Belgrade, December 24th (Tanjug) - Representatives of the observer mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for the Serbian parliamentary elections have described Saturday's elections as important progress, since they were mostly conducted in keeping with international standards for democratic elections.

OSCE mission head Adrian Severin, the president of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, told at the press conference at Belgrade's Intercontinental Hotel on Sunday that the elections were an important step in the transition to democracy. Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly representative Andreas Gross congratulated the Serbian people on marking a new beginning for democracy with these elections. The parliamentary election results have confirmed that the Serbian people have the will to make changes, which he said was very encouraging for the entire region. Gross said he expected the new parliament and government to practice a policy in the interest of all the peoples of the region and mutual cooperation in the area in order to achieve the necessary stability.

Berlin, December 24th (Tanjug) - The government of German chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder has today congratulated the future Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, on the brilliant victory of democratic forces at yesterday's parliamentary elections in Serbia.

"Victory of the reform forces represents the most beautiful present to people in Serbia and Europe", Michael Steiner, adviser of chancellor Schroeder, said in the name of the government in Berlin, as radio "Deutche Welle" from Keln reported.

German television marks that Serbian citizens gave their full trust to DOS coalition, for whom time of temptations is yet to come, considering the piled up problems in the country that had been going the wrong way for more than a decade.

The first and second channels of ARD and ZDF televisions, emphasize in their reports on the elections, that DOS will surely be able to conduct a thorough reform of state and society, but that it is far less secure that it will manage to improve the quality of life quickly enough.

ZDF television emphasizes that "DOS leaders now have the fate of the country in their hands and the success or failure depends only on themselves".

London, December 24th (Tanjug) - BELGRADE December 24th (Tanjug) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair today congratulated Serbian Prime Minister-designate Zoran Djindjic on the victory of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) in the Serbian parliamentary elections on Saturday, said a statement by the British Embassy in Belgrade sent to Tanjug.

"I warmly congratulate you on the convincing victory of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia which will enable you to form a democratic Government in the Republic of Serbia," Blair said.

The first reactions to the outcome of the elections say that the elections have shown that the democratic transition in Serbia is much stable than it was thought by many.

BBC commentator said the elections in Serbia were the finishing of building the secure democratic base and reintegrating of FR Yugoslavia into international community.

Moscow, December 24th (Tanjug) - Electronic media in Moscow, today state that yesterday's parliamentary elections in Serbia were finished with decisive victory of Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS).

DOS won about two-thirds of deputy places in Serbian parliament, and it will be able to form the government and make decisions with majority of votes, Russian state television and radio emphasize, relying mostly, on agency reports.

Rome, December 24th (Tanjug) - All media in Italy today emphasize that the victory of Vojislav Kostunica`s reformists was more than expected. They won absolute majority in the parliament, and thus doors for democratic changes in Serbia are finally opened.

Rome journal "Republica" reminds that "new governing parliamentary majority, which wants to pull Serbia out of almost 60 years long despotism, is combination of different politics and personalities, which can create problems for the future power". The journal emphasizes that Kostunica superiorly defeated Milosevic.

Milan journal "Corriere Della Sera", states in the text "Polling boxes for Milosevic`s end", that socialists managed to gain minor position in the parliament, unlike JUL which won not even one percent of votes.

Athens, December 24th (Tanjug) - Greek media mark that Democratic Opposition of Serbia will von a convincing victory at the elections for the Serbian parliament.

"Green light for Kostunica" - is the title of today's article in the journal "To Vima", which emphasizes that electoral defeat of Milosevic`s followers will enable the new president and DOS coalition to continue the process of democratization and economic reforms.

The reports say that "very complex assignments await the new government in Serbia". Assignments like difficult economic situation, defining the relationship with Montenegro, Kosovo problem…

"Athens` news" says that voting of Serbs in Kosovo was more of a symbolic gesture to show that that province, which is now under UN control, is still a part of Serbia.

Vienna, December 24th (Tanjug - AP) - Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, chairwoman of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Benita Ferrero-Waldner, hailed the convincing victory of democratic forces of the Yugoslav president Vojislav Kostunica, at yesterday's parliamentary elections in Serbia, and she called the international community to support the new government.

In the announcement, published today, Ferrero-Waldner praised the new government for allowing OSCE observers at the recent elections.

"OSCE will do its best to help the new government in overcoming many difficult problems caused by former regime's policy", Ferrero-Waldner said and added that because of that OSCE will form a mission in FRY.

Brussels, December 24th (Tanjug) - Triumph of Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) at parliamentary elections will enable conduction of deep reforms in the republic and continuance of pro-European policy that Yugoslav president Vojislav Kostunica supports, Brussels media emphasize on the announcement of the first results of democratic elections in Serbia.

DOS managed to secure two-thirds majority in the Serbian parliament, which will enable complete conduction of the electoral program, thorough reforms of the system and increase of citizens` standard.

Paris, December 24th (Tanjug) - The results achieved by the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) in the parliamentary elections in Serbia constitute another step in the process of strengthening democracy in Yugoslavia, the French foreign ministry said today in a statement.

This victory confirms and consolidates the democratic process initiated in Belgrade by the election of Vojislav Kostunica as Yugoslavia's president, says the statement presented to Tanjug by the French presidency on EU behalf. The EU reiterates its full support to President Kostunica in the realization of his policies, the statement says.

"Le Mond" says that yesterday's elections, unlike those held on September 24, were "without passion". "Nothing else can block the way for DOS that is ending the victory march which started two months ago", Paris journal writes.

New York, December 24th (Tanjug) - Parliamentary elections which were held yesterday in Serbia, are fundamental for the Balkans future, American press marks today.

The journals emphasize that voters in Serbia have, with convincing victory of DOS, wiped out the last remains of Milosevic`s power, and that Serbia gains the first government in 50 years without socialists.

"The New York Times" marks that the successfulness of the new government in easing the tensions in the region will have direct influence on the American military presence in the Balkans.

"The Washington Post" mentions that resolving the situation in the south of Serbia will be one of the bigger problems for the new government.

Beijing, December 24th (Tanjug) - Chinese electronic media, reporting today on the "superior lead" of DOS at yesterday's parliamentarian elections in Serbia, point out that electoral results correspond to pre electoral expectations and public researches.

They especially point out successes of the president Vojislav Kostunica and Yugoslav diplomatic activities on quick reintegration of Yugoslavia into international organizations.

Brussels, December 24th (Tanjug) - With an official announcement, European Commission (EC) in Brussels has, today, greeted "the clear confirmation of democratic changes, which was expressed at yesterday's elections in FR Yugoslavia".

EC, as the executive body of European Union, expresses "expectations that it will form tight cooperation with the new government" and it supports the future process of political and economic reforms in FRY.

"European government" Commissioner, Chris Patten, said "all in Europe who whish well to Serbia, will be extremely pleased with the will, expressed at the elections, for democracy and changes".

Brussels, December 24th (Tanjug) - EU high representative for foreign policy of joint defense, Havier Solana, pointed out that new Serbian leaders could count on the full support from the Union.

In Solana's message, published today in Brussels, it is emphasized that new Serbian leaders have a difficult job in front of them, but that they can count on the full support from the Union.

Strasbourg, December 24th (Tanjug - Reuters) - European Council Secretary- General, Walter Schwimmer, said today that the results of the Serbian elections have clearly shown the will of people to break up with the past and to move on towards democratic development.

Schwimmer said that the victory of pro democratic coalition has opened the way for the integration into Europe and that it represents the step towards stability in the whole Balkans.

Sofia, December 24th (Tanjug) - Bulgarian Prime Minister, Ivan Kostov, congratulated future Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic "historical success at the first democratic elections in Serbia".

Skoplje, December 24th (Tanjug) - Skoplje electronic media emphasize that the electoral results were expected, i.e. that they have only confirmed the will of people expressed in September on the elections of the Yugoslav president, Federal Assembly deputies and local authorities.

In today's reports from Belgrade, it is emphasized that predictions before the polling came true and that DOS, lead by the Yugoslav president Vojislav Kostunica, convincingly won, and that socialists of the former Yugoslav president, Slobodan Milosevic, gained position according to the present state of political powers in Serbia. Reporters point out the only two surprises - relative success of the Serbian Unity party, whose founder was Zeljko Raznatovic, and complete failure of Serbian Renewal Movement of Vuk Draskovic.