Belgrade, 23/10/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commissioner for External Relations, Chris Patten, is visiting Belgrade on 23 and 24 October (the firs trip there by a European Commissioner since 1998), before moving on Tuesday afternoon to Montenegro, where he will meet President Djikanovic and Prime Minister Vojoanovic.
In Serbia, Patten is to have talks with President Kostunica and other politicians about the 200 million euro aid package the EU has announced for this year still (see EUROPE of 20 October, pages 12 and 13). Mr. Patten was also to meet Professor Labus, of the "G 17 Plus" group of economists that represent the civilian movement Otpor and representatives of the independent media (including Radio B 2 92 and ANEM networks, which have received substantial Commission assistance), to discuss continuation of EU assistance to their development. He should also be visiting a school renovated through assistance from the Commission's "Schools for Democracy" programme, and meet the Mayor of Nis, the first Serb city to have benefited last winter from the "Energy for Democracy" programme.
In a press release on Sunday, President Kostunica asked the authorities of Montenegro to "demonstrate their good will" and wait, before demanding independence, for the setting up of the new Serb Parliament and Government. Then, "we could embark on a broad and democratic dialogue" on mutual relations, which "does not rule out the possibility of a referendum", said Kostunica.