Djokovic, Zimonjic win Paris Masters

Paris, FRANCE, November 15, 2009 - Third-seeded Novak Djokovic of Serbia has won his first Paris Masters title by defeating Gael Monfils of France 6-2, 5-7, 7-6 (3).Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning his final match against Gael Monfils Photo: AFP
At 6-2, 3-0 up Djokovic appeared to be cruising toward his first Paris Masters title, but the home favourite found his way back into the match.

The 22-year-old Serb again looked set for victory when he led 4-1 in the decider but again Monfils battled back to level at 4-4 and the final went all the way to a tie-break.

Djokovic led from the start in that, bagged an early mini-break and held on to clinch the title in two hours and 45 minutes when Monfils double faulted with the Serb 6-3 ahead.

Serbia's Nenad Zimonjic and his partner Daniel Nestor of Canada won their ninth title of the season, defeating Spaniards Marcello Granollers and Tommy Robredo 6-3, 6-4 at the Paris Masters.

International bodies must react to registration of entry into Kosovo-Metohija

The Serbian Ministry for Kosovo-Metohija stated today that it has urgently contacted representatives of the international community, EU and the UN in Kosovo-Metohija, about the registration of entry into the southern province at some administrative line checkpoints.

According to the statement, they are aware of the situation and the Ministry has pointed to the fact that this is unacceptable and opposed to the decrees of the UN and Security Council Resolution 1244.

The Ministry has demanded from the representatives of the international community to react urgently to put a stop to such provocative actions and to ensure that similar occurrences do not take place in the future.

Such moves can only further complicate an already complex situation in Kosovo-Metohija and are a deliberate attempt to pressurize the Serbian community, particularly those living south of the Ibar, concludes the statement.

Tadić, Berlusconi open Serbia-Italy summit

Source: B92, FoNet, Tanjug





ROME -- Serbian PM Mirko Cvetković and his Italian counterpart Silvio Berlusconi signed on Friday in Rome a Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership.

The signing ceremony was also attended by Serbian President Boris Tadić.

The declaration was signed as part of the Serbia-Italy summit attended by the prime ministers of the two states and the Serbian president, as well as nine Serbian cabinet minister and their Italian counterpart.

The document signed today envisages support for acceleration of Serbia's EU integration, privileged bilateral relations and exchange of experts in all sectors.

The first summit organized between the two countries started today with a meeting between Tadić and Berlusconi.

Three memorandums on cooperation with Italian regions, and a number of agreements covering energy, infrastructure, agriculture, culture, education, military cooperation, internal affairs and environment sectors, are also to be signed.

Earlier in the day, Tadić said he had received support from Italy for Greek PM Giorgios Papandreu's plan to have all the Western Balkan countries in EU in 2014.

"Serbia considers EU membership to be an irreplaceable strategic goal and we expect that the Greek plan and the plan of its prime minister, 'Agenda 2014', will be realized for the whole of the Balkans. We have gained Italy's support on this issue," stated Tadić.

"Italy supports Serbia's EU integration with all its might," said he.

Tadic congratulated Nadja Higl

Serbian President Boris Tadic congratulated Serbian swimmer Nadja Higl for her victory in 200m breaststroke in the finals of the World Cup in small pools in Stockholm. She won gold medal and set a new state record having swum the section in 2 minutes, 18 seconds and 54 hundredths.

European Parliament favours visa free regime for Serbia from Dec 19

European Parliament MPs today adopted the report proposing that EU interior ministers abolish visas for the citizens of Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia starting from December 19. The declaration from the report, which the Parliament’s rapporteur for visa liberalisation Tanya Fayon read before the voting, says that Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia have met all the conditions for visa abolishment, adding that the Parliament proposes they should be exempt from visa requirements as of December 19.

A total of 550 MPs voted in favour of the resolution proposal, 51 were against it and 37 abstained from voting.

The European Parliament resolution is consultative in nature and is in the form of a political recommendation, while the final decision on visa abolishment will be made by the EU Council of Ministers before November 30.

The declaration adds that other Western Balkan states should also be exempt from Schengen visa requirements, including Bosnia-Herzegovina and Albania, as soon as they meet the conditions from the roadmap.

Deputy Prime Minister for EU integration Bozidar Djelic and European Commission Vice President Jacques Barrot also attended the voting, after which Djelic stated that the adoption of the European Parliament’s resolution on visa abolishment is an important day for Serbia’s EU integration process.

This shows that there are no more doubts about the Western Balkan’s European future, Djelic said noting that 86% of MPs voted in favour of the proposal, which is much more than expected.

We have been waiting more than 18 years for this day and the applause that followed came from all parties, the left and the right wing, the greens and the democrats, from people who might hold a different opinion about many issues, but this shows that the entire Europe endorses visa liberalisation for our country. This is a huge success for our citizens and I sincerely congratulate them on it, the Deputy Prime Minister concluded.

Djokovic rules Basel, Federer in misery

Author: Blic online | Foto: Reuter

Serbia’s top tennis player wins Swiss star’s hometown event

Novak Djokovic rules Basel. The Serbian tennis star played one of his best matches yesterday when he beat Roger Federer in the final of Basel, hometown of the Swiss tennis giant. In the hostile environment of the cram-packed St Jakob arena in Basel, Djokovic faced not only the world’s number one, but also Federer’s ardent supporters. The 6-4 4-6 6-2 win was fought out after 151 minutes of play, while the Serb crowned his performance with a terrific display in the third set.

The two have now met 14 times, while Federer leads 9-5 in head-to-head career wins over Djokovic. Nonetheless, the Serb is now 3-2 up in clashes with Federer in 2009. Basel has come as Djokovic’s fourth title of the season after the trophies from the events in Dubai, Belgrade and Beijing, and 15th career title. Djokovic was awarded with €291,700 and additional 500 ATP points for the win at Basel, and now trails Rafael Nadal in the ATP Race by only 455 points ahead of the Paris tournament, which all guarantees a thrilling closure to the season.
- “I wish to thank all of those who participated in the organization of this event. Also, thank you for the hospitality you have shown not only towards me, but also my team and family. The number of people who have supported me has made me feel at home. I will be here next year, no doubt,” Novak said upon being handed the Basel champion’s trophy.
Federer, who had been aiming to set a record with four consecutive wins at the event in his home country, had to settle for the runner-up place.
- “All credit to Novak on his win, I wish him all the best in the rest of the season. I really love to play here in Switzerland, especially at this event and I have to thank the fans for their exceptional support. Big thanks to all my townsmen and I promise to return next year,” said Federer.
Djokovic had known before the final the key to success in Basel was great serving. He was forced to get the best of his first shot in every serve game and press the Swiss as hard as he could. Djokovic excelled in the opening set and Federer was miles away from getting a break opportunity by the time it was 4-4 in the first set. Then the Serb played one of the best games in the match to break his opponent after converting the third opportunity to take the 5-4 lead.
Federer’s reputation precedes the great champion and the Swiss came out strong when it mattered. Novak knew he would have to be at his best in the following game as the two aces cancelled each other in a game which lasted over 20 minutes. Although Federer had five chances to rebreak and restore parity, Djokovic showed he had nerves of steel and converted the seventh set point to win the set 6-4.
Support for Federer increased in the St Jakob arena, but it was Djokovic who opened the second set on top. He instantly broke Federer, won the next game at his own serve and looked to be on his way of winning the final match. However, Federer proved his merit and found a way out of the grim situation. The current king of tennis went on a series of 3 games and the set was again in the balance. The Swiss kept his nerve in the deciding moments of the set and had two set points at Djokovic’s serve. He blew the first one but converted the second one to level the overall score after 93 minutes of play.
After winning the second set, Federer had the psychological edge over his opponent and was expected to go for a more offensive approach carried by the magnificent support from the home fans. Against all odds, Djokovic produced arguably his finest set of the year and swept past the Swiss in the decider. The Serb went 4-0 up and all Federer could do was to win a couple of his serve games.

Zimonjic, Nestor win doubles trophy
Serbian tennis player Nenad Zimonjic and Canada’s Daniel Nestor have won the doubles event at Basel. The two beat their great rivals – Bob and Mike Bryan of the USA – in the final, earning the trophy with a convincing 6-2 6-3 win. This is Zimonjic and Nestor’s eighth title of the season.

The win in Basel has brought Zimonjic and Nestor 500 ATP points and further €71,500 worth of prize money.
Zimonjic and Nestor were strong straight from the blocks and broke their opposition in the first game. The pair maintained their own serve and broke the Bryan twins again to make it 5-2 in the opening set. The rest was formality.
In the second set, the Serb and the Canadian broke the American pair to come to a 2-1 lead, but Bob and Mike Bryan bounced back to overturn the score to 3-2 in their advantage. Still, that was all the American pair could come up with in the final, as Zimonjic and Nestor won all the remaining games in the set and claimed the Basel doubles title.

Turkish president starts Serbia visit

Source: Beta, Tanjug
BELGRADE -- Turkish President Abdullah Gul met with his Serbian counterpart Boris Tadić to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries.Gul and tadić in Belgrade on Monday (Beta)

The two presidents appraised that these relations are at a "strategic partnership level".

After meeting with Tadić in Belgrade, Gul said that Serbia and Turkey "exist as good neighbors even though they do not share a border".

He said that Turkish companies are very interested in projects in Serbia, such as Corridor 10, because “Belgrade and Serbia are located at a key position in the Balkans”.

"As long as Serbia and Turkey support solving the same problems, there will be peace in the Balkans," Gul said, adding that the two countries have relations that are based "both on friendship and security".

The Turkish leader stated that an agreement to cut taxes and establish free trade, which will take effect at the end of the year, and several other agreements signed between the two countries on Monday, will be of great importance to Belgrade and Ankara.

Tadić said that Gul’s visit opens up space for "further cooperation and better friendship between Serbia and Turkey".

“In the past we have had many disagreements, but we want to see out future full of understanding and friendship,” Tadić said after the meeting.

He added that Turkey and Serbia are vital countries to all problems concerning the region.

In talks with Gul, whose country has recognized the Kosovo Albanian unilateral independence proclamation, Tadić repeated that Serbia will never recognize that act, and that it will fight through diplomatic and legal avenues to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Disagreements over Kosovo cannot be allowed to disrupt our relations,” Tadić was quoted as saying.

He also stated that the two countries "support each other in their European integration processes".

Also in Belgrade on Monday, department ministers of Serbia and Turkey signed five bilateral interstate agreements in Belgrade on Monday.

Serbian Minister of Economy and Regional Development Mlađan Dinkić and Turkish Minister of Labor and Social Security Omer Dincer signed the Agreement on cooperation in the area of infrastructural projects and Agreement on economic cooperation.

Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić and Turkish State Minister Faruk Celik signed the Agreement on technical and financial cooperation.

Serbian Minister of Labor and Social Policy Rasim Ljajić and his Turkish counterpart Omer Dincer signed two agreements in the area of social security.

Trade with Turkey to improve

Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković and Turkish President Abdullah Gul agreed that there is great potential for improving trade between the two countries.

After their meeting in Belgrade on Monday, the two said that good bilateral relations between Serbia and Turkey are important to regional cooperation and that all forms of cooperation need to be improved, according to a statement from the Serbian government.

It was stated at the meeting that Turkey has showed great interest in the realization of several very important infrastructure projects in Serbia.

Economy and Regional Development Minister Mlađan Dinkić and Turkish Labor and Social Security Minister Omer Dincer signed an agreement on Monday for economic cooperation and one for cooperation in the field of infrastructure, based on long-term plans.

The agreement for cooperation in the field of transportation development and other infrastructure on the local, regional and national level, calls for the securing of favorable conditions for financing these projects.

The project for construction and restoring the road from Novi Pazar to Tutin and Novi Pazar to Sjenica/Aljinovići have been listed as priorities, as well as the construction and restoration of roadside buildings on those roads, that span a distance of 65.99 kilometers.

The money for construction the roads will be secured by Turkish Exim bank, which will finance 85 percent of the total value of the projects and secure credit of USD 30mn, and 15 percent of the value of the project will be financed from the Serbian budget.

The agreement also calls for the Turkish companies hiring Serbian workers for the jobs and to have Serbian producers supply the equipment and material needed.

54th International Book Fair opened in Belgrade

Belgrade, Oct 26, 2009 – Writer Dragan Velikic, winner of the magazine NIN’s award for the best novel of 2008, this evening opened the 54th International Book Fair in Belgrade. Visitors were welcomed by writer Tanasos Valtinostokom, on behalf of the fair’s guest of honour, Greece.
The fair will gather exhibitors from 24 countries, including Sweden, Japan, Canada, Russia, Germany. France, Italy, Austria, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Israel, Brazil, Iran and countries of the region.

As of this year, the fair has a new exhibition concept, consisting of separate areas for publishers and for libraries. That is why this year in Hall 1 publishers will exhibit only their editions.

Serbia close to concluding loan agreement with China

Belgrade/Cavtat, Oct 20, 2009 – Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Regional Development Mladjan Dinkic said today that Serbia is very close to concluding talks with China concerning a €200 million loan.

In a statement to Reuters from an economic forum in Cavtat, Dinkic said that Serbia will obtain the loan under very favourable conditions.

He said that the loan is to be paid back over 15 years with a five year grace period and a fixed interest rate of 3%. The loan agreement will come into effect next year and the funds will be used for infrastructure projects.

Belgrade restores power to northern Kosovo

Source: B92, Beta
KOSOVSKA MITROVICA, BELGRADE -- Electricity has been restored to the residents of the predominantly Serb-populated northern Kosovo today at 11:00 CET.

This came after the Kosovo electric company, KEK, cut them off at 17:00 on Monday.

In Belgrade, the Ministry of Energy has ordered Elektromreža Srbije (Electric Grid of Serbia, EMS) and Serbian power company EPS to secure electricity deliveries for the north of the province, Beta news agency reported.

The power is being delivered from central Serbia via the 110 kilowatt power line from Novi Pazar to Valač in the north, that will make sure that priority users are not left without electricity.

The north also has own power supply from the Gazivode hydro power plant, the ministry stated.

These measures, the ministry explained, will still see power cuts when consumption reaches its peak, but a humanitarian catastrophe that was looming with hospitals and schools left in the dark has been averted.

UN mission in the province, UNMIK, reportedly referred to KEK power cuts as "irresponsible behavior".

Kosovsko-Mitrovski District chief Radenko Nedeljković was quoted as saying by Beta that EPS workers will start reading the meters in households in the north today, and that residents will start with payments in a month's time.

He also noted that the issue of the power supply to the north of Kosovo has been politicized, and that KEK had given an ultimatum. Nedeljković continued to say that both that company and the temporary Kosovo Albanian authorities in Priština are trying to "integrate the north into the Kosovo institutions".

Earlier, Nedeljković stated that KEK employees tried to take over the main transformer station in the village of Valač but that "Serbs would not let them do that at any cost". He also points out that Serbs are considering counter-measures.

“We have water, but we'll see if we can counter KEK when it comes to water supply.”

Bilateral relations between Serbia, Russia on upward scale

Belgrade, Oct 20, 2009 – Serbian President Boris Tadic stated following today’s meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that bilateral relations between their countries have been on the upward scale for years, adding that there is mutual understanding in all relevant domains.
Dmitry Medvedev, left, and Boris Tadic
Photo: Fonet
At a joint press conference following the meeting with Medvedev at the Serbian Government Palace, Tadic stated that Serbia has met with a positive response from the Russian President and Prime Minister regarding Russia’s support in the time of crisis and also for the realisation of the South Stream gas pipeline project.

Tadic said that his meeting with Medvedev was of historic importance, adding that Serbia is expanding economic relations with Russia, which is vital to the development of both the Serbian and the European economy.

He voiced his gratitude to Medvedev for Russia’s principled support to Serbia in the defence of its sovereignty and territorial integrity in Kosovo-Metohija.

Tadic stressed that Serbia will never recognise Kosovo. He said that this policy will never change and that Serbia will continue to insist on the observance of international law.

We will peacefully await the decision of the International Court of Justice and after that we will be ready for talks with the representatives of Kosovo Albanians about a viable solution, but we will never recognise Kosovo, said Tadic.

He said that many areas of cooperation were identified at the meeting, such as the establishment of emergency response centres in Nis and investments in road and rail infrastructure.

He said that there is a possibility of building new harbours on the Danube and scope for making new investments in the energy sector.

Russia today is one of the most influential countries in the world and it is not possible to solve problems without the participation of all major powers, said Tadic

He said that the global economic crisis can also turn into a security challenge because of which building new economic structures is very important.

Tadic said that he is pleased that his meeting with Medvedev took place on the anniversary of Belgrade Liberation Day, when the two countries had fought together against fascism, adding that relations between Serbia and Russia were always based on mutual support and solidarity.

He said that recently an official document was discovered in Serbia which shows that cooperation and friendly contact between the Russian and Serbian nations date back to 1509, showing a spirit of cooperation five centuries old.

Medvedev said that the negotiations held today were excellent and that bilateral cooperation of Russia and Serbia is developing since there are many new projects that tie the two countries.

He stressed that Russia will continue to support Serbia on the issues of Kosovo and EU integration and reiterated that his country will continue to defend sovereignty of Serbia and will respect other decisions that Serbia makes.

Russia and Serbia have similar positions regarding international relations and the situation in Europe, Medvedev said and added that Russia is ready to talk to everyone about their initiative for a new security system in Europe.

The Russian President said that the economic development of the two countries and the energy safety of Europe depend on the success of Russia’s and Serbia’s strategic cooperation on the construction of the South Stream gas pipeline and the Banatski Dvor storage facility.

He said that he talked with Tadic about energy safety and issues related to transport and alternative energy, which will be further dealt with by Russian and Serbian companies.

Speaking about energy projects, Medvedev referred to several great projects, such as modernisation of the Serbian oil company Naftna Industrija Srbije, which can become a regional leader in the energy sector, and the construction of Banatski Dvor gas storage facility. He also referred to some projects from the field of transport.

Apart from economic cooperation, Medvedev also underlined the importance of bilateral cooperation in other spheres, such as culture. He said that next year the Days of Serbian Culture will be held in Russia, and in 2011, Days of Russian Culture will be held in Serbia.

Medvedev also expressed great satisfaction with the fact that he visited Belgrade on the day of its liberation from the Fascist occupying forces.

Regardless of who is at the head of our states, that day will always connect us. That is when we fought together for liberation and for building our independent states, the President of Russia concluded.

Ethnic Albanians push for "region" in south

Source: Tanjug
PREŠEVO -- Ethnic Albanian councilors in Serbia's south have launched an initiative to form Albanian regional institutions and a separate region of Preševo Valley.

A political declaration, adopted in an assembly of councilors of Preševo, Medveđa and Bujanovac, reminds that this initiative comes "in the spirit of the political platform of January 2006".

Albanians from the south of central Serbia wish to speed up talks between the government and "legitimate Albanian institutions and political representatives of the three municipalities, with international mediation, in order to accelerate the political process renewed in March this year, in line with the most progressive regional and European standards".

Riza Halimi, MP and leader of the PDD, in power in Bujanovac, but no longer in Preševo, told Tanjug news agency that this document "confirms the declaration from 2006".

"The latest document is also an answer to an irresponsible approach that the government of Serbia has to the problems of Albanians in the south of Serbia," said he, and explained that the Albanian councilors' assembly has 59 members.

The declaration also calls for proportional representation of Albanians in state structures and organs, public institutions, "and especially in local and border police".

The documents insists on finding an acceptable solution to recognizing diplomas issued in Priština after February 2008, when Kosovo's ethnic Albanians unilaterally declared secession.

It once again calls for Albanians arrested in Preševo in December 2008 on terrorism charges to be released from custody, and to have their case "processed within international legal mechanisms, since it is evident that the question has been politicized", and says that all members of the so-called Preševo, Bujanovac and Medveđa Liberation Army (OVPMB; UCPMB) "are being incriminated without exception".

The armed group launched numerous attacks in the area from 1999 until 2001, seeking to join the three municipalities to Kosovo.

The local ethnic councilors expressed "doubt" that the process against the captured members, accused of 1999 crimes committed in Gjilane, in the east of Kosovo, "would be legitimate".

The political declaration came after First Deputy PM and Interior Minister Ivica Dačić met with political representatives of local Albanians.

Dačić told Tanjug on Sunday that he had met with the leaders last week, "aiming to maintain political stability and security", and that the talks would continue.

“The talks were good and will be continued. I wish our security forces in the south to have understanding and support of citizens, but I also want us all to join forces against crime, corruption, because it is in the interest of all,” Dačić said in an interview with Tanjug.

He reiterated that the Serbian police (MUP) elite Gendarmerie force will be present in the south "until the situation gets fully stabilized".

Dačić pointed out the need for joint engagement on stabilization of the situation in the south, because, he said, "there is security and intelligence information, provided by Western services, on existence of certain groups in Kosovo and Metohija that originate from the area and who wish to destabilize the region".

The minister did not reveal the names of the Albanian leaders he met with, but the meeting came after the recent incidents, including an attack and wounding of two Gendarmes near Bujanovac, and a bomb planted in front of a residential building in Preševo.

The southern region is home to the largest ethnic Albanian population in the country outside of Kosovo itself.

Serbian junior basketball team European champions

The Serbian junior basketball team won the European championship in Metz, France, last night, beating their hosts 78:72. This has been the eighth gold medal for the national junior team, which has never lost in the finals yet. France won silver medal and Turkey bronze medal, after beating Lithuania 95:74.