| Author (Person) | Davies, Eric |
|---|---|
| Publisher | ProQuest Information and Learning |
| Series Title | In Focus |
| Series Details | 17.3.03 |
| Publication Date | 17/03/2003 |
| Content Type | News, Overview, Topic Guide | In Focus |
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Serbian Prime Minister, Zoran Djindjic, was assassinated in Belgrade on 12 March 2003. Widely seen as instrumental in freeing Serbia from the Milosevic regime and opening the country to the West, his murder immediately attracted condemnation from European leaders. Concerns were also expressed as to Serbia's ability to manage the transition to a new leadership and to continue the reforms initiated by Mr Djindjic. The former fears appeared to be eased when Zoran Zivkovic, former Interior Minister, was elected by the ruling Democratic Party of Serbia to replace Mr Djindjic. His appointment as Prime Minister is expected to be ratified shortly by Serbia's Parliament. Although Mr Zivkovic has committed himself to continuing Mr Djindjic's reforms, the BBC reported that 'he faces many difficult tasks as he attempts to maintain political and economic stability in Serbia ... There are no guarantees that the ruling coalition government will stick together; Serbia only has an acting president after the failure of last year's elections, and the new federal government of Serbia and Montenegro still has to hold its first session.' Vojislav Kostunica, former Yugoslav president and political rival of Mr Djindjic, said: 'The fact that political violence is happening ... is a terrible warning about how little headway we have made on the path of real democratisation of our society.' The significance of Mr Djindjic to Serbia and the Balkans was emphasised by the attendance at his funeral of some 70 foreign delegations representing both countries and international organisations. Serbia is on course to join the Council of Europe, and CoE leaders condemned the assassination of Mr Djindjic. Secretary-General Walter Schwimmer said that, despite the loss of Mr Djindjic, 'there will be no obstacles for the country's quick accession to the Council of Europe.' Speaking for the UK, former Foreign Minister Robin Cook said 'He had great courage. He brought a vision to Serbia of a modern country and a democratic country. He was a man who was able to build bridges with the rest of Europe and to bring Serbia into a closer relationship with a modern Europe than could have been possible, probably under any other politician.' Following the fall of the Milosevic regime in October 2000, assistance from the European Union was increased in support of the move to democracy. Current EU policy is aimed at helping Serbia become an open market economy and align its policies and legislation with those of the Union. EU membership for the Balkan countries has not been ruled out; indeed Commission President Romano Prodi, speaking after the assassination, said that he expects Serbia to continue with democratic reform: 'The European Union wants you to make quicker progress so that you could become a full member one day.' (Croatia submitted an application to join the EU in February 2003). Mr Prodi also pledged that 'During this transitional phase of the country's history, the European Commission stands by Serbia's side and it will continue to do so in the future, just as it will keep doing all it can to ease a reform process that is still under attack from violent antidemocratic and anti-liberal forces.' That view was echoed by Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, currently President of the EU Council of Ministers, who confirmed that the EU 'is ready and determined to support Serbia and Montenegro on its way to democracy and European integration.' Links: Eric Davies On 12 March 2003, Serbian Prime Minister, Zoran Djindjic, was assassinated in Belgrade. |
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| Countries / Regions | Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia |
