Ambassadors of the United States, Denmark, Austria and OSCE to Serbia, all members of an informal group "Friends of Sandzak", said in the city of Novi Pazar Thursday they were ready to assist the development of the region just like before, pointing out, though, that a stable political climate was also necessary to solve the problems present there.

The United States, Denmark, Austria and OSCE Ambassadors to Serbia, namely, Mary Warlick, Mette Kjuel Nielsen, Clemens Koja and Dimitrios Kypreos respectively, met with businessmen, NGO sector representatives, media, youth and Novi Pazar Mayor Meho Mahmutovic.

The diplomats said there were no quick and easy solutions for the problems in Sandzak, adding that they would share what they had learned during the visit with the authorities in Belgrade.

Warlick told a news conference that her country was committed to assisting Sandzak, just like before, adding that the relevant program of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) would be prolonged by another 18 months, with an additional investment of USD 4 million.

She said efforts should be made to overcome the religious, ethnic and political problems in southwestern Serbia.

Ambassador Nielsen said that she had visited Novi Pazar before and therefore knew that unemployment was one of the region's biggest problems.

She said that Serbia's integration in the European Union would bring about changes regarding important matters, including the unemployment rate, adding that she knew the youth of Sandzak were ready to step into something new.

Ambassador Koja said that Friends of Sandzak appreciated Serbia's European outlook very much, adding, however, that the local authorities should help find peaceful solutions. Kypreos said that economic and infrastructure development was a key prerequisite for Sandzak's progress.