Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic held lecture at LSE

Zoran Zivkovic

London, Belgrade, Jan 24, 2004 - Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic held a lecture at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) on the challenges and results of transition in Serbia, stressing that the Serbian government achieved macroeconomic stability, enhanced safety of citizens and improved their living standards in last three years.

Not a single country in transition has achieved better reform results in such a short time, which can be confirmed by evaluations of international experts. It is important to take into account that reforms were launched after October 5, 2000, when the new democratic authorities took over a rule over a country devastated with war, crime and poverty.

Nevertheless, mistakes have been made after October 5, both by the democratic government and the international community. The international community has made a big mistake by failing to understand the situation in Serbia. Prime Minister said that its major mistakes have been in its policy in Kosovo-Metohija, and the policy of the Hague Tribunal, which is based on blackmails and pressures.

Representatives of the international community in Kosovo-Metohija cooperate with Albanian mafia, and no one has been punished so far for the expulsion and murdering of Kosovo Serbs and other non-Albanian population. As for the Hague Tribunal, Prime Minister Zivkovic said that the main holder of the tribunal's false policy is Chief Prosecutor Carla del Ponte who tries to cover up her errors and omissions by exerting pressure and setting conditions.

Speaking about the current situation in Serbia following the presidential and parliamentary elections, Zivkovic concluded that continuation of reforms is obstructed and therefore Serbia needs the international community's further assistance.