Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

Speech at Yugoslav official dinner

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue: Belgrade
Source: Thatcher Archive: ?press release
Editorial comments: Between 2000 and 2230.
Importance ranking: Minor
Word count: 1721
Themes: Defence (general), Defence (arms control), Monetary policy, Trade, European Union (general), Foreign policy - theory and process, Foreign policy (Central & Eastern Europe), Foreign policy (development, aid, etc), Foreign policy (Middle East), Foreign policy (USSR & successor states)

Veselin DjuranovicMr. Chairman,

I am most grateful to you and to the Yugoslav Government for inviting me to visit your country. Today marks a significant step forward in Anglo-Yugoslav relations. For, although I have visited Yugoslavia before, and despite the numerous exchanges of visitors between our two countries at a high level, this is the first official visit to Yugoslavia by a British Prime Minister in office.

This does not of course reflect on the excellent relations which have existed between our two countries for so long. Cooperation between Yugoslavia and Britain is rooted in the history and common interests of our peoples and in their friendship and respect for each other. They have shown their willingness to sacrifice their lives together in the common cause of independence. Staunch allies in wartime, Yugoslavia and Britain have become warm friends in peace and have established close ties in all areas of their relations.

I wish today to emphasise our desire to maintain and strengthen these bonds of friendship. I also want to reaffirm the value we place on the continuing unity, independence and territorial integrity of Yugoslavia and [end p1] our respect for its non-aligned role in world affairs. I hope that my visit will give a further impetus to relations between our two countries and I greatly look forward to seeing other parts of Yugoslavia and the opportunity this will give me to gain a deeper understanding of its peoples and their achievements.

We have today enjoyed a first round of useful and stimulating talks in which we shared ideas on a number of important issues facing our two countries in the world today. As I expected, there was much on which we could agree. And where we did not see eye to eye, each of us fully understood and respected the other's views. I have certainly profited from this exchange and look forward to my further discussions during my visit.

I would like this evening to pay tribute to your late President, whose funeral I and a distinguished group of my countrymen attended just a few months ago. President Tito was deeply admired and respected worldwide. But he was held in particular regard by the British people. He was for us not only a symbol of Yugoslavia and of the courage and love of freedom of its peoples, but also of the tireless energy and determination with which, under his leadership, the Yugoslav peoples have built up their modern state. I remember vividly my meeting with President Tito in 1977. [end p2]

From what I have already seen and heard since I arrived here, it is clear that President Tito was gifted with remarkable foresight. The arrangements which you made, under his guidance, have ensured that Yugoslavia has passed, in unity and stability, through the period following his loss. Your success fills us with confidence that, in the coming years, you will continue to safeguard and develop President Tito 's legacy of a strong and independent Yugoslavia.

It was thanks to his efforts that the Yugoslavia of today enjoys a unique position in the world. It is respected as a truly non-aligned country bridging the divisions between East and West and North and South. My first visit to Yugoslavia took place at the time when the follow-up meeting to the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe was being held in Belgrade. My present visit comes during the 21st General Assembly of UNESCO which opened this week at the same conference centre in your capital. These, Mr. Chairman, are not simply coincidences. They are evidence of Yugoslavia's continuing work for peace and cooperation in the broadest sense and with all countries, great or small, on the basis of full equality and independence.

I vividly recall the concern expressed by President Tito, when he was already seriously ill, at the growing deterioration in international relations. He was very much aware of the threat this involved to world peace and of the need to take urgent action if detente was to be preserved. [end p3]

The world community has been particularly concerned about the invasion of Afghanistan. That action demonstrated complete disregard for the independence and aspirations of a vulnerable neighbour. It has gravely undermined the climate of international trust which is essential if we are to build a more constructive relationship between East and West. The invasion was also a denial of the principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act. This must not be ignored at the second Review Conference, the Plenary Session of which is due to start in Madrid later this year. We deplore such interference in the internal affairs of an independent country, and the spurious arguments by which the intervention has been justified.

In the search for a peaceful settlement, Britain and its partners in the European Community have proposed arrangements permitting Afghanistan to return to its traditional neutrality and non-alignment. We are ready to examine other proposals for a settlement providing for the complete withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan and freedom for the Afghan people to determine their own future.

Recent international events have underlined the need for independent countries to have adequate defences. For a country like Britain to think otherwise—to weaken in its resolve to deter aggression—could only undermine the cause of peace and international stability. My Government has therefore recently taken far-reaching decisions to reinforce our ability to protect ourselves against the long-term threat in Europe. [end p4]

At the same time, we shall press ahead with our efforts to achieve a genuine increase in security through the negotiation of balanced and verifiable measures of arms control. I am glad that negotiations between the United States and the Soviet Union on Theatre Nuclear Forces in Europe are likely to begin soon. We shall continue to work for progress in the Vienna talks on Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions and in the negotiations in Geneva for a Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban.

It is Britain's policy to help to strengthen the ability of states everywhere to uphold their independence and reduce their vulnerability to outside interference. This requires the reduction of tension wherever it exists. The settlement in Zimbabwe was one example of the elimination of a dangerous situation through negotiation. The Nine countries of the European Community recently took an initiative to maintain momentum in the search for a comprehensive settlement in the Middle East. Britain continues to cooperate in efforts to reach a negotiated settlement in Namibia.

World economic problems also require urgent attention. The developed countries as a whole are fighting the problems of inflation and sharply higher energy costs. The developing countries face balance of payments deficits which threaten their economic future. For all of us, the first priority is to fight inflation and thereby to create the conditions [end p5] essential for healthy growth. This approach is dictated by the needs of the international community as a whole. Without the defeat of inflation, the capacity of the developed countries to give aid will be reduced; and the value of the aid which they do give will be diminished. Without the defeat of inflation, there will be no sustained growth, and no sustained expansion in the volume of international trade.

But Britain also recognises, of course, that this battle cannot be won overnight and that many developing countries especially the poorest, need immediate help. Britain will continue to play her part here; and so, I am sure, will the other developed countries of the West. But we are entitled to look to those with large financial surpluses to make a major contribution. What is needed is a cooperative endeavour, directed towards those most in need and based on a common assessment of where the need is greatest.

Mr. Chairman, respect for other countries' independence and determination to work for world peace are among the many things which Britain and Yugoslavia have in common. They are the foundation of the close and friendly relations between our two countries. There are happily no points of dispute between our Governments to distract us from developing our cooperation over as wide a range of activities as possible. [end p6]

Representatives of our two countries are engaged, at many levels, in consultations on key international problems. Let us develop such exchanges still further. Let us also increase our commercial and economic cooperation.

In April of this year, Britain signed the new cooperation Agreement between the European Community and Yugoslavia. This Agreement showed our determination, as well as that of our partners, to increase commercial ties with your country. It was also a symbol of the Community's determination to remain an outward looking group, fully conscious of the importance of its relations with all parts of Europe.

In June, we welcomed to our country your Minister for Foreign Trade, Mr. Rotar. We are confident that from his visit will come new ideas and a fresh impulse for expanding your exports to Britain. For, like you, we realise that our total trade can grow only if it is soundly balanced. I am looking forward with particular pleasure to my visit tomorrow to a conspicuous example of Anglo-Yugoslav industrial cooperation at Smederevo.

Our cultural relations are developing well. This evening, I had the pleasure of opening in Belgrade a major exhibition of English silverware. This event is only one of a number of attractive cultural events and exchanges between our two countries. [end p7]

But, important as all these official contacts are, the particular strength of our relations lies in the freedom of our peoples to visit each other's countries and in the direct contacts which individuals and institutions are themselves establishing outside the framework of official Government agreements. I am glad that thousands of our tourists enjoyed your splendid summer by the Adriatic. I am myself looking forward to visiting Dubrovnik.

Mr. Chairman, I have spoken of President Tito 's outstanding achievements and of the legacy which he has left not only to Yugoslavia but also to other countries. In continuing along his path, I am convinced that Yugoslavia will make still further progress. This is guaranteed by the strength which Yugoslavia derives not only from its international position, but also from the unity which you have created out of the diversity of your country and the readiness of your peoples to defend their independence.

I would like to raise my glass to you, Mr. Chairman, to the prosperity of the Yugoslav people and to the continuing friendship and cooperation between Yugoslavia and Britain.