Koštunica wants pro-European government, Solana says

Koštunica wants pro-European government, Solana says

When asked whether Koštunica reassured Solana that he wouldn’t side with the Serbian Radical Party, Solana’s associates remarked that Solana received assurance from all democratic parties in Serbia regarding their willingness to jointly form the new government.

The High Representative said that, based on these assurances, the EU was waiting for reformist and pro-European parties to form a Cabinet.

Solana’s associates also announced expectations from Brussels concerning the upcoming proposal on the future status of Kosovo, saying that Brussels anticipated constructive behavior from Serbia.

Solana confirmed that he would visit Belgrade soon.

Đurić: Solana and Koštunica didn’t discuss the government

“It is true that EU High Representative Javier Solana spoke to Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica, but the speculations that the two exchanged words on the makeup of the new government are false”, said Srđan Đurić, chief spokesman for the Serbian government.

Đurić confirmed that Solana and Koštunica only commented on the elections noting that the voting was democratic and fair.

“DS pivot of new government”

The DS chairmanship concluded last night that an immediate launch of government talks, after the RIK announced the official results, is in Serbia’s best interest. All parties of the democratic bloc should enter the government, with the party who won the most to have the status of its pivot.

The parties that will form the new government must harmonize their programmes regarding priorities and issues which require immediate attention.

“Speaking of priorities, resuming and completing the Stabilization and Association Agreement talks in the next three months come first. Next in line are: implementing the economic programme that will prompt growth and decrease unemployment, drafting and passing the state budget to secure the state's functionality, achieving efficient cooperation with The Hague and efficient and decisive efforts to curb corruption”, the DS statement reads.

DS President Boris Tadić elected the negotiating team to communicate with other parties, lead by DS Vice President Dušan Petrović.