Minister Picula received Mr Veljko Džakula, the Chairman of the Managing Board of the Serbian Democratic Forum...

On 9 May 2003, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, Tonino Picula, received the Chairman of the Managing Board of the Serbian Democratic Forum, Mr Veljko Džakula who informed the Minister about the problems of repossession and reconstruction of the houses destroyed in the areas of special state concern, and about the problem of tenancy rights.

Minister Picula said that most of those who wanted to return had already done so. According to the information from the Ministry for Public Works, Reconstruction and Building practically all applications have been processed, but the reconstruction has not yet begun in all areas.

Minister Picula also said that tenancy right and property ownership are not the same thing, and that the position of the Government in this respect is clear. However, there are measures which are applied to help the returnees in the areas of special government concern to obtain appropriate accommodation.

To Mr. Đakula's question concerning the possibility of alteration of the visa regime for the citizens of Serbia and Montenegro, Minister Picula replied that further liberalisation of the visa regime with Serbia and Montenegro was in preparation, but that for now the visa waiver is out of the question.

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