The Acting President of the Republic and Chairperson of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Natasa Micic, today talked with members of a delegation of the United States of America. The delegation comprised Janet Bogue, Deputy Assistant US Secretary of State, Theresa Grenchik of the European Section of the State Department, US Ambassador to Belgrade William Montgomery, and Bertram Brown, political advisor at the US Embassy.

The high-ranking guests again their expressed sympathy and solidarity after the tragic death of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, and extended firm assurances that the United States would provide maximum assistance in overcoming the current situation. Both parties agreed that clear political and economic signals were necessary to convince the people of Serbia that they could count on American support.

Relating to this, a positive decision of the Senate on normalising trade relations between the two countries is expected in April. This decision will enable more intensive economic exchange between Serbia and Montenegro and the United States. Next week will see the signing of a contract on the entry of one of the largest companies in America, US Steel, onto our market, which will certainly be a positive signal for other foreign investors.

Chairperson Micic clearly underlined the priorities of Serbia and Montenegro, among which are: to stabilise the situation in the country, to continue and accelerate economic and political reforms, and to enter into an uncompromising fight with organised crime. She reiterated the readiness for full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, but also stressed that the recent events showed one should be very cautious in conditioning political and economic assistance to our country. The American delegation expressed their expectations that, if reforms to military and security structures ensue quickly after the formation of the new state union, NATO partners will react very quickly to such a positive move.