Belgrade, Dec 6, 2005 - Serbian President Boris Tadic and Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica talked late on Monday in Belgrade with EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana about several crucial issues - the association of the state union of Serbia-Montenegro with the EU, relations within the state union, and Kosovo-Metohija.
Solana welcomed the progress in the negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU and conveyed the EU's full support for successful completion of the talks. He said that the continuation of cooperation with the Hague tribunal and fulfilment of all international obligations are necessary for successfulness of this process.
The officials especially discussed the possible holding of a referendum in Montenegro, and they fully agreed that the recommendations of the Venetian commission concerning the referendum must be respected. Also, they said that it is important that the authorities and the opposition in Montenegro reach an agreement concerning the rules for holding the referendum.
Tadic and Kostunica stressed that a solution for Kosovo-Metohija must be sought through dialogue and compromise, and that it must be lasting and sustainable. They highlighted that the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia-Montenegro in Kosovo-Metohija must be respected.
The collocutors agreed that it is very important to find a lasting and sustainable solution, especially concerning Kosovo's economic development.
They stressed that during the political talks on the future status of the province, standards set by the international community must be achieved. In this context, they pointed out that the issue of decentralisation of authority in Kosovo-Metohija is the crucial element for the fulfilment of standards.