Barcelona, 15/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, at 13h30, the participants at the European Council of Barcelona held a meeting with Yugoslav and Montenegrin Presidents Kostunica and Djukanovic, who had reached an agreement the day before on preserving the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. As Javier Solana had done the day before, he being the European craftsman of the agreement, EU Council President Josep Piqué told the press that this was "excellent news" as Serbia and Montenegro "remain united". Thus they will be able to look forward to integrating the international system and European structures. If they were separated, they would not have the same opportunity of doing so, said the Spanish Foreign Minister.
In Washington, Richard Boucher, spokesman for the State Department, also welcomed the effort made by the EU and the agreement reached between the Serb and Montenegrin leaders. "The agreement", he said, "is in line with our vision of a democratic Montenegro in a democratic Yugoslavia".