Statement by Foreign Minister of Finland, Mr Tuomioja, concerning the murder of Prime Minister Djindjic

I want to express my sincere condolences on the violent death of the Prime Minister of Serbia, Mr Zoran Djindjic. Violence as a tool for achieving political objectives is always to be condemned. The assassinated Minister Zoran Djindjic was respected by the international community for his commitment to the reform and development of his country into a pro-Western democracy. The assassins attacked at a time when the European Union is effectively engaged in seeking to develop its relations with Serbia and to support the new federation of Serbia and Montenegro and to bring it into closer contact with the European structures.
The best way to pay tribute to the work of Minister Djindjic is to continue our support for the Serbia and Montenegro’s endeavors to intensify their cooperation with the European Union.