Tadić: Europe within Serbia's reach

President Boris Tadic says that a society built on European values is “within Serbia's reach.” “This idea is within reach in 2008. We are the ones to decide whether to take our destinies into our own hands, we are the ones to decide how this country will look in the coming years, and we must work hard in the next few years,” Tadic said last night in Novi Sad, presenting the Dr. Zoran Djindjic Award for young scientists. Tadic: Europe within Serbia's reach Tadic said that Djindjic's basic idea was “the idea of a modern, European Serbia, which is politically, security-wise and technologically part of the continent which it belongs to geographically.” “We will not back away from our strategic goals, which are getting Serbia into Europe, and building a modern, well-placed society. We will not back away from anything that Zoran did and we will continue his ideas and actions,” Tadic said. He said that Djindjic had worked harder than the rest of his colleagues, which was why he had achieved better results than the rest of them. “Nations work in the same way. When one nation is united and clear in its goal, it works better than a nation where there is competition between people and institutions. When a nation is united it sets an example to everyone, then the bridges are stronger and technology improves, and life becomes easier and more comfortable for people,” Tadic said. He said that Serbia had to devote special attention in the coming years to education and science in order to improve and invest in these fields, because that was the only way for Serbia to progress and develop. Boris Tadic (Tanjug) Tadic confident of election victory Meanwhile, Tadic says that he is convinced that he will win the presidential elections in January 2008. In an interview with the state television RTS, Tadic said that Serbia had greater international credibility and a better economy now, than before he took presidential office in June 2004. He said that during his mandate, Serbia had created a clear plan which included not only the defense of territorial sovereignty and integrity, but also membership of the European Union. “No one can give up on EU membership, because that is of vital interest to the citizens of our country,” Tadic said. He said that the standard of living had improved greatly, and that Serbia was constantly progressing towards EU membership. “There are more products in our stores, but Serbia, just like before, has not been able to solve the problem of combating poverty which a section of our population struggles with,” Tadic said. He said that 500,000 people in Serbia were “yearning for a job” and that the state must ensure work for all those people. “Our state policies must be focused on not only the defense of Kosovo, but on the struggle for a better life and dignity for all people living in hardship,” Tadic concluded.

Tadić: Europe within Serbia's reach

Tadić said that Đinđić's basic idea was “the idea of a modern, European Serbia, which is politically, security-wise and technologically part of the continent which it belongs to geographically.”

“We will not back away from our strategic goals, which are getting Serbia into Europe, and building a modern, well-placed society. We will not back away from anything that Zoran did and we will continue his ideas and actions,” Tadić said.

He said that Đinđić had worked harder than the rest of his colleagues, which was why he had achieved better results than the rest of them.

“Nations work in the same way. When one nation is united and clear in its goal, it works better than a nation where there is competition between people and institutions. When a nation is united it sets an example to everyone, then the bridges are stronger and technology improves, and life becomes easier and more comfortable for people,” Tadić said.

He said that Serbia had to devote special attention in the coming years to education and science in order to improve and invest in these fields, because that was the only way for Serbia to progress and develop.

Tadić confident of election victory

Meanwhile, Tadić says that he is convinced that he will win the presidential elections in January 2008.

In an interview with the state television RTS, Tadić said that Serbia had greater international credibility and a better economy now, than before he took presidential office in June 2004.

He said that during his mandate, Serbia had created a clear plan which included not only the defense of territorial sovereignty and integrity, but also membership of the European Union.

“No one can give up on EU membership, because that is of vital interest to the citizens of our country,” Tadić said.

He said that the standard of living had improved greatly, and that Serbia was constantly progressing towards EU membership.

“There are more products in our stores, but Serbia, just like before, has not been able to solve the problem of combating poverty which a section of our population struggles with,” Tadić said.

He said that 500,000 people in Serbia were “yearning for a job” and that the state must ensure work for all those people.

“Our state policies must be focused on not only the defense of Kosovo, but on the struggle for a better life and dignity for all people living in hardship,” Tadić concluded.