LETTER OF CONGRATULATIONS TO DR KOSTUNICA FOR CITIZENS’ SUPPORT

Ljubljana, 4 October 2000


It is with great attention that I am following the electoral events in FRY, President of the Republic Milan Kucan wrote in a letter to Dr Vojislav Kostunica today, congratulating him on the convincing support from the citizens of FRY at the presidential elections. The President also expressed his most profound respect for the firm commitment of the citizens of FRY to fundamental political and social change.

This commitment, personified by the electoral support, inspires us with hope that the policy which set the flames of war ablaze on the territory of the former SFRY is on its way out and that FRY will now set foot on a new path of democracy, respect for human rights, including the rights of ethnic minorities, and the rule of law. It also inspires us with hope that the people of Montenegro will be allowed the opportunity to freely decide on the political future of Montenegro. The people's will can be interpreted as willingness for the FRY, like other successors of the former Yugoslavia, to meet as soon as possible the requirements for its integration into the international community, for membership in the UN and other international organizations. This will also pave the way for a faster accession to European integration processes. In doing so, it will enjoy our full support, President Kucan added.

President Kucan believes that the outcome of the election and the acknowledgment of the reality following the disintegration of SFRY offer a better chance of peace and creative cooperation in South Eastern Europe, as well as for the regulation of relations between FRY and Slovenia. In implementing these demanding tasks, you will find the door to Slovenia open, President Kucan assured Dr Kostunica.