Yugoslav Daily Survey, 98-03-24

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Yugoslav Daily Survey

CONTENTS

[01] PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN

[02] COMPOSITION OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT

[03] MARJANOVIC: PRIORITIES - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND A STABLE STATE

[04] KRAJISNIK CONCERNED OVER SERBS' DISAPPEARANCE AND ARRESTS

[05] YUGOSLAV VICE PREMIER DJUNIC RECEIVED UIC DIRECTOR

[06] ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADER: AGREEMENT ON EDUCATION IS AN IMPORTANT STEP

[07] MONSIGNOR PAGLIA: FIRST STEP TURNED TO FUTURE TAKEN IN KOSMET

[08] VICO: NORMALIZATION OF EDUCATION MARKS DEFEAT OF SEPARATISM IN KOSMET

[09] YUGOSLAV MINISTER HOLDS TALKS WITH JORDANIAN VICE-PREMIER

[10] MONTENEGRIN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION DEPARTED FOR UNITED STATES

[11] YUGOSLAV AND GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER DISCUSS PROMOTION OF COOPERATION

[12] YUGOSLAVIA AND CHINA DISCUSS PROMOTION OF COOPERATION

[01] PRESIDENT MILOSEVIC'S MESSAGE TO PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN

Tanjug, 1998-03-23

Yugoslav Vice Prime Minister Nikola Sainovic handed over, during talks held in Beijing on Monday with the First Vice-President of the State Council, Li Lanqing, a message from Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic for President Jiang Zemin.

Milosevic's message refers to the further strengthening of friendship and comprehensive relations between the two countries.

The message also refers to wider cooperation between the two countries in the international sphere with the aim of strengthening peace, security and equal cooperation on the principles of the U.N. Charter - with the respect of sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs.

[02] COMPOSITION OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT

Tanjug, 1998-03-24

Mr. Marjanovic proposed the composition of a new Government of Serbia, which was adopted by this Assembly with 169 consenting and 49 dissenting votes. Two deputies did not cast their votes, and there were no abstentions among 220 present deputies.

According to the decision of the National Assembly, the new Government of national unity of the Republic of Serbia will be composed of 16 members of the Serbian Socialist Party, 15 members of the Serbian Radical Party, 4 members of the Yugoslav Left and one non*partisan member.

Premier*Designate and former Prime Minister, Mr. Mirko Marjanovic, has been appointed Prime Minister.

The Vice*Premiers are:

Mr. Milovan Bojic (Yugoslav Left), born in 1955, S.M.D., Belgrade University professor, head of the Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases "Dedinje" and a deputy in the National Assembly.

Mr. Ratko Markovic (Serbian Socialist Party), born in 1944, J.D., Belgrade University professor and former Vice*Premier.

Mr. Tomislav Nikolic (Serbian Radical Party), born in 1952, a deputy in the Republican and Federal Assembly.

Mr. Dragomir Tomic (Serbian Socialist Party), born in 1937, president of the holding company "Simpo" and former Minister Coordinator in the Republican Government.

Mr. Vojislav Seselj (Serbian Radical Party), born in 1954, law graduate, Ph.D., a federal deputy and the president of the Municipal Assembly of Zemun. The following are Ministers with portfolios:

Minister of the Interior : Mr. Vlajko Stoiljkovic (Serbian Socialist Party), born in 1937, law graduate, former Minister of the Interior and Vice*Premier. Minister of Finance: Mr. Borislav Milacic (Serbian Socialist Party), born in 1953, economist, former Minister of Finance.

Minister of Justice: Mr. Dragoljub Jankovic (Serbian Socialist Party), born in 1945, law graduate, president of the First Municipal Court in Belgrade.

The new Minister of Local Self*Government is Ms Gordana Pop*Lazic (Serbian Radical Party), born in 1956, law graduate, secretary of the Municipal Assembly of Zemun.

Mr. Jovan Babovic (Serbian Socialist Party), born in 1946, Ph.D. Agricultural and Economic Science, full professor at the University of Novi Sad, who held the same office up to now, was appointed Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Supply. Minister of Industry : Mr. Luka Mitrovic (Serbian Radical Party), born in 1951, mech.eng. and a federal deputy.

Mr. Zivota Cosic (Serbian Socialist Party), born in 1942, mech.eng., former Minister of Industry was appointed Minister of Mining and Power Industry.

Mr. Dragan Todorovic (Serbian Radical Party) born in 1953, engineer, republican deputy and the Vice*President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, was appointed Minister of Transport and Communications.

Minister for Civil Engineering: Mr. Dejan Kovacevic (Serbian Socialist Party), born in 1937, civil engineer, former Minister without portfolio in charge of infrastructure capital projects. Minister of Trade : Mr. Zoran Krasic (Serbian Radical Party), born in 1956, law graduate, deputy in the Chamber of Citizens of the Federal Assembly.

Minister of Tourism: Mr. Slobodan Cerovic (Yugoslav Left), born in 1955, M.S.Econ., general manager of "Metropol" hotel and a federal deputy.

Minister for Economic and Ownership Transformation: Ms Jorgovanka Tabakovic (Serbian Radical Party), born in 1960, economist, a deputy in the Republican and Federal Assemblies.

Minister for Labour, Veteran Affairs and Welfare: Mr. Tomislav Milenkovic (Serbian Socialist Party) born in 1950, economist, general manager of Public Enterprise PTT "Srbija" and a deputy in the National Assembly.

Minister for Family Care: Ms Rada Trajkovic (Serbian Radical Party), born in 1953, a physician, M.S., assistant professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the Pristina University and a federal deputy.

Minister for Science and Technology: Mr. Branislav Ivkovic (Serbian Socialist Party), born in 1952, Ph.D., full professor at the Belgrade University and former Minister for Civil Engineering.

Minister for Education: Mr. Jovo Todorovic (Serbian Socialist Party), born in 1937, mech.eng., Ph.D., professor at the Belgrade University and former Minister for Education.

Minister for Culture: Ms Nada Popovic*Perisic (Serbian Socialist Party), born in 1946, Ph.D., former Minister for Culture.

Minister for Health*Care : Dr Leposava Milicevic (Yugoslav Left), born in 1950, former Minister for Health*Care.

Minister for Environment is Mr. Branislav Blazic (Serbian Radical Party), born in 1957, M.D. consultant, deputy in the Federal Assembly's Chamber of Citizens.

The new Minister for Youths and Sports is Mr. Zoran Andjelkovic (Serbian Socialist Party), born in 1958, general manager of the "Genex sistem" company and a republican and federal deputy.

Minister for Ties with the Serbs outside Serbia is Mr. Miroslav Mircic (Serbian Radical Party), born in 1956, engineer, a republican deputy.

Minister for Religion is Mr. Milovan Radovanovic (Serbian Radical Party), born in 1954, law graduate, a republican deputy.

Minister for Information is Mr. Aleksandar Vucic (Serbian Radical Party), born in 1970, law graduate, republican deputy.

At the proposal of the Premier*Designate, the National Assembly appointed the following seven Ministers without portfolio:

Mr. Milan Beko (not a member of any political party), born in 1961, transport engineer, former Minister for Economic and Ownership Transformation.

Mr. Cedomir Vasiljevic (Serbian Radical Party), born in 1947, transport engineer, a republican and federal deputy.

Ms Maja Gojkovic (Serbian Radical Party), born in 1963, law graduate, advocate and a deputy in the Chamber of Citizens of the Federal Assembly.

Mr. Djuro Lazic (Serbian Socialist Party), born in 1953, professor and the former Minister in the Republican Government.

Mr. Paja Momcilov (Serbian Radical Party), born in 1948, physician, M.A. Medical Science, assistant professor at the Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade.

Mr. Ivan Sedlak (Yugoslav Left), born in 1951, law graduate, former member of the Government of the Republic of Serbia.

Mr. Slobodan Tomovic, (Serbian Socialist Party), born in 1946, M.S.

[03] MARJANOVIC: PRIORITIES - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND A STABLE STATE

Tanjug, 1998-03-24

Priorities of the programme of the Government of national unity include economic development, economically viable, united and stable Serbia, which will be a guarantor of strong Yugoslavia, emphasized the current Prime Minister and premier*designate Mr. Mirko Marjanovic at today's meeting of the Assembly of Serbia.

In his opening statement, Mr. Marjanovic particularly pointed out that the programme's priorities will include the resolution of problems in Kosovo and Metohija which is an inseparable part of Serbia and an internal question of our country. He said that the programme of the Government of the Republic of Serbia represents the embodiment of a broad platform of State, national, economic and social goals, on which full agreement in the talks between the President of Serbia and leaders of parliamentary parties has been achieved.

The priorities of the programme also include the implementation of the Dayton agreement, consolidation of Republika Srpska and of its ties with Serbia and the FR of Yugoslavia, restoration of membership rights to our country in international organizations and institutions and active attitude towards integration processes in Europe as well as further promotion of good*neighbourly relations and regional cooperation.

The Government once again stresses its resolve to strengthen the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as a federation of Serbia and Montenegro, based on equality of citizens and its member republics. The Government of Serbia is convinced that only united and stable Serbia may ensure a strong Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and its full affirmation, Mr. Marjanovic stressed.

Kosovo and Metohija represents the root and foundation of Serbian Statehood and national identity of the Serbian people. Kosovo and Metohija is an integral and inseparable part of Serbia and due to its national, historical, cultural, economic and other characteristics, under the Constitution of Serbia, it has been granted the rights of political/ territorial autonomy.

We are convinced that in open dialogue without preconditions with the representatives of the Albanian national minority and other minorities living in this province, best solutions may be found for the realization of human and civil rights as well as of the rights of members of national minorities, in line with the highest standards of the United Nations, OSCE and the Council of Europe, Mr. Marjanovic said.

Serbia makes a clear distinction between terrorists and terrorism on the one hand, and the members of the Albanian national minority, on the other. Terrorism against citizens, members of Serbian and Montenegrin people, Albanians and police officers in Kosovo and Metohija, represents typical violence. The Government shall counter all attempts at separatism, secessionism and terrorism with all legitimate measures, the same as any other State in the world facing this scourge, the premier*designate said.

He further added that national minorities should use all rights according to the highest international standards, but nowhere in the world including in our country, they cannot use them as a basis to redraw the State territory.

The Government shall continue to ensure conditions for a stable political, economic and cultural development, building of relations of tolerance and confidence among all citizens in Kosovo and Metohija. All State organs shall be engaged in fulfilling these goals, particularly the Agency for the development of underdeveloped regions, with the seat in Pristina, to whom the Government provides funds to enable its efficient functioning, Mr. Marjanovic emphasized.

He said that the Government's readiness was confirmed by the signing of the agreement on normalization of system of education in Kosovo and Metohija.

"Consistent implementation of the Dayton peace process remains our lasting commitment. Peace, harmonious development and prosperity may be secured only if full equality of Republika Srpska with the Muslim*Croat federation, and of the three constituent peoples, is ensured * Serbs, Croats and Muslims. We are interested in having these principles fully observed as it is the precondition for the preservation of peace, stability and realization of vital interests of the Serb people", Mr. Marjanovic said.

Pointing out that the FR of Yugoslavia has affirmed itself as a factor of peace, stability and good*neighbourliness in the region and in Europe by its constructive and peaceful policy, Mr. Marjanovic assessed that the goals of European security and cooperation in South*Eastern Europe with the FRY in the European organizations and institutions, will be more speedily and more completely realized.

"The Republic of Serbia accords top priority in having the FRY included in regional and European integration processes. Our interest is intensive normalization of relations between the FRY and the European Union. Serbia's interest is to have autonomous trade measures, granted last year and suspended subsequently, renewed as soon as possible and to have groundless political conditions eliminated", Mr. Marjanovic said. Major social and economic reforms are under*way in Serbia and any attempts at keeping it at a distance by applying the policy of double standards are not in the interest of FRY or Europe," Mr. Marjanovic said.

According to him, by the end of this decade and in the next one, the social product will grow according to the projections which are the basis of the Republic's development strategy, at a rate of 7 per cent per year. Indicating that this is above average even compared to developed countries and those in transition, Mr. Marjanovic stated that the development will be based on the increased growth in industry, agriculture, transport, civil*engineering and services, coupled with dynamic growth of other activities. Our goal is, he said, that by the end of the period under review we catch up with medium developed countries in terms of social product.

In the forthcoming period, the Government of national unity will continue with the policy based on stability, economic growth and stepping up of reform processes, above all in the field of ownership transformation, restructuring of the economy and banking, faster opening towards the world and of social functions of the State, Mr. Marjanovic said.

Pointing out that the laws on ownership transformation and concessions at the Republican level for most part rounded up the market*oriented economic system, Marjanovic said that these laws provided the groundwork to increase economic efficiency, faster influx of foreign capital, greater efficiency and competitiveness of our companies and strengthening of financial discipline. Mechanisms necessary for the realization of ownership transformation have been defined, which will be open to public and under full control of the National Assembly. Ownership transformation of big companies of strategic importance will be dependent on their economic*financial consolidation. As for companies to be transformed according to the special programme of the Government, its role will be in approving the programmes of ownership transformation of those companies and extending assistance in the process of agreement making.

[04] KRAJISNIK CONCERNED OVER SERBS' DISAPPEARANCE AND ARRESTS

Tanjug, 1998-03-23

A Bosnian Serb official late on Monday expressed concern over growingly frequent cases of disappearance of people from Serb Sarajevo and the most recent arrests in the Muslim-Croat Federation of citizens of the Republika Srpska.

Momcilo Krajisnik, member of Bosnia-Herzegovina's Presidency from the Republika Srpska, wrote to this effect to the international community's High Representative Carlos Westendorp and Commander of the NATO-led Stabilisation Force (SFOR) Eric Shinseki.

Krajisnik asked Westendorp and General Shinseki to take steps in the territory of the Muslim-Croat Federation to open an investigation into the disappearances and to effect the release of those arrested.

In his letters, Krajisnik said that there had lately been cases of unexplained disappearances of people who had trusted in the freedom of movement in Bosnia-Herzegovina's two entities and the set rules of conduct for the competent state bodies.

Budimir Stanisic, resident of Pale, disappeared on March 16, 1998, and Ranko Radovic, resident of Serb Sarajevo, disappeared on October 23, 1997, the letters said, adding that intensive searches had produced no result in either case.

In the past two days, Milomir Tepes and Dragan Lukic, both of Pale, who exercised the freedom of movement to visit the Federation's sector of Sarajevo, were arrested by the federal police.

Arrest of citizens of the other entity is a gross violation of the procedure as agreed under the Rome document, Krajisnik said in the letters.

He added that Milomir Tepes was detained on a war crimes charge although the federal police had not received from the Hague-based War Crimes Tribunal for former Yugoslavia either an arrest warrant or an indictment.

Dragan Lukic has been released after short detention, but Tepes is still in custody.

The federal police hereby showed that it was continuing its unlawful practice in direct contravention of the Dayton Accords, which had its most flagrant expression in the brazen arrest of Goran Vasic in the territory of the Republika Srpska, the letters said.

[05] YUGOSLAV VICE PREMIER DJUNIC RECEIVED UIC DIRECTOR

Tanjug, 1998-03-23

Yugoslav Vice Premier Danko Djunic received on Monday Adam Viladek, President of the International Union of Railways (UIC), to discuss bilateral cooperation.

According to a governmental statement, the meeting was attended by Yugoslav Transport Minister Dejan Drobnjakovic, Transport Minister of the Yugoslav Republic of Serbia Svetolik Kostadinovic and "Belgrade" Railway Company Director Zivorad Maksimovic.

In an atmosphere of utmost friendliness and cordiality, the two sides broached the questions of the development of Yugoslav railways and the servicing of the company's debts to the railways of other countries - members of the UIC.

Special attention was devoted to the importance to the Yugoslav Railways and to Europe of the planned "Corridor 10" that should go via Yugoslav territory and link by the shortest route north, west and central Europe to south Europe and the Middle East.

[06] ETHNIC ALBANIAN LEADER: AGREEMENT ON EDUCATION IS AN IMPORTANT STEP

Tanjug, 1998-03-23

Representative of ethnic Albanians from Serbia's southern province of Kosovo-Metohija in the 3+3 Group Fehmi Agani said on Monday after signing the agreement on temporary measures for the implementation of the agreement on normalizing the education system in the province that a great step was made towards normalizing education.

The agreement was signed without any great excitement given the present circumstances, but an important step forward has been made, Agani said and added he hoped that the agreement would be honoured this time.

[07] MONSIGNOR PAGLIA: FIRST STEP TURNED TO FUTURE TAKEN IN KOSMET

Tanjug, 1998-03-23

Monsignor Vicenzo Paglia, representative of the St. Egidio organization of the Roman Catholic Church, which mediated the consultations on the normalization of education in Kosovo and Metohija, said that the measures agreed on Monday were "the first step, humanitarian step, turned to the future."

Monsignor Paglia told a news conference that the agreed measures marked the first phase of the implementation of the 1996 agreement on education, signed by President Slobodan Milosevic and ethnic-Albanian leader Ibrahim Rugova, and said he was confident that the agreement would be carried out.

"We want all students to be able to study freely and to have the best of conditions," Monsignor Paglia told the press.

His message to the young people in Serbia's southern province was that their mutual cooperation was important for the implementation of the 1996 agreement and set out that Kosovo and Metohija's future was in their hands.

"We will win or lose all together," Monsignor Paglia stressed.

He said that the measures agreed on Monday were the first step in education and could also be the first step and right way to an overall normalization of relations in the province, "a new beginning for Kosovo and Metohija."

[08] VICO: NORMALIZATION OF EDUCATION MARKS DEFEAT OF SEPARATISM IN KOSMET

Tanjug, 1998-03-23

Member of the Serbian Government delegation to the Commission 3+3 Ratomir Vico said that the accord reached on Monday on provisional measures for the implementation of the agreement on the normalization of the education system for ethnic-Albanian children and youths in Serbia's southern province of Kosovo and Metohija marked the defeat of the ethnic-Albanian separatism.

"This first step is very important because it marks the defeat of separatism which has survived and renewed itself in fact thanks to education, the abnormal conditions in which ethnic-Albanian children and youths studied. This step means the abandoning of the ghetto which young ethnic Albanians were pushed into against their will and the will of their parents," Vico said.

He set out that the Serbian Government had decided to take the step proceeding from the social, humanitarian and civilizational significance of the agreement on the normalization of the education system signed a year and a half ago.

"The Serbian Government was guided by the same commitments when it made it possible for 219 elementary schools today to be strictly ethnic-Albanian, which means that, when the 75 mixed schools are added, as many as 294 of the total of 378 elementary schools in Kosovo and Metohija are attended by ethnic-Albanian children," Vico stressed.

He said that in the further work on the implementation of the agreement signed by President Slobodan Milosevic and ethnic-Albanian leader Ibrahim Rugova, the Serbian Government would proceed, just as so far, from its commitment to fully abide by the highest world standards in terms of the position of national minorities in education and all other walks of life.

He said that the accord signed on Monday enabled a significant improvement of the conditions of school and university education for ethnic Albanians and, at the same time, guaranteed that no other pupil or student in Kosovo and Metohija would have his rights violated in any way.

Vico said that the Serbian and ethnic-Albanian representatives in the Commission 3+3 had agreed that the normalization of the education system in Kosovo and Metohija could start with the return to schools and the University, as "the first step toward the full implementation of the Agreement on the Normalization of the Education System."

The Serbian official underlined that the implementation of the agreement would continue at a stepped-up pace with the resolution of other issues, including financing, diplomas, the administration, curriculums, and the status of the employees.

Vico thanked the St. Egidio organization of the Roman Catholic Church and Monsignor Vicenzo Paglia for "invaluable assistance in reaching the agreement at today's meeting."

Dobrosav Bjeletic, also Serbian Government's representative in the Commission 3+3, set out that an effort had been made throughout to approach the issue of education in Kosovo and Metohija without politicizing it and on the basis of respect for the equality of both sides in matters of education.

Bjeletic said that it was now the duty of all institutions to create broader conditions which would meet the needs of both sides, since he set out it was the duty of all institutions to raise the educational and cultural level of all citizens of Serbia.

The third Serbian Government representative in the Commission 3+3 Goran Percevic said that the accord had discontinued the self-isolation which ethnic-Albanian children and youths had found themselves in, and that the agreed measures were distinctly humanitarian in character.

"It is very important that the measures in no way violate the rights of the Serb and other students who are studying in Pristina. Not a single of these students will be denied his or her rights," Percevic said.

He specified that the agreed measures were of a provisional character, until a full normalization of education for ethnic-Albanian children, and that other matters concerning education would be resolved at meetings of the Commission 3+3.

[09] YUGOSLAV MINISTER HOLDS TALKS WITH JORDANIAN VICE-PREMIER

Tanjug, 1998-03-23

Jordanian Vice-Premier Abdullah Ensur received on Monday Yugoslav Minister without Portfolio Zoran Bingulac who is paying a two-day official visit to Jordan.

In an open and cordial talk, Ensur, who is also acting Prime Minister, and Bingulac discussed overall cooperation between the two traditionally friendly countries.

Bingulac informed Ensur about the latest developments in Serbia's southern province of Kosovo and Metohija and Yugoslav and Serbian officals' constructive efforts to open dialogue with representatives of the Albanian minority.

Ensur said Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic's policy and active participation in securing peace and cooperation were vital for stability in the Balkans. He stressed Jordan's principled support for peaceful settlement, through dialogue and political means, of all disputes.

Prince Abdullah Ibn al Hussein, King Hussein's eldest son, also received Bingulac for talks on forms of Jordanian-Yugoslav cooperation, which is developing successfully.

The talks were attended also by Jordanian Youth and Culture Minister and acting Foreign Minister Talal al Hassan and Yugoslav Charge d'Affaires in Jordan Oliver Potezica.

[10] MONTENEGRIN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION DEPARTED FOR UNITED STATES

Tanjug, 1998-03-23

A Montenegrin parliamentary delegation, headed by Parliament President Svetozar Marovic, left on Monday on a several-day visit to the United States.

The delegation, it was announced, left for a visit to the United States at the invitation of the U.S. Congress. Montenegrin parliamentarians, the announcement said, will have meetings "at the highest level" with Congress representatives. Talks are planned in the State Department, other institutions and some endowments for the promotion of democracy.

The Montenegrin parliamentary delegation is comprised of representatives of all party groupings represented in the Republican Parliament.

[11] YUGOSLAV AND GREEK DEFENSE MINISTER DISCUSS PROMOTION OF COOPERATION

Tanjug, 1998-03-23

The Greek Government has taken an unequivocal and principled stand on the developments in Kosovo and Metohija - it condemns terror and terrorism, as a method of resolving problems of national minorities, just as it condemns every idea of secession and change of state borders, Greek Defense Minister Akis Tsohatzopoulos said on Monday.

In the statement made after candid and cordial talks with visiting Yugoslav Defense Minister Pavle Bulatovic, Minister Tsohatzopoulos set out that Greece supported the legitimate right and obligation of Serbia and Yugoslavia to resolve the neuralgic issue of Serbia's southern province through political dialogue.

Yugoslav Minister Bulatovic agreed with the assessment and stressed that the international community must most energetically condemn terrorism.

Bulatovic said that the international community's position on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija was a historical test in terms of both the region's future and also the prospects of many other states.

Minister Tsohatzopoulos informed the Yugoslav delegation about the Greek initiative for a meeting of the Balkan defense ministers to be organized in the first half of this year.

The Greek Minister said that his country held the view that some regions, including the Balkans and the Baltic, must build regional systems of security and confidence alongside of the system of collective security.

Yugoslav Minister Bulatovic agreed and underlined that the interests of peace and development were common to all states.

The two sides assessed as positive cooperation between Yugoslavia and Greece in the domain of defense, and said that all conditions and the mutual interest for it existed.

[12] YUGOSLAVIA AND CHINA DISCUSS PROMOTION OF COOPERATION

Tanjug, 1998-03-23

Yugoslav Deputy Prime Minister Nikola Sainovic, who is on a five-day working visit to China, at the invitation of the Chinese Government, conferred on Monday afternoon with Chinese First Deputy Premier Li Lanqing. The two-hour talks were held in a friendly atmosphere.

In keeping with the letter and spirit of the Joint Declaration on Friendly Relations and Cooperation between the two countries, signed last November by Presidents Slobodan Milosevic and Jiang Zemin, the two sides discussed possibilities for a further promotion of overall bilateral relations.

Exhaustive exchanges of views were carried out on concrete possibilities for economic, financial and production cooperation, joint investments and the use of mutual advantages for joint ventures on third markets.

The two sides agreed on the exchange of information and method of work in connection with the expansion of economic and financial cooperation.

Chinese First Deputy Premier Li reiterated China's principled position that Kosovo and Metohija is an internal affair of Serbia and Yugoslavia.

Yugoslav Deputy Prime Minister Sainovic invited his host to visit Yugoslavia. The invitation was gladly accepted.

Sainovic leaves on Tuesday for Shanghai, where he will discuss with the city's ranking officials and businessmen the strengthening of ties and cooperation between the Yugoslav and Chinese economies.

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