BUSEK, DJUKANOVIC COMMEND SERBIA-MONTENEGRO AGREEMENT

PODGORICA, March 29 (Hina) - The Belgrade agreement on Serbia- Montenegro relations contributes to the stability of the region, the coordinator of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, Erhard Busek, and Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic said in Podgorica on Friday. #L# Busek said he expected the agreement would be ratified in Belgrade and Podgorica very soon as it envisaged a new division of authority for both sides. He added the Stability Pact would negotiate only with partners designated for certain issues. Pointing to the agreement's importance for the region, Busek said people should realise the region did not exist for itself but had to be viewed in the global European context. According to President Djukanovic, the agreement on new Serbia- Montenegro relations "is on the line of the idea and realisation of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe". "The agreement also enables Montenegro and Serbia to harmonise their relations with the European Union and thus ensures a greater stability in the region," said Djukanovic. He added that special focus in Montenegro's cooperation with the Stability Pact would be placed on the joint battle against organised crime and on investing in Montenegro's infrastructure. Djukanovic hoped Montenegro would continue functioning as a full- right member of the Stability Pact. He also recalled that Montenegro had been actively and fully included in the Pact's realisation since the initiative's inception. (hina) ha