Serbian President Boris Tadic stated in Oslo on Friday that Serbia has no alternative to the EU integration since this process would provide new jobs for the citizens, a chance for the youth and stability for the society.

At the Progressive Governance Conference, gathering a number of leftist leaders, Tadic said that the Western Balkans is a European land, and that the resolution of problems in this area is in the best interest of Europe.

Therefore, according to Tadic, the EU has to understand that leaving the Balkans outside the EU borders has its price.

At the same time, the regional countries, including Serbia, which approach Europe open space for resolution of their problems, he noted.

My idea is to try to resolve conflicts, since in the atmosphere of conflicts there is no progress or social justice, and consequently no true perspective. Resolution of conflicts will bring us closer to the EU, the Serbian president said.

According to him, Serbia is quite affected by the global economic crisis and the political crisis in Africa, since many Serbian workers had jobs there, while the country had important investments.

The crisis is the best atmosphere for the populists and nationalists, Tadic said, stressing that Serbia was already a vulnerable society with the war legacy of the nineties.

Serbia has done much on reconciliation in the region and implementation of reforms, but the consequences of the wars are still here, while the exceptions of the citizens are great, Tadic said.

He said that Serbia also has other problems such as solution of the issue of cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and organized crime, which is a burden to many regional countries.

We will not lose momentum in fight against organized crime since in the manner we are creating greater stability in Europe, the president added.

 
Tadic and Stoltenberg: Excellent relations, strengthening of economic ties

The excellent political and economic relations between Serbia and Norway, particularly in the domain of telecommunications, are expected to be further strengthened by future cooperation in the field of energy, Serbian President Boris Tadic and Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg estimated in Oslo on Friday.

In a statement given to Tanjug after the meeting, Stoltenberg and Tadic underlined that the intensive economic cooperation can only strengthen the traditionally strong ties between the two peoples.

Norway and Serbia have excellent cooperation in the domain of telecommunications, Telenor being one of the most profitable companies in Serbia. I highly appreciate Norway's impetus to Serbian economy, and I hope that the cooperation will be extended to the enegy sector, Tadic underlined.

Ever since World War II, Norway has been a reliable partner, and every child in Serbia learns about that. Today, Serbia counts on Norway's help in resolving the historical conflicts in the Balkans, Tadic concluded.

The Norwegian Prime Minister underlined that he has known Tadic for years, and said that he is particularly glad that Tadic has come to Oslo.

The fact that we know each other well contributes to the close relations between Serbia and Norway. The bilateral relations are excellent, particularly in the domain of telecommunications, while the prospects for cooperation in the sector of energy are quite good, Stoltenberg said.

Earlier on Friday, the two leaders participated in the Progressive Governance Conference, which sent the message that the future of Europe lies in a positive and optimistic approach to solving of the economic crisis.