Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic said that the country has a future in Europe and wants the Serbs and all other of its citizens to be part of that.

European integration, national identity and religion are the focus of the 21st century, said Djelic, speaking at a joint meeting of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC) in Belgrade.

There have been times when national identities were abused, that is invoked to cause conflict, he pointed out.

"That is why it is very important to maintain an active dialogue on EU integration, national identity and religion," Djelic asserted.

Belgrade Catholic Archbishop Stanislav Hocevar noted that the main task of the meeting was to discuss the preservation of the religious and national identities in EU integration.

The meeting should allow all Christian churches to present their situation, connect better and discuss life in Europe, Hocevar explained.

Only the presidents of various Christian bodies are attending the meeting, Hocevar remarked, adding that there were no representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church there, but that the Church was a member of the CEC.

The event began Thursday evening and will last until February 20. It is attended by CCEE President Cardinal Peter Erdo, Vice President Cardinal Josip Bozanic, CEC President Metropolitan Emmanuel Adamakis and Hocevar.