Belgrade / Paris / Brussels / Moscow, 26/09/2000 (Agence Europe) - On 26 September, the opposition in the Fry said that, with 97.5% of the ballots having been counted, its candidate, Kostunica had won the presidential elections in the Fry, with 54.66% of the votes to 35.01% for outgoing Milosevic.
In Paris, a spokesperson for the Quai d'Orsay read out the following declaration from Hubert Vedrine: "On behalf of the Presidency, I am taking the necessary initiatives and notably ask the Commission to submit the proposals required for a rapid lifting of sanctions against the Fry. Today, whatever the authorities in Belgrade may claim, it now seems indisputable that Slobodan Milosovic has lost and that Vojislav Kostunica has won. The hour for change has come in Belgrade. Something has begun with this vote that will not stop. Through this vote, the Serb people have clearly and massively said yes to democracy, to the future, to Serbia's return to Europe. To this courage, Europe, which had stretched out its hand to the Serb people, must respond with actions, as it had undertook to do in case of victory for democracy. The European Union must review its policy". (unofficial translation).
Appearing before the press in Moscow alongside President Putin, Chancellor Schroeder said that Germany and Russia note that, in Sunday's elections, Yugoslavia seems to have voted in favour of "democratic change" (but the Russian President avoided speaking directly on the subject). Among EU countries, only Greece considered (through the Government spokesperson) that Sunday's elections had unfolded "normally".
From Sweden, where he was on a visit, the Commissioner for External Relations, Chris Patten declared: "It is clear that the people of Serbia have voted for spring after a very long political winter (….) They have bravely turned out in huge numbers to vote for change - peaceful change - delivered by the ballot box (…) Their choice must be honoured (…) The people of Serbia have spoken loudly and clearly. Their voice has been heard in Europe and around the world; now the authorities in Serbia must ensure that it is listened to at home".
In Madrid, where she is on an official visit, EP President Nicole Fontaine hoped that the Federal Committee that has to announced the results of the elections "will show impartiality and lucidity". And, affirming that Milosevic had to "accept the verdict of the ballot", she took note of the declaration by Mr. Kostunica - who had called on Europeans to "show patience" - declaring: "We shall be patient, but vigilant too".