POSTPONING DECISIONS DETRIMENTAL TO ALL
Montenegrin President M. Djukanovic in Slovenia
President Milan Kucan's replies to reporters' questions

Ljubljana, 11 February 2002


On his way from Brussels to Belgrade President Milo Djukanovic of Montenegro stopped over in Ljubljana, where he was received by President of the Republic Milan Kucan for talks. Following the working meeting President Kucan briefly answered reporters' questions.

Question: How do you assess the chances for Montenegro's forthcoming process of gaining its independence?

Milan Kucan: President Djukanovic briefed me on the talks he held in Brussels with Commissioner Solana.
How to solve the problem between Podgorica and Belgrade? According to the information I received today I can conclude that the solving of this issue is nearing its closing stages. That is positive for Podgorica, for Belgrade, for solving the situation in SE Europe, and it is positive for Europe itself. Postponing a solution or an unwillingness to find a true solution would be detrimental both to Podgorica and to Belgrade, and the present Yugoslavia.

As regards Slovenia, we firmly believe that the Montenegrin nation has the right to decide its fate on its own. They themselves also know best what is good for them. Slovenia will endorse any decision reached on the basis of a democratically determined will of the majority of the Montenegrin people, of the citizens of the Republic of Montenegro. That would be acceptable to Slovenia, just as any agreement reached on the same basis between Podgorica and Belgrade is acceptable to Slovenia. What is good for these two nations is good for everyone in Europe.

I believe that this way the painful process of the disintegration of Yugoslavia would be ended. How is it going to be ended? Not necessarily with the disassociation of the existing FRY. It will be ended in such a way as defined by a democratic agreement based on the democratically determined will of the majority of Montenegro's citizens. That is what Slovenia has been striving for all this time and that is what I myself have also always been striving for.

Question: What advice did you give Mr Djukanovic?

Milan Kucan: Mr Djukanovic does not need advice nor did he come here seeking advice.