Djindjic Will not Get the Money for the Buses

The European Commission does not observe the SRY, Serbia and Montenegro, through the geografic and stratigic binocular. We asked Michael Graham, the charge d'affaires of the European Commission's Mission in Belgrade to comment on several current issues between Brussels and Belgrade.

VREME: Why aren't the diplomatic relations between SRY and EU on the level of ambassadors?

Michael Graham: The positive development of relations between the EU and SRY should be viewed in a broader context. It is one of the many, maybe even the smallest of the many steps that can be undertaken in order to enhance the relations. However, until all of the issues start moving, the problem will remain as it is.

How crucial is the question of Kosovo for the approval of autonomous trade preferentials (ATPs)?

On the level of the EU, there has never been the connection between the approval of the ATPs and the question of Kosovo per se. But there is, of course, the broader connection between the advance in the solution of the problem of Kosovo and the enhancement of the bilateral relations between the EU and SRY, which is also true.

When can SRY expect the funds from the PHARE program?

The economic aid from the PHARE program, as I understand it, is not possible until there is the decision of the Council of Ministers to open the PHARE funds towards a certain country, and this is based on the political decision depending on the level of development, freedom of the press and, of course, readiness to enter the process of economic transformation.

What is then your interpretation of the Zoran Djindjic's announcement that the cities in which the opposition gained power will get the funds from the PHARE program?

We have been giving the aid to the independent media for several years now. This is, of course, within the broader context of the development of the democratic institutions and the basis for more permanent democracy. The capabilities for the economic aid for the cities are very small if you are speaking about the reconstruction of the water supply system, the purchase of the buses and the like. That certainly can not be part of the usage of these funds. But there are some possibilities if you are speaking about the conditions that could eventually improve the independence of the judiciary, which could create a more democratic administration, or could improve the conditions of the local media.

Is there a difference in the treatment of Serbia and Montenegro in Europe?

The European Commission must view the SRY, Serbia and Montenegro, on the basis of their own accomplishments in the sense of how well can they fit in the European system in its present form and how well can they integrate in it one day. Our judgments about this country are to the greatest extent based on its virtues in the sense of its advancement towards democracy, independence of the media, independence of the judiciary, efforts it makes in the economic transition. That is what we take into consideration. We do not view the broader, geografic and stratigic consequences.

Those are left to the involved countries, and on the broader level of the European Union it is left to the misters of the countries that have those geografic and stratigic interests. They influence the outcome of formulating the final policy in the later phases, which is absolutely normal. But, as the European Commission, we have in some way more limited view and we are trying to judge about countries based on what they really do, what advance they achieve in the development of democracy, judiciary system and so forth. That makes us somewhat more demanding, because we do not wish only cooperation for the sake of the regional stability. We understand that the regional stability is desirable and that it should be part of our considerations, in the background of our consciousness, but our primary goal is to see what are the countries endeavors in order that it, so to say, joins Europe.