Special Co-ordinator Erhard Busek welcomes Serbian President Boris Tadic's statement last night encouraging Kosovo Serbs both within and outside of Kosovo to participate in the upcoming general elections.

"Voter participation is a crucial aspect of the democratic process, and is even more essential when the electorate is frustrated with the overall political situation.   I welcome the president's statement, and would like to join him in encouraging the Serb community to cast their votes, and take responsibility for their choices," Busek said.  "Working out difficulties by democratic means and inside democratically elected institutions is essential for the stability not only in Kosovo but in the entire region."  

President Tadic reiterated his position today at a conference organised by the European Policy Centre in Brussels, which discussed the political situation in the Western Balkan countries and their prospects for EU membership.  The conference was also attended by Kastriot Islami, Albania's Foreign Minister, Mr. Don Hays, Principal Deputy High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford, and several other senior politicians from the region.