IMF Executive Board Completes Second Review Under Serbia’s Stand-By Arrangement and Approves €349.6 Million Disbursement

Washington DC, December 24, 2009 ( Source: IMF Press Release) - The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed on Wednesday the second review of Serbia’s economic performance under a program supported by a Stand-By Arrangement (SBA). The completion of the review enables the immediate release of SDR 319.6 million (about €349.6 million or US$499.7 million), bringing total disbursements under the program to SDR 1.02 billion(about €1.12 billion or US$1.6 billion).
In completing the review, the Executive Board also granted a waiver for the non-observance of the end-September general government deficit performance criterion, and approved a modification of the end-December quantitative performance criteria in relation to the general government deficit and the 2009 inflation targets.
Serbia’s initial 15-month SBA was approved on January 16, 2009 (see Press Release No. 09/12) for SDR 350.8 million (about €384.1 million or US$548.4 million). The arrangement was extended by one year and augmented to SDR 2.62 billion (about €2.87 billion or US$4.01 billion) on May 15, 2009 (see Press Release No. 09/169) to support the government's economic program amid a sharper than expected impact from the global financial crisis.
Following the Executive Board’s discussion on Serbia, Mr. Takatoshi Kato, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, said: “The impact of the global financial and economic crisis on Serbia has so far been successfully contained. The authorities’ policies supported by the SBA—along with their actions to stabilize the markets—boosted international reserves, eased pressures in the foreign exchange market, and helped mobilize significant international financial assistance in support of Serbia’s budget and economic recovery. Although the decline in domestic demand has been significant, the contraction in output has been limited.
“The authorities’ program aims to help address the challenges posed by the economic downturn, and to restore sustainable public finances over the medium term. This will be crucial to continue safeguarding financial stability, and to create the conditions for a return to dynamic—yet sustainable—economic growth.“To this end, the authorities have embarked on an ambitious fiscal adjustment strategy focusing on structural spending reforms covering public administration, education, health care, and pensions. While these reforms are expected to yield significant and sustainable pay-offs, savings will accrue only over the medium term, and strengthened budget rules will be needed to contain implementation risks.
“The central bank’s monetary and exchange rate policies have been prudent, as reflected in continued disinflation. While there might be scope for further gradual easing of the monetary stance should favorable inflation developments continue, upside risks from high inflation expectations need to be monitored carefully.
“The authorities’ financial sector support program has successfully safeguarded financial stability during the market turmoil. The authorities are committed to continued vigilance in the face of high and rising non-performing loans, and to improve Serbia’s debt restructuring framework.
“Further progress will have to be achieved in the area of structural reforms, notably as regards privatization and the business environment, in order to lift Serbia’s economy on a high and sustainable growth path in the period ahead.”

Parliament approved the draft of Serbia’s 2010 budget

Belgrade, Dec. 23, 2009, The Serbian Parliament approved on Monday by a single vote the Government’s draft budget for next year. Needing a minimum of 126 votes, 127 MPs voted in favor of the bill. The representatives of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians (SVM) voted against the draft, and it was uncertain even Monday morning whether the ruling coalition could scrape together the necessary number of votes to approve the budget. Two independent MP’s and Riza Halimi, representing ethnic Albanians from southern Serbia, came to the rescue of the 124 ruling coalition MPs. The draft submitted by the Government and approved by the MPs estimates income will be EUR 6.84bn, spending will be EUR 7.96bn, and the resulting deficit will be EUR 1.12bn. It remains to be voted on the 242 amendments submitted to the draft
Also on Monday the Board of Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was suppose to discuss a revision of its loan arrangement with Serbia. This meeting have been canceled due to the snow-storm which hit Washington DC area over the weekend.
According to the earlier statement from the Governor of the National Bank of Serbia Radovan Jelašić, the budget had to be adopted on Monday so the IMF Board of Directors can discuss its arrangement with Serbia. "If we miss this chance, the IMF will decide about the loan arrangement in late January," Jelašić was quoted as saying to the press.
However, Milojko Arsić, an adviser to the Prime Minister, says that all conditions were already met for IMF approval once the budget was adopted by the Government and sent to Parliament for consideration. Therefore he believes that the IMF will confirm its arrangement with Serbia. “This means that the fiscal policy would have to be in accordance with the arrangement. If the budget were not to be adopted for some reason, it would have to be adopted by a reasonable deadline in order to meet the basic elements of the IMF agreement,” he stated.
Key issues such as RSD 107bn deficit, maintaining the VAT rate and an estimated increase in the GDP of 1.5 percent have already been agreed with the IMF. There is, however, a dispute regarding freezing pensions, which constitute the largest expenditure in the budget. This issue is also one of the biggest political problems for the ruling coalition. Loosing the support of retirees who make one of the largest voting blocks in Serbia would lead to defeat in any new elections.

Time of Mladić arrest - “a very relative category" or a political bargaining chip

Belgrade, Dec. 21 2009, (Source: Beta, Serbia Today) - Interior Minister Ivica Dačić told press last week that Serbia is doing all in its power to arrest the remaining fugitives from the Hague Tribunal, according to Beta news agency.
"Serbia wants to close the issue of cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, but when that will happen is a very relative category in police and security issues and we believe those issues should not be connected, because Serbia's readiness and activity are important, in the sense that it is doing all in its power," Dačić told reporters in Parliament.
The Minister underscored that the visit of Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen to Belgrade was a turning point in political relations. "Several big steps forward have been taken, but in the coming days Serbia will hold very careful consultations with European partners regarding its further steps," Dačić said.
He added that those further steps depended on the readiness of EU member states to respond positively to Serbia's request to apply for EU membership, so as to prevent the move from "turning into the opposite, should the potentially overlong silence of the administration raise the question of whether such moves are justified.”
We really don’t know what the phrase “so as to prevent….” means. Dacic was probably speaking in “diplomatic terms” which don’t translate literally into English. One could guess he was suggesting a connection between EU’s manifestation of a willingness to admit Serbia into membership and Serbia’s willingness to take further steps in punishing war criminals. One would think that bringing war criminals to justice is a moral issue and the legal obligation of the Justice Department of the Serbian Government in the society that present itself as open and democratic, and not a bargaining chip in the political negotiations.

Serbia will officially apply for EU candidacy on Tuesday

Belgrade, Dec. 22 2009 (Serbia Today) - Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and Foreign Minister Carl Bildt will ceremonially accept from President Boris Tadic Serbia’s application for the EU membership today at 2.30 PM in Stockholm.
Serbian Government is hoping that Spain, which apparently supports Serbian candidacy, will do everything possible to make that application formally accepted by the EU Council of Ministers until the end of March at the latest so that Serbia would try to get the candidate status until the end of the next year.
In the name of the Serbian Government President Boris Tadić and Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković signed on Saturday the application for EU candidacy. Tadić said that the decision on when the request would be considered will be made by Sweden, the country currently presiding over the EU. He pointed out that there should be no difficulty even without the arrests of Hague fugitives Ratko Mladić and Goran Hadžić because Serbia is doing everything in its power to conclude negotiations with the Hague Tribunal.
“Our program is simple; we want Serbia in the European Union,” Tadić said. After the Government‘s decision today “no one can have a questions about what direction Serbia is heading in.” He added that even though there are people in Serbia who oppose European integration, the will of the majority of citizens must be respected.
In a statement for Tanjug, Prime Minister Cvetković said that “With this decision Serbia has mapped out the route it will take in the coming period and has shown that it shares the values of European countries.” He added that the decision to apply for candidacy was the result of strenuous work by the Government.
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt showed his support for Serbia’s decision to submit the application. On his official blog Bildt said “This is a historic moment for Serbia.“ “The Serbian President is welcome in Stockholm on Tuesday to submit the application to Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt,”
Reinfeldt said that Serbia has taken a historic step in deciding to apply for EU candidacy. “I will welcome Serbian President Boris Tadić to Stockholm on December 22, when he will be officially submitting the application.” EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn will attend in Stockholm for the occasion as well.

Ministry of Energy to start discussion about nuclear plants

Belgrade, Dec. 16, 2009 (Source: eKapija) - The Ministry of Energy of Serbia will suggest opening of the public and expert discussion about use of nuclear energy in the energy sector in Serbia - the Minister of Energy, Petar Škundrić, said today (December 15, 2009).

It takes minimum 12 to 15 years to finish the construction of nuclear plant from the moment the decision on its construction is made. Serbian public do not have to worry about construction of nuclear plants within next 20 years - he said to the press in the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia.

Škundrić repeated that the Moratorium on construction of nuclear plants was in effect in Serbia and that the Ministry of Energy had not been working on planning or constructing nuclear plants to the date.
The Ambassador of Russia, Aleksandar Konuzin, said on November 30th in Novi Sad that Russia offered Serbia the possibility of construction of nuclear plants.

Serbian Progressive Party leader urges new elections

Belgrade, Dec. 15 2009 ( Serbia Today) - According to the Serbian daily Vecernje Novosti, the oppositrion Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) leader Tomislav Nikolic expressed his intention soon to call for new Parliamentary elections.
“ The time is running out for the Democratic Party (DP) . I will ask for the elections to be held next year. The Parliament is illegitimate, because it does not reflect the distribution of power on the political scene,” Mr. Nikolić said.
According to him, the overwhelming victory of his Party at the local elections in the Belgrade’s municipality of Vozdovac, is the best example of the true feelings of the voters in Serbia, and the beginning of SNP road towards political victory.
He expressed his willingness to share political power with (Democratic Party) DS as a minority partner, as well as with the DSS but only if DSS leader Vojislav Kostunica stop his opposition towards Serbian European integration.
Mr. Nikolic was a leader of the conservative and nationalistic Serbian Radical Party (SRS) until last year, when in the party coup he broke away, formed a new party (SNP) and took significant number of the Parliamentary representatives from the SRS with him. The political program of the SNP is much more moderate than that of the SRS. By one, they support Serbian European integration.
As a moderate nationalist, he appeals to a large number of Serbian voters disappointed with the broken promises of the ruling coalition, abuses of power, corruption scandals and harsh economic times. It is realistic to expect that in the potential Parliamentary elections his Party would indeed win.

US Prepares Serbia for NATO Cooperation

Belgrade, Dec.10th (Source: US Embassy News) - In preparation for the recent Serbia diplomatic initiatives this month, Counselor for Public Affairs Conrad Turner spoke at the conference “Partnership for Peace Program - Opportunities for Serbia?,“ at Hotel Norcev, located in Fruska Gora.
Turner provided background to Serbian officials in attendance on how to best work with NATO by giving them background on how participating NATO forces cooperate.
“When all member countries have consulted, debated and agreed on any operation, each member country commits forces or resources according to its ability and desire. National military and civilian forces from each country, which have already trained together for months and years, unite as NATO forces, but they also wear the flag of their own country,” said Turner in his opening remarks.
Turner was quick to point out that cooperation by Serbia upon becoming NATO members will be critical from the onset.
“Consensus is NATO’s central functioning principle. In my view it is part of the glue holding the alliance together, attracting new members and ensuring old ones stay. Once consensus is understood, the rest becomes easier to understand…This means that when a "NATO decision" is announced, it is the expression of the collective will of the governments of all the member countries,” emphasized Turner.
Turner pointed out to officials that voting is not the basis for all decision making at NATO, rather members consult with each other until a decision that is acceptable to all is reached. They may not agree on all the details, but all can live with the outcome. This will require new cooperation from Serbian leadership and from within the Serbian political parties, so that Serbia can efficiently arrive out its own consensus during negotiations at NATO.
Turner underlined the fact that a newly accepted Serbia would be expected to the environment of consensus, as consensus requires greater cooperation.
“The consensus principle applies throughout every level and is in play at every meeting. Majority rule is excluded. The divisiveness it might cause can undermine the commitment to implement NATO decisions, since operations depend entirely on the good will and contributions from each member country,” said Turner.
Turner reminded those in attendance that NATO members have committed to playing an active role in the security of the entire alliance, and they have agreed to pursue the same aims, and are not focused solely on their own national interests.”
The US Councilor spoke directly to the possible reservation that might have been shared by Serbian officials in attendance by pointing out that such cooperation might sound like a “fairy tale”, but he assured them that it is a very real description of the working environment at NATO, and for this reason a commitment to shared values is a very serious requirement for membership.
Turner pointed out that Serbia as a member of the Partnership for Peace (PFP) has benefits that go beyond modernization, training and improved interoperability.
“Although PFP countries do not participate in decision-making by the 28 member-countries and do not have the same level of access to NATO information, they are better informed about opinions, policies and decisions within NATO and can also make their voices heard,” said Turner.

B92 Calls On State to Protect Journalists

Belgrade, Dec.8th, 2009 (Source: B92) - In a letter signed by B92 editor-in-chief Veran Matic, B92 has condemned the threats made against its reporters.
The letter also calls upon state authorities to find the perpetrators and protect the journalists. Attacks on B92 and threats made against the authors of B92 TV's Insajder (name has same meaning as ‘Insider ‘in English) investigative program have become more intense and brutal and they have not subsided even after President Boris Tadic reacted on Sunday to announce that the state would not tolerate violence coming from hooligans and criminals.
The president stated that the government had taken all the measures to protect the journalists and announced that the state agencies would react according to the law and arrest and put on trial anyone endangering lives of others. Minister of Interior Ivica Dacic said that Serbian police (MUP) had taken all the necessary steps in order to find the persons who made the threats.
Minister of Justice Snezana Malovic also requested finding the perpetrators and giving them stiff punishments .The latest wave of threats, especially on the internet's social networking websites, the graffiti painted on the walls in Belgrade threatening the Insajder authors with rape, slaughter and murder, have emerged after the airing the first part of an investigative series looking into the issue extreme football fan groups and their leaders.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office has recently requested that a ban be imposed on such groups.The program informed the public about the content of over 100 reports that the police had made against the leaders of the groups in the past few years, but as a rule there were never any court verdicts in the cases.
The program’s editors obtained the information entirely according to the Law on Information Availability and presented a key problem to the audience – the lack of reaction of the judicial system which has failed to protect the public safety of the citizens. Threatening, brutal, vulgar and primitive reactions coming from the members and supporters of these criminals and bullies after the first part aired, and after the state representatives reacted, show that they still feel secure, safe from justice, the letter continues.
The threats are also made against the State system institutions, democratic processes, revealing the dominant ideological background of these groups and individuals which is based on xenophobic racism, anti-European ideas, contempt for democracy, while the sexist obsession proves they are seriously disturbed sociopaths with one thing in common – violence, Matic writes.
B92 is pointing out that it has been continually exposed to threats and attacks which had been especially intense after the unilateral proclamation of Kosovo's independence, the arrest of Radovan Karadzic, scheduling and canceling of the Gay Pride Parade, and during the recent attacks on foreign citizens and the brutal murder of the French football fan Brice Taton in Belgrade. The suspects accused of the Frenchmen’s murder are precisely the people the Insajder was reporting on. Attacks on B92 have ranged from hooligans storming the building and attempts to set it on fire, to physical assaults against journalists and associates which culminated when a B92 TV cameraman was seriously injured while reporting from the protest against the Karadzic arrest. B92 headquarters have been protected by police officers for over a year and some of the journalists often have direct police protection.
It is meaningless to speak about the level of the freedom of the media in Serbia considering the conditions our journalists and news desks are working in, Matic says. Statements made by the president, the minister of interior and other highest state officials saying that the state will not tolerate violence and that the perpetrators would be found and tried are welcome but are not enough any longer. Attacks on B92 are no longer isolated incidents, but represent continuous pressure, which the public has been aware of for years.
The physical security of the building and of some of the most threatened journalists does not suffice, writes the B92 editor-in-chief and director – because it is clear that is impossible to protect 50 professionals who have to do their work on a daily basis, just as it is impossible to permanently monitor dozens of leaders of football fan groups mentioned in the Insajder series.
If the state is truly dedicated to the democratic reforms and the European future, it is necessary to finally determine and say who is behind the attacks on the professional media and bring the ones who are responsible to justice.
B92 appeals for solidarity of the democratic public, news and media associations, human rights organizations both in the country and abroad with our reporters who have been exposed to threats, but also for solidarity with a requests to the authorities to provide the conditions so that B92 journalists and those from every other media in Serbia can inform the public about important issues without worrying about their lives and personal safety.

Vozdovac Election Results Are In

By: Milen Vesovic
Belgrade, Dec.8th, 2009 (Serbia Today) - According to the final results of the Municipal Election Commission of Vozdovac, the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of Tomislav Nikolic, has won.
A total of 37% of the voters cast a ballet for SNS, while the coalition "For European Vozdovac" received 28% of the vote. Members of the New Serbia party (DSS-NS) garnered 8.57% of the votes to receive six councilors, and the SPS-PUPS-JS coalition (Socialist Party-United Party of Serbian Pensioners-United Serbia Party) received 6.54% of the vote and won four seats.SNS leader Nikolic expressed some frustration despite the fact that his party won in the re-election.
“The residents of Vozdovac decided to move ahead together with SNS and take their lives into their own hands. We want to tell Serbia that this is what the next [general] elections will look like,” Nikolic said, calling on the government to “stop repeating elections in which SNS won, because they will experience an even more convincing loss,” reported Serbian news service B92.The two city-council seats were won by the G17, the Liberal Democratic Party and Democratic Party of Serbia and citizens' groups "For a Better Future."
Given that none of the parties received an absolute majority, the government will need to form the same coalition of parties that operate on the state level. This coalition will consist of the SPS, DS, G17 Plus and SPO.DS City Board President and Belgrade Mayor Dragan Djilas expressed satisfaction that the residents of Vozdovac have had an opportunity to better shape their representation in the re-election, despite the fact that his party did not win.“The coalition that was in power obviously did not meet the expectations of the people of Vozdovac. And that is a fact that every party that participated in the government should learn from,” said Djilas to Serbian news service B92.
“As far as DS is concerned, we will continue to fight for the values and goals which the citizens trusted us to fight for. I think all voters that voted for us in such big numbers,” Djilas added.Vozdovac is a large suburb of Belgrade, and the results of this election are seen as an indication of prevailing popularity of the political parties in this part of Serbia. Some observers see the results as a bell-weather for the upcoming general elections in Serbia.

EU Ministers Unblock Trade Deal with Serbia

Belgrade, Dec.8th 2009 (Source: EMportal) - "The Netherlands agreed to unblock entry into force of the trade agreement, following the views from the (U.N. war crimes tribunal) prosecutor," an EU diplomat said.
European Union foreign ministers agreed on Monday to unfreeze a trade agreement with Serbia, marking a breakthrough in the former Yugoslav republic's aspirations of EU membership, diplomats said.
The decision follows improved cooperation by Belgrade with the United Nations war crimes tribunal in pursuing suspected war criminals, diplomats said.
"The Netherlands agreed to unblock entry into force of the trade agreement, following the views from the (U.N. war crimes tribunal) prosecutor," an EU diplomat said.
At a two-day session which begins in Brussels Monday, the ministers of the EU member states are to decide whether the progress that Serbia has made in cooperation with the ICTY is sufficient for its further EU integration.
Taking into account that the latest report of ICTY Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz on Serbia's cooperation with the Tribunal is positive, the authorities in Belgrade expect a decision which would mean another step towards the country's EU accession.
Considering that Serbia is doing everything in its power to locate and arrest Mladic and Hadzic, Holland's position is expected to soften, particularly after the singnasl coming from the Dutch parliament.
However, Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen resisted the pressure of the journalists in Brussels to specify what will Holland's position be, pointing out that the pressure on Serbia must continue, so that Mladic and Hadzic would be extradited.
Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Dutch parliament Henk Jan Ormel was more open, announcing the unblocking of the EU's Interim Trade Agreement with Serbia. This practically means a complete separation of the Interim Trade Agreement from the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA).

Budget adoption could miss deadline

Belgrade,Dec.7th 2009 (Serbia Today) – Speaker of the Parliament, Slavica DJukic-Dejanovic, said on Saturday that the 2010 budget will be adopted by December 20, 5 days after the legally mandated deadline.
Speaker Parliament Slavica DJukic-Dejanovic said on Saturday that the 2010 budget will be adopted by December 20th, reported to Serbian news service B92.
According to the law, the government must adopt the budget by November 1 and the parliament must confirm it by December 15th.
Government officials said that it is possible that rules will be adopted for those responsible for such tardiness in the future to have to face some kind of consequences.
On the other side, opposition officials said that the tardiness will further affect the poor business climate in Serbia and discourage possible foreign investors.
Although the budget has been adopted late with regularity, most observers see the progress in the reforms, and the sizable overhaul of the system in Serbia positively.

Sutanovac, Gates favor strengthening Serbia, US ties

Belgrade/Washington D.C., Dec 7th, 2009 (Serbia Today) – Serbian Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac said that his meeting with US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was one of the most important meetings he has held since taking office and that his visit to the US will improve overall relations between the two countries.
After his meeting with Gates at the Pentagon, Sutanovac said that it is a known fact that the US and Serbia have had a lot of problems but the Serbian Defence Ministry has made huge steps to try and stabilise relations with the US.
He said that US Vice President Joe Biden’s recent visit to Serbia has shown that the US does want to improve relations with Serbia, adding that it was concluded at the meeting with Gates that the best cooperation takes place in the area of defence.
Sutanovac and Gates discussed the Serbian Army’s further activities concerning the Partnership for Peace Programam and Sutanovac informed Gates about the Serbian Army’s participation in the peacekeeping mission in Chad and the wish to expand this kind of cooperation in the future.
He also talked about a plan for the professionalization of the Serbian Army.
He said that they did not discuss the issue of Kosovo-Metohija, adding that during Biden’s visit it was established that the two countries do not agree on the matter.
He said that cooperation between the Serbian Army and the Ohio National Guard has produced results beyond all expectations and should serve as a guideline for future cooperation.
On the first day of his visit to the US, Sutanovac laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington Military Graveyard. During his stay in Washington, Sutanovac will hold several bilateral meetings with members of the US Senate and Congress and will also meet representatives of the Ohio National Guard.

Serbia, US Outline New Defense Cooperation

Belgrade/Washington D.C., Dec 7th, 2009 (Serbia Today) – Serbian Minister of Defense Dragan Sutanovac said that talks with his US counterparts were highly constructive and that the US wishes to improve defense and economic relations with Serbia, despite the difference the two countries have over the Kosovo-Metohija issue.
At the end of a multi day visit to Washington and Ohio, Sutanovac said that the visit was very positive and that US officials showed a willingness to consider the removal of visa restrictions for Serbian citizens, reports Serbian news Service Beta.
“ I believe that conditions are being created for steps to be taken by the US towards visa liberalization, following the removal of visa restrictions by the EU,” said the Minister.
Sutanovac said that his meeting with US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was one of the most important meetings he has held since taking office and that his visit to the US will improve overall relations between the two countries.
Sutanovac and Gates discussed the Serbian Army’s further activities concerning the Partnership for Peace Programam and Sutanovac informed Gates about the Serbian Army’s participation in the peacekeeping mission in Chad and the wish to expand this kind of cooperation in the future.
Sutanovac announced that in February 2010, Chief of the Serbian Army General Staff Lieutenant-General Miloje Miletic will visit the US, and in September of next year Chief of the US National Guard Bureau General Craig McKinley will come to Serbia. These visits will help to strengthen cooperation and relations between the two countries, bearing in mind that Serbia wants to continue training its officers in the US.

Opposition Challenges Vojvodina Statute

By Milen Vesovic
Novi Sad, Dec.5th, 2009 (Serbia Today) - It's been a few days since the adoption of the Vojvodina Autonomous Province Statute and the transfer of responsibilities to the Serbian Parliament. However, the campaign against the newly adopted act is far from over.
The opposition still claims that the adopted act constitutes illegal acts of separatism and is anti-constitutional. The main opponents of the Statute are the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS), New Serbia (NS), the Serbian Party Advanced (SNS) and Serbian Radical Party (SRS).
President of the DSS and former Yugoslav President and Former Prime Minister of Serbia, Vojislav Kostunica, also believes that the statute is separatist. DSS members also expressed the view that Vojvodina should not have so many responsibilities, and that it should remain on the republic level.
The Serbian Radical Party goes furthest in condemning the statute. SRS deputy in the Serbian Parliament, Aleksandar Martinovic, has expressed the view that the exemption of visas to EU countries were actually gifts from Western politicians for passing the new Serbian Vojvodina Statute.
Currently the largest party in the Government of Serbia, the Democratic Party (DS), does not see any new acts of separatism in which the law. Senior official of the DS and the Minister of the Government of Serbia, Milan Markovic said, “I do not see any difference in the fact that Novi Sad is called the capital or administrative center.”
A similar position is presented by the President of the Serbian Parliament and senior official of the Socialist Party of Serbia - Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic. Djukic-Dejanovic said that Serbia needs decentralization, and hopes that Kragujevac, will soon become the capital of a new region in central Serbia.
The party that has is behind the new statute, the League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina (LSV) considered that the adoption of the new statute the beginning of the decentralization process of the whole of Serbia.
LDP deputy in the Parliament of Serbia, Slobodan Maras believes that Vojvodina deserves greater autonomy, primarily economic, but this is currently the maximum for the Serbian Constitution and the ruling coalition in Serbia.
It should be noted, that the parties challenging the constitutionality of the new statute and and calling it a separatist act (Democratic Party of Serbia, New Serbia, the Serbian Radical Party and Serbian Advanced Party) have never been in power in the Executive Council, nor the Government of Vojvodina. Over the last 20 years, the same parties have never been part of the ruling coalition in Vojvodina. Authorities in Vojvodina have always been constituted by the Democratic Party, the League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina and the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians.
It should be noted, the Constitution of Serbia, which was passed in 2006, had less than 50% support from of the citizens of Vojvodina. It was a great victory for those parties in Vojvodina (the LSV and the LDP), which believed that the Serbian Constitution must allow greater autonomy for Vojvodina.

Serbian Army turns professional in 2011

Belgrade, Dec.5th, 2009 (Serbia Today) - In a sign of the great changes that are taking place, the Serbian Army has announced that it is to become a professional army. Serbian Army Lieutenant Col. Miloje Miletic announced at the conference on Thursday entitled "Necessary Skills for Serbian Army Officers, 2010-2020" that the professionalization of the military would be complete in the first half of 2011.
“The Serbian Army will become professional, and I expect us to complete that process at the end of 2010, or 2011 at the latest," Miletic told reporters.
When asked if Serbian officers would be educated according to NATO standards, Miletic responded affirmatively, adding that it was one of the aims of the meeting, reported Serbian news service B92.
“Because our officers have been educated in institutions in the countries that are members of the Partnership for Peace program and NATO allows us to educate our officers according to those standards," Miletic remarked.
He stressing that the military and the Defense Ministry “respect the decisions of the Serbian Parliament, like all other government institutions, and that (military neutrality) does not prevent us from cooperating with other militaries in the world."
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Serbian Military Academy Serbian President, Boris Tadic, said that the professionalization of the Serbian army would breed well-trained and specialized soldiers whose profession would be their military commitment, and this will contribute to the army's transition to European standards.

Slovak President Visits Serbia

Belgrade, Dec.4, 2009 (Serbia Today) - Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic started his official two-day visit to Serbia yesterday.
Gasparovic has met with President Boris Tadic in the Palace of Serbia today, and according to announcements, the two presidents will hold a joint press conference.
Gasparovic will also meet with Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic.
The Slovak and Serbian presidents will visit Novi Sad today where they will meet with the representatives of the Slovak community in Serbia after they visit the Petrovaradin Fortress.
Gasparovic and Cvetkovic will take part in the Serbia-Slovakia business forum in the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS).

Hague Prosecutor’s Report: Find Mladic

Belgrade, Dec.4, 2009 (Serbia Today) - The frenetic diplomacy of Serbia’s leaders and the close cooperation with EU leaders has brought Serbia close to the threshold of EU candidacy, but as Chief Hague Prosecutor Serge Brammertz addressed the UN Security Council in New York yeserday, and made his reports finding on Serbia public, it becomes clear that there the apprehension of Ratko Mladic is a non-negotiable item.
Brammertz has many positive comments to make on the efficiency of his counterparts in Serbia and spirit of cooperation between the Hague and Serbian officials, but neither his report nor his comments contained any sign of absolving the Serbian Government for failing to capture Mladic.
Brammertz stressed that the recent commencement of the trial of Radovan Karadzic is also a reminder of the fact that Ratko Mladic remains at large and that his place is before the Trial Chamber, with Karadzic, reported Serbian news service B92.
Turning to the issue of cooperation, he stressed that it “remained a key condition to the successful accomplishment of the Tribunal’s mandate and meeting the completion strategy goals.”
The prosecutor noted that Serbia’s cooperation has continued to progress, as the “prosecution requests for access to documents and archives were being dealt with more expeditiously and effectively.”
However, Brammertz added that the most critical aspect of Serbia’s cooperation is the need to apprehend Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic and that this remains one of the highest priorities of his office.
Brammertz went on to say that his office “recognizes the professionalism and commitment of operational services tasked with the tracking of fugitives,” that “these services are now working more efficiently and in a coordinated manner” and that a “variety of operational activities including search operations were being conducted.”
Failure to take Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic to trial at the tribunal would undermine its contribution to justice, he said.
It is not too late even now to arrest the former Bosnian Serb military leader Ratko Mladic and former Republika Srpska Krajina leader Goran Hadzic, said, and asked for international community help to that end.

Safety of Journalists Improving in Serbia

Belgrade, Dec 3, 2009 (Serbia Today) - First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Ivica Dacic met today with representatives of the OSCE, the South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO), and the International Press Institute (IPI).
They discussed media laws and freedoms in Serbia, assaults on journalists and the Ministry’s ideas for improving relations between them and the media.
The representatives of these organisations expressed gratitude to Dacic for his Ministry’s efforts to protect journalists. They said that 138 incidents of assault on journalists took place last year while such attacks were reduced by 50% this year.
The representatives pointed however to the unresolved cases of the murders of journalists Dada Vujasinovic, Slavko Curuvija and Milan Pantic. They suggested to Minister Dacic to exercise his authority to accelerate the investigations.
Dacic said that the Ministry is determined to protect journalists and informed the media delegation about the formation of a police unit specifically for protecting journalists at various public events.
He said that he is willing to help in the cases of the murdered journalists but explained that all relevant data concerning these cases has already been handed over to the Prosecutor’s Office.
He stressed that the Ministry wishes to establish good cooperation with the media.
Members of the delegation and Dacic also talked about the new information law and it was agreed that the bill should be discussed with representatives of international organisations and journalist’s associations.

5 Year Visas for Serbs to US

By: Milen Vesovic
Belgrade, Dec.3, 2009 (Serbia Today) - U.S. Embassy Charge d'Affaires Jennifer Brash said in Jagodina that the country's embassy in Belgrade, sent a request that visas for Serbian citizens to Washington, which now are valid for three years, be extended to five.
Brash said that the U.S. is not a member of the European Union, "but we support the intentions of Serbia joining the EU where it belongs, and the abolition of visas is the first step and I think it is very important and useful for citizens of Serbia.”
"Serbia has a secure future in the EU and the United States strongly support and promote the prosperity and the integration of Serbia and the countries of the region into the Union," added Brash, who is visiting the Mayor of Jagodina - Dragan Markovic.
Brash explained that the U.S. Embassy in Washington has not yet received a response to the proposal for the duration of U.S. visas to be extended to five years. "It is very complex, it has to go through the various bureaucracies, but the Embassy in Belgrade is required. We said if the citizens of Serbia can move freely within the EU, why would they not be able move freely in America," concluded Brash
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Serbia's Successfully Gets Biometric Passports Out

Belgrade, Dec 3, 2009 – First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Ivica Dacic said that more than 5,000 biometric passports with fingerprints have been issued since yesterday, when the issuing of the new generation of passports began.
Apart from data on the identity of the owner, the new passports also contain their fingerprint and a new inspection system for unlocking the passport's chip.
This will enable the passport holders to pass through automatic passages, without interacting with border police, at the borders of the states which have highly developed systems of passport control.
Dacic said that by issuing biometric passports with fingerprints, Serbia joined the group of ten countries in the world and the three European states that have mastered this technology.
He explained that in June the passports with fingerprints became standard in the rules of the EU. Serbia has actually surpassed some European states in implementing these passports.
The First Deputy Prime Minister said that the end of visas requirements for Serbia is not a gift, but the result of all the reforms that have been carried out in the last year and a half.
All citizens who already have biometric passports without a fingerprint will not have to change them since they will be valid until the expiration date and will be just as valid as the new generation of passports.

EU to Serbia: More Reasons for Celebrates

Novi Sad, Dec.3, 2009 (Serbia today) - After the EU Council of Ministers in Brussels adopted a decision on suspension of visas for the citizens of Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia on December 19, 2009, Serbia felt it had reason to celebrate, but according to EU officials there is more to come.
“After the Schengen Visa restriction have been dropped Serbia can expect more good news,” Olli Rehn, EU Enlargement Commissioner said at yesterday’s press conference after decision on visa suspension. Rehn recently remarked that he was reminded of the plaque he got as an honorary citizen of the ‘State of Exit’.
“This plaque was binding for me in the sense to make the EU more open especially for the young people from the Balkans. That was the first step towards putting Serbia on the Schengen list. I hope to come to Novi Sad again and be at the ‘Entry’ festival, a festival celebrating your country’s joining the EU,” Rehn said.
Serbia President Boris Tadic made similar remarks after getting the news the news about Serbia’s success in having the visa restrictions lifted.
“This is just the first step towards full integration with the EU,” said Tadic. He added that by this decision “Serbia has regained freedoms from 20 years back when their citizens did not need visas to travel to Europe.”
The EU Commissioner for Internal and Judicial Affairs, Jacques Barrot, congratulated Serbia on visa suspension.
“It is enough to see the happiness of the people of Serbia because of the suspension of the visa restrictions and to understand that this was a historical and important phase for bringing the West Balkan countries and the EU closer.”
Javier Solana, the EU representative for Security and Foreign Affairs also sent a message of support stating that “the Union is not complete without Serbia in it. I hope that implementation of the SAA in full shall be possible by the end of the year and my wish is that Serbia, also files the application for the candidate status.

Signing of UN and Serbian Program for Southern Serbia

Bujanovac, Dec.2, 2009 (Serbia Today) - President of the Coordinating Body for Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja, Milan Markovic, will attend the signing of an agreement on implementing the joint programam of UN agencies in Serbia and the Serbian government on December 2nd , in the Bujanovac Culture Centre.
The agreement will be signed by UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia William Infante, officials from Jablanica and Pcinja Districts, Swedish Ambassador to Serbia Krister Bringeus, Swiss Ambassador to Serbia Erwin Hofer, First Secretary of the Spanish embassy in Belgrade Pablo Rupérez and Secretary of the Norwegian embassy in Belgrade Jørgen Kran will be on hand for the signing of the document.
The program includes projects "Boosting Capacity for Inclusive Local Development in Southern Serbia" and "Promoting the Preservation of Peace in Southern Serbia", which are funded at an estimated USD 7.9 million. The programs are seen as key steps in spurring economic activity and development in Southern Serbia.

EU Lifts Visa Restrictions for Serbia

Brussels, Dec.1, 2009 (Serbia Today) - The decision was made today in Brussels by the EU Council of Ministers for Interior and Justice, after decades of isolation and travel restriction for the residents of Serbia, the European Union (EU) has abolished visas requirements for the citizens of Serbia traveling to the Schengen Area countries, effective December 19.
Serbian President Boris Tadic, along with Interior and Justice Ministers Ivica Dacic and Snezana Malovic, is in Brussels this Monday, meeting with EU senior officials, according to Serbian news service B92.
Serbian news service Beta reported ahead of the meetings today that a senior official of the presiding Swedish government stated that interior and justice ministers of the Union will amend regulation number 539/2001, stating that citizens of Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia will be on the "positive Schengen list."
The regulation states that they will be "freed of the obligation to have visas issued to them" by the EU, but will still be without the right to work in the 27 EU member states.
The citizens included in the abolishing of the visa regime will be Serbian citizens, and citizens of Montenegro and Macedonia with biometric passports. These residents of the region will be able to visit any country as a tourists for three months a year at most, and they must also wait three months before entering as a tourist.
The EU Ministerial Council also stressed that "under resolution 1244 of the UN Security Council, those residing in Kosovo will have to ask for visas to travel in the EU," reported Beta.
It also stated that Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina are not included in this measure, as it was confirmed that they "have not fulfilled conditions from the visa liberalization agreement of the Western Balkans countries."
Analyst Alexandra Stiegelmeier was quoted as saying earlier today that Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia deserve to have the visa restrictions abolished, "because they fulfilled all of the 50 necessary reform conditions in a short period of time.”
“No one expected that these countries would be capable of implementing all these reforms in a period of a year and a half, but they did, and they will be rewarded now. What is most important is that the process showed that when clear conditions and clear goals and rewards are presented, the system of conditions being set by the EU functions well,” Stiegelmeier said.
“It is also important that the citizens of these three countries now have a much more positive stance towards the EU, and now have the sentiments that will make it easier for the governments of these countries to implement some less popular reforms that are needed,” she added.
“I believe that the EU is very carefully monitoring how the visa liberalization will be implemented in practice. That is why it is important for the citizens of these three countries to leave a good impression on the EU and citizens of the Union, and it is important for the governments to continue fulfilling the conditions of the road map towards EU integration,” she said.
“Otherwise, the EU will say that it was a mistake and that will have negative consequences, especially in the future enlargement of the Union and relations with these countries,” warned Stiegelmeier.

After 25 Years – Serbia is White House Guest

Belgrade, Nov.30, 2009 (Serbia Today) - Today, Serbia will have reached one of the most important milestones in its return to the international stage when Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac makes Serbia’s first official visit to Washing D.C. since the dissolution of Yugoslavia. “Considering that the invitation for the official visit came after 25 years it is clear that both countries have great expectations,” said Suranovac before leaving for the US.
Sutanovac received the official invitation from the U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, so the two countries can further develop defense cooperation.“The U.S. has donated over USD 500 million since the democratic changes in Serbia through different projects and that makes it the biggest donor after the EU. Some of those donations were even used by the Serbian Military,” said Sutanovac to Serbian daily Politika.
Sutanovac pointed out that the dialogue for defense cooperation started some time ago with the establishment of security agreements.
“Serbia joined Partnership for Peace in the end of 2006 and we have signed a security agreement this year which has opened the door toward further cooperation. The appointment of Branislav Milinkovic as our ambassador to NATO's Partnership for Peace program represents a step towards the future, and more better relations between Serbia and the U.S.,” Sutanovac said.
Sutanovac was not surprised that he was the first minister in the Serbian government to receive the invitation to Washington. He views the role of his ministry as the basis for good US – Serbia relations."The Serbian Ministry of Defense has stable relations with the U.S. military and the cooperation in defense is the backbone of relations between the United States and Serbia at the moment," Sutanovac continued.
Sutanovac struck a realistic note when describing the growing cooperation between US and Serbia’s defense interests. “It is naive to believe that the partnership in defense is restricted only to the cooperation between the two defense programs. Considering the fact that the U.S. defense budget is as large as the defense budget of the rest of the world, it is crystal clear what the most important thing is to the U.S. foreign policy and international relations. I am absolutely convinced that all other possibilities, first of all economic ones, would open up to us much easier if we can harmonize our defense interests,” commented Sutanovac to Serbian daily Politika.
Sutanovac sees open dialogue and partnership as the only method to solving Serbia’s current problems in the international arena. In a promising flicker of levity he added, “if we manage to achieve friendship as well, we have realized everything from this opportunity.”