For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 7, 2003
Statement on Serbia and Montenegro
Statement by the Press Secretary
President Bush signed a Determination that opens the way for Serbia
and Montenegro to receive defense articles, services, and assistance
from the United States. The President determined that defense
cooperation with Serbia and Montenegro will encourage continued defense
reform and strengthen Serbia and Montenegro's democratic institutions,
furthering the U.S. goal of achieving peace and security in
Southeastern Europe.
The President's decision follows significant steps by Serbia and
Montenegro to advance defense reform, improve cooperation with the
International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), and
combat organized crime in the wake of the tragic assassination of Prime
Minister Djindjic. The United States looks forward to increasing
cooperation with Serbia and Montenegro, building on the Secretary of
State's visit to Belgrade earlier this month. We encourage the
government of Serbia and Montenegro to continue to pursue the reforms
that will advance Serbia and Montenegro's integration with the
Euro-Atlantic community.
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