Belgrade, April 28, 2010

SERBIA – EU

TADIC & FRATTINI MEET
BELGRADE, April 27 (Beta) - President Boris Tadic met with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini in Belgrade. Tadic and Frattini agreed that relations between the two countries were at a very high level, a statement released from the president's office said. President Tadic recalled that Frattini had supported the liberalization of visas for Serbian citizens visiting the EU and reforms of police in Serbia, which, he added, proved that he trusted Serbia's intentions to become a full member of the EU. Tadic also thanked Frattini for Italy's huge support for Serbia's European integration. Frattini arrived on a twoday visit, where he is scheduled to discuss European integrations and regional cooperation with Serbian officials.

JEREMIC & FRATTINI ANNOUNCE SUMMIT OF GOVTS IN BELGRADE IN OCTOBER
BELGRADE, April 28 (Tanjug) - Serbian and Italian Foreign Ministers, Vuk Jeremic and Franco Frattini assessed that political and economic relations between the two countries are very good and that they are constantly improving, adding that the summit of the Italian and Serbian governments will be held in Belgrade in October. Frattini said that Italy supports Serbia on its EU pathway, pointing out that two important dates for Serbia's EU integration process will be set in the next few weeks - the submitting of Serbia's candidacy for EU membership and ratification of the SAA. Jeremic stressed that Italy is Serbia's biggest trading partner and expressed his expectation that the summit will be attended by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, as well as a large number of Italian ministers. The ministers also discussed the forthcoming regional conference, to take place in Sarajevo on June 2. Frattini said he believes that the solution which would be acceptable for all participants could be a gymnich formula, meaning that the participants would not present themselves using the names of their countries but rather personal names. Frattini said that Serbia has positively reacted to that proposal and that he will present it to the Kosovo authorities when he visits Pristina Wednesday afternoon.

DJELIC & FRATTINI ON SERBIA'S FURTHER STEPS ON EU PATH
BELGRADE, April 28 (Tanjug) - Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini stated that the forthcoming regional conference in Sarajevo should yield political results that would be important for Serbia, including the country's submission of the EU candidacy application to the European Commission before the end of June and the beginning of ratification of the SAA. I agree that we have to achieve some political results. As for Serbia that means filling of the EU candidacy bid to the European Commission before the end of June, and before the expiring of Spain's EU presidency, and the summer break, Frattini said at a joint press conference with Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic. According to him, second important result would be the beginning of the SAA ratification. I would like to say that Italy is ready to ratify the agreement as soon as it receives green light, Frattini said. The Italian minister stated that Serbia should use the conference in Sarajevo to show how it could contribute to the EU, mainly in respect of assistance in resolving the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) and the fight against organized crime.

SERBIA'S FURTHER PROGRESS TOWARDS EU IS SPANISH PRIORITY
BELGRADE, April 28 (Tanjug) - The spokesperson for the current Spanish EU Presidency, Cristina Gallach, has stated that further progress of Serbia and Western Balkans as a whole in the process of European integrations is one of the main priorities of Madrid. This also includes Serbia's application for the status of a candidate state for the EU membership, the second phase of which is to get an opinion from the European Commission, Gallach said in a statement published by Vecernje Novosti today. "We are investing maximum efforts and continue to work in anticipation of a response, said Gallach, adding that "everything is possible" in the next two months of Spain's presidency over the EU. Novosti reports that consultations are in progress but that things are not moving from the starting point because Holland does not want Serbia to make any progress in the process of European integrations before a new report by ICTY Chief prosecutor Brammertz, which is due in June.

BRAMMERTZ: NO ALTERNATIVE TO ARREST OF OTHER FUGITIVES
BANJA LUKA, April 28 (Tanjug) - ICTY Chief prosecutor Serge Brammertz stated in Srebrenica that there is no alternative to the arrest of ICTY indictees Mladic and Hadzic. We believe that the key o their arrest is in Serbia and that is why we are actively working, together with the authorities of that state, to realize those arrests, said Brammertz, adding that the region countries are also requested to help the arrest of the fugitives, while the international community and the European Union are requested to give their support. According to the reports by electronic media, Brammertz said that it is important for the ICTY's credibility to have the remaining two fugitives arrested in order to for the tribunal to fulfill its mandate.

KOSOVO – METOHIJA

JEREMIC & FRATTINI: WORKS ON RESTORING SIGNAL BY SERBIAN OPERATORS
BELGRADE, April 28 (Tanjug) - Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic stated that work is being done on reestablishing signals by Serbian telephone operators in parts of Kosovo populated by Serbs and that diplomatic activities aimed at solving the problem are in progress. Transmitters of Serbian mobile telephony providers were forcefully removed by the Kosovo authorities in the areas south of the Ibar River. "In some parts of Kosovo, signals have been restored and I believe that the same will be done in the rest of the territory," said Jeremic, adding that this would not be possible without intensive diplomatic efforts. At a joint news conference with Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, Jeremic warned that the present situation is not sustainable and that it has to change. "Telekom Srbije has to get another opportunity to connect our citizens," said Jeremic. Frattini underscored that every move has to be carefully considered in such a delicate situation, evaluating that technical solutions have to be urgently found in order to avoid its escalation, and that it should not be turned into a political issue. He appealed to both sides to demonstrate sensible approach in this situation since the interruption of telephone communications is causing big problems in the everyday life of the Serbs in Kosovo. No rash moves should be made without the sides consulting each other, said Frattini. Responding to question on whether there is any truth in speculations that the provisional authorities in Pristina had blocked the Serbian operators because they had failed to obtain the code, Jeremic replied that the code may not be a subject of compromise. "Kosovo may not have a code because it is a privilege that only states have," underscored Jeremic, adding that the issue must not affect the everyday life of citizens in the province. The citizens must not be hostages of the failure of the Pristina provisional authorities in the international arena, underscored Jeremic.

MICUNOVIC: COE TO REQUEST EXPLANATION FROM KOSOVO GOV
BELGRADE/STRASBOURG, April 27 (Tanjug) - Chairman of the Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee Draguljub Micunovic has asked the Council of Europe (CoE) to get an explanation from the Kosovo authorities about the removal of transmitters belonging to Serbian mobile network operators. "Telekom and Telenor carriers were legally present in Kosovo, which is why I have requested an explanation, and the CoE will officially ask the Kosovo authorities to provide one, together with their intended actions to make sure the people would not suffer, to protect their right to communication," Micunovic told Tanjug. The chairman scheduled a meeting with CoE Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland and will meet with him. "The problem will probably be of interest to the UN as well. The issue is about property rights, jusrisdiction and of course damage caused by a violent disruption to communictions," said Micunovic. According to him, EULEX's idea to bring in a new operator, which would supposedly cover the area, is an attempt at doing something without any contracts and without allowing the people to choose their operator. Commenting on the CoE Parliamentary Assembly spring session, Micunovic, who heads the Serbian delegation, said that the migration committee adopted an amendment demanding that the Roma not be forced to returned to Kosovo until it provides conditions for their normal and safe existence.

MATIC: ILLEGAL REGULATORY BODY IN KOSOVO MUST BE STOPPED
BELGRADE, April 28 (Tanjug) - Minister of Telecommunications Jasna Matic called on UNMIK Head Lamberto Zannier to stop further operation of the illegal telecommunications regulatory body in Kosovo-Metohija, the Ministry said in a statement. "The illegal telecommunications regulatory body created by the ethnic Albanian authorities in Kosovo, which operates in violation of UNSC Resolution 1244, needs to be stopped and UNMIK needs to establish its authority over the telecommunications sector in Kosovo," reads the statement. The Ministry also demanded that UNMIK consult with all sides in Kosovo in order to establish its authority over the telecommunications sector and keep enactment of laws in the Serbian province status neutral, as mandated by UNSC Resolution 1244. The statement reminds that the Ministry called on the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to react to the illegal removal and destruction of Telekom and Telenor base stations in Kosovo and protect the basic human rights of Kosovo Serbs. The Ministry asked ITU to enable urgent reconstruction of the dismantled base stations, it is said in the statement.

IVANOVIC: BELGRADE HAS TO SUPPORT JUSTIFIED PROTEST OF SERBS
BELGRADE, April 27 (Tanjug) - State Secretary with the Ministry for Kosovo-Metohija (KiM) Oliver Ivanovic stated Tuesday that Belgrade has to back the justified protest of Serbs in the province over a violent and unilateral decision of the Kosovo institutions to remove carriers of the Serbian mobile telephony providers south of the Ibar River. Ivanovic stated in a show on the Belgrade-based TV B92 that any act of violence is dangerous, adding that this move puts pressure on remaining Serbs in KiM. Serbia does not want to use services of the Kosovo operators, because Serbs in Kosovo are not related to Albania, he said.Stressing that Serbia is present in Kosovo via Telekom and MTS network, Ivanovic stated that Belgrade cannot send army and police to KiM, but that the Serbian government will try to explain to Brussels and others that this move endangers Kosovo Serbs and makes them powerless taking away their means of communication.He qualified EULEX's stand as negative, given that the mission supports only one side, thus implying that this is a masked action that requires a reciprocity measure. According to Ivanovic, this unilateral move conceals interests of certain providers, politicians and tycoons, since the Serbian telecommunications providers, Telenor and MTS, are taking a considerable number of their potential users.The carriers, which were dismantled, have to be restored, since that is the only way that Kosovo Serbs can communicate with the north of the province, where their hospitals and universities are located, and other parts of Serbia where their families live, Ivanovic said.

ZANNIER CONCERNED OVER METHODS USED IN REMOVING TRANSMITTERS
PRISTINA, April 27 (Tanjug) - Spokesperson of the UNMIK Russel Geekie told that Head of UNMIK Lamberto Zannier is concerned over the methods used in removing the transmitters of Serbian mobile network operators in Kosovo. Geekie stated that Zannier is also concerned about the attacks on transmitters of legal mobile carriers in northern Kosovo over the last weekend. The spokesperson noted that Zannier is observing the situation closely, adding that he will probably inform the Security Council about it in May. Geekie pointed out that the most important thing at the present stage is for all sides to approach the issue constructively, so they could find a solution that would not harm any of the communities. UNMIK asked the unlicenced operators several times to apply for licences, but they have never done so, said Geekie, adding that the problem with telephony in Kosovo is a legal issue in many ways. When asked if he thinks the disruption of Serbian mobile carriers' signal in Kosovo constitutes a violation of human rights, Geekie stated that the issue can be viewed from a political, humanitarian, commercial and even security aspect. UNMIK realizes that the Kosovo Telecommunications Regulatory Authority sees the problem as a commercial one, while the Serb community sees it differently, as a humanitarian issue, Geekie concluded.

DE KERMABON: FATE OD MISSING PERSONS EULEX PRIORITY
PRISTINA, April 27 (Beta) - EULEX mission head Yves de Kermabon said, while marking Missing Persons Day, that the importance of shedding light on the fates of missing persons in Kosovo remained one of the most important tasks to which EULEX attaches high priority. Past human rights violations today present one of Kosovo's biggest challenges, De Kermabon said, according to an EULEX press release. The chief of EULEX said investigations of past abuse were initiatives against nonpunishment and for the promotion of the rule of law. They represent an important element in progress toward a judicial system that improves international human rights standards, restores trust and strengthens the structure of civil society, he added. De Kermabon stressed that EULEX, its War Crimes Investigation Unit and the Office for Missing Persons and Forensics had brought in line their approaches in facing Kosovo's recent history through the search for missing persons, forensic medicine and criminal investigations of grave abuse.

KOSOVO POLICE TAKES OVER CONTROL OF BORDER WITH ALBANIA
PRISTINA, April 28 (Tanjug) - The international military troops in Kosovo will cede control over the Albanian border to the Kosovo police, moving on with the process of transfer of jurisdiction to the Kosovo institutions. The transfer of responsibilities will be realized as part of the withdrawal of KFOR troops from the border area. Announcing the transfer of jurisdiction, KFOR Commander Markus Bentler stated that the Kosovo police are increasingly prepared, professional and efficient. NATO stated that the transfer of authority to the local institutions is an indication of progress in Kosovo. Transfer of jurisdiction has already been carried out in the border zone toward Macedonia.

SERBIA

SPEAKER: THREATS AGAINST TADIC WILL NOT PREVENT ANTI-CRIMINAL ACTION
BELGRADE, April 27 (Tanjug) - Parliament Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic said that the threats addressed to certain government officials will not prevent the realization of Serbian government's program, particularly the part which refers to the fight against corruption and crime. "The program put forth by the Serbian government and Serbian president will be realized regardless of the dissatisfaction of those whose interests are contrary to the implementation of the plan," Dejanovic told in the parliament, commenting on the latest threats President Tadic received via social network Facebook. Serbian parliament speaker pointed out that the threats will not deter the fight against corruption and crime, wherefrom the threats probably came. Djukic Dejanovic said that, being the "main upholder of this policy," Tadic is "in the focus of attention of those whose interests will be thwarted." She also expressed her expectation that the authorities will take all necessary steps to securing the president's safety. She also voiced belief that Committee for Defence and Security should express their opinion concerning the threats. When asked whether similar comments were posted on her Facebook profile, Dejanovic said she received no such messages.

DACIC: INVESTIGATION STARTED, US JUSTICE DEP. ASSISTANCE REQUIRED
BELGRADE, April 27 (Tanjug) - The Serbian police have opened an investigation into the threats against President Tadic that have been posted on Facebook, and they will need assistance from the U.S. Justice Department on that case, Minister of Interior Ivica Dacic announced.Dacic said that the police received a request for the investigation from the Special Prosecutor's Office for Cyber Crime. The minister told reporters that the police will require assistance from the U.S. Justice Department in getting Facebook to provide the names of some of its users. Dacic stated that the police, if they acquire the data themselves, will arrest those who posted the threats, and that they will be prosecuted. During a break at a seminar on reactions to emergency situations, Dacic stated that the Serbian security institutions are protecting all public officials and that "regardless of any threats, the work of those who perform the highest public duties will not be obstructed." According to Dacic, the security of the top Serbian officials, who are protected by the police, civilian and military security services, has been at the highest level of quality and will remain so in the future. The minister noted that the police have so far reacted "to all threats and provided protection for public officials, as well as reporters."

PERSONS WHO THREATENED TADIC WILL SOON BE IDENTIFIED
BELGRADE, April 28 (Tanjug) - State Secretary at the Justice Ministry Slobodan Homen expessed his belief that the persons who threatened President Boris Tadic via Facebook will very soon be identified, adding that the authorized bodies will soon obtain information on who owns the account. Homen assessed that it is essential to determine who is behind the threats, pointing out that he would not be surprised if it turned out to be the people "from the other side of the law", those who want to stop the figth against organized crime in Serbia. "We will find the people who made these threats," he said on television B92, pointing out that the threats are very serious. Homen believes that this is "a classic campaign against traitors who tried to sell Kosovo," creating the atmosphere that "Tadic is a trator," similar to the one when Zoran Djindjic, assassinated in 2003, was prime minister. He stressed that accusations were made by the Serbian Progressive Party, which claims that Tadic is associated with Darko Saric, suspected of smuggling cocaine.

DACIC: SECURITY SITUATION IN SERBIA STABLE
BELGRADE, April 27 (Tanjug) - Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dacic said that security situation in Serbia is stable and that there is no information that the country might be threatened by any terrorist or other criminal acts. In the past, terrorist acts were mainly directed against the Serbian Army and police in the Ground Safety Zone, he told the press. There is no information that the country might be threatened by any serious attacks, he said during a break in the regional conference on emergency situations and facing the consequences of terrorist acts. According to the law on emergency situations, state and local self-rule institutions must plan for and react timely in cases of fires, floods and other disasters, as well as terrorist acts, Dacic said. Opening the conference, Dacic said that the implementation of the law on emergency situations is planned to start in mid- 2010. That law is coordinated with European Union regulations in order to learn from good experiences in alleviating the effects of earthquakes, floods and environmental disasters, Dacic emphasized.

DODIK: RELATIONS WITH SERBIA NOT DAMAGED
BANJA LUKA, April 27 (Tanjug) – RS Prime Minister Milorad Dodik said that the relations with Serbia have not been damaged, even though RS withheld its support for the Istanbul declaration, which was signed by Serbian President Tadic, Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Chairman of the BiH Presidency Haris Silajdzic. Dodik told that he supports the view of the Serbian member of the BiH presidency Nikola Radmanovic, who said that Silajdzic was on a private visit to Istanbul, and that his signature on the declaration is invalid. "It is obvious that Turkey has been attempting to assume patronage of Bosniak interests in BiH for a while," Dodik noted. The prime minister said that Silajdzic's and BiH Foreign Minister Sven Alkalaj's participation in Istanbul without the consent of BiH institutions was illegitimate, adding that the two acted outside of the Constitution and regular procedures observed by BiH institutions. Dodik said that the declaration is contrary to the Dayton Agreement, which ended the Bosnian war and defined BiH as it is today, because it only refers to protecting the territorial integrity of BiH as a whole, but says nothing of its internal structure, and BiH is made up of two entities and three peoples. Dodik added that the territorial integrity of BiH is not disputed, but Serbia's is, because Turkey has recognized Kosovo's independence, and that is not mentioned in the declaration. As to the relations between RS and Serbia, Dodik said they will remain close, and that RS will continue supporting Serbia regarding Kosovo. "We will not change our stand on Kosovo, and we will not allow BiH to recognize Kosovo until Serbia resolves the issue with the relevant institutions," said Dodik. The prime minister said he had told the same things to Serbian President Boris Tadic over the phone.

REGIONAL COOPERATION DURING NATURAL AND OTHER DISASTERS
BELGRADE, April 27 (Beta) - Cooperation between regional rescue teams could be the decisive factor in efficiently handling natural disasters and emergencies, the participants of an international seminar on rescuing people trapped underneath rubble said. Interior Ministry Emergencies Department chief Predrag Maric told a conference that training and technological advances were of major importance for rescue teams during disasters, but that their coordination was also necessary. "It is exceptionally important to develop efficient international relations with regard to saving lives and providing humanitarian relief after natural or manmade disasters, and then increasing preparedness for nationwide and regionwide catastrophes," Maric said. French Ambassador Jean Francois Terral said that rescue teams were being simultaneously trained in Serbia, Croatia and Montenegro to boost cooperation between neighboring states and promote efficiency in the area. Terral said that regional rescue teams would be trained in successive stages, and that the crews would also undergo practical training. The international rescue seminar was organized by the ministry's emergency department and the Danish agency for emergency situations within the regional Initiative for Disaster Prevention and Readiness, with the participation of 11 regional states.

USAID SUPPORTS INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY IN SERBIA
BELGRADE, April 27 (Tanjug) - High Judicial Council (VSS) President Nata Mesarovic and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Michael Harvey signed in Belgrade a memorandum on cooperation which defines USAID's technical support to the Council through a program on the separation of powers. The undersigned parties of this memorandum will cooperate on the development of the VSS capacities concerning budgeting, financial management and strategic planning with a view to achieving a higher level of independence and efficacy of the Council as the main administrative body of Serbia's judicial system, the text of the memorandum states.USAID plans to help the VSS by organizing a training which will last until July 31, 2013, and which refers to the establishment of a High Council budget office. The Agency also plans to help the VSS management and employees in developing and implementing strategic and organizational plans, budgets and financial plans regarding the council's institutional development. "This cooperation should help the VSS in the preparations for establishing the budget office and taking responsibility for financial management, which will legally pass from the Ministry of Justice to the VSS as the highest judicial body in Serbia starting January 1, 2011," Mesarovic said. "In this way, the justice system is taking responsibility for its own activities. Proper budget-funds disposal and high-quality finance management will be of crucial importance for supporting the principle of judiciary independence ", said Mesarovic. The message of the U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Mary Warlick to VSS members is that they have both the chance and the responsibility to improve the reputation of Serbian judiciary in the world. Warlick announced that the U.S will continue to support Serbian judiciary reforms through various projects, as it has done for nine years now. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the VSS and USAID in the presence of Serbian Justice Minister Snezana Malovic, and also present were all VSS members and presidents of the Serbian courts.

SERBIAN AIR FORCE ESTABLISHES OPERATIONS CENTRE
BELGRADE, April 27 (Tanjug) - The Serbian Air Force opened its centre of operations in Zemun, and the opening ceremony was attended by Defence Minister Dragan Sutanovac and Chief of the General Staff Miletic. The project was funded in part by Denmark, through a EUR 650,000 donation. Sutanovac noted that the centre will have civilian significance as well, because it will allow for swift location of aircraft that fly out of radar range and rescues of people whose lives are in danger. "It will make our sky safe, and that is necessary because our sky has to be safe along with everything else on our path towards the EU," said Sutanovac. The defence minister stated that Serbia and Denmark have a good level of cooperation regarding defence. "A large number of Danish officers has been coming to Serbia and vice versa, which is building a longlasting friendship," Sutanovac remarked. Danish Major General Kurt Mosgaard said he is very proud that Serbia has chosen Denmark to cooperate with in defence. Mosgaard said he hopes the centre will ensure quick reactions in crises, adding that Denmark works with many countries, but that it is impressed with the professionalism of Serbian officers and constantly tries to improve that cooperation.

SERBIA – ECONOMY

DJELIC: SERBIA WILL MANAGE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH IMF
BELGRADE, April 28 (Tanjug) - Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic expressed his expectation that Serbia will manage to reach an agreement with the IMF and announced that by the end of next week the government will present its plan to the international organization. On his return from Washington, where Serbia's delegation informed the IMF of the progress that was made in the first quarter of 2010, all in scope of the preparations for the talks with the IMF mission in May, Djelic said that revenue and expenditures were according to forecasts. Djelic told the Radio and Television of Serbia that the key topics of the May talks were agreed during the Washington meeting, and added that the most important issues that will discussed in Belgrade will be the evaluation of the reforms of the pension system and the law on fiscal obligations. Djelic confirmed that Serbia is expecting to receive USD 580 million from the World Bank over the next 12 months.

WB SHOULD INCREASE ENGAGEMENT WITH SERBIA
BELGRADE, April 18 (Tanjug) - Finance Minister Diana Dragutinovic has stated that an issue of increase the World Bank's (WB) activities towards Serbia by changing the present formula on available funds had been initiated with the WB. "This has been the subject of discussion for the past several years and the impression is that we will soon reach an agreement, which is very important, because credits from this source are rather favorable," Dragutinovic said for Politika. An assistance package - an amount of about USD 500 million, which has yet to be specified, was the other topic of the meeting in Washington, said Dragutinovic, specifying that the amount of USD 200 million for the budget support had been agreed. In regards to the talks with the IMF, the topics mainly included tax reform, fiscal policy and a bill on fiscal responsibility, which is in the preparation phase, said she.

SUTANOVAC: SERBIAN MILITARY INDUSTRY LARGEST IN BALKANS
BELGRADE, April 27 (Tanjug) - Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac stated that Serbian military industry will be the largest exporter in the Balkans and that contracts to the value of EUR one billion are expected to be signed this spring. A first military industry export contract worth EUR one billion is expected to be signed this spring, Sutanovac told at the end of his two-day visit to Kuwait. Talks were held with Kuwaiti officials on several projects on cooperation and export of military equipment, which will make the Serbian military industry the largest exporter in the Balkans, Sutanovac said. Serbia will thus become a systems integrator of a large part of military industry in the region, Sutanovac said. Kuwaiti officials expressed great interest in the products of the Serbian defense industry, he said, adding that a political agreement was reached regarding the return of the Serbian military industry to the Kuwaiti market. Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed told that Kuwait is well familiar with the military technology and equipment produced in Serbia, adding that he expects the signing of a number of bilateral documents soon. The Serbian delegation invited Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak to visit Serbia.

CONTRACT SIGNED FOR CORRIDOR 10 LEFT LANE
BELGRADE, April 27 (Tanjug) - Minister of Infrastructure Milutin Mrkonjic signed Tuesday a contract with representatives of Serbian construction companies consortium, which won the tender for the construction of Corridor 10 left lane. The signed contract marks the beginning of works on the highway's 110- kilometre long section. Adressing a press conference in the Serbian Government building, Mrkonjic announced that this year works will start on all remaining Corridor 10 sections, and that a total of EUR 800 billion will be invested in road infrastructure. Alongside Belgrade - based road construction company PZP, the consortium that will build the left lane of the Horgos - Novi Sad section, also includes Putevi Uzice, Planum and Borovica. The consortium offered the best tender bid of RSD 10 billion (EUR 1 = RSD 100) and construction deadline of 270 days with a 30 - day- payment deadline. The construction encompasses three semi - highway sections - from Horgos to kilometre 28 from the Hungarian - Serbian border, the section from kilometre 38 to 98 of the Horgos - Novi Sad road and the section between Kelebija and Subotica.

KUPRESAK: SANDZAK HAS A GREAT INVESTMENT POTENTIAL
NOVI PAZAR, April 28 (Tanjug) - Croatian Ambassador to Serbia Zeljko Kupresak said in Novi Pazar that Sandzak, a region in the southwest Serbia, is very tempting for Croatian investors, particularely in the areas of economy, metalprocessing industry and energy sector. Kupresak, who is visiting Sandzak in the company of about 15 representatives of Croatia's most eminent bisinesses, said that although Croatia and Serbia's relationship has its ups and downs, the cooperation between the two countries is improving. The Croatian ambassador explained that with its EUR 500 million of investments, Croatia is presently one of the three greatest investors in Serbia.