Koštunica: Cooperation with Gazprom "strategic interest"

The Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) began its 8th party congress in Belgrade today. During the event, they are expected to elect a president and vice-president, as well as assess a new manifesto opposing NATO membership. Kostunica: Cooperation with Gazprom "strategic interest" In his speech, DSS President Vojislav Kostunica told party delegates that Serbia had to focus on its own strength and activate its potential to guarantee a more normal life for the Kosovo Serbs and counter any possible unilateral declaration of independence. “It’s precisely for that reason we don’t believe that elections should be held this year. Constitutional Law says that the deadline for calling elections is December 31, not December 10 this year,” said Kostunica, speaking about presidential and local votes. The date for these elections is threatening to cause a rift in the ruling coalition, with Boris Tadic's Democrats (DS) insisting on the December 31 deadline. He said that Serbia, in order to protect its own national and state interests, should lead an independent policy allowing for broader cooperation with all countries. The prime minister said that the DSS supported membership in the Partnership for Peace program, while, at the same time, it was against joining NATO. Kostunica is the sole candidate for party president in today's conference. He himself will propose the candidates for the vice-presidency, and according to the Statute up to seven vice-presidents can be selected. The municipal caucuses select the candidates for the Executive Board. “Since our very creation we have led a policy of true patriotism and democratic transformation of society, both in a consistent and principled manner. We firmly believe that the key premise both for true patriotism and full democratic transformation of a society is the country’s economic prosperity,” said the prime minister. Kostunica said that one of the government’s vital manifesto aims was European integration, saying that there was a general impression that “very successful work has been completed to that end,” he stressed. He said he was sure that Serbia, from an economic perspective, could become a leading power in the region, although a prerequisite for this was the development of infrastructure and the energy sector, in his opinion. “The energy sector is of particular importance for Serbia’s development, and it’s precisely there that we’re expecting significant investment. That’s why it’s in Serbia’s best strategic interests to cooperate with Russia and Gazprom, in order to become a leading power in the region in the energy sector,” the prime minister underlined. Kostunica also added that the government was determined to continue to combat organized crime and all forms of corruption. Vojislav Kostunica (FoNet, archive)

Koštunica: Cooperation with Gazprom "strategic interest"

In his speech, DSS President Vojislav Koštunica told party delegates that Serbia had to focus on its own strength and activate its potential to guarantee a more normal life for the Kosovo Serbs and counter any possible unilateral declaration of independence.

“It’s precisely for that reason we don’t believe that elections should be held this year. Constitutional Law says that the deadline for calling elections is December 31, not December 10 this year,” said Koštunica, speaking about presidential and local votes.

The date for these elections is threatening to cause a rift in the ruling coalition, with Boris Tadić's Democrats (DS) insisting on the December 31 deadline.

He said that Serbia, in order to protect its own national and state interests, should lead an independent policy allowing for broader cooperation with all countries.

The prime minister said that the DSS supported membership in the Partnership for Peace program, while, at the same time, it was against joining NATO.

Koštunica is the sole candidate for party president in today's conference.

He himself will propose the candidates for the vice-presidency, and according to the Statute up to seven vice-presidents can be selected. The municipal caucuses select the candidates for the Executive Board.

“Since our very creation we have led a policy of true patriotism and democratic transformation of society, both in a consistent and principled manner. We firmly believe that the key premise both for true patriotism and full democratic transformation of a society is the country’s economic prosperity,” said the prime minister.

Koštunica said that one of the government’s vital manifesto aims was European integration, saying that there was a general impression that “very successful work has been completed to that end,” he stressed.

He said he was sure that Serbia, from an economic perspective, could become a leading power in the region, although a prerequisite for this was the development of infrastructure and the energy sector, in his opinion.

“The energy sector is of particular importance for Serbia’s development, and it’s precisely there that we’re expecting significant investment. That’s why it’s in Serbia’s best strategic interests to cooperate with Russia and Gazprom, in order to become a leading power in the region in the energy sector,” the prime minister underlined.

Koštunica also added that the government was determined to continue to combat organized crime and all forms of corruption.