Belgrade, 17. 02. 2010.

BELGRADE, Feb 17 (Tanjug) - Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic said that regional cooperation is necessary in order to ensure the prosperity of Southeastern Europe and that the Serbian government is also willing to cooperate on a joint response in emergency situations. At the opening of an international conference dedicated to the exchange of experiences related to emergency situations, Cvetkovic pointed out that fires, floods and earthquakes do not respect state borders and often have devastating consequences. The Serbian prime minister pointed out that emergency situations require joint and organized action and the formation of strong operations teams. Cvetkovic noted that Serbia wants to find a way for the countries in the region to mount a joint response to emergency situations that have caused millions of Euros' worth of damages. The conference is attended by the delegation of Russia, headed by Minister of Emergency Situations Sergei Shoigu, who is also the co-chair of the conference, and the delegations of Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Cyprus, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Slovenia.

BELGRADE, Feb 17 (Tanjug) - Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dacic stated that the project of establishing of the regional center for emergency situations in Nis is intended for humanitarian not military activities. "This is not one of the projects with military purpose, as the public said, it is intended for humanitarian activities" that are based on the assessment saying that the regional states should organize and form a center which could offer urgent help in case of fire, flood or earthquakes, Dacic said at an international conference for exchange of experience in the area of emergency situations in Southeast Europe. "It is planned for a certain number of Russian aircrafts for fire extinguishing to be located in Nis during summer so as to reduce the time needed for providing adequate help to the states which are endangered by extremely high temperatures," he said. According to him, it was planned for the center to educate and train personnel for emergency situation reactions - floods, technical-technological incidents, forest fires, land-slides, etc.

BELGRADE, Feb 17 (Tanjug) - The countries of Southeast Europe do not have the capacity to fight consequences of emergency situations and natural hazards on their own and therefore Serbia and Russia have decided to launch an initiative for the establishing of a regional center for emergency situations, Russian Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shoigu stated. Shoigu pointed out at an international conference for exchange of experience in the area of emergency situations that the Balkan regional center could be an example to the whole Europe since comprehensive European mechanism for reactions in such situations is needed. Shoigu said that the center should include reserves of funds and equipment for emergency situation reactions, be a place of exchange, introduction and designing of anti-fire technologies and an information center. The Russian minister recalled that the Russian emergency situation aviation has its headquarters at the Nis airport and therefore the countries of Southeast Europe can use its help in extinguishing forest fires, adding that Russia may take part in mine sweeping of the Serbian territory. Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic and Shoigu signed an agreement on establishing of a joint humanitarian center for urgent reaction in case of fire, flood or earthquakes in Nis October 21, 2009. On the occasion, the two ministers stated that the center in Nis should become a regional one in order to offer quick and efficient help in emergency situations to the countries of Southeast Europe.

BELGRADE, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - President Boris Tadic conferred with Presevo Valley Albanians MP Riza Halimi and President of the Coordinating Body for the Bujanovac, Presevo and Medvedja municipalities Milan Markovic on improving the standard of living for all in southern Serbia. The talk focused on the Coordinating Body activities and on improving the standard of living for all in the Bujanovac, Presevo and Medvedja municipalities regardless of ethnicity or political affiliation, Tadic's office said. In order to resolve the problems of the ethnic Albanian minority, especially in the sectors of education, integration, use of language and alphabet, information and others, it is essential that ethnic Albanians elect their national council, the release says. Tadic emphasized that the processes initiated after the reconstruction of the Coordinating Body should be pursued through joint activities of local self-governments and state institutions.

BELGRADE, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - Serbian parliament Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic said meeting the Cuban Ambassador to Belgrade Mercedes Martinez Valdez that the sincere friendly relations between the two nations and states constitute a commitment for the two parliaments to foster cooperation too. The talk also focused on the invitation by Cuban Parliament Speaker Ricardo Alarcon to Djukic-Dejanovic. Martinez Valdez said that she would give a lecture on Cuba in March and that she would invite Serbian MPs to attend.

BELGRADE, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - The new US Ambassador Mary Warlick emphasized meeting parliament Speaker Djukic-Dejanovic that the US will endeavor to be Serbia's strong partner in the process of EU integration. As regards accession to NATO, its doors are open to Serbia but any decision in this regard is up to Serbia itself, Warlick noted. Warlick said she would endeavor during her term of office to foster bilateral relations. Expressing her interest in the parliament's work this year, she congratulated Djukic-Dejanovic on excellent results in legislation. Djukic-Dejanovic expressed hope that an adequate level of parliamentary cooperation will be established, and Warlick promised to exert special efforts to that end.

VIENNA, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - The Danube basin opens up new opportunities for cooperation and connecting, as well as for environment protection, and so it is necessary to preserve it and protect it from pollution, ministers from the member countries of the Danube River Protection Convention stated in Vienna. The meeting, entitled The Danube - Common Asset and Joint Responsibility, is attended by Serbia's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Sasa Dragin on behalf of the Serbian government, and he said that Serbia has done a lot in the past few years to improve the water quality in the Danube basin. The meeting, organized by the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube, hosted a discussion on how to protect the Danube and its basin. It was held behind closed doors and it included talks on how to protect Europe's longest river and on sustainable exploitation of its water and other ecological resources. The meeting is attended by representatives from Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Montenegro, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine. According to announcement, a plan on how to manage the Danube basin should be adopted at the end of the meeting, which will improve the ecological situation in the area by 2015.

PODGORICA, Feb 17 (Tanjug) - Premier Milo Djukanovic stated that Montenegro is open to cooperation with all those countries that wish to fight organized crime, but that they should all have in mind that Montenegro is an independent country and that it does not take order from anyone. "Whoever approaches us in partnership way may count on Montenegro's partnership," said Djukanovic commenting on the statement made by President Boris Tadic that Serbia expects help from the region countries to fight organized crime. Djukanovic told a news conference, held together with Bolivian Prime Minister Yves Leterme, that Montenegro's door is open to cooperation with all those who truly want to experience Montenegro as their equal partner. "But, they should all have in mind that Montenegro is an independent state and that it does not take order from other addresses," said Djukanovic, adding that "all those who experience Montenegro as their equal partner may count with our full commitment."

BELGRADE, Feb 17 (Tanjug) - Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic evaluated that it is important that Serbia becomes a "respectful and proactive member of the EU," which will defend and respect its own national interests. During a presentation of a "Guide to the EU's Law" at the Belgrade Faculty of Law, Djelic said that Europe is a major legal construction and that there is an ongoing debate about whether there is too much law, i.e. legal regulations, within the EU, and that many member states complain about this. "Harmonization of the regulations with EU standards never ends, and by the end of 2010 the domestic legislative framework should be harmonized fully with the EU regulations" said Djelic. He clarified that another 480 regulations need to be adopted between 2010 and 2012 in order to complete the process successfully, adding that 77 percent of the work had been dome so far.

BRUSSELS, Feb 17 (Tanjug) - Ahead of her visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo on February 17-19, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton underscored that the Western Balkans is the priority of the Union's foreign policy. During her visit to Western Balkan countries, Ashton is scheduled to meet with political leaders and representatives of the civil society, as well as representatives of the EU missions in the region, including EULEX in Kosovo and missions in Bosnia-Herzegovina, it was underscored in a statement released in Brussels late on Tuesday. The Western Balkans is the EU's important priority and we remain devoted to the European future of the region as a whole, Ashton said. However, leaderships and people in the region are responsible for the consolidation of stability and progress towards the EU, she said, adding that Europe's door is open to the region as a whole, when the conditions get met. As far as Serbia is concerned, we will discuss further steps that Belgrade wishes to take in order for its application for the EU membership to make progress, said Ashton. In Kosovo, I am particularly interested in discussing the progress that has been made in the area of the rule of law, fight against corruption and organized crime, as well as good rule, said Ashton.

BELGRADE, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - Dutch Ambassador Ronald Van Dartel said that Serbia has made considerable progress towards integration in the EU, as demonstrated by visa liberalization and unfreezing of the Interim Trade Agreement. Ratification of the SAA should start in June this year, if the next report of the ICTY Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz on Serbia's cooperation is positive, he said. The ratification process might start in June, but cooperation with ICTY is one of the main factors, he said. Van Dartel was addressing the press after meeting members of the National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED) comprising representatives of local self-governments in Serbia.

BELGRADE, Feb 17 (Tanjug) - Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic has evaluated that over the past two years of diplomatic fight for Kosovo, Serbia had preserved peace and stability in the region, started historic proceedings before the International Court of Justice and maintained a minimum number of recognitions of the self-proclaimed independence. In an interview for Danas, Jeremic underscored that in the coming period Belgrade would do everything to restart the status negotiation process and to keep the topics of Kosovo and European integrations separate. "Two years ago, Serbia faced with an imposed attempt to seize 15 % of our territory, which was backed by some of the world's most powerful countries, at the time of a serious economic situation and blocked process of European integrations. We opted for a diplomatic fight, patient and energetic, and created a precedent in the history of the region," underscored Jeremic. "We have managed to keep the number of international recognitions of the self-proclaimed independence at a very low level, despite the strong pressure. We obtained the right to initiate proceedings before the ICJ and to have a large number of states get interested in it, turning it into the biggest proceedings in the history of international law," said Jeremic. When asked what are the biggest challenges ahead, Jeremic said that "the key moment will be when the ICJ announces its opinion about the legality of the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo," after which Serbia will do everything to renew the status dialogue. "As for Kosovo and Metohija, it is very important that no one makes any radical moves at this sensitive moment," said Jeremic, underscoring that it is very important for Serbia that the EU had officially distanced itself from the plan drawn up by international civil representatives Peter Feith.

BELGRADE, Feb 17 (Tanjug) - Minister for Kosovo-Metohija Goran Bogdanovic stated that the Serbian diplomacy was successful in the previous two years given that less than a third of the world countries have recognized the unilateral independence of Kosovo. "Two thirds of the states in the world have recognized international right and territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia that has put great efforts to improve the situation in Serbia's southern province," Bogdanovic stated. On the occasion of the second year of the province's secession which was proclaimed by the Albanian minority in Serbia, Bogdanovic said that the figure of 65 countries, that have recognized Kosovo's independence so far, shows that the majority of the countries in the world do not accept the independence. The minister stated for Radio and Television of Serbia (RTS) that in the last 10 years, Kosovo has remained an island of crime and ethnic intolerance in the civilized world and Europe and a place where Serbs do not have freedom of movement and not all ethnic groups are legally protected. Bogdanovic said that Serbia is ready for a dialogue and constructive and pragmatic policy toward Kosovo-Metohija, adding that the plan of International Civilian Representative Pieter Feith will not be successful. Serbs have no trust in Kosovo institutions, Bogdanovic said and added that Serbs are not legally protected and that Serbian cemeteries are being destroyed while the temporary institutions have done nothing to reconcile Serbs and Albanians.

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - State Secretary in the Ministry for Kosovo-Metohija Oliver Ivanovic said that two years after the unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence, it is clear to everyone that Serbia will never recognize that quasi-state in Kosovo. Serbia will do everything it can through political and legal means to preserve its territorial integrity and keep Kosovo, Ivanovic told. This means that Serbia will not allow Kosovo Albanians to represent themselves as representatives of an independent state, he said. Kosovo Albanians can be represented at international gatherings only as members of an UNMIK delegation, Ivanovic noted. This stand is not only a political guideline, but also a commitment stemming from Serbia's Constitution and international law, he said. Referring to the two years that have passed since the unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence by the interim Pristina institutions, Ivanovic said there have been few incidents but that a feeling of complete insecurity prevails among all in the province. The issue of stability is directly linked with the economic situation and social problems in Kosovo, and social unrest is only a question od days, he said. The economic situation is the main problem and cause of any potential protests, he said, adding that political protests have become secondary and that social protests will increasingly affect stability.

BELGRADE, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - Greek Ambassador to Serbia Dimosthenis Stoidis denied the statement by Kosovo's Foreign Minister Skender Hiseni that Greece is supposedly moving towards recognizing Kosovo's independence, adding that the Greek government's view on that is clear and well known and that it is based on respecting international law. Commenting on Hiseni's statement given to Der Standard, Stoidis told that he found the source of Hiseni's information unclear, as well as the accuracy of his statements. Greece's Prime Minister George Papandreou confirmed the government view on Kosovo to President Boris Tadic recently, Dimosthenis added. Papandreou said in Belgrade at the beginning of January that the issue of Kosovo's independence is complex, and that Greece is in favour of finding a solution based on the UN Charter and respect for international law. Hiseni told Der Standard that the EU countries that have not recognized Kosovo yet can expect some friendly pressure from other EU members to do so, and that Greece is moving in that direction.

PRISTINA, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - Head of Greece's Liaison Office in Pristina Dimitris Moschopoulos will serve as intermediary in protecting the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) religious and cultural heritage in Kosovo, Office of EU Special Representative Pieter Feith announced. Feith and Moschopoulos made a joint statement after their meeting, saying that the EU is dedicated to protecting religious and cultural heritage in Kosovo, especially the part belonging to European and world heritage. To that end, the Greek government agreed that Moschopoulos should take up the post of intermediary in protecting the SPC heritage in Kosovo, says the announcement, adding that it is part of Kosovo's obligations when it comes to religious and cultural heritage. Moschopoulos will be involved in the development of integrated policies for preserving religious and cultural heritage and in raising awarness about it. Feith's office will, if necessary, provide support for the intermediary in fulfilling his mandate.

BELGRADE, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - The Ministry of Culture welcomed the appointment of Dimitris Moschopoulos, Head of Greece's Liaison Office in Pristina, as the European Union representative for the protection of cultural heritage in Kosovo-Metohija (KiM), the Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. "The Ministry of Culture expects that with his appointment the cooperation on the protection of cultural and religious heritage will improve, in keeping with the Serbian government's explicitly defined policy," it is said in the statement.

PRISTINA, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - Spokesperson for the Kosovo government Memlji Krasnici said, on the occasion of the second anniversary of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence, that the interim authorities in Pristina achieved significant results in that period, especially in the northern part of the province. In a statement to Kontakt Plus radio in Kosovska Mitrovica, Krasnici claimed that the interim institutions in Pristina invested around EUR 12 mil in northern Kosovo over the last two years, and that they will invest even more money in the future. We plan to increase investments in the north, and successfully complete the decentralization process and the creation of the new municipality of Northern Mitrovica, so that citizens can elect their legitimate representatives freely and have a stronger influence on the work of the local authorities, he said.

PRISTINA, Feb 17 (Tanjug) - The strategy for the north of Kosovo is possible if the local population accepts it, Head of the ICO in Kosovo Pieter Feith said, adding that he believes that parallel structures in the area should be dissolved. In an interview with Free Europe, Feith claimed that the European Union has a positive interest in the next steps in that area, adding that the ICO wants to consult Belgrade on the next steps. On the occasion of the second anniversary of the proclamation of Kosovo's independence, Feith evaluated that good progress had been made in Serbia's southern province, adding that his current task is to monitor the functioning of the institutions in Kosovo. Feith underscored that he believes his role will gradually fade out, although he will have the authorization vested in him under the plan drawn up by Martti Ahtisaari, if necessary even in the part of executive competencies.

DOHA, Feb 17 (Tanjug) - The US led and won wars in Bosnia and Kosovo, similar to the one it is currently fighting in Afghanistan, US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke said in Doha. At the US-Islamic Forum in Qatar, Holbrooke drew parallels between the Bosnian war and the onslaught against the Taliban in Afghanistan, reported daily Peninsula. "The US has led and won similar wars in Kosova and Bosnia with the support of the international community. And we are very optimistic about Afghanistan too," Holbrooke pointed out.Holbrooke criticized the media for terming the operations in Afghanistan a "Clash of Civiliazions", adding that the overall objective of the Afghan initiative is to help the country rebuild after its 30 years of horrific conflicts.

KRAGUJEVAC, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - Minister of Economy Mladjan Dinkic said that the car manufacturer Fiat automobili Srbija (FAS) will begin the reconstruction of factory facilities and the procurement of new equipment in the coming weeks, and that the company will invest EUR 150 million in the project in preparation for the production of a completely new car model. "FAS Executive Board Chairman Giovanni de Filippis informed me that FAS will start subcontracting the work on the factory reconstruction in the coming weeks, and that it will cost EUR 150 million," Dinkic said after he visited the factory with a delegation of the IMF. Stressing that De Filippis presented the future end product of the Kragujevac factory to the IMF delegation, Dinkic said that, simultaneously with the reconstruction of the factory facilities, FAS will begin the procurement of equipment in order to prepare for the production of a brand new car model.

KRAGUJEVAC, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - A delegation of the IMF and Deputy Prime Minister Mladjan Dinkic visited the Fiat Automobiles Serbia factory. When asked why he took the IMF delegation to the Kragujevac-based Fiat automobile factory, Dinkic answered that he did that to demonstrate what Serbia has done on restructuring of its economy and how the Serbian government attracts foreign investors. Dinkic explained that the production in the Fiat Automobiles Serbia factory will considerably contribute to the increase of Serbia's export, adding that it was necessary for the IMF delegation to see that Serbia is not only about statistics, but that it also has factories and workforce. "If Fiat realizes export that amounts to one and a half billion euros, and Serbia's total export in the previous year equaled six billion, in these conditions the factory will clearly make a fourth of Serbia's total export," Dinkic said. The IMF representatives and Dinkic did not want to comment the talks that are currently underway and will last by February 23.

BELGRADE, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - Investments from the Netherlands to Serbia, as well as trade between the two countries, are on the rise, Dutch Ambassador to Serbia Ron van Dartel said. After his meeting with members of the National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED), which is made up of representatives of local governments in Serbia, van Dartel told the press that the largest investments were those of Heineken, which bought Pivara MB, and in three shipyards in Serbia, also mentioning the recent VDL investment in Neobus from Novi Sad. Van Dartel also announced the arrival of a Dutch dam construction company, but he did not specify the name. Holland, according to van Dartel, supports local projects and is interested to continue taking part in them, addin that it also finds important the activities of the Association of Dutch Municipalities, which is conducting a number of projects in Serbia. The meeting was used to discuss the development of small and medium sized companies, coperation between Serbian and Dutch cities and agricultural projects, van Dartel noted. Municipalities have an important role as the country heads towards the EU, and it is important to implement European regulations and have developed regional organizations and local governments, the Dutch ambassador stated. NALED Vice President Toplica Spasojevic said an initiative was started for NALED to take over the leading role in providing the Serbian economy with access to the EU pre-accession funds. "NALED's role is to interconnect the economy, local self-governments, foreign partners, foreign embassies and Serbian companies. During the meeting, we informed the Dutch ambassador about our activities and tried to act as one more bridge towards the EU," Spasojevic remarked.