WELCOME BY MR MEVLÜT ÇAVUŞOĞLU, PRESIDENT

OF THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY, TO H.E. MR BORIS TADIĆ, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

(STRASBOURG, WEDNESDAY 26 JANUARY 2011, noon)

Mr President,

It gives me a great honour and pleasure to welcome you to our Chamber, especially today, when we are debating three important reports relating to the Western Balkans.

Your personal commitment to making the countries of Western Balkans full members of the European family is well known. During your political career, you have constantly fought against authoritarian rule in order to uphold the values and standards of democracy, human rights and rule of law, which our Organisation stands for. In the last election, the Serbian citizens gave you a strong and clear mandate to pursue democratic reforms and European integration, in order to ultimately bring Serbia into the European Union.

Let me assure you, President, that our Assembly fully supports your efforts in this process. Further to your discussion with the co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee, a Roadmap for the completion of Serbia’s remaining post-accession commitments and obligations to the Council of Europe is being developed. I am sure that concrete steps in the implementation of this Roadmap, in particular in the field of election legislation, parliamentary mandates, reform of the judiciary and fight against corruption, will open the way for the opening of the post-monitoring dialogue.

I would also like to praise your efforts for promoting reconciliation and genuine partnership and co-operation in the region. The wars which broke after the fall of Yugoslavia have been the most tragic events in recent European history. In this context, you have taken a courageous decision to adopt a forward-looking approach, while at the same time assuming fully the political responsibility for the consequences of the tragic mistakes of the past. Your recent visit to Vukovar, together with the President of Croatia, represents a very positive example for the region and for Europe, in this respect.

Mr President, I am confident that your efforts to promote reconciliation, partnership and regional co-operation will make the Western Balkans a better place to live in for all Europeans, irrespective of their ethnic origin or religious affiliation. We wish you every success in this task and look forward to hearing from you your ideas and thoughts about the present and future of your country and the region.

Mr President, you have the floor.