EU'S SOLANA SATISFIED WITH CLAMP-DOWN ON ORGANISED CRIME IN SERBIA

BELGRADE, April 10 (Hina) - Confirming that the European Union will continue offering its support to Serbia- Montenegro, EU's High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, on Thursday said in Belgrade that he was satisfied with the crack-down on organised crime which the authorities had launched following the assassination of Serbian Premier Zoran Djindjic. Solana announced assistance from the EU to Serbia in its efforts to overcome its budgetary deficit. #L# The EU official gave assurances that Belgrade could be sure that Brussels would help as much as possible. He said it following a meeting with Serbia's Premier Zoran Zivkovic. Zivkovic told journalists that he spoke to Solana about the fight against organised crime and changes to legislation to set up mechanisms to continue to deal with crime after the lifting of the state of emergency introduced upon Djindjic's slaying. Serbia's premier reported that the new deadline to harmonise economic relations between Serbia and Montenegro was now April 30th instead of March 31st. Solana also pointed out the importance of harmonising the economic systems in Serbia and Montenegro particularly due to economic assistance for this new state union. Solana then met with Serbia-Montenegro's Defence Minister Boris Tadic, and according to announcements, later this evening he will speak with Serbia's deputy premier responsible for Kosovo, Nebojsa Covic, and the union's foreign minister Goran Svilanovic. On Friday morning, Solana is to meet with Montenegro's Premier Milo Djukanovic and President of Serbia-Montenegro Svetozar Marovic. (hina) sp ms