M. PlanináMadam Prime Minister It gives me great pleasure today to welcome you to Britain.
I vividly remember my own three visits to your country, as leader of the Opposition in 1977 and then twice as Prime Minister in 1980. In May, 1980 I attended the moving ceremony of farewell to that great [end p1] Yugoslav statesman, President Tito; and in September I was privileged to pay the first official visit to Yugoslavia by a British Prime Minister in office.
So I am glad that you are now here in London to return my earlier visits to your country and to maintain our excellent bilateral contacts, especially so since we both belong to that small but distinguished band of women Prime Ministers. [end p2]
Madam Prime Minister. Our talks today covered a wide range of world problems. We now have a good understanding of each other's views and are strengthened in our mutual resolve to continue working for a more peaceful, prosperous and just world. [end p3]
As European nations, we share a responsibility to pursue the search for solutions to troubled international problems. We may not be able to act alone but we can use our influence to persuade others of the need to live in peace, without recourse to aggression.
Over the years Yugoslavia has played a leading part in the Non-Aligned Movement, not only as one of its founder members but as one [end p4] of its most eloquent exponents and defender of its founding principles. We in this country may not always agree with the Non-Aligned Movement, but we recognise that the great influence of President Tito and his successors has been a powerful force, trying to ensure that the Non-Aligned Movement remains truly non-aligned. [end p5]
The fact that there are so many areas where we can agree shows that interests and objectives can be shared by countries of greatly differing political systems and traditions. And it is precisely because our views do not coincide on all issues that exchanges and discussions between our two countries are so valuable. Nowhere is this more evident than in the [end p6] complicated field of economics and finance.
In recent years all of us in Europe have had to face up to some harsh economic realities in the worst world recession since the War. I should like, Madam Prime Minister, to pay tribute to the determined steps that you and your Government have been taking in the economic field since you came to power. [end p7] In present circumstances, when loud calls come from some quarters for protectionist solutions, Yugoslavia has chosen a path to economic stability based on more trading, more openness to the outside world, but also on internal efficiency, self-reliance and the prompt settlement of international obligations. This is a strategy that Britain has welcomed and supported. [end p8] We have played an active part with Yugoslavia's other friends in providing measures of financial help and relief to back up your stabilisation programme. And we do this because of the importance we attach to the independence and future prosperity of non-aligned Yugoslavia.
Trade is also a significant element in our bilateral relations. [end p9] Through a higher level of trade in both directions, we can create mutual economic benefits and promote personal contacts. We know that Yugoslavia has been concerned about the imbalance in our visible bilateral trade. We therefore welcomed the visit paid by your Foreign Trade Minister to the United Kingdom last year and the useful opportunity for further discussions which my colleague [end p10] Paul Channon had during the UNCTAD meeting in Belgrade last summer.
Madam Prime Minister. It is heartening that our close relationship is being maintained during a period of uncertainty on the international scene. Your visit is a major contribution to that relationship. I am therefore delighted to welcome you and your party to the United Kingdom. [end p11] I raise my glass to you, Madam Prime Minister, to the Yugoslav people and to continued friendship and co-operation between Britain and Yugoslavia.