DUBROVNIK, March 12 (Hina) - The European Commission's commissioner in charge of foreign affairs, Chris Patten, on Wednesday condemned the murder of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, but added that this would not stop the
progress achieved in the region in the past several years.
DUBROVNIK, March 12 (Hina) - The European Commission's
commissioner in charge of foreign affairs, Chris Patten, on
Wednesday condemned the murder of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran
Djindjic, but added that this would not stop the progress achieved
in the region in the past several years. #L#
Patten said the murder of the brave premier would only strengthen
determination to go forward. The progress made in the region in the
past several years can neither be stopped nor reversed by two
bullets of evil murderers, said Patten in Dubrovnik, where he began
his official visit to Croatia today by meeting Croatian Foreign
Minister Tonino Picula.
The commissioner said he was to meet Djindjic on Thursday and Friday
to discuss the process of stabilisation and association in Serbia
and Montenegro.
Expressing his bitterness and shock with the brutal murder, Picula
said he hoped that the democratic reform potentials of the Serbian
society were strong enough to make up for this tragedy.
"The late Djindjic was a synonym for everything that Serbia tried to
make up for in as short a period of time as possible," said Picula.
He added that the assassins had taken the life of a man who had
dedicated himself to building a better, democratic Serbia which, as
such, would be partner to all in the region.
"At this point of time Serbia needs encouragement. It must
understand that it is in the interest of its closest neighbours and
the European Union not to stop on its path of reforms," said
Picula.
(hina) lml