Belgrade, March 31, 2010

SERBIA – “SREBRENICA DECLARATION”

PARLIAMENT ADOPTS DECLARATION ON SREBRENICA CRIME

BELGRADE, March 31 (Tanjug) - The Serbian parliament adopted the Declaration which most severely condemns the crime committed against the Bosniak population in Srebrenica in July 1995. Out of 149 MPs present, a total of 127 voted in favor of the Declaration, 21 were against it, and one MP abstained from voting. After nearly 13 hours of debate, the Declaration was supported by 127 MPs of the ruling coalition and minority parliamentary parties, whereas the DSS, NS opposed. The SNS, SRS and LDP did not vote. The Declaration states that the Serbian parliament most severely condemns the crime against the Bosniak population in Srebrenica in July 1995, as ruled by the ICJ, and expects that all other former Yugoslav countries will condemn the crimes against Serbs in the same way. The Serbian parliament also severely condemns all political processes and events which led to the forming of an opinion that the fulfillment of national goals can be achieved through use of armed force and physical violence against members of other nations and religions. The Declaration also expresses deep sympathy and apology to the families of the victims because nothing had been done to prevent the tragedy. All the former conflicting parties in BiH, as well as in other former Yugoslav countries, were called on to continue the process of reconciliation and improving of conditions for coexistence, based on equality of nations and great respect of human and minority rights and freedoms, so that such crimes would never happen again."The parliament expects that the highest bodies of other former Yugoslav countries will also condemn crimes against Serbs, and that they will express their sympathy and apology to the families of the Serb victims," the Declaration reads.

SREBRENICA DECLARATION CAUSES DISPUTE IN PARLIAMENT

BELGRADE, March 30 (Tanjug) - The main part of the discussion in the Parliament about the draft declaration on the 1995 massacre in Srebrenica consisted of a dispute between the parliamentary groups which was started by Whip Nikolic commenting that not everyone in the ruling majority is in favour of the document. Nikolic said that the goal of the declaration is to blame the Serbian people for everything that happened and make it look like they are the only ones who committed war crimes, adding that crimes are not committed by the whole people, but by individuals. Nikolic remarked that there is no consensus on the contents of the declaration within the ruling coalition, but that its MPs will vote for it because of personal and party interests. Whip stated that "Serbia is unable to join the EU not because it has failed adopt this or other similar declarations, but because its factories are not working, its government is spending without limits, its civil servants are corrupt and smuggling is thriving." Whip Kolundzija replied to this by saying that the government wants to acknowledge the crime with the declaration and say that individuals committed it, so that by determining individual responsibility, the people and the government would be cleared of any blame. Senic asked Nikolic not to involve "party relations" in the discussion. "The path from opposing the EU to advocating integration into it is not easy and simple. You are having a hard time today, and I can understand why you are sending a message that you denounce the crime.You have come to the point where you have to decide between European values and nationalism," said Senic. Nikolic then described the declaration as "a trap for the Serbian Progressive Party," because if it is against the document, then it is against the EU. Kolundzija replied once again, explaining that the ruling majority wants to adopt the declaration because of the Serbian people and their future. "The fact that you are not prepared to take responsibility, just like in the past, speaks about you, not about us, who are prepared to take that responsibility. It is a painful and difficult thing to do, but it is in the interest of this country's future,".

DEJANOVIC: DECLARATION ON CRIME AGAINST SERBS TO BE ADOPTED SOON

KRAGUJEVAC, March 31 (Tanjug) - Serbian parliament speaker Djukic-Dejanovic expressed expectation that a declaration on the condemnation of crime against Serbs in the territory of the former Yugoslavia will be adopted in two months at the latest. "The Declaration on the condemnation of crime in Srebrenica, which was adopted by the Serbian MPs, was discussed for two months and as we have certain experience in the area, I expect that the declaration on the condemnation of crime against Serbs will be prepared and adopted in two months at the latest," Djukic-Dejanovic said. She reiterated that the Collegium is scheduled to meet on Thursday to discuss the preparation of the declaration on condemnation of crime against Serbs. "We will make a draft version of the declaration on condemnation of crime against Serbs in the territory of the former Yugoslavia at the Collegium's meeting as early as tomorrow," she said. She expressed expectation that at the same time, this will be stimulation for all parliaments of the former YU states to condemn the crimes against Serbs, just like Serbia has condemned the crime in Srebrenica.

SERBIA – EU

FULE: EUROPEAN COMMISSION NEUTRAL ON KOSOVO'S STATUS

BRUSSELS, March 30 (Tanjug) - EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule has said that the European Commission's (EC) position on Kosovo is status-neutral, adding that the EC sees a clear European perspective for both Serbia and Kosovo. "Cooperation in the region and relations between Serbia and Kosovo are very important. Regional cooperation is a key part of the Stabilization and Association Process and should be inclusive, representative and effective," Fule told the Euractive Web site. The commissioner said that Serbia applied for EU membership at the end of 2009, and that the EC is now waiting for a green light from the European Council to start forming an official opinion. In the meantime, said Fule, the EC is working with the authorities in Kosovo to promote their European aspirations, because "it is very important that none of these countries are left in the cold." Commenting on the recent Western Balkans conference in Slovenia, Fule said that he thinks it was a success. "For the first time the leaders of the countries pledged their commitment to help each other in fulfilling their European aspirations," Fule explained.

BALAZS: WESTERN BALKANS EU INTEGRATION IMPORTANT FOR HUNGARY

BUDAPEST, March 30 (Tanjug) - The Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans region is a goal equally important for Hungary, Serbia and Croatia, Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister Peter Balazs said after talks with his Serbian and Croatian counterparts in Budapest. The old border crossing with Serbia at Roszke could be reopened possibly within a year, Balazs told reporters. Hungary and Serbia will bid jointly to receive EU funding forthe project, Balazs said, adding that passport checks will be carried out on the Hungarian side, Hungarian agency MTI reports. Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic noted the increased support Hungary has most recently expressed for his country's Euro-Atlantic integration. Regarding future events, he mentioned the meeting of the three countries' presidents scheduled for next month. Croatian Foreign Minister said his country expects to conclude accession talks with the EU this year. He added that once an EU member, Croatia will support the Euro-Atlantic integration of every other WBalkan country. The three foreign ministers also discussed transport development projects including the upgrading of the Rijeka-Constanta railway line Hungary is working on with Croatia, Serbia and Romania.

SERBIA – REGION

KUPRESAK: GOVERNMENTS NEED TO DISCUSS DROPPING LAWSUITS

BELGRADE, March 31 (Tanjug) - The Serbian and Croatian governments need to discuss the possibility of dropping the suits they filed with the ICJ, said Croatian Ambassador in Belgrade Zeljko Kupresak, who believes the two countries' prime ministers could meet in Zagreb as soon as May. Serbian and Croatian presidents, Tadic and Josipovic, "have made the first step in that direction", because their meeting on March 24 has resulted in more relaxed relations between the two countries, Kupresak told daily Blic. Withdrawing the mutual lawsuits before the ICJ is not a precondition for EU membership of either country, but we must do everything to prove we are able to solve our own problems without mediation, the Croatian ambassador said.

JANDROKOVIC SUPPORTS REGIONAL COOPERATION

BUDAPEST, March 30 (Tanjug) - Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Jandrokovic expressed, during the meeting with his Serbian and Hungarian counterparts, Vuk Jeremic and Peter Balazs respectively, the support to regional initiatives the aim of which is to bring the three countries closer and strengthen their cooperation. Jandrokovic stressed the readiness of the Croatian government to provide advisory assistance to all Southeast European countries during their negotiations with the EU, the Croatian agency Hina reported. He said that this is shown by the fact that Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor consigned the translation of the EU legal regulation to her colleagues from the neighboring countries who participated in the conference on the Western Balkans held recently at Brdo pri Kranju. So far, Serbia has not obtained these translations, even though it was among the first countries that were promised to obtain them. During the meeting in Budapest dedicated to regional cooperation, the foreign ministers of the three countries showed their support for the Danube strategy, particularly for the construction of modern road, railway and waterway corridors and the restoration of old regional oil and gas pipelines and construction of new ones, which will provide the energy security of the region, the Croatian Foreign Ministry stated. According to the statement, the ministers also discussed the cross-border cooperation, assessing that it can positively affect the economic development of borderline areas, improvement of the standard of living of local inhabitants and preservation of the environment. The Croatian, Serbian and Hungarian foreign ministers were received by Hungarian President Solyom.

SERBIA & MACEDONIA TO COOPERATE IN HEALTHCARE

BELGRADE, March 30 (Tanjug) - Macedonian and Serbian Ministers of Health, Bujar Osmani and Tomica Milosavljevic respectively, signed a joint statement on cooperation in the field of healthcare and medical sciences. The statement, among other things, establishes a good contractual basis for cooperation and exchange of experience between the both countries' experts in the field of early detection of diseases, treatment, and professional improvement, Milosavljevic told a press conference. According to him, the statement also implies financing and investing in healthcare as part of sustainable development of Macedonia and Serbia. The minister Osmani said that health is most important for every country, which is why the improvement in the field of healthcare is significant for both Serbia and Macedonia. The delegations of the two countries' health ministries will discuss cooperation and exchange of staff in the field of healthcare, as well as health insurance, medical service organization, medical waste, and accreditation of healthcare institutions.

SERBIA – ECONOMY

DJELIC: JAT HAS PROBLEMS, BUT SERBIAN PEOPLE NEED IT

BELGRADE, March 30 (Tanjug) - Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic said that Jat Airways has problems, but that the Serbian people would lose a lot without a national airline. "Just like, for example, Telekom Srbija managed to cope with tough competition on the Serbian market, I think that Jat Airways will do the same," Djelic said at the signing of a contract between Jat and DDOR Novi Sad, the insurance company that will be providing health insurance for Jat passengers going to the EU. Djelic noted that the there are no more visa requirements for the EU and that the market has been liberalized, which should strengthen the competition and, thereby, Jat Airways.

MRKONJIC: GOVERNMENT REACHES AGREEMENT ON ROAD CONSTRUCTION

BELGRADE, March 31 (Tanjug) - Infrastructure Minister Milutin Mrkonjic said that the government reached agreement on road construction a few days ago, and specified that Corridor 10 will be completed in 2012, there will be a shake-up of Public Enterprise Roads of Serbia, and he will administer sanctions against those who have not been doing their job. Mrkonjic told daily Politika that the cooperation between him and Economy Minister Mladjan Dinkic is "excellent, even though we disagree on some things." Mrkonjic stressed that the state has finally realized the vital importance of roads. Asked who is responsible for the delays in construction, he said that Roads of Serbia Executive Board Chairman Zoran Lilic and Director Zoran Drobnjak carry most of the blame, and announced that they will be dismissed. Asked if the government is responsible that construction on Corridor 10 is behind schedule, Mrkonjic said that the government is to blame to a degree.

KOSOVO & METOHIJA

KERMABON READY FOR ANOTHER MANDATE AS HEAD OF EULEX

PRISTINA, March 31 (Tanjug) - Chief of EULEX Mission Yves de Kermabon has told the leadership of the EU in Brussels that he is ready for another mandate as head of the EULEX which was established in 2008. Yves de Kermabon has expressed his readiness to stay on as head of EULEX. However, the tenure of Heads of Missions is linked to the duration of the Joint Actions (now called Council Decisions), EULEX Spokesperson Karin Limdal told the Pristina daily Koha Ditore. EU Member States will consider this in connection with the anticipated decision in Brussels on the overall mandate extension, Limdal added. The procedure of electing the head of EULEX will be decided on in Brussels, but before that the Council of Europe should formally extend the validity of the document based on which the EU Rule of Law Mission was set up in Kosovo. Kermabon, a former KFOR commander, has managed to install EULEX in the province Kosovo in two years, but not to make the mission functional on the whole of Kosovo territory as well.

STEINBERG CALLS FOR PRAGMATIC DIALOGUE

PRISTINA, March 31 (Tanjug) -U.S. DepSecretary of State James Steinberg said that he will invite Belgrade and Pristina to discuss their problems in a pragmatic manner, as well as facilitate the work of EULEX, the Pristina media reported. Ahead of his visit to the WBalkan region next week, Steinberg said he will try to influence both Belgrade and Pristina to improve dialogue, because despite their problems, they have common interests. Among the issues he wants to address during the visit to Pristina is facilitating the work of EULEX and building bridges between the two biggest ethnic communities in Kosovo. Steinberg will start his tour of the region in Ljubljana on April 6, and go on to visit Sarajevo, Belgrade and Pristina.