Policy Statement
by
H. E. Mr. Božidar Milović
Federal Minister of Transport and Telecommunications 
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Tuesday,19 March 2002

Dear Mr. Chairman,
Dear participants of the Conference,
Dear colleagues,

I am deeply honored to greet You on behalf of the Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and in my personal capacity as well, wishing you successful work, convinced that the World Telecommunication Conference will enhance a significant incentives for further global development, fully justifying the slogan of "Bridging the Digital Divide", transparently expressing the need for achieving harmonized telecommunication development in the world.

The Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia attributes a great importance to the activities of International Telecommunication Union, considering that through the work of this international organization, interests of all the countries are transparently expressed. The objective of reaching harmonized world telecommunication development level, is directed to support the least developed countries in order to reach more dynamic development of their national economies and the overall social prosperity. In that context the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia follows all of the Telecommunication Development Bureau activities.

Dear participants of the Conference, I have a great pleasure to remind you that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia regulated its status in the International Telecommunication Union after the accession to the UN organization, thus joining an impressive number of the Member States of the ITU.

As a Member State of the International Telecommunication Union, FR of Yugoslavia initiated fast harmonization of its regulation pursuant to contemporary trends of developed countries, particularly with the EU Standards and Recommendations. Significant activities on the issue have already been undertaken, followed by the noticeable support of the international institutions.

I hope, in this context, that the document of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which is prepared for this Conference containing special need for the assistance to my country, we expect to be provided by the participants of this Conference, as well as your full understanding and support.

Dear colleagues, allow me to remind this distinguished assembly, that the telecommunication development, besides significant economic aspect, has no doubt a great social and humanitarian dimension. Developed telecommunications allow better and easier communication between people of different countries, different nationalities, religions and traditions and initiate enhancing the feeling that we are all members of a large community and supporting and understanding of each other is mostly needed. Civilization of the XXI century rightfully expects that the development of telecommunications provide development of happier and more human society for all the people in the world.

Addressing you, dear colleagues and conference participants, I wish a successful work of the Conference to all of us. Thank you.