Belgrade, May 24, 2010

SERBIA – REGION

TADIC: SUMMIT EXPECTED TO PROVIDE VIEWS ON REGION'S FUTURE
BELGRADE, May 23 (Tanjug) - President Tadic said that he expected the coming summit in Sarajevo to provide clear views on the future of the Western Balkans' EU integration. "I hope that the meeting will not focus solely on Kosovo, but that it will provide realistic and clear views regarding the EU application process for all the countries of the region," Tadic told. According to him, the slower pace of the EU enlargement process is a consequence of the financial problems in the eurozone. "There will be an eccelerated integration process soon after the crisis," said Tadic.

JEREMIC: BIH MEETING FORMAT HARMONIZED WITH SERBIA'S REQUESTS
BELGRADE, May 21 (Tanjug) - Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic stated that the format of the upcoming EU-Western Balkans meeting, scheduled to be held in Sarajevo on June 2, will be in keeping with Serbia's requests. "The provisional institutions in Pristina will be represented in keeping with Resolution 1244, in the presence of UNMIK, as has been the case in all previous meetings,"Jeremic told a news conference after his meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mali Ouane. Confirming that Serbia had received an official invitation to take part in the conference, Jeremic expressed hope that all region representatives, including those of the Pristina provisional authorities, will attend the Sarajevo meeting.

GALLACH: REGION'S MOVEMENT CLOSER TO EU IS GOAL OF CONFERENCE
BRUSSELS, May 24 (Tanjug) - Spokesperson of the Spanish Presidency of the EU Cristina Gallach stated that the aim of the EU-Western Balkans summit in Sarajevo should be not only Bosnia-Herzegovina's movement closer to the Union but also the movement of the region as a whole. In a statement with Radio Free Europe, Gallach said in Brussels that the meeting called for June 2 should show the importance of the region for the EU. She said that Bosnia-Herzegovina had probably progressed towards the EU less than expected, adding that after so much work that had been done, BIH was expected to move closer to the visa regime liberalization and to also make more progress in other aspects.

TADIC IN LAKTASI: SERBIA SHOULD JOIN EU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
LAKTASI, May 22 (Tanjug) - Pesident Tadic has said in Laktasi, Republika Srpska (RS), that he wants Serbia to join the EU as soon as possible. "I have informed RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik about our efforts to apply for EU membership as soon as possible and to get the SAA ratified," said Tadic, who arrived in Laktasi after an official visit to Cyprus. According to Tadic, the two officials also discussed the economy and the problems in the region since the start of the euro crisis. The president said those were the central topics of the meeting, adding that the discussions were friendly. Tadic described the coming visit to Serbia by Chairman of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency Haris Silajdzic as informal. "It is not an official visit. Serbia continues to cooperate with the region, and I will meet with Silajdzic in Belgrade in this form," said Tadic. The president noted that there was no mention of the Istanbul declaration, a document between Tadic, Silajdzic and Turkish President Abdullah Gul signed at the end of April and opposed by RS. "We do not always have the same opinion," said Tadic, explaining that Dodik's responsibility lies with RS, while his lies with Serbia. Tadic stressed Serbia's strong support for RS when it comes to its future in BiH. Dodik stated that it was a regular visit from Tadic, and that the two exchanged views on important issues.

SILAJDZIC STATES GOALS FOR HIS VISIT TO SERBIA
SARAJEVO, May 22 (Tanjug) - Chairman of the BiH Presidency Haris Silajdzic has told the Federal Television of BiH that the issues with the property of BiH companies and the case of Ilija Jurisic are the reasons for his visit to Belgrade next week. Silajdzic stated that he intends to visit Jurisic during his stay in Belgrade on May 25. Jurisic, a former high-ranking officer of the BiH police, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for attacking a Yugoslav Army convoy in Tuzla, May 1992. The defence has announced an appeal to the verdict, while the Serbian war crimes prosecutor has said Jurisic might be allowed to serve the sentence in BiH. Silajdzic's visit to Belgrade is the first one in 18 years.

SERBIA – EU

TADIC: EU STARTS FASTER INTEGRATIONS AFTER CRISIS
BELGRADE, May 23 (Beta) - President Tadic stated that European officials had reassured him that "after a period of crisis, the EU will initiate a faster integration process." At a break during a scientific gathering, Tadic expressed the hope that at the coming summit in Sarajevo, the EU will make an analysis of the enlargement of the Western Balkans. Tadic said that he had talked with the European officials and that he was assured that "a certain stagnation in the EU enlargement is a consequence of economic problems in Europe, but that after the crisis period, the integration process will be speeded up."

JEREMIC & DROUTSAS: GREECE-SERBIA RELATIONS AT EXCELLENT LEVEL
ATHENS, May 22 (Tanjug) - Greece's Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas has met with Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic in Athens, where he stated that the two countries' relations are at an excellent level. The two ministers discussed the European future of the Western Balkan countries, according to Droutsas, who added that Greece has given them strong support through its initiative to have them join the EU by 2014, provided they fulfill all the criteria required for the accession. Droutsas noted that a very important condition to achieve that goal is to have good relations with neighbouring countries, and that Greece puts great stress on that, the Greek news agency ANA has reported. Droutsas announced that Serbian President Tadic will visit Athens soon, emphasizing that Greece is a very reliable partner and friend to Serbia and that the future of the Balkans lies in the EU. Jeremic, who started a two-day visit, said that Serbian tourists will visit Greece in record numbers this year and thanked the Greek government for its support, particularly for Serbia's EU integration.

BALKAN REGION TO JOIN EU BY 2020
FRANKFURT, May 21 (Tanjug) - The process of accession of the Balkan region in the EU is a slow one, but it should be completed in 10 years, Austrian member of the European Parliament Hannes Swoboda has evaluated. In a statement for Frankfurt-based Vesti, Swoboda, EP rapporteur for Croatia, evaluated that the economic crisis will not change things dramatically, because the process of European integration of new members is, generally, rather slow. By the year 2020, all Balkan countries should be in the EU. This means in 10 years. You can say it is either slow or fast, but it is a reasonable calendar for the accession in the EU. The enlargement process in the Balkans is slow in any case. Croatia should join the EU in 2012 and talks are under way. This is not the case with other region countries. Macedonia could be the next country to get accepted, said Swoboda. When asked to comment on the statement by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that he is concerned over the growing tensions in Kosovo, which is an important issue in the context of Serbia's Eu integration, Swoboda said that he views the situation in Kosovo as delicate. We cannot require from Serbia to recognize Kosovo's independence as long as there are some EU member states that have not done that. Why would we ask a new member state to recognize Kosovo if all EU member states have not done it? It will be different if the existing Union member countries decide to do that one day. Since they have still not done that, it will suffice for the time being that Serbia admits that the majority of the EU states have recognized Kosovo and that the issue of border changes cannot be raised. This is not a permanent situation, but this is where things stand right now and we should accepted them as they are.

KOSOVO – METOHIJA

CVETKOVIC & OUANE DISCUSS MALI'S SUPPORT FOR SERBIA
BELGRADE, May 21 (Tanjug) - Prime Minister Cvetkovic has met with Mali's Foreign Minister Moctar Ouane, where he stated that he hoped Mali, as a leading country in Africa, would continue to support Serbia by not recognizing Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence, in spite of the pressures to the contrary. According to an announcement from Cvetkovic's cabinet, the prime minister thanked Mali for its firm stand in defending international law when it comes to Kosovo. Ouane stated that Serbia could count on Mali's support in defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity in the future as well.

DJUKIC-DEJANOVIC MEETS WITH MALI'S FOREIGN MINISTER
BELGRADE, May 22 (Tanjug) - Parliament Speaker Djukic-Dejanovic thanked Mali's Foreign Minister Moctar Ouane for his country's support for Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity by not recognizing Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence, Djukic-Dejanovic's cabinet has announced. The speaker informed the Mali delegation that visited the parliament that the ICJ opinion on the legality of Kosovo's independence will open the door for dialogue that should bring a solution for the Kosovo issue. Ouane stated that Mali's support for Serbia is a matter of principle, and that it will last. Both sides showed willingness to establish the broadest possible parliamentary cooperation, which could benefit the development of mutual relations on the whole, says the announcement.

JEREMIC: MALI'S SUPPORT PROVES ITS INDEPENDENCE AND COURAGE
BELGRADE, May 21 (Tanjug) - Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic expressed gratitude to Mali for not having recognized the unilateral proclamation of Kosovo's independence and its support to sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia, adding that nowadays, such a principled stand proves independence and courage of the country. "It is not easy to support sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia nowadays. It takes autonomy, principle and courage to do so, and Mali definitely has that," Jeremic stated at a joint press conference with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Mali Moctar Ouane. "Just like Serbia, Mali is resistant to pressure and for that reason, Mali can count on Serbia's support in the international organizations, just as Serbia can count on Mali's support," Jeremic stated.Ouane stated that regarding its foreign affairs policy, Mali has uncompromised commitment to the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state. That is the key principle of our foreign policy and a crucial principle that regulates international right, Ouane said, adding that this primarily refers to the United Nations Charter and the African Union Charter. The two ministers recalled that Serbia and Mali have long history of friendship, international support and understanding that is maintained today as well, adding that the two countries will mark 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations next year.

STEFANOVIC ACCUSES ALBANIA
BELGRADE, May 21 (Beta) - Political Director at the Foreign Affairs Ministry Borko Stefanovic accused Albania of trying to present the Kosovo issue as a religious, not an ethic issue, at a conference of the Organization of Islamic Conference. Stefanovic told that the Albanian delegation at the conference held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, proposed a draft resolution on Kosovo affirming its independence, calling on members to recognize Kosovo and asking the Organization to "support Kosovo citizens and Muslims in the Balkans." "One could clearly note a perfidious attempt to present the Kosovo problem in the light of religion, not ethnicity," Stefanovic said. According to him, the draft resolution also calls for affirmation of Kosovo in the international arena, welcomes membership in the IMF and the World Bank, and confirms the determination to set up diplomatic relations with Kosovo. "With this document, the Albanian delegation had attempted to affirm Kosovo's independence and call on new recognitions, and to present in an utterly unfair way the Kosovo issue as a religious affair, which, of course, is not the case," he added. The resolution was passed at the ministerial conference of the Organization, which finished on May 21. Albania welcomed this act, considering it to be "of a great importance for the further recognition of Kosovo."

RASMUSSEN: KFOR FORCES TO BE REDUCED TO 2,000 SOLDIERS
PRISTINA, May 21 (Tanjug) - NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in Pristina that the number of NATO soldiers in Kosovo-Metohija (KiM) will be reduced, as the NATO's final aim is that only 2,000 soldiers should remain in the province. At a press conference following the meeting with KFOR Commander Gen. Markus Bentler, Rasmussen announced that approximately 5,700 of currently active 10,000 KFOR's soldiers will remain in KiM in the next phase. Rasmussen said that security conditions are improving and added that, although political complications and occasional incidents are still present, the main trend remains stable. NATO will remain in KiM as long as it takes to finish its work here. It is too early to set any specific deadline, Rasmussen stated. He also said that he supports the investigation into corruption and organized crime, which was initiated by the EULEX, and added that lawbreakers should be brought to justice. German General Markus Bentler gave assurances that KFOR will react immediately in case the security situation in KiM aggravates. Rasmussen and Bentler condemned the attack on KFOR which took place a few days ago in the northern part of Mitrovica, and agreed that this was an individual case. The NATO delegation, including Chairman of NATO's Military Committee Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola and Commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples Admiral Mark Fitzgerald, next paid a visit to the northern part of Kosovo and the Visoki Decani Orthodox Monastery.

GIFFONI CONFIRMS EU'S NEUTRAL STAND ON KOSOVO'S STATUS
KOSOVSKA MITROVICA, May 23 (Tanjug) - State Secretary for Kosovo and Metohija Oliver Ivanovic has told that Michael Giffoni, EU special representative for northern Kosovo and Italian ambassador to Pristina, has confirmed to him that the EU has a neutral stand on Kosovo's status. Ivanovic stated that Giffoni acted as a representative of all 27 members of the EU, and so confirmed its neutrality since 5 of those countries have not recognized Kosovo, preventing a unanimous stand on the issue. According to Ivanovic, Giffoni stressed that he followed the general policy of the EU, and not individual views of any particular member when it came to Kosovo. Ivanovic and Giffoni had a formal dinner in northern Kosovska Mitrovica, where they discussed EU plans and participation in infrastructure projects in northern Kosovo. Giffoni said the EU was willing to support the projects, just like in other parts of Kosovo, said Ivanovic.

WESTERWELLE PRAISES SERBIAN PRESIDENT'S POLICY
BERLIN, May 21 (Tanjug) - Germany's Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has expressed deep respect for Serbian President Tadic's policy, adding that a long-term peace in Kosovo is possible only by working with Serbia, and not against it. Germany therefore has to strengthen those powers in Kosovo and Serbia that are aware of their responsibility, Westerwelle said in the German Parliament, as reported by the Federal Foreign Office. The minister expressed deep respect for the determination and strength with which Tadic confronted those who caused conflicts, adding that he believed most of his colleagues thought the same way. Stressing that peace will be established in Kosovo only when all ethnicities are able to live in safety, Westerwelle added that the situation in Kosovo was stable, and that the improvement in security was a result of years of KFOR activity. The success is also reflected in KFOR's altered tasks, said Westerwelle in his speech on a government proposal to reduce the maximum number of German troops in Kosovo. Since KFOR has been a success, Germany and its allies can now reduce troop numbers, said the minister, explaining that the proposed reduction was from 3,500 to 2,500. The goal is for Kosovo to be capable of looking after its own security without the help of foreign troops, said Westerwelle. He stated that over the past months, the Kosovo police had taken over the responsibility for Serb monasteries and other cultural monuments that required protection, and that the constitution guaranteed the safety and equality for Kosovo's Serbs, Roma and other ethnicities. Westerwelle remarked that Kosovo and Serbia were headed into the future on the same European path, and that German troops were among those who could be credited for the Western Balkans' EU future.

SERBIA

TADIC SENDS CONDOLENCES TO INDIAN PRESIDENT
BELGRADE, May 22 (Tanjug) - President Tadic has sent a telegram of condolences to his Indian counterpart Pratibha Patil for the air crash in Mangalore that killed 158 people. An Air India aircraft crashed when it overshot the runway on Mangalor airport, south India, on Saturday morning. Only 8 people survived the crash.

TADIC: GOVERNMENT STRONGER THAN ANY FORM OF CRIME
BELGRADE, May 23 (Tanjug) - President Tadic said that Serbia is absolutely determined to show that it is stronger than any form of crime or any criminal. Speaking at a ceremony marking Police Day and Interior Ministry Day, which was held at a police training centre near Belgrade, Tadic congratulated all members of the police and Interior Ministry on their success in the fight against all forms of crime. Tadic noted that Serbia will give its all in the fight against crime. "We are prepared to take any risk, thereby protecting every child and their future in this country," said the president. According to him, the police belongs to the people, and not to any political party or stream. Tadic remarked that the police and judicial institutions have made a huge effort to raise the fight against organized crime to another level, "thereby raising Serbia's reputation in the world." "Today, Serbia exports security and is a key player and security factor in southeastern Europe," said Tadic. The ceremony was also attended by Prime Minister Cvetkovic, Parliament Speaker Djukic-Dejanovic, a number of ministers, Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Irinej, representatives of the diplomatic corps and the Serbian Armed Forces and many citizens.

MEMORANDUM ON REGIONAL POLICE COOPERATION SIGNED IN SOFIA
SOFIA, May 21 (Tanjug) - Interior ministers of the countries of the region, including Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, signed a memorandum on police cooperation in Sofia. The signing marked the end of the third meeting of the committee of ministers of the countries that have signed the Police Cooperation Convention for Southeast Europe. Closing the meeting, Bulgarian Interior Minister Tzvetan Tsvetanov said that the main problems in the region of Southeastern Europe, when it comes to crime, are smuggling of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and people, and that the smugglers' main destinations are countries of Central Europe. Crime has different characteristics in different countries, which is why it is necessary for the police to work in synchronization and be quick in exchanging information, the Bulgarian minister underlined. He expressed gratitude to the ministers of internal affairs of Serbia and Macedonia, whose countries allowed the citizens of Bulgaria and other EU countries to cross the borders carrying just IDs during the recent problems caused by the Iceland volcanic clouds. The participants at the regional police forum analyzed the results of the Bulgarian chairmanship over the regional committee and discussed future cooperation. Dacic had several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the forum and he and his Bulgarian counterpart signed an agreement on police cooperation between Serbia and Bulgaria. The meeting was attended by the representatives of the Interior Ministries of Serbia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Moldova and Montenegro. At the end of the meeting, Macedonia was handed the rotating presidency over the regional committee.

DJELIC SIGNS FUNDING DOCUMENT FOR SCIENCE PROJECTS
BELGRADE, May 23 (Tanjug) - Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic signed a funding document, which concerns the 2011-2015 scientific research cycle and involves EUR 800 million of investments over the period. Speaking at a conference about the scientific community's role in Serbia's future, Djelic explained that EUR 400 million would be invested in projects, while the other EUR 400 million would be invested in the science and technology infrastructure. He noted that Serbia has become "a rising star" in science in the past 5 years, because it increased the number of its internationally recognized publications almost threefold during that time, which is a European record. According to Djelic, the funding programme will allow the government to double its investments in science by 2015 and make them reach 1 percent of GDP, but added that it will also provide funding from private sources. "Our goal is to attract large international companies dealing in technology, which currently take our experts abroad, and offer them a partnership that would allow them to keep using our human resources, but to have those people stay in the country," said Djelic.

SERBIA & ITALY TO FOSTER COOPERATION IN CULTURE & TOURISM
BELGRADE, May 21 (Tanjug) - State Secretary in the Ministry of Culture Nadica Momirov has taken part in Ancona, Italy, in a conference on fostering bilateral cooperation in culture and tourism, the ministry said. Momirov was a member of a delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Mladjan Dinkic. Serbia and Italy already have good cooperation in protection of cultural heritage, she said. With the help of the Italian government, a new national institution - the Central Conservation Institute - has been founded as a unique inter-disciplinary education and scientific center in the region for conservation and restauration of cultural heritage, Momirov said. She pointed to lively cooperation between Serbian and Italian cultural institutions and to past successful projects such as the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of painter and poet Milena Pavlovic Barilli and Serbia's presentation at the Venice Biennial.

SERBIA – ECONOMY

TADIC: ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH CYPRUS TO BE IMPROVED
NICOSIA, May 21 (Tanjug) - Serbia and Cyprus have excellent political relations, but the economic ones are not that good and this needs to change in the future, President Tadic told. Tadic pointed out that the two countries share the same viewpoint on the situation in northern Cyprus and in Kosovo, where attempts are made to secede from countries which are UN member states. The president also said that Cyprus supports Serbia on its EU pathway. "Cyprus is our trusted partner and advisor, and it advocates our interests in the European institutions," Tadic added. However, the Serbian president noted that both he and his Cypriot counterpart, President Christofias, have concluded that the level of trade between the two countries is very low, but that there are no obstacles to improve it in the future. The holding of the Cypriot-Serbian business forum is important to that effect, the Serbian president added. Addressing businessmen attending the forum, Tadic called on Cypriot entrepreneurs to invest in Serbia, highlighting the great potential of the country's market. "Serbia represents a central market in the region and through CEFTA it is able to supply a market of 30 million people. Furthermore, it has a free trade agreement with Russia and Belarus, and will soon sign one with Ukraine, too," the Serbian president stressed. "Serbia is a stable, dynamic country that wants to enter the EU. Our duty is to work together, both government and entrepreneurs, and I hope this visit will accelerate and improve the economic relations between our countries,".

TADIC: STATE INTEREST COMES FIRST
NICOSIA, May 21 (Tanjug) - President Boris Tadic sent a message to the Serbian businessmen that they should protect Serbia's interests, stressing that domestic businessmen should not generate profit in Serbia while their companies are registered abroad. In a statement, Tadic said that his intention is not to interfere in the activities of businessmen and their freedom to do business, but rather to call on them to protect the interests of the country they are working in, the country where they were born. "I noticed that many Serbian businessmen have companies registered in Cyprus. What I see as a potential problem, and this was also a problem at the time of Vojislav Kostunica, is that companies are being sold which realize profit on the Serbian market while they are registered in Cyprus. In this way, the money does not go to Serbia, but rather to the Cypriot banks, whereas the Serbian banks and state get no money from the taxes," Tadic stressed. He said that this should be stopped and that this is why he decided to send a clear message to the Serbian businessmen.

TADIC: SERBIA EXPORTER OF SECURITY
BELGRADE, May 23 (Beta) - Serbia is an exporter of security and a key factor of security in the region and the EU, President Tadic said at a Police Day. "Serbia is determined to show that it is stronger than any crime and criminals," he said adding that Serbia would be fighting this "dangerous disease." Tadic added that judicial institutions were going to extremes to elevate the battle against organized crime to a higher level and thus boost the country's global reputation.

DINKIC: SERBIA ACTIVELY LOOKS FOR INVESTORS
BELGRADE, May 21 (Tanjug) - Deputy Prime Minister Mladjan Dinkic took part in a meeting between Serbian and Italian companies in Ancona, Italy, where he presented the government's new approach to attracting investors and invited Italian companies to continue with their investments in Serbia, the Ministry of Economy has announced. "Serbia's interest is to have as many companies as possible come to the country and provide jobs for our citizens, which is why the new approach to attracting investors is not based on waiting for them, but actively looking for them," said Dinkic, who is on a visit to Italy's Marche region with a number of Serbian company representatives. Dinkic stressed that Serbia's goal is "to have companies invest and bring new knowledge and technologies into the country, while we offer them the best investment environment in the region, meaning the best stimuli, lowest taxes, excellent workers and duty free export to the countries that have signed a free trade agreement with Serbia, especially to Russia." The Serbian delegation signed an agreement with Marche Vice President Paolo Petrini regarding the cooperation between the Serbian National Agency for Regional Development and Marche Development Agency. The agreement will facilitate the communication between the two countries' companies, especially in terms of production, exchanging innovative technologies and regional development models. "This agreement will open the door for Italian companies in Serbia and vice versa," said Dinkic. Italy is among the top 6 investors in Serbia, with EUR 800 million invested and a total of around 200 business organizations present in the country, recording a turnover of EUR 2.4 billion and employing more than 18,000 people.