Balkans must join forces on E.U. entry

"Balkans are a part of Europe and at the heart of Europe," the Yugoslav leader told the E.U. Parliament.

The region of "hatred, conflicts and wars" must now work together for peace and prosperity and take its place in the family of European nations, Kostunica stressed. "No Balkan nation can join the European Union on its own," the Yugoslav leader cautioned.

Instead the focus must be on developing "good neighbourly relations,and collective structures" in the Balkans, he underlined. Joining the E.U. was a "major goal" for his government, Kostunica emphasised, adding: "Yugoslavia is part of Europe. And Europe is not complete without our country and our people."

But the Yugoslav leader admitted that "our road to E.U. entry will be a long one." "There were mistakes made on both sides," Kostunica said in reference to NATO's air campaign against Yugoslavia last spring to stop ex-President Slobodan Milosevic's repressive policies in Kosovo.

"Things cannot be easily forgotten. But our future is with Europe," he stressed. As a first step in drawing closer to the E.U., Kostunica said Yugoslavia would be signing an association agreement with the E.U. as soon as possible.

The Yugoslav leader said the E.U. must continue with humanitarian assistance his country but said foreign investments were also needed to ensure a return to "normal" economic life in his country.

Queried on policies towards Kosovo, Kostunica said he was looking at "realistic solutions" which would involve consultations with Kosovar Albanians but also countries like Macedonia, Greece and Albania which had an interest in the question.

Kostunica promised cooperation with the International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague saying the court would be allowed to set up an office in Belgrade.

But asked if he favoured sending Milosevic to face trial in The Hague, Kostunica said the former Yugoslav dictator was "most responsible before his own people", adding that the question was not a priority for his government. "We are too much concerned with everyday problems of survival of our country," he stressed.

The Yugoslav leader urged E.U. governments to remove a visa ban imposed on his country last year in protest at Milosevic's policies. The visa restrictions were not compatible with democratic changes which had taken place in Yugoslavia since October 5 when the new government took up the reins of power, Kostunica stressed.

(la/dpa)