels, Algerian Ambassador to Belgrade Abdelkader Mesdoua told Tanjug ahead of Wednesday's visit by a delegation of high-ranking Serbian officials to Algeria. The Algerian ambassador pointed out that the two countries have excellent political cooperation and that his country respects Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty and UN Resolution 1244. Algeria has not recognized Kosovo and has no intention of doing so until the International Court of Justice offers its opinion on the legality of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence, Ambassador Mesdoua stressed. He said that the visit of a big state, business and sports delegation will make Serbia the center of attention in his country in the week to come. The Serbian delegation will be headed by Deputy Prime Minister Mladjan Dinkic, and will include Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac and Minister of Youth and Sport Snezana Samardzic-Markovic. The delegation will comprise over 50 businessmen and managers of leading Serbian companies. The Serbian officials will meet with the Algerian prime minister.

KOSOVO & METOHIJA

NORTHERN KOSOVO TO BE INTEGRATED THROUGH POLITICAL MEANS

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA, March 1 (Tanjug) - Kosovo Government Coordinator for the Northern Kosovo Integration Strategy Iljber Hisa said that northern Kosovo's integration into the Kosovo system will be done by political means and with the help of social and economic projects. The Kosovo authorities will try to help its citizens in the north in order to ease the difficult situation the northern part is in, Hisa told Radio Kosovo and Metohija, adding that it is above all a project of good will, in the sense that it is coordinated with the international community and people of good will so the integration would yield a positive effect. According to Hisa, Kosovo institutions have shown willingness to be partners and take part in solving the issue of northern Kosovo. Hisa added that the cooperation of the people who live there is necessary for the process, noting that it will not be easy, because people there are exposed to various kinds of pressure. Commenting on Serbian government's behaviour, Hisa said that it lacks principle, pointing out that Serbia keeps invoking UN Security Council Resolution 1244, when in this particular instance it is working against it.

ITALIAN MPS VISIT VISOKI DECCANI MONASTERY VISOKI DECCANI

March 1 (Tanjug) -Bishop Teodosije received in Visoki Deccani monastery a delegation of the Italian parliament headed by President of its foreign affairs committee Srefano Stefani. Bishop briefed the Italian MPs of the problems the Serb community in Kosovo-Metohija is facing, especially regarding human and property rights, the Raska-Prizren Eparchy said. Teodosije noted that many Serb families, especially in Metohija, still cannot get restitution of their usurped land, and are forced to sell it. The talk also focussed on the need for protecting the identity and property of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo. The delegation also visited the Italian KFOR contingent. The Italian MP's will visit Belgrade and confer with Serbian MPs on integration in the EU, regional situation and bilateral relations.