Biarritz, 15/10/2000 (Agence Europe) - "I was for us, European Council, a great joy to welcome President Kostunica who incarnates democracy in Yugoslavia," declared President Jacques Chirac on opening the press conference that followed the working lunch of the Fifteen with the new President of the FRY. Mr. Chirac declared that the EU would do all it could to provide its assistance to Yugoslavia's return to democracy and into the "house of Europe". Prime Minister Lionel Jospin praised the courage of the Serb people which "marched for the values that are common to us, as if they had predicted the return of Yugoslavia to the European family".
Vojislav Kostunica qualified his presence in Biarritz a "great moment of emotion" as it demonstrated the normalisation of the internal situation of his country an confirmed that Yugoslav belonged to Europe. "We are very happy to enter a new millennium as member of the family of democratic States", he said, adding: "Tomorrow's Serbia will be the guarantor of peace in the Balkans". Asked about the aid the EU could provide, he said that needs were such that it was very difficult to answer but that it should foremost be a question of humanitarian aid for winter, as well as aid to reconstruction. For the Commission's plan, see EUROPE of 14 October, p.10.