Student, youth organizations stage protest

Several student and youth organizations held a protest rally in Belgrade on Monday, Beta reported.

Source: Beta
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About 1,000 protesters demanding that Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica "unblock state institutions and continue the European integration process."

They dubbed their protest, "No Alternative to Europe", starting from in front of the Faculty of Philosophy one minute before noon.

Later, the protesters walked to the government building in Nemanjina Street, where they left their demands for the prime minister at the reception desk.

The protesters demanded that Koštunica facilitate the unblocking of institutions, the signing of the agreement on cooperation with the EU and the arrest of the remaining Hague tribunal fugitives, as the conditions for the continuation of Serbia's European integration.

After their attempt to be received by Koštunica, the deputy prime minister or any other minister failed, the protesters dispersed peacefully. They announced a new protest for next week, unless their demands were met.

The Ministry of Sport and Youth supported the student protest, saying that it represented the will of the young to give active support to a European Serbia and to be the ones to carry out the changes that will take Serbia to the EU.

However, the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) Youth described the protest as politically tainted and added that "fliers were handed out and the banner of the Liberal Democratic Party was carried" during the rally.

"Students also showed their responsibility and seriousness by not attending this protest and thereby demonstrated their clear position toward those who are hiding behind them and who wish to abuse them," said a statement.

The statement added that it was irresponsible to protest because of "the announced visa liberalization and student scholarships, while the EU is deploying a mission with the aim of breaking up Serbia."

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