June 1, 2009

1. June 2009.

Milan Markovic, President of the Coordination Body of the Government of the Republic of Serbia for the Municipalities of Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja, said that „the opening of the first Protector of Citizens’ (Ombudsman’s) Office outside Belgrade in these southern Serbian municipalities“ was extremely important for the relations in South Serbia. „Everything is very complex in these municipalities and it is questionable what our further steps there are going to be. We must be very cautious and patient, “Minister Markovic said and added that „under no circumstances can the Coordination Body be responsible for the way in which the governments are established in the southern Serbian municipalities.“ „We are faced with doing important tasks, which, first and foremost, include the establishment of multi-ethnic governments. I believe that Serbs and Albanians should share the responsibility for the local self-governments in Presevo and Bujanovac,“ Minister Markovic said and pointed out that the Coordination Body’s task was also „integration of Albanians in the republican institutions.“