Conference on Serbia's European future

Serbian President Boris Tadic stated Tuesday that October 5 is the moment of establishment of democracy and democratic institutions in Serbia. In his opening address at the conference "Serbia on the road to Europe - 10 years later", Tadic underlined that the difference between the Serbia of today and the Serbia before October 5 is huge. Conference on Serbia's European future “Before October 5, political murders in Serbia were usual occurrence and the core of the society was criminalized, and therefore the changes that the date brought about were great,” Tadic underlined, adding that nevertheless, much more could have been done. Tadic said that he also believed that Serbia will move faster on its EU path. “Nowadays, the policy of Serbia within the EU has no appropriate alternative, though it would be good to have one. By joining the EU, Serbia will become a modern and well-established society,” the Serbian president said, and pointed out that Serbia does not seek for privileges, but would like to get an equal treatment on its way to the EU. Speaking of the people who took part in October 5, Tadic said that Zoran Djindjic played the key role. “Zoran Djindjic is no longer among us, but he had the key role in October 5. His part is immeasurable, as well as the one of Vuk Draskovic, who initiated a mass protest against the rule of Slobodan Milosevic on March 9, 1990,” Tadic said. According to him, another important figure was Vojislav Kostunica, who was able to secure an election victory over Milosevic. “We should always remember Resistance (Otpor) and other NGOs, as well as the workers of Kolubara mines, all of whom made October 5 possible,” Tadic said, adding that he is aware that today, people in Serbia are not satisfied with the quality of lives. The conference "Serbia on the road to Europe - 10 years later" is dedicated to Serbia's EU perspective and regional cooperation in Southeast Europe, and the closing note will be delivered by Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou. Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Serbian Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic, Director of the EU Integration Office Milica Delevic, Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic Mikulas Dzurinda will also take part in the conference. The meeting is organized by the EU Integration Office, the Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence and the Balkan Trust for Democracy. Tadic addresses the conference today (Tanjug)

Conference on Serbia's European future

“Before October 5, political murders in Serbia were usual occurrence and the core of the society was criminalized, and therefore the changes that the date brought about were great,” Tadić underlined, adding that nevertheless, much more could have been done.

Tadić said that he also believed that Serbia will move faster on its EU path.

“Nowadays, the policy of Serbia within the EU has no appropriate alternative, though it would be good to have one. By joining the EU, Serbia will become a modern and well-established society,” the Serbian president said, and pointed out that Serbia does not seek for privileges, but would like to get an equal treatment on its way to the EU.

Speaking of the people who took part in October 5, Tadić said that Zoran Đinđić played the key role.

“Zoran Đinđić is no longer among us, but he had the key role in October 5. His part is immeasurable, as well as the one of Vuk Drašković, who initiated a mass protest against the rule of Slobodan Milošević on March 9, 1990,” Tadić said.

According to him, another important figure was Vojislav Koštunica, who was able to secure an election victory over Milošević.

“We should always remember Resistance (Otpor) and other NGOs, as well as the workers of Kolubara mines, all of whom made October 5 possible,” Tadić said, adding that he is aware that today, people in Serbia are not satisfied with the quality of lives.

The conference "Serbia on the road to Europe - 10 years later" is dedicated to Serbia's EU perspective and regional cooperation in Southeast Europe, and the closing note will be delivered by Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou.

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Serbian Minister for EU Integration Božidar Đelić, Director of the EU Integration Office Milica Delevic, Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic Mikulas Dzurinda will also take part in the conference.

The meeting is organized by the EU Integration Office, the Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence and the Balkan Trust for Democracy.