Kostunica: War crimes must wait

President Kostunica is welcomed by President Chirac

The new President of Yugoslavia, Vojislav Kostunica, has ruled out immediate co-operation with the UN war crimes tribunal.

Speaking after an informal meeting at the EU summit in Biarritz, he said he did not rule out dealing with the tribunal in the future but said the biggest priority would be for economic reconstruction.

The EU has put together a $173m package of aid measures for Yugoslavia.

Kostunica: Reconstruction is the biggest priority

In approving the aid package, which will provide medicine, heating oil and improve food distribution in Yugoslavia this winter, the EU said it wanted to send a strong signal of support to Mr Kostunica.

'Part of Europe'

Mr Kostunica told a news conference how pleased he was to be at the summit.

"The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Serbia was part of Europe last century and it is a great honour because me being here is a confirmation of the situation in Yugoslavia becoming normal," he said.

"The question of co-operation [with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia] is a fact, but it cannot be one of our priorities," Mr Kostunica told reporters.

There will be help to clear the Danube

His remarks suggest that while Slobodan Milosevic's extradition was not imminent, the new regime in Belgrade is not shutting the door forever on sending him and other war crimes suspects to The Hague.

The tribunal has indicted the former Yugoslav leader for war crimes in Kosovo.

Mr Kostunica also played down fears that Mr Milosevic and his supporters might attempt a coup.

"With regards the domestic situation, it is calming down," he said.

" Milosevic," he added, has "no political future....Milosevic is losing influence."

'Not pressing'

The EU's High Representative for Foreign Policy, Javier Solana, has already indicated that European leaders would not at this stage press Mr Kostunica to hand over Mr Milosevic and other indicted war crimes suspects for trial .

Mr Solana has said Serbia's democracy is still fragile and the EU must show patience.

Yugoslavia currently has a two-tier system of government, and while Mr Kostunica and his allies control the Yugoslav administration, the Serbian Parliament and many important state institutions are still controlled by supporters of former President Slobodan Milosevic.

Mr Kostunica wants an interim administration to run Serbia until fresh elections can be held, possibly on 24 December, but has encountered opposition from supporters of the former regime.

Talks are still continuing to try to settle the issue.