Belgrade the 11th of February 2011 – the Deputy Prime Minister of the government of the Republic of Serbia Dr. Jovan Krkobabić, today conversed with the special envoy of the UN High Commissioner Mr. Anne Willem Bijleveld concerning the outstanding questions relating to the resolution of the prolonged refugee crisis within the Western Balkans.

Over the course of the meeting it was determined that there exists considerable good will amongst the four countries – Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia for the constructive resolution of the outstanding problems and that one of the methods which would prompt their resolution is the hosting of a Donors conference which itself has been planned for June of this year.

Mr. Krkobabić upon this occasion insisted that the resolution of all of the concerns associated with this problem must themselves be conducted in adherence to the platform of the Government of the Republic of Serbia.

The deputy Prime Minister stated that all questions and concerns must be resolved in their entirety, adding that no question or concern should be sidelined nor be considered as being less important.

Mr. Krkobabić reminded those in attendance as to the firm position of the Government of Serbia concerning their guaranteeing of all personal and property rights of those considered as being vulnerable to any degree within the Republic of Serbia in the event that such cases exist, but also mentioned that the same criteria must be employed within the neighbouring countries.

He stated that on our common path towards the EU, we should endeavour to comply with all requisite standards, and that these absolutely support the full protection of personal and property rights which at this moment are being withheld from the populous refugee community, most notably within the Republic of Croatia. 

According to his words, the Ministerial Conference in Belgrade held in March of 2010, clearly defined the questions which remain open as also the means by which the same are to be remedied. 

The first step towards the successful resolution of these questions is the procurement of accurate data which would further specify which rights are currently being withheld from refugees and the displaced – from housing rights to unpaid pensions, stated the Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Serbia.