Serbian deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic

Brussels, September 5 (Beta) - The Serbian deputy Prime Minister Nebojsa Covic declared today, following talks with top EU officials, "it is our common position that the problems in southern Serbia, Kosovo-Metohija and Macedonia should be solved through a comprehensive approach considering the context of the entire region." Otherwise, he added, all efforts would amount to putting out fires wherever they break out.

Covic emphasized that an agreement had been reached in which the EU would offer substantial assistance for economic recovery and the development of small and medium-size businesses in southern Serbia. It was also envisaged that the EU would support programs for creating secure conditions for the return of displaced persons to Kosovo-Metohija.

- A drive to aid the economy of southern Serbia has been agreed upon with Catherine Day, a top EU official, who also co-chaired the donors' conference for the reconstruction of the FRY - Covic added.

This would assist the operation of a huge number of small and medium-size businesses, and large number of people would be employed in profitable business projects, which would all contribute to improving living standards.

Covic stressed that in his talks with Ms. Day, it had also been arranged for the EU to join the programs of the mass repatriation of the temporarily displaced persons on Kosovo-Metohija.

Covic also spoke with Javier Solana's aide in charge of Balkan affairs, Stephan Lehne.

European Commission spokesman Gunnar Wiegand told the Beta news agency that EU representatives had informed Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Covic of their expectation that a significant and representative number of ethnic Serbs would turn out for the November elections in Kosovo.

- EU officials have strongly supported Serbian government program for economic revival and creation of employment opportunities in southern Serbia - Wiegand added.

According to Wiegand, there were also discussions concerning how the aid and financial assistance of the EU to FRY could best be aligned within the provisions of international law.