PM addresses Statehood Day event

Serbia's European path is no longer challenged by anyone, Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic told a gathering in Belgrade ahead of Statehood Day. He addressed top officials, as well as diplomatic envoys and other guests gathered at the National Theater in Belgrade on Sunday evening, and said that Serbia is getting "ever closer to EU membership, reestablishing connections with the world that were disrupted for years". PM addresses Statehood Day event Serbia is the region's leader, said the premier, and added that the country has been introducing "European and civilization" standards, along with respecting human and minority rights of all citizens. "We are solving the issue of Kosovo and Metohija – which is not only our most important and most sensitive issue, but also that of regional and European security – with a firm dedication to defend our legitimate rights, in our own territory, in line with international law, using peaceful means, patiently, and persistently," said Cvetkovic. The prime minister stated that Serbia has been raising its profile significantly abroad with its policy of peace and cooperation with the world's leading political and economic powers. Cvetkovic was also heard saying that "ties between crime and the judiciary have been ruptured", and that the state will work to root out organized crime, "as one of the key preconditions for a better future". The ceremony last night was attended by President Boris Tadic, Parliament Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, RS President Rajko Kuzmanovic, RS Premier Milorad Dodik, cabinet ministers, SPC Patriarch Irinej, representatives of Serbia's religious communities, and other guests. (Beta)

PM addresses Statehood Day event

Serbia is the region's leader, said the premier, and added that the country has been introducing "European and civilization" standards, along with respecting human and minority rights of all citizens.

"We are solving the issue of Kosovo and Metohija – which is not only our most important and most sensitive issue, but also that of regional and European security – with a firm dedication to defend our legitimate rights, in our own territory, in line with international law, using peaceful means, patiently, and persistently," said Cvetković.

The prime minister stated that Serbia has been raising its profile significantly abroad with its policy of peace and cooperation with the world's leading political and economic powers.

Cvetković was also heard saying that "ties between crime and the judiciary have been ruptured", and that the state will work to root out organized crime, "as one of the key preconditions for a better future".

The ceremony last night was attended by President Boris Tadić, Parliament Speaker Slavica Đukić-Dejanović, RS President Rajko Kuzmanović, RS Premier Milorad Dodik, cabinet ministers, SPC Patriarch Irinej, representatives of Serbia's religious communities, and other guests.