Belgrade, 22 June 2007
President Tadić’s speech at the opening of the 1000th session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe

Ms Chairwoman,
Mr. Minister,
Mr. General Secretary,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to greet you here in Belgrade, Serbia and to congratulate you on this, the thousandth session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. As the presiding country, Serbia is honored to have the European Council mark this milestone in Belgrade.

This impressive number of meetings reveals the long history of the Council of Europe and its continuity. Throughout its nearly sixty years of existence, the CoE has gone through many phases. This operation is, in a way, an intersection and a reflection of the transformation that Europe has undergone from 1949 to now. We have come a long way from the time when Europe was in the ruins of the Second World War, soon after exposed to new political and military factions. Today, though, the vision is one of a united Europe – a Europe without division. It is interesting in a symbolic way that the Council of Europe is assembling today here in Belgrade, which was, as the capital of former Yugoslavia, a conjunction between Europe’s East and West for decades. Today, Serbia is on the pediment of European integration. However, we are determined to change that and as fast as we can become a full member of the European Union. An active membership in the Council of Europe helps us reach that goal.

On that path, we were guided by beliefs and values we have in common: human rights, democracy and the government of law, which the Council of Europe has propagated for over half a century. During that time, instruments and institutions were developed which today represent the foundations of peace, stability and democracy in Europe, namely the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). These instruments and institutions define the civil, political, social and economic rights of the citizens of this continent and the obligations of our countries to guarantee and respect them. Those rights must be constantly improved in order to give rise to a more humane, prosperous and tolerant Europe. Each of us is expected to personally contribute to fortification of democracy, individual freedoms, government by law, human rights and the rights of minorities.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Serbia has been a member of our Pan-European organization for only four years. In those four years, however, we have experienced the advantages of collaboration with the Council of Europe and hope to succeed in the continuous and constructive contribution to spreading and strengthening the Council’s messages, particularly in our region of Southeastern Europe.

Serbia is committed to strong contribution to the strengthening of regional stability, prosperity and democratization of Southeastern Europe, principally by promoting human rights, especially those of minorities; of promoting lasting peace, tolerance and reconciliation; and by being open to full and sincere cooperation with all neighbours.

I mentioned reconciliation. Democracy cannot be established without full and open confrontation with the past. Unfortunately, we cannot erase what happened during the 1990s in this region. We can, however, work together to provide our region a better future.

For these reasons, the Republic of Serbia is fully dedicated to full cooperation with The Hague Tribunal. All suspected war criminals must be found, arrested and transferred to The Hague. This is not just an international obligation – it is our moral debt to our neighbors and the world. Foremost, it is our moral debt to ourselves. Justice will pave a way forward, but not before we break away from the recent past and accept European values: namely, revering human life, the freedom of others and ethnic, religious and cultural diversity.

I am particularly pleased with the fact that you will have an opportunity to talk to the representatives of civil society and youth organizations of Serbia. Civil society organizations played a vital role during the hard times. They struggled against many obstacles in representing the values promoted by Council of Europe. I think there is no need to point out that the young people you meet today are this country’s actual strength and in the future be our guide to European integration.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are currently having a vigorous democratic debate in Serbia. We are fortifying institutions in accordance with European standards. This past year Serbia adopted a new Constitution. Democratic elections followed and a new, pro-European government was formed.

Serbia – as a multiethnic, -confessional and -cultural country – seeks to improve the human and civil rights of minorities. This aim highly placed on our list of priorities. Ethnic and cultural diversity in Serbia serves the interests of all and enriches our society. Consequently, we pay special attention to ethnic minorities, which are part of our identity. We will continue to encourage the empowerment of historically and unjustly marginalized groups, such as Roma, and their greater involvement in all spheres of social and political life.

Your Excellencies,

Allow me to say a few words about the problem of our southern province Kosovo and Metohija. I wish to remind you that Belgrade’s basic position is maintaining the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Serbia in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244. At the same time, I believe that through further negotiations with Priština we will reach a satisfying solution acceptable to both parties. I am certain that it would be possible to find a solution granting wide autonomy to Kosovo and still preserve Serbian sovereignty and territorial integrity at once. Serbia’s willingness to compromise should not be underestimated in any way.

In this process, we are guided by values paving our way to European integration. We do not want to be part of a European problem but part of a European solution. Serbia has clearly stated its intention to obtain full membership in the European Union, not abandoning thereat its territorial integrity.

The Council of Europe up to this date had a principal position entirely recognizing the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Serbia as a member country of the Council of Europe. We fully appreciate your support and understanding.

In the last fifty years, Europe has always been able to find creative solutions to various problems. I hope that by working together, and primarily over the course of dialogue, the help of Europe will find such a solution in the case of the future status of Kosovo.

Dear friends,

We have assembled here because we share the same vision – the vision of a united Europe. I am convinced that without Serbia and the West Balkans, Europe is incomplete, lacking a serious historical and multicultural fraction significant to its identity. The strengthening of European identity and unity based on fundamental values of our shared heritage and cultural diversity is made evident through the work of the Council of Europe with the countries of the Balkans. The Council of Europe significantly contributed to the comprehension and convergence of the region to the European family of nations. We expect it to continue to be present with us in the times to come. For the sake of this vision, let me end this speech with a maxim which guided my country through the preparations for this session of our presidency in the Council of Europe: ‘One Europe, our Europe’.