Statement of Yugoslavia
H. E. Mr. Petar Stefanovic, Federal Deputy Minister of Transport
and Telecommunications of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Thank you, Mr. Chairman!

Mr. Chairman, please allow me to congratulate you on the election to the position of the Chairman of this Conference. I am confident that, under your guidance, this Conference will bring results that will further enhance the world's telecommunications.

Mr. Chairman, colleagues, ladies and gentleman,

We are here in the beautiful and exotic city of Marrakech and please allow me to extend my compliments to the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco for hosting this Conference.

I am deeply honored to greet you on behalf of the Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and on my own behalf as well, wishing you all success in your work. I am convinced that the Plenipotentiary conference will enhance further global development of telecommunications through improvement of the basic documents of ITU Constitution and Convention. I am looking forward to this Conference adopting Resolutions of the World Telecommunication Development Conference, Istanbul concerning development of telecommunications in certain countries and in particular the resolution concerning rebuilding public broadcasting and telecommunications systems in FR of Yugoslavia.

The Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia attributes great importance to the activities of International Telecommunication Union. Through the work of this international organization all countries may express the needs and goals in developing their telecommunications. The work of the ITU is fundamental to assisting developing countries in reaching their goals to enhance their national economies and overall wellbeing of their people. In that context the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia fully supports all the ITU activities to accomplish these important goals.

In this regard, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has undertaken significant efforts to harmonize its Regulatory and Policy framework with EU standards and recommendations. These efforts are gaining good support within the international community, and in particular the EU.

I hope, in this context, that the document of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which was prepared for this Conference based on the Resolution 33 from Istanbul 2002, containing special needs for the assistance to my country, will be taken into consideration by this Conference and will get your full understanding and support, as it was done during WTDC, Istanbul, 2002, Turkey.

Yugoslavia is making efforts to fully contribute to the work of the ITU. We have submitted the candidacy of Mr. Momcilo Simic to serve as a Member of the Radio Regulation Board. He has broad experience in the ITU activities, and in particular in the Radio communications and regulations. We are confident that, if elected, he will spare no efforts to make the positive contribution to the work of Radio Regulation Board.

Dear colleagues, the telecommunication development, besides being significant force for economic development, is also basic to meeting social and humanitarian needs. Developed telecommunications allow better and easier communication between people of different countries, nationalities, religions and traditions and enhance the feeling that we are all members of the world community supporting and understanding each other. Civilizations of the 21st century rightfully expect that the development of telecommunications will provide a happier and more human society for all the people of the world.

Dear colleagues, I wish a successful work of the Conference to all of us. Thank you.