Statements made by M. Bernard Kouchner, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, during his joint press conference with Mr Vuk Jeremic, Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs (excerpts)

Paris, 16 July 2008

THE MINISTER – Ladies and gentlemen,

I’ve just had a meeting here, at the Foreign and European Affairs Ministry, with Mr Vuk Jeremic. I’m pleased that his first visit as Serbia’s foreign minister is to France, who holds the presidency of the European Union Council for the next five and a half months. (…)

We don’t agree on everything. There are still some differences on Kosovo but I welcome, appreciate and approve of Serbia’s determination to become a member of the European Union. Serbia has proved this through the result of her general election and the composition of her government. (…)

Q. – Can Serbia hope to get the status of European Union accession candidate during the French presidency?

THE MINISTER – It’s my dearest wish. I’ve always wanted and known that being European was in the Serbian people’s interest, in their culture and that this is what they are determined to be and, moreover, history proves this. Serbia lies on Europe’s eastern border, “on the marches of Europe”. I’m very pleased to note the pro-European stance of this government, which I was hoping for, which answers the need for a united Europe including the Balkans. (…)./.