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Greece, Yugoslavia Agree to Enhance Balkan Cooperation Over DU Issue
Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis and visiting Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica Tuesday agreed to enhance Balkan cooperation over NATO's use of the depleted uranium (DU) ammunitions, which was reported to have caused serious consequences for public health and the environment in the region.
During their talks centering on bilateral economic cooperation and the regional situation, particularly in Kosovo, the two leaders also agreed to set up a team of scientists that will conduct research regarding the DU issue on behalf of the Balkan countries.
Simitis pledged Greece's support for the Yugoslav economy during its transition period.
On his part, Kostunica stressed that Yugoslavia is ready for dialogue and open discussion on resolving the problems in Kosovo, southern Serbia and its trouble with Montenegro.
The Yugoslav president, who arrived here early Tuesday for his first one-day official visit to Greece, has already held talks with his Greek counterpart, Costis Stephanopoulos, and is expected to meet with Greek Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis and other Greek political party leaders.
Greek, Yugoslav Presidents MeetGreek President Costis Stephanopoulos held talks Tuesday with his visiting Yugoslav counterpart, Vojislav Kostunica, discussing ways to improve their two countries' relations.
Speaking after the talks, Stephanopoulos said Greece is ready to help Yugoslavia to rebuild its infrastructure destroyed by NATO in the 1999 Kosovo War.
He also said his government will give Yugoslavia backing to join the European Union (EU), adding that the course should be accelerated.
On his part, Kostunica described the talks as a landmark for further cooperation and friendship of the two nations, which have had friendly ties for centuries.
He also said that Yugoslavia is eager to get rid of economic and political pressure caused by the West's embargo, so as to become a member of international organizations such as the EU.
Besides, Kostunica strongly criticized the West for the use of the depleted uranium munitions in Kosovo and Bosnia, saying this should never happen again.
"Nor should that which in 1999 was named humanitarian intervention happen again because its consequences were not humanitarian in nature. We could well speak of a depleted conscience of those that used these weapons," he said.
Kostunica noted that Belgrade will do everything possible to deal with the problem caused by NATO's use of the depleted uranium ammunition.
Kostunica arrived here early Tuesday for a one-day official visit to Greece, the first one since he became Yugoslav president.
He will also meet with Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis and some political party leaders of Greece.
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