Belgrade, March 15, 2003 - Numerous foreign delegations, which arrived in Belgrade to attend the funeral of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic on Saturday, visited the Palace of the Federation and offered their deepest condolences over and severest condemnation of the Prime Minister's assassination. The foreign guests also expressed support to the Serbian government in carrying out the reform policy initiated by Prime Minister Djindjic.
GEORGE PAPANDREOU, Greek Foreign Minister, also President of the European Union Council of Ministers, said that the EU is determined to turn Djindjic's vision into reality, adding that Serbia and Montenegro will remain a part of Europe despite those who tried to stop reforms in the country with this cowardly murder. Papandreou said that the EU will support the efforts of the Serbian people and the democratic government to continue the path on which Djindjic had taken the country. Papandreou also delivered the condolences of the Greek people, Prime Minister, and political parties to Djindjic's family and the Serbian people, adding that he was a personal friend to Prime Minister Djindjic.
ROBIN COOK, Leader in the British House of Commons and former foreign minister: "He had great courage. He brought a vision to Serbia of a modern country and a democratic country. He was a man who was able to build bridges with the rest of Europe and to bring Serbia into a closer relationship with a modern Europe than could have been possible, probably under any other politician. It took courage for him to take on those who were opposed to his vision and to tackle those who had wanted to keep Serbia away from modern Europe and to prevent the rise of democracy within Serbia. It is essential that we do not allow those who killed him to succeed in the struggle."
JAAP de HOOP SCHEFFER, OSCE Chairman-in-Office, said he was shocked by the brutal assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, who was a symbol of the rule of law and of Serbian integration into Europe. He said he was convinced that Serbia will follow the path that Prime Minister Djindjic had chosen, and that democratic institutions will be strong enough to overcome the situation provoked by his murder.
MAURIZIO MASSARI, Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia and Montenegro, offered his condolences once again to the family of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, and expressed support to Serbia and the Serbian people for the reforms that Prime Minister Djindjic had bravely initiated.
MICHAEL STEINER, UNMIK Chief, said he hoped democracy in Serbia is strong enough to overcome the crisis caused by the Prime Minister's death. Steiner said he came to Belgrade because Prime Minister Djindjic was his personal friend, but also as a representative of the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan. He added that many people know that Djindjic's legacy was for democracy to take hold in Serbia as Serbia belongs in Europe.
PIER FERDINANDO CASINI, Italian Parliament Speaker, said that this is a huge loss for Europe, since it lost a great reformer, and added that crime and terrorism will not prevail.
ANTON ROP, Slovenian Prime Minister, said that this was a sad day because a European politician, who had a vision of the development of Serbia and Montenegro and who chose the path that led to Europe and a better life for all people in Serbia, is gone. He added that the Slovenian government will stand by Serbia, which will be strong enough to remain on the course the Prime Minister had set - towards Europe and a better life.
ADRIAN NASTASE, Romanian Prime Minister, said that the bullet fired at Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic was a bullet fired at the future of the entire region, adding that everyone in this part of Europe is appalled by this cynical murder.
JOSEPH DEISS, Swiss Minister of Foreign Affairs: "One of leaders of the democratic process in Serbia is lost." He said that Switzerland will continue to cooperate with Serbia and Montenegro, and offered its full support.
ELIZABETH REHN, Special Envoy of the Finnish Prime Minister: "We grieve the terrible assassination of the Serbian Prime Minister, because it's a step backwards. My government and I think that the best way for keeping the memory of Prime Minister Djindjic alive is to continue the work he began and efforts toward democratisation, respect for human rights and the battle against organised crime."
FATOS NANO, Albanian Prime Minister: "We have lost a friend, a great partner in the process of building a new friendship and partnership of Albania and the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, and also the building of the new Balkans."
IVICA RACAN, Croatian Prime Minister. "This difficult moment will be overcome. Croatia has established good relations and cooperation with the cabinet of [Prime Minister] Zoran Djindjic, which is why I came to Belgrade to pay my last respects to the slain Prime Minister."
BRANKO CRVENKOVSKI, Macedonian Prime Minister: "Macedonia is ready to help Serbia continue on the road of democratic reforms, peace and stability in the country and the region of southeastern Europe. We extend our condolences and express solidarity with Serbia over the premature and violent death of a great man, Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic."
MIRKO SAROVIC, Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency Chairman: "This is an opportunity for the highest-ranking delegation of Bosnia-Herzegovina to pay tribute to a man that marked a period of time in Serbia." Sarovic said that Bosnia-Herzegovina was shocked to learn of the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic and that he believes that this crime will not halt reforms and the democratic process in Serbia and Montenegro.
MLADEN IVANIC, Bosnia-Herzegovina Minister of Foreign Affairs: "In the past year, [Prime Minister Zoran] Djindjic put a lot of effort into connecting Bosnia-Herzegovina, especially Republika Srpska with Serbia and Montenegro, primarily in the field of economy. This tragic event is a warning to all of us in the region that organised crime dominates and that we must fight that evil." Ivanic also said he hopes that the political structures of Serbia and Montenegro will be capable of securing further democratic development.
DRAGAN CAVIC, Republika Srpska President: "[Prime Minister Zoran] Djindjic was a symbol of a new Serbia. This tragic event is an attempt to kill Serbia once again." Cavic added he believes that Serbian authorities will continue the path that the Prime Minister had chosen.
List of foreign dignitaries who attended Prime Minister's funeral
