Jagland: The Results of the Reforms in Serbia are Impressive

Belgrade, April. 16. 2010 (Serbia Today) - Torbjorn Jagland ,the Secretary General of the Council of Europe said on Wednesday in Belgrade that the reforms undertaken in Serbia are so impressive that the Committee of Ministers of the organization decided to stop special supervision and replace it with the regular analysis carried out by all Member States. "I congratulate the Serbian Government which carried out reforms that are very impressive. For this reason, the Committee of Ministers decided to replace special supervision with regular analysis," said Jagland after meeting with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic. The Secretary-General stressed out that the Council of Europe is ready to continue to assist Serbia in all the necessary reforms, particularly in reforming the judiciary and the fight against organized crime. The Vice Minister Bozidar Djelic said that the Council of Europe is an important partner of Serbia in European integration, because the EU decisions are based on the assessment of this organization when it comes to respecting human rights, the rule of law, minority rights and the like. He said that the Serbian Council of Europe will send a new report on compliance with those standards by June and by the end of the year aims to redefine its relationship with that organization. Speaking of cooperation with this organization, Djelic said that he expects that the Council of Europe continue to respect international law "and that its membership will not accept Kosovo, which unilaterally declared independence from Serbia. He also stressed the importance of a cooperation of Serbia with the Bank for the development of the Council of Europe Serbia is receiving substantial assistance to resolve the refugee issue, the knowledge economy and most vulnerable social groups and for June announced a visit to the Governor of the Bank of Raphael Alomar. Jagland also met the Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic, the Speaker of the House Slavica Djukic Dejanovic and talked with President Boris Tadic, Minister of Interior Ivica Dacic, President of the Assembly Committee on Foreign Affairs Dragoljub Micunovic, Snezana Malovic Minister of Justice and Snezana Samardzic, Ministers of Sport.