Serbia Today, 96-11-20

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From: Yugoslavia <http://www.yugoslavia.com>

Serbia Today

20 November 1996

CONTENTS

[01] YUGOSLAVIA IS AN IMPORTANT ACTOR IN EUROPEAN PROCESSES

[02] GOOD AND STABLE RELATIONS

[03] GRATITUDE TO FRANCE

[04] TALKS CONTINUE WITH THE WORLD BANK REPRESENTATIVES

[05] EXPORT ORIENTATION IN THE AGRARIAN FIELD

[01] YUGOSLAVIA IS AN IMPORTANT ACTOR IN EUROPEAN PROCESSES

In this respect, said President Lilic, Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has undertaken a number of initiatives, especially in the United Nations, in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, European Union and the other European regional and sub-regional organizations.

While answering the question by journalists about the present geopolitical position of the FR of Yugoslavia, President Lilic underlined: "The fact is undisputable that Yugoslav was the country which has taken part in the creation of the allied coalition in both world wars and was one of the countries victors in the World War Two. The state of Yugoslavia actually was created as an expression of the wishes of all the peoples living in the first Yugoslavia, to enter a joint state with Serbia and Montenegro, as the victorious countries in the World War One. It is also true that by forcible and one-sided secession, followed in some of its parts, by the civil war, the former Yugoslavia was disintegrated. This did not mean, however, the termination of the Yugoslav statehood, which is today symbolized in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

What used to be the basic geostrategic feature of the former Yugoslavia, remains the basic feature of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia also today, and has certainly lost nothing of its importance. We are situated in the central part of the Balkans and in the southeastern part of Europe, we remain the Danube basin country and a Mediterranean country. In view of all these circumstances, Yugoslavia remains the junction of the important land, river and air routes, on the crossroads of the continent, and thus it is not surprising that the four-year embargo of the international community imposed on our country has caused enormous damages to many countries in this part of the continent and broader.

I am expecting that the geopolitical recomposition of Europe will be followed also by the new linkage and integration processes which, I hope, will also mean strengthening of the European identity and togetherness, and that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, with its overall peaceful policies, will be an important actor in such relations". (Politika, November 20, 1996)

[02] GOOD AND STABLE RELATIONS

In an extensive and open talk, Yugoslav and Italian relations were discussed with a special emphasis on the development of parliamentary cooperation between Serbia and Italy.

The Under Secretary of the Italian diplomacy, Mr. Fasin, underlined that Italy is striving for the return of our country to all the international institutions and for a closer cooperation with the European Union, where Italy is playing an important role. (Politika ekspres, November 20, 1996)

[03] GRATITUDE TO FRANCE

In an open and friendly talk it was stated that there are all the conditions present for extending the economic and other cooperation between the two countries and the wish was expressed for maintaining contacts at all levels.

President Tomic expressed gratitude to France for the support which it has offered to the achievement of peace in these areas, and its unselfish strives for the return of our country to the international community. (Vecernje novosti, November 20, 1996)

[04] TALKS CONTINUE WITH THE WORLD BANK REPRESENTATIVES

The most important part of the talks was focused on the privatization of the social ownership, promotion of the banking system, fiscal policies and the problems of public expenditures in the budget of the Republic, budgets of municipalities and cities, and the pension insurance funds, health care funds and unemployment insurance funds. A high degree of agreement of the views on the treated problems was achieved. The talks are to continue today. (Vecernje novosti, November 20, 1996)

[05] EXPORT ORIENTATION IN THE AGRARIAN FIELD

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