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.

Champion swimmer gets keys to apartment

Source: B92
BELGRADE -- Serbia's champion swimmer Milorad Čavić today received the keys to his news apartment in Belgrade.


This was another Fund B92 project, which brought together sponsors through a campaign dubbed, "Čavić for a neighbor".

The 84-sq meter apartment was purchased with the money gathered from the sponsors.

Fund B92 President and B92 Editor-in-Chief Veran Matić explained today that the fund wished to help all those “who wanted to enable this young man who came from the country of his birth to his homeland, to have a home and decent living and working conditions in his country”.

Matić reminded that B92 has had much success with connecting people with good intentions and those able to make a difference, and this time, the project began with the campaign promoted with a video clip.

Matić explained that the clip was broadcast several times in December 2008.

“Very quickly, we got to some donors who made it possible for us to give this 84 sq meter apartment, which was built five years ago, to Čavić to use for the rest of his life,” he said.

The B92 editor-in-chief added that the campaign received assistance from President Boris Tadić, who invested his authority in the bid to secure housing for the champion.

He also thanked donators from various companies that participated, and mentioned Simpo, the Serbian Building Directorate, Mladenovac Ceramics, Espana Ceramics, Polymit, Minotti, Sika and Eglo Lighting.

“Milorad himself said that the world record of Nađa Higl inspired him, and all of them together probably inspired the water polo players, while the water polo players inspired the basketball team,” Matić said in reference to a string of sporting victories achieved by Serbia's athletes last week.

“It is important to spread the positive vibe. I hope that we will continue with this gesture to spread this spirit of success and positive gestures, and that we will be able to create institutional conditions for the development of talent, professionals and amateurs, but to also create an infrastructure so that the results do not come a surprise,” Matić said.

He reminded that although everyone is ready to enjoy the victories and identify with them, when the results are not good, it is easy to forget all of the success that people previously identified with.

“We wanted to participate without any calculation in offering a positive message that work pays off, while in order to improve exceptional results, at least the elementary living and working conditions are necessary. We tried, together, to return a little to the exceptional person that is Milorad Čavić and award his expectional results,” Matić said.

B92 Sports Editor-in-Chief Zoran Panjković attended the ceremony today as well.

“From Dublin, when you first started visiting the winners’ stand, to Helsinki, Eindhoven, to Beijing, Rijeka and Rome," he addressed Čavić in a piece that aired on B92, "when you are in the water or outside in your shirt on the stand, and when you are hundreds of a second short, and the slow motion slows you down too much, and when you prove to Serbia that it is not impossible to be number one, and when you show the world Serbia's beautiful side, we are there… 92 hundredths of a second behind you. We want these keys to be yours a lot longer than the world record, and to help [Micheal] Phelps learn [Serbia's national anthem] ‘Bože Pravde.”

Čavić won his first European gold for Serbia in Dublin in 2003, when he set a new world record for the 100-meter butterfly race in 25-meter pools.

His successes followed with a silver in the 50-meter race in the same competition. Čavić defended his crown three years later in Helsinki, as well as in Debrecen in 2007 and Rijeka in 2008. Last year, he won another gold in the European Championships in Eindhoven.

He also took the Olympic silver in Beijing in the 100-meter butterfly race.

Last week at the Rome World Swimming Championships, Čavić won gold in the 50-meter race, and silver in the 100-meter butterfly.

In the past three months, Fund B92 has presented keys to end users in two other projects: the mobile mammography machine for the Institute of Oncology, which the fund gathered EUR 600,000 for, and the keys to the Safe House in Zrenjanin worth EUR 150,000, handed over to the Social Work Center there.

Serbia beat Spain to gain World water polo title

Rome, ITALY, August 1, 2009 - Serbia beat Spain 7-6 on penalties after drawing 7-7 after extra time to win a men's waterpolo final at the FINA World Championships in Rome.

Milan Aleksic scored to give Serbia the title on the 18th shot in the shootout.

In the bronze medal match, Croatia defeated United States 8-6.

Swimmer Cavic wins silver in 100m butterfly at World championships

Rome, ITALY, August 1, 2009 - Milorad Cavic of Serbia won the silver medal in the men's 100 meter butterfly at the FINA World Championships in Rome.

Michael Phelps of the United States seized gold with a world record 49.82 seconds, while Cavic set a new European record with 49.95.

Spain's Rafael Munoz was third, clocking a time of 50.41.

Higl clinches 200m breaststroke victory at World championships

Rome, ITALY, July 31, 2009 - Serbia's Nadja Higl won the gold medal in the women's 200 meters breaststroke at the 13th FINA World Championships in Rome.

Higl swam two minutes, 21.62 seconds to take the first place just in front of Canada's Annamay Pierse (2:21.84), who had set a new world record of 2:20.12 in the semifinals.

Austria's Mirna Jukic took the bronze medal with 2:21.97.

Swimmer Cavic takes gold at World championships

Rome, ITALY, July 27, 2009 - Serbia's Milorad Cavic won the gold medal in the 50-meter butterfly at the FINA World Championships in Rome.
Cavic charged to victory with a championship record time of 22.67 seconds.

Matt Targett of Australia took the silver medal while Spanish world record holder Rafael Munoz reached the third place.

'Slaughtermania''

Undoubtedly one of the most famous Canadians in Serbia, the lovable and handsome Nick Slaughter from the early 90s TV show "Tropical Heat", returned to Serbia in June 2009 to a tumultuous welcome from TV, newspapers, photographers and autograph seekers. Rob Stewart (his real name) had never been to Serbia, but his irresistible TV persona captured a generation when the Serbian punk band "Atheist Rap" immortalized his name in a hit song and his name became a slogan for democracy demonstrators in the 1990s.

To mark the occasion, the Ambassador of Canada to Serbia, H.E. John Morrison, joined Rob Stewart to plant maple trees at the Elementary school "Ljuba Nenadovic" in Zarkovo, Belgrade, on Monday 15 June. The event, organized by NGO Ecotopia, symbolized growth and the greening of our societies. It was held in the municipality of Zarkovo where the first graffiti glorifying TV character Nick Slaughter appeared during the protests in the 1990s.
The return of Rob Stewart/Nick Slaughter to Serbia represents a unique way to build new bridges between Canada and Serbia. I am thankful to Rob Stewart and Ecotopia for organizing this event and allowing the Embassy of Canada to make a small contribution to the protection of the environment in Serbia", said Ambassador Morrison.

Later that day Ambassador Morrison hosted a reception at the Chancery to celebrate Nick’s "return". Other guests included film crew members who followed Mr. Stewart during his visit to Serbia, representatives of Ecotopia, including former member of the protest group "Otpor" Srdja Popovic, "Atheist Rap" band members (who recorded the 90s hit "Slaughteru Nietzche") and representatives of Novi Sad’s Student Cultural Center.