Draskovic urges dropping NATO charges Beta

Draskovic urges dropping NATO charges
Beta - July 22, 2004

BELGRADE -- Thursday – Vuk Draskovic has said that he will propose that the federal Cabinet withdraw charges against individual NATO member countries over the 1999 bombing of Yugoslavia.

The foreign minister said that this, together with cooperation with the Hague Tribunal is a condition for progress in Euro-Atlantic integration.

After meeting EU chairman Bernhard Bot, Draskovic said that European partnerships could not be built on law suits. He added that he believed both Croatia and Bosnia would follow Belgrade’s example.

The foreign minister said that the EU was keen to see Serbia-Montenegro join Euro-Atlantic structures as soon as possible.

“But the EU can’t help with something we must do ourselves and that is meet our international obligations,” said Draskovic.

Bot, speaking to journalists after his meeting with Draskovic, said that the Netherlands, which is chairing the EU until the end of the year, sees the Balkans as a priority.