Belgrade, Jan 21, 2009 – Minister of Trade and Services Slobodan Milosavljevic said today after the Business Forum in Rome that Italian companies are interested in closer cooperation and investment in Serbia.
The event, organised in the Serbian Embassy in Rome, marking 130 years of diplomatic relations between Serbia and Italy, presented economic potential for cooperation.
He said that despite the crisis, Italian companies are ready to increase investment in Serbia, adding that Fiat is not giving up plans to produce vehicles in Kragujevac.
Italy is among Serbia’s most important foreign trade partners, he said, noting that Italian companies invested nearly $680 million in Serbia from 2000 until September 2008.
Milosavljevic said Italian partners are particularly interested in energy, traffic infrastructure, wood processing, agriculture, textile and footwear.
The event was organised by the Serbian Embassy in Rome and the Mediterranean Union’s Centre for Strategic Studies.
The main topics were foreign policy and Serbia’s European future, as well as economic and cultural cooperation and political and military issues.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Slovenia supports Serbia’s EU integration
Belgrade/Ljubljana, Jan 21, 2009 – Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic announced today in Ljubljana that at a meeting with EU officials in Brussels on January 26, Serbia will ask EU members to support the unfreezing of the Transitional Trade Agreement.
At a press conference following his meeting with his Slovenian counterpart Samuel Zbogar, Jeremic said that Serbia has Slovenia’s full support for its EU Integration process.
Having stressed that Serbia’s foreign policy priority in 2009 is the road to the EU, Jeremic noted that Slovenia will continue endorsing Serbia, adding that at the moment it is crucial to unfreeze the Transitional Trade Agreement as soon as possible, with which Zbogar fully agreed.
Jeremic added that they also discussed ways to overcome current obstacles on this path.
Speaking about bilateral relations between the two countries, he voiced his pleasure at the fact that agreement has been reached on the so-called “deleted” Slovenian citizens, amongst whom are many Serbian nationals. Namely, these citizens were denied the right to stay in Slovenia since they had not applied for Slovenian citizenship in 1991.
He added that the meeting also looked at the issue of the Serbian language as an optional subject in Slovenian schools, noting that he and Zbogar agreed that to solve this issue in 2009.
I am optimistic when it comes to bilateral relations between Serbia and Slovenia, concluded Jeremic.
Zbogar said that Slovenia strongly supports Serbia’s EU aspirations and recalled that having signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, Serbia must work on unfreezing the Transitional Trade Agreement.
He voiced his belief that Serbia will achieve visa liberalisation this year and fulfil all the preconditions for its EU accession, adding that Slovenia will advocate for Serbia within the EU.
Zbogar said that the countries will soon find a solution for the problem of Serbian companies whose property remained in Slovenia after the break up of Yugoslavia and announced that a meeting concerning this issue will be held in Belgrade in March.
He pointed out that the process of granting permanent residence has already started in Slovenia.
Zbogar said that bilateral relations between Serbia and Slovenia are very good, adding that they should be even better in 2009, especially in economic term.
Jeremic also met with Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor. In the afternoon the Minister will meet with Slovenian President Danilo Türk and Foreign Policy Committee Chairman Ivo Vajgl.
At a press conference following his meeting with his Slovenian counterpart Samuel Zbogar, Jeremic said that Serbia has Slovenia’s full support for its EU Integration process.
Having stressed that Serbia’s foreign policy priority in 2009 is the road to the EU, Jeremic noted that Slovenia will continue endorsing Serbia, adding that at the moment it is crucial to unfreeze the Transitional Trade Agreement as soon as possible, with which Zbogar fully agreed.
Jeremic added that they also discussed ways to overcome current obstacles on this path.
Speaking about bilateral relations between the two countries, he voiced his pleasure at the fact that agreement has been reached on the so-called “deleted” Slovenian citizens, amongst whom are many Serbian nationals. Namely, these citizens were denied the right to stay in Slovenia since they had not applied for Slovenian citizenship in 1991.
He added that the meeting also looked at the issue of the Serbian language as an optional subject in Slovenian schools, noting that he and Zbogar agreed that to solve this issue in 2009.
I am optimistic when it comes to bilateral relations between Serbia and Slovenia, concluded Jeremic.
Zbogar said that Slovenia strongly supports Serbia’s EU aspirations and recalled that having signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, Serbia must work on unfreezing the Transitional Trade Agreement.
He voiced his belief that Serbia will achieve visa liberalisation this year and fulfil all the preconditions for its EU accession, adding that Slovenia will advocate for Serbia within the EU.
Zbogar said that the countries will soon find a solution for the problem of Serbian companies whose property remained in Slovenia after the break up of Yugoslavia and announced that a meeting concerning this issue will be held in Belgrade in March.
He pointed out that the process of granting permanent residence has already started in Slovenia.
Zbogar said that bilateral relations between Serbia and Slovenia are very good, adding that they should be even better in 2009, especially in economic term.
Jeremic also met with Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor. In the afternoon the Minister will meet with Slovenian President Danilo Türk and Foreign Policy Committee Chairman Ivo Vajgl.
Kosovo security forces not in accordance with Resolution 1244
Belgrade, Jan 21, 2009 – Minister for Kosovo-Metohija Goran Bogdanovic today stated that the Serbian government will do all it can to prevent Kosovo security forces to operate in Kosovo-Metohija, as they can only destabilise the situation in the province and work against Serbs and other non-Albanians.
At a press conference held at the government building, Bogdanovic said that the government will oppose any further developing of these forces, through diplomatic means.
According to him, Serbs in the province are now afraid that these forces could develop into a military power which will work against them.
The Minister recalled that Serbs had very bad experiences with the Kosovo Liberation Army and the Kosovo Protection Corps and pointed out that there is no difference between these groups and the recently formed Kosovo security forces.
He stressed that the formation of these forces violates Resolution 1244, according to which only one military formation, KFOR, can operate in the province.
Bogdanovic reiterated that peace and stability in the region can only be achieved by demilitarising the entire province.
The Minister stressed that Belgrade will not form any Serbian security forces in Kosovo-Metohija, as it would only increase tension in the southern Serbian province.
Bogdanovic noted that there are between 350,000 and 400,000 weapons in Kosovo in private possession, which could be used against Serbs, as was done on March 17, 2004.
He said that the ministry will continue its diplomatic and legal battle for Kosovo within international institutions and at the same time economically strengthen Serbian and other non-Albanian ethnic communities.
This will be done by improving the economy and employment, he said.
He said that the ministry allocated nearly RSD 4 billion for Kosovo, which is almost one-third less than last year.
Despite that, we will continue to finance the return of Serbs and help socially imperilled families and those families of the kidnapped and displaced, Bogdanovic said.
The Ministry will continue to give legal support regarding the return of confiscated property, as well as assistance in education and health care, he said.
We will also work on solving the power supply problems and the construction of rural roads and other infrastructure in Serbian communities, the Minister announced.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Ministry of Economy, Regional Development to hold press conference
The Ministry of Economy and Regional Development will hold a press conference on January 21 at 11 am, at the government press room, Nemanjina 11.
State Secretary for Tourism at the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development Goran Petkovic and acting director of public company Skijalista Srbije Nebojsa Skoric will speak about the work of the company and the Ministry’s tourism department in 2008 and plans for 2009.
State Secretary for Tourism at the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development Goran Petkovic and acting director of public company Skijalista Srbije Nebojsa Skoric will speak about the work of the company and the Ministry’s tourism department in 2008 and plans for 2009.
Partizan upset European champions to progress to Euroleague Top 16
Moscow, RUSSIA, January 14, 2008 - Partizan Belgrade have ensured their place in the Top 16 phase of the basketball Euroleague by beating the competition’s reigning champions CSKA in Moscow - 66-63 (18-14, 12-15, 13-16, 23-18).
Besides Partizan, the three other teams to qualify for the next phase are CSKA Moscow, who topped Group D, second-placed Real Madrid and Armani Jeans Milano.
Milenko Tepic (13) and Aleksandar Rasic (13) were the best scorers for Partizan, while Erazem Lorbek added 23 for CSKA.
The matches of the second stage of the Euroleague are scheduled to be played 28 January through 12 March. The two top teams of the four groups will qualify for the quarter-finals.
Besides Partizan, the three other teams to qualify for the next phase are CSKA Moscow, who topped Group D, second-placed Real Madrid and Armani Jeans Milano. Milenko Tepic (13) and Aleksandar Rasic (13) were the best scorers for Partizan, while Erazem Lorbek added 23 for CSKA.
The matches of the second stage of the Euroleague are scheduled to be played 28 January through 12 March. The two top teams of the four groups will qualify for the quarter-finals.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Another victory for Partizan
Source: Euroleague.net, Wednesday, January 07, 2009
GAME REPORT
Partizan 80 - 57 Panionios On Telecoms
Following the lead of a precocious teenage talent, Partizan rejoined the race to reach the Top 16 from Group D by eliminating direct rival Panionios On Telecoms 80-57 before another sellout crowd in Belgrade, Serbia on Wednesday. Partizan improved to 4-5 and will tie for third place at the end of this round but cannot mathematically advance to the Top 16 this week due to its tie-break disadvantage against Armani Jeans Milano. Meanwhile, Panionios went down to 3-6 and is all but out of the Top 16 because of its tie-break disadvantages against Efes Pilsen and Partizan. Teenage sensation Jan Vesely paced the winners with 19 points and 10 rebounds, scoring 11 in a 30-9 first-quarter that set Partizan on its winning way. Stephane Lasme and Uros Tripkovic each added 12 points, Milenko Tepic had 11 while Slavko Vranes pulled down 13 boards for Partizan. Aaron Miles led Panionios with 14 points. Ivan Zoroski added 12, Lonny Baxter had 11 while Branko Cvetkovic got 10 for the guests. Vesely had 9 of his points during a 20-0 run in the middle of the first quarter that had the fans at Pionir Arena out of their seats for the rest of the game. Miles and Baxter brought Panionios back to life, 44-33, at halftime, but Partizan shut the guests without any points for 6 minutes after the break and kept a safe lead all the way until the final buzzer.
Vesely slammed an offensive rebound to open the scoring, but layups by Baxter around a triple by Cvetkovic boosted Panionios to a 2-7 lead. Vesely scored again from the baseline, Lasme joined him with an athletic basket and the teenager threw down a loose-ball dunk as the hosts went ahead 8-7. Novica Velickovic kept the Partizan run going then Aleksandar Rasic hit Vesely for a fastbreak dunk and free throw that meant a 13-7 lead and a Panionios timeout. Partizan wasn't finished, however. Lasme hit a nifty reverse, Vesely made both his technical free throws and Milenko Tepic blasted a triple on the ensuing possession. Then Lasme finished the 20-0 run with free throws as Partizan's lead hit 22-7 before Miles ended Panionios's misery with a jump shot. Uros Tripkovic and Petar Bozic joined the fun with back-to-back three-pointers off the bench as Partizan took complete control, 30-9 after one quarter.
Panionios came out a different team for the second quarter, forcing Partizan into 3 quick turnovers, a pair of which Dimos Dikoudis and Zoroski coverted as three-pointers in a 0-10 run to make it 30-19. Vesely ended the Partizan slide with a great cut, basket and free throw to make it 33-19, but Miles and Zoroski kept Panionios running to within 33-24. Vesely and Lasme got to the line to make 5 out of 6 free throws before Tripkovic blasted again from the arc at 41-26. On the next possession, after another offensive rebound, Rasic hit from long-range to again push the lead near 20 points, but Miles and Baxter combined for the last 7 points of the quarter to limit the halftime difference to 44-33.
The third quarter started quietly until Velickovic fed Slavko Vranes for a dunk and Baxter hit the Panionios bench with his fourth foul. The score stuck at 46-33 until midway through the quarter, when Tepic added a three-pointer to the lead. When Tripkovic pulled up and nailed an in-your-face triple, it was suddenly 52-33 and Panionios had still not scored in the quarter. Its irst pointsfinally came on an inbounds play under the basket, with Cvetkovic scoring a layup and free throw. Lasme and Cvetkovic traded baskets, the the former fed Vesely for another baseline dunk at 56-38. Panionios was able to trim the next 4 points off the difference, but Rasic ended the quarter from downtown with Partizan up 59-42.
Panionios needed a quick comeback to return to the game and Cvetkovic tried to ignite it with a mid-range jumper. Partizan stayed aggressive in defense, however, while a three-pointer by Bozic fired up the crowd at 62-44. Panionios used to use short possessions, even shooting in transition. Meanwhile, free throws by Vranes and another triple by Bozic - exactly from the same spot - sealed the outcome, 67-44, with under 7 minutes remaining. Both teams kept fighting for points differential, in what will surely be a critical issue in Group D. Partizan kept going to the foul line often and kept a considerable lead until the final minutes. Partizan fans were already celebrating not only a big win that gets the team closer to its Top 16 dream, but that a new star is born at Pionir Arena.
GAME REPORT
Partizan 80 - 57 Panionios On Telecoms
Following the lead of a precocious teenage talent, Partizan rejoined the race to reach the Top 16 from Group D by eliminating direct rival Panionios On Telecoms 80-57 before another sellout crowd in Belgrade, Serbia on Wednesday. Partizan improved to 4-5 and will tie for third place at the end of this round but cannot mathematically advance to the Top 16 this week due to its tie-break disadvantage against Armani Jeans Milano. Meanwhile, Panionios went down to 3-6 and is all but out of the Top 16 because of its tie-break disadvantages against Efes Pilsen and Partizan. Teenage sensation Jan Vesely paced the winners with 19 points and 10 rebounds, scoring 11 in a 30-9 first-quarter that set Partizan on its winning way. Stephane Lasme and Uros Tripkovic each added 12 points, Milenko Tepic had 11 while Slavko Vranes pulled down 13 boards for Partizan. Aaron Miles led Panionios with 14 points. Ivan Zoroski added 12, Lonny Baxter had 11 while Branko Cvetkovic got 10 for the guests. Vesely had 9 of his points during a 20-0 run in the middle of the first quarter that had the fans at Pionir Arena out of their seats for the rest of the game. Miles and Baxter brought Panionios back to life, 44-33, at halftime, but Partizan shut the guests without any points for 6 minutes after the break and kept a safe lead all the way until the final buzzer.
Vesely slammed an offensive rebound to open the scoring, but layups by Baxter around a triple by Cvetkovic boosted Panionios to a 2-7 lead. Vesely scored again from the baseline, Lasme joined him with an athletic basket and the teenager threw down a loose-ball dunk as the hosts went ahead 8-7. Novica Velickovic kept the Partizan run going then Aleksandar Rasic hit Vesely for a fastbreak dunk and free throw that meant a 13-7 lead and a Panionios timeout. Partizan wasn't finished, however. Lasme hit a nifty reverse, Vesely made both his technical free throws and Milenko Tepic blasted a triple on the ensuing possession. Then Lasme finished the 20-0 run with free throws as Partizan's lead hit 22-7 before Miles ended Panionios's misery with a jump shot. Uros Tripkovic and Petar Bozic joined the fun with back-to-back three-pointers off the bench as Partizan took complete control, 30-9 after one quarter.
Panionios came out a different team for the second quarter, forcing Partizan into 3 quick turnovers, a pair of which Dimos Dikoudis and Zoroski coverted as three-pointers in a 0-10 run to make it 30-19. Vesely ended the Partizan slide with a great cut, basket and free throw to make it 33-19, but Miles and Zoroski kept Panionios running to within 33-24. Vesely and Lasme got to the line to make 5 out of 6 free throws before Tripkovic blasted again from the arc at 41-26. On the next possession, after another offensive rebound, Rasic hit from long-range to again push the lead near 20 points, but Miles and Baxter combined for the last 7 points of the quarter to limit the halftime difference to 44-33.
The third quarter started quietly until Velickovic fed Slavko Vranes for a dunk and Baxter hit the Panionios bench with his fourth foul. The score stuck at 46-33 until midway through the quarter, when Tepic added a three-pointer to the lead. When Tripkovic pulled up and nailed an in-your-face triple, it was suddenly 52-33 and Panionios had still not scored in the quarter. Its irst pointsfinally came on an inbounds play under the basket, with Cvetkovic scoring a layup and free throw. Lasme and Cvetkovic traded baskets, the the former fed Vesely for another baseline dunk at 56-38. Panionios was able to trim the next 4 points off the difference, but Rasic ended the quarter from downtown with Partizan up 59-42.
Panionios needed a quick comeback to return to the game and Cvetkovic tried to ignite it with a mid-range jumper. Partizan stayed aggressive in defense, however, while a three-pointer by Bozic fired up the crowd at 62-44. Panionios used to use short possessions, even shooting in transition. Meanwhile, free throws by Vranes and another triple by Bozic - exactly from the same spot - sealed the outcome, 67-44, with under 7 minutes remaining. Both teams kept fighting for points differential, in what will surely be a critical issue in Group D. Partizan kept going to the foul line often and kept a considerable lead until the final minutes. Partizan fans were already celebrating not only a big win that gets the team closer to its Top 16 dream, but that a new star is born at Pionir Arena.
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