Parliament Collegium to discuss Srebrenica

Belgrade, March, 25. 2010 (Source : Tanjug) - Parliament Speaker Slavica Đukić-Dejanović scheduled the first meeting of the Parliament Collegium for Wednesday. It will discuss the final draft of the Srebrenica resolution. At the meeting of the parliamentary body established by the recently passed Law on Parliament, political groups are expected to find common ground on the declaration and end speculation on its contents and how the crime in Srebrenica will be treated. Đukić- Dejanović announced that the declaration will be on the parliament's agenda in late March or early April.

Tadic and Josipovic met

Belgrade, March, 25. 2010 (Source : B92) - B92 has learned from its sources in Belgrade and Zagreb that Boris Tadić and Ivo Jospovićl met in the Croatian seaside resort of Opatija. According to this, two presidents met yesterday at noon. This is their first encounter since Jospović was inaugurated as Croatian president earlier this year. The meeting was informal, and they focused on bilateral ties between the two countries, the sources said.

Serbian government successful in achieving its foreign policy priorities

Belgrade, March, 24. 2010 (Serbia Today) – Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic stated today that the Serbian government does not accept Kosovo's statehood nor the centralization of Bosnia-Herzegovina contrary to the will of the people and entities and that Serbia is a militarily neutral country. Jeremic, who gave a lecture at the Megatrend University in Belgrade today, stressed that economic diplomacy this year became the fourth foreign policy priority of Serbia, alongside Kosovo-Metohija, Europe and good neighborly relations. In the 21st century the state should be a much more important economic player than it had been in the period before the economic crisis, he said. One of the changes in international relations is linked to the changes in economic relations and the way international economic exchange is taking place, explained the Minister.

In 2009 the Serbian government was quite successful when it comes to achieving results related to foreign policy and foreign policy priorities, he said. We managed to question the issue of the future status of Kosovo-Metohija and to make it relative in a way that hardly anyone could have expected at the time of the unilateral declaration of independence, said the Minister. The Serbian Foreign Minister pointed out that the number of countries that recognized Kosovo is far below the number than anyone had predicted, which is a result of thoroughly prepared, organized and energetic actions of Serbian state bodies. Jeremic recalled that Serbia opened the issue of Kosovo-Metohija before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague and this is the first time in the history that legality of a unilateral declaration of independence is being examined before this court. He said that the Serbian government’s central strategic priority is EU membership and added that the last year has been the most successful so far in terms of the country’s European integration. That can be seen by the abolishment of visas, unfreezing of the Interim trade agreement and the fact that the European Commission has made the best report so far on Serbia’s progress in European integration. Serbia has good neighborly relations, although a certain number of analysts and “strong voices” in the world see the Balkans through the perspective of the 1990´s. That is a serious challenge the Serbian leadership is facing. Those people say that there are three problems in the Balkans: Kosovo, which should be supported so that circumstances could be stabilized, the second is Bosnia-Herzegovina, which should be centralized, and they also suggest that all Western Balkan states join NATO. We cannot accept Kosovo’s statehood, nor centralization of Bosnia-Herzegovina against the will of people and entities, Jeremic said. Speaking about classification into safety blocks, Serbia has decided in a democratic way to be militarily independent, Jeremic said.

Hungary, Serbia sign defense deal

Belgrade, March, 23. 2010 (Source: B92) - Serbian and Hungarian defense ministers Dragan Šutanovac and Imre Szekeres signed a defense cooperation agreement in Belgrade on Monday. “The agreement that was signed is a legal framework for further cooperation in cartography, education and exchange of experiences in the fields of peacekeeping missions, and the development of military-economic cooperation,” Šutanovac said. Szekeres said that the agreement will enable cooperation in the joint control of air space and military aid in emergency situations related to natural disasters. The Hungarian minister said that the reforms that Serbia is implementing in its military are an important step for its European integration. He said that Hungary completely supports Serbia’s European integration. Šutanovac said Budapest will support Serbia’s European path and that Hungary will not decrease the number of troops it has serving in KFOR. Szekeres added that it is very important for Hungary to maintain stability in the region, which is why its troops will remain in Kosovo. “Hungary agrees with withdrawing of the troops out only when all (security) conditions have been fulfilled,” Szekeres said. Šutanovac noted that Hungary transitioned to a completely professional organization of their military system five years ago and that it offered help to Serbia in the reforms of the defense system. “The Hungarian Army is organized in the most avant-garde way of all regional armies," Šutanovac was heard saying. "We believe that the Serbian Army will be organized in that way and that we will be able to increase the speed of Serbia’s integration."

Support of Non-Aligned Movement for solution to Kosovo necessary

Belgrade/Manila, March, 19. 2010 (Serbia Today) – Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic expressed deep gratitude to member states of the Non-Aligned Movement today in Manila, of which the majority did not recognize the independence of Kosovo. He called on them to keep that position and support Serbia’s efforts to find solution for its southern province through dialogue.

Your resoluteness to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia deserves true respect, Jeremic said in the speech at the special ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement. The Serbian Foreign Minister said that owing to efforts of the Movement’s member states, the UN General Assembly asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to give advisory opinion on the legality of the unilaterally-proclaimed independence of Kosovo, which is the first such case in the history of that court. It is of crucial importance that you remain faithful to your principled position because this case will be a very important precedent, Jeremic said, adding that the court’s decision will have sweeping consequences to the entire international community. He warned that in case the Court proclaims legitimate the unilateral separation of an ethic minority from an UN member states, borders of every multiethnic state might be jeopardized which would cause instability in the entire world. Jeremic said that by supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of an UN member state, as well as a just solution to the status of the southern Serbian province, the Movement’s member states will make international law remain obstacle to present and future separatists, who dream of Kosovo’s secession becoming a globally accepted norm. He added that Serbia is the leading advocate of reconciliation in the south-eastern Europe. We had the courage for a national re-examination in order to face crimes from the past. We believe that is the only way to cut the vicious circle of violence and hatred in our part of the world, the Serbian foreign minister said. For that reason, Serbian President Boris Tadic apologized for the crimes committed by the previous Serbian regime in the wars in the former Yugoslavia and visited Srebrenica for the 10th anniversary of the massacre, Jeremic explained. He added that the Serbian parliament will soon examine a resolution for condemning the Srebrenica crime. We hope that will enable us to make a full reconciliation with Bosnian Muslims, Jeremic said. He reiterated Serbia’s proposal to hold in Belgrade in June 2011 a special conference of the Non-aligned Movement for the occasion of the 50th anniversary from the first, inaugural meeting of that organization that was held also in Belgrade in 1961. Serbia, the direct successor of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, one of the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement, now has the status of observer in this organization which has over one hundred member states.

Djelic announces economic agreement with Poland

Belgrade, March, 18. 2010 (Serbia Today) – Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic announced today that Serbian President Boris Tadic will visit Warsaw next week and sign a bilateral economic agreement with Poland. Addressing the business forum of Serbian and Polish businessmen in the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS), he said that Poland is the only country in Europe which last year had a positive economic growth and is positioned sixth among the economies of Europe. Djelic said that cooperation between Poland and Serbia is not at a satisfactory level and that the volume of trade and investment should be increased. The Deputy Prime Minister said that Poland in the last 20 years has attracted €100 billion in investments. According to the data from PKS, in 2009 the value of total trade between Poland and Serbia amounted to $345 million, with Serbian exports worth $67.3 million while imports from Poland amounted to $277.7 million.

Kacin Says Participation in Summit up to Serbia

Belgrade, March,18. 2010 (Source : Beta) - Serbian Parliament Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic and European Parliamentary reporter for Serbia Jelko Kacin agreed in Belgrade, that Serbia had visibly progressed in meeting its obligations in the process of joining the EU. The two officials agreed that in the future the process would largely depend on International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz's report, a statement from Parliament said, adding that Serbian Parliament had developed "lively parliamentary activity," not just in the region, but in many EU members states as well.Djukic Dejanovic stressed that it was particularly important that major steps had been made toward enhancing parliamentary cooperation with parliaments in the ex-Yugoslavia. Late on March 16, Kacin met with parliamentary Committee on European Integrations chairman Laszlo Varga, who told him that "Serbia has begun preparations for filling out the European Commission's questionnaire," and that a law on parliament had been passed. At a joint news conference, Kacin declined to say whether a regional summit on the European future of the Western Balkans scheduled to be held in Slovenia on March 20 would be held if Serbia declined to participate. Even though I hold Slovenian citizenship and know something about that, I cannot and must not speak about it. There is direct communication there. Mr (Boris) Tadic knows what is going on. If he is there he will be seen by everyone, all of Europe, and if not, no one will see him, Kacin said. The question that needs to be answered is whether Serbia can bring the region together or that's only an illusion that we eternally dream of, with no progress, Kacin added. When asked by reporters whether Serbia's recognition of Kosovo was a condition for its membership in the EU, Kacin said none of Europe's institutions were posing this question. "Serbia is occupying itself with this question. This question is always posed publicly by your politicians and not ours... Sorry, this is a Serbian thing. It's not the EU's stance," a visibly irritated Kacin replied.

Fuele in Belgrade

Belgrade, March, 17. 2010 (Source :Beta) - EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele will pay his first visit to Belgrade on March 17, at the beginning of his regional tour, the EU Delegation to Serbia said on March 15. "I hope that Serbia will remain committed to reforms," Fuele said ahead of the visit, adding: "Reforms are to the benefit of Serbia's citizens but not solely because of the country's accession to the EU." In Belgrade, Fuele will meet with President Boris Tadic, Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic and Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic, according to the statement. The commissioner will also talk with the justice and finance ministers, Snezana Malovic and Diana Dragutinovic, as well as with Public Administration and Local Self-Government Minister Milan Markovic. The meetings will address ways to boost Serbia's accession to the EU and present views on the possibility of initiating the ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU, which would enable Serbia to receive the status of a candidate country, sources from the European Commission in Brussels told BETA. During his tour, Fuele will meet with officials in Podgorica, Sarajevo, Pristina and Tirana.

Serbian, Kuwait bilateral relations excellent

Belgrade/Kuwait, March, 17. 2010 (Serbia Today) – Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic met with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Cvetkovic, who is on a two-day visit to Kuwait, also talked with Speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly Jassem Al-Kharafi and Chairman of the Kuwaiti Chamber of Industry and Commerce Ali Thunayan Al-Ghanim. The Serbian Prime Minister said that bilateral relations between the two countries are excellent and that economic cooperation should be improved. He said that trade exchange with Kuwait is very low and it should be increased and also that Kuwaiti investors should be encouraged to come to Serbia. Serbian companies should also offer their services to Kuwait, he said. Cvetkovic thanked Kuwaiti officials for not recognising the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo, thus contributing to the defence of Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Representatives of the Serbian government delegation, which included Minister of Trade and Services Slobodan Milosavljevic and Minister of Labour and Social Policy Rasim Ljajic, held a meeting tonight with political and economic officials of Kuwait and signed agreements on cooperation in the areas of health and air transport.

The agreement on cooperation in the field of health care encourages an exchange of experiences in health administration, public health, emergency medical assistance and cooperation between the two countries in the field of medical research. The agreement on air transport provides a legal framework and basic conditions for air traffic between Serbia and Kuwait. The meeting was also attended by representatives of Kuwaiti investment funds and funds for economic development. After signing the documents, the Prime Minister of Kuwait organised a dinner for the Serbian delegation, which was also attended by representatives of diplomatic corps in Kuwait. During his stay in Kuwait, Cvetkovic will attend a ceremony of awarding of diplomas to university graduates who completed their studies in the 2008/2009 school year. Also, Cvetkovic will visit the headquarters of the Kuwait Oil Company in Ahmadi and scientific centre for research and exploitation of oil.

Dacic to visit Great Britain

Belgrade, March, 16. 2010 (Serbia Today) – First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Ivica Dacic and his associates will be in Great Britain from 15 to 18 March.

The Ministry says in a statement that Dacic will meet with British Minister for Trade, Investment and Small Business Lord Davies, State Under Secretary for Security and Counter-terrorism Lord West, Director General of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) Bill Hughes, Home Secretary Alan Johnson and Minister for Europe Chris Bryant. The First Deputy Prime Minister will also visit the Olympic Village in London.

"Visa liberalization not jeopardized"

Belgrade, March, 12. 2010 (Source: Beta) - Interior Minister Ivica Dačić announced an investigation into the organized departure of Serbian citizens who sought political asylum in the EU countries.
He said that in the first two months of this year, the EU countries had sent Serbia 478 requests for the return of individuals, and that positive responses had been given to 304 requests, while 156 had received a negative response, with 18 in process of investigation. The minister stated that it was clear that those who left from the south of Serbia to Belgium and Sweden to seek political asylum would not get it, and that they would returned. He added that it concerned 400 people, mostly ethnic Albanians and a small number of Romas, who sought asylum in Belgium, and between 500 and 600 who tried to achieve the same status in Sweden. According to Dačić, it has been agreed that Macedonia and Serbia investigate whether there were elements of crime, considering that the organized departure of those persons was always "by the same bus lines". He stated that those buses were departing from Macedonia and picking up passengers in southern Serbia along the way.
The interior minister pointed out that Serbia will be very cooperative when it came to readmission and stated that he expected that the asylum-seeker controversy "would not jeopardize the visa liberalization with the EU countries". Late last year, Serbia was put on the so-called white Schengen list, allowing Serbians to travel to most EU countries without visas. Now Dačić explained that visa liberalization "did not mean a right to receive asylum or work and live in EU member states". Dačić explained that the asylum seekers claimed that they did not have any documents and added that Serbia accepted their return, "if it has been proven that they are citizens of Serbia". According to him, Serbia received a total of 2,191 readmission requests from authorities in the EU countries in 2009. He added that 1,423 were given positive responses, while more than 700 were denied because there was no proof that persons meant to be sent back to Serbia were in fact Serbian citizens.

Serbia sends Ganić extradition request

Belgrade, March, 11 2010 (Source: Beta) - The Serbian Justice Ministry stated that it sent a demand for the extradition Ejup Ganić to the British authorities.
The demand and court documentation was sent for the 64-year-old former Muslim wartime member of Bosnia's presidency to be handed over to the Belgrade High Court in order to finish the process led against him. A British court that refused to free Ganić on bail earlier this month stated that Serbia must send the documentation for his extradition by April 7. Ganić was arrested in London on March 1, on a Serbian warrant. He and 18 other Bosnian nationals are wanted in Serbia in connection to the Dobrovoljačka St. massacre. In May 1992, a retreating Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) convoy was attacked in this Sarajevo street. Scores of JNA soldiers and officers were killed or injured as a result. Serbia's judicial authorities launched an investigation against Ganić in December of 2008 under suspicion that he, along with others, directly issued orders to attack JNA facilities in Sarajevo – including a military hospital, the JNA Center, a convoy of ambulance vehicles, and the army convoy in Dobrovoljačka St.

All these attacks came despite a previous agreement that was to allow JNA units to peacefully retreat from Bosnia-Herzegovina. The investigation order saw Ganić accused on three counts – war crimes against injured and ill persons, illegal killing and injuring of enemy combatants, and use of illegal means of combat. Ganić was born in Serbia, near the town of Novi Pazar. He entered politics as member of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Party of Reformed Forces, was elected into the Bosnian presidency in 1990, and was also the president of the crisis council at the beginning of the war in 1992. As a member of the presidency and the vice-president of the post-war Federation of Bosnia, Ganić made his first official visit to then Yugoslavia on July 23, 1996, meeting with then president of Serbia Slobodan Milošević. He was the Federation president from December 28, 1999 to February 28, 2001. Former Hague Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte confirmed on June 3, 2004 that the tribunal was conducting an investigation against Ganić.

No agreement about Slovenia conference

Pristina, March, 10. 2010 (Source: Beta) - Slovenian PM Borut Pahor that disputes have not been settled concerning a conference of the region’s leaders. He spoke in Priština after meeting with the Kosovo Albanian Prime minister Hashim Thaci, Beta news agency reported. Pahor said he would "like to see all the region's leaders in Slovenia, including Serbian President Boris Tadić and Thaci". Following Belgrade's demand that Priština officials appear under the name "UNMIK-Kosovo," the representation of states as well as a joint declaration remain problematic. "At this moment, I cannot say that all problems concerning the conference organization have been settled," Pahor stressed. He went on to say that diplomatic efforts will continue in order to ensure the presence of all Balkan leaders who would discuss the region's European future with EU leaders. "It is however not the only problem we are facing," Pahor noted, adding: "You imagine us at the end of the conference wishing to adopt a declaration on the EU future of the Western Balkans and imagine what a job would it be to compose a declaration acceptable to all." Thaci did not specify Priština's official position concerning its desire to take part as an equal state, but confirmed Kosovo's readiness to take part in all international initiatives and regional conferences.

No pressure from USA to join NATO

Belgrade, March, 10 2010 (Source: Tanjug) - Serbian Army (VS) CoGS Lt.-Gen. Miloje Miletić says there is no pressure from the U.S. to change Serbia's view on NATO and join that organization. Miletić described his recent visit to the U.S. as very positive. Miletić told B92 TV on Monday evening that the American officials he met with are aware that the Serbian Parliament has adopted a resolution on military neutrality and that the country has opted to cooperate with NATO through the Partnership for Peace program. The Serbian Army chief stated that his Hungarian counterpart was also there during the visit, and that the three sides discussed the possibilities of trilateral cooperation, which would involve improving military capabilities.
According to Miletić, they agreed that the cooperation would include crisis response planning, air force and peace operations, as well as the professional development of officers. Speaking about Kosovo, he said that the province remains the greatest security risk for Serbia and in the region. "The problem does not require a military engagement, but the situation is a cause for concern which requires a solution," said Miletić. Instability in Kosovo can be transferred to the region, especially southern Serbia, northern Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro, he said. Asked whether he was satisfied with cooperation with KFOR, Miletić said he was, although it abandoned the framework of neutrality through some of its decisions regarding implementation of Ahtisaari's plan and its decision to take part in forming the Kosovo Security Forces. "This is one of the reasons why the cooperation between the Serbian Army and KFOR was somewhat reduced, to a technical level," he said.

Any attempt at abusing Schengen regime will be punished

Belgrade, March 04, 2010 (Serbia Today) – Deputy Prime Minister for EU integration Bozidar Djelic announced on Monday punishments and the firm implementation of the Readmission Agreement for all those who abuse or attempt to abuse the liberal Belgian law regarding political asylum. Appearing in the Kaziprst show on RTV B92, Djelic stressed that anyone who abuses the Schengen regime jeopardizes the freedom of all Serbian citizens, warning that those who are repatriated on the basis of the Readmission Agreement will face even more difficulties with every future attempt to enter the Schengen countries. He stated that according to current data, around 300 persons made an organized attempt to abuse the liberal Belgian law regarding political asylum. The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the visa-free regime for Serbian citizens will not be jeopardized because of Belgium’s objections regarding an increased number of asylum seekers from southern Serbia, reiterating that all of them will be repatriated. Speaking on this week’s visit of French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, Djelic said that they discussed Serbia's EU integration, economic cooperation as well as employment visas for Serbian citizens in EU countries. Djelic reiterated that Serbia is an important unit of stability in the Western Balkans and has powerful arguments in defending its own integrity. Djelic also added that Serbia’s arguments for finding a compromised solution for the southern province are becoming stronger.

More active engagement of OSCE high commissioner on national minorities needed in Kosovo

Belgrade, March 04, 2010 (Serbia Today) – Minister for Kosovo-Metohija Goran Bogdanovic said during the talks with OSCE High Commissioner on national minorities Knut Vollebeak that he expressed appreciation for his activities in the field of protection of human rights and the building of trust between different ethnic communities in Kosovo-Metohija. Bogdanovic said that the Serbian side believes that it is of high importance that the activities of the OSCE high commissioner are in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and in an unbiased framework in relation to the province’s status. The Minister for Kosovo-Metohija reminded him of the difficulties with which all non-Albanian communities in Kosovo-Metohija are faced. He appealed to the active engagement of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities. Vollebaek expressed the hope that the situation of all minority communities in Kosovo-Metohija will improve. He especially pointed to specific activities in providing adequate education. Bogdanovic and Vollebaek expressed their willingness to invest joint efforts in improving the status of non-Albanian communities in Kosovo-Metohija, the statement added.

Kouchner says “Independence of Kosovo irreversible”

Pristina, March 03, 2010 (Serbia Today) – During his visit to Pristina, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said in Priština that "Kosovo independence is irreversible as far as France is concerned". Kouchner was received like an old friend by the Kosovo Albanian political elite and was given the opportunity to address the assembly in Priština, B 92 reporters. In his address, he declared that "Kosovo independence represents a historic event which cannot be stopped or changed". He encouraged Kosovo leaders to begin a dialog with Serbia, "because that is the only path that leads to the EU". "I don't know the hour or date, but I know that one day, Kosovo and Serbia will be in the European Union, as independent and friendly countries. It would be an illusion to think that we can move towards Europe while not allowing a neighboring country to go the same route," he said. Kouchner commended the recent local elections in Kosovo, stating that they "show that Serbs in Kosovo are ready to offer an active role in their futures in Kosovo". "A lot of time has passed since my last visit in April 2007, and this route can be described with one word: independence. In the name of France, I wish to say that your independence is not being questioned, it is a historical event and nothing can change history, which is something everyone should accept," Kouchner said. Kosovo Albanian leaders said that "France played a large role in offering help after the conflicts and contributing to Kosovo's independence". Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said that "Kosovo is dedicated to good neighborly relations with Serbia". "It is in the interest of our stability, regional cooperation and our European perspective, to leave the past with Serbia behind. The status question has ended and I believe that the whole world knows this," Thaci said. During the second day of his Kosovo visit, Kouchner met with senior officials of the international community in Priština, after which he visited the newly-formed Serb municipality of Gračanica.

Dacic to visit Norway

Belgrade, March 02, 2010 (Serbia Today) – First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Ivica Dacic will be in Norway on 2 and 3 March. On the first day of the visit Minister Dacic will meet with Minister of Justice Knut Sturberget, to discuss cooperation in the fight against organized crime and corruption. Afterwards, he will meet with Speaker of the Norwegian parliament Dag Terje Andersen. On the second day Dacic will visit the National Police Directorate and talk with Director Ingellin Kilengreen about the cooperation between Serbian and Norwegian police forces and police reform. Dacic will conclude his visit to Norway with a tour of the National Criminal Investigation Service.

“Kosovo is Serbia”, says hacked Sejdui web page

Pristina, March 02, 2010 (Source: Tanjug) - Serbian hackers attacked the website of Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu, and left the message “Kosovo is Serbia”, Sejdiu's cabinet said in a statement. According to this, the attack was performed by the so-called Serbian hackers group around midnight on Sunday. In addition to the message, the hackers also put up Serbian state symbols on the website. The Sejdiu's cabinet is analyzing how the attack was performed and it is doing everything to make the website operational again as soon as possible, said the statement. The website is currently offline.

Bernard Kouchner in Belgrade

Belgrade, March 02, 2010 (Source: B 92, Tanjug) - French FM Bernard Kouchner is in Belgrade, where he has met with President Boris Tadić, and will also talk with Deputy PM Božidar Đelić, and FM Vuk Jeremić. Ahead of the meetings today, he visited the grave of former Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić, assassinated in 2003.Tadić and Kouchner discussed the issue of bilateral relations, continuation of Serbia's European integration and Kosovo and Metohija, the president's cabinet released in a statement. "President Tadić underlined that France strongly supports Serbia's membership in the European Union,", the statement reads. The collocutors also agreed that no additional conditions will be imposed on Serbia regarding its EU membership. According to this, Tadić said that Serbia expects that the opinion of the International Court of Justice (on Kosovo independence) will pave the way for the reaching of a sustainable and compromise solution for Kosovo. The negotiations on the agreement on strategic partnership between France and Serbia have been successfully completed and the document will be signed during a future visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Serbia. The meeting between Tadić and Kouchner was also attended by Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić, the statement said. Ahead of the meeting, the French foreign ministry stated that "despite the differences between Serbia and Kosovo, there are fields in which the two countries can and must reach agreements, especially in relation to question regarding police, legislature and customs, with the support of the EULEX mission". On Sunday, AFP reported that Kouchner intends to call for reconciliation "of Serbia with Kosovo". In a statement to reporters who were with him on the plane from Paris, he said that his country "supports Serbia's EU membership and a positive development of relations between Serbia and Kosovo". "Serbs should not complicate the already sufficiently complicated situation," Kouchner said, in reference to the ethnic Albanians' unilaterally declared independence, which Belgrade rejects. He also stated that "the EU will have to make its stance on Serbia's membership unanimously". 22 out of 27 EU member-states have recognized the proclamation. Kouchner, meanwhile, says he considers himself "a friend" of both Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo. After Belgrade, he will travel to the province, to meet with Kosovo officials in Priština, and he will also tour the Serbian monastery of Gračanica, it was reported on Sunday. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told B92 in an exclusive interview that "relations with Kosovo must be simpler and based on friendship". These relations must be less tense, because that will make easier Serbia’s future in the EU, he said. “President Sarkozy and I are not asking Serbia to recognize Kosovo, but to begin the process of dialogue, work, relaxation, and the normalization of relations,” Kouchner said. “There are many people among the 27 (EU) member-states that do not agree with new Union enlargement. We have already gained experience with one divided country, Cyprus, and we are not ready to repeat that." "I am not saying that there are conditions or prerequisites to solve the Kosovo problem, and in Kosovo, to solve the problem with Serbia, no, but there must be an atmosphere that will enable everything to be regulated once Serbia becomes an EU member-state,” Kouchner told B92. Ahead of the meetings today, he visited the grave of former Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić, assassinated in 2003. Tadić and Kouchner discussed the issue of bilateral relations, continuation of Serbia's European integration and Kosovo and Metohija, the president's cabinet released in a statement. President Tadić underlined that France strongly supports Serbia's membership in the European Union,", the statement reads. The collocutors also agreed that no additional conditions will be imposed on Serbia regarding its EU membership. According to this, Tadić said that Serbia expects that the opinion of the International Court of Justice (on Kosovo independence) will pave the way for the reaching of a sustainable and compromise solution for Kosovo. The negotiations on the agreement on strategic partnership between France and Serbia have been successfully completed and the document will be signed during a future visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Serbia. The meeting between Tadić and Kouchner was also attended by Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremić, the statement said. Ahead of the meeting, the French foreign ministry stated that "despite the differences between Serbia and Kosovo, there are fields in which the two countries can and must reach agreements, especially in relation to question regarding police, legislature and customs, with the support of the EULEX mission". On Sunday, AFP reported that Kouchner intends to call for reconciliation "of Serbia with Kosovo". In a statement to reporters who were with him on the plane from Paris, he said that his country "supports Serbia's EU membership and a positive development of relations between Serbia and Kosovo". "Serbs should not complicate the already sufficiently complicated situation," Kouchner said, in reference to the ethnic Albanians' unilaterally declared independence, which Belgrade rejects. He also stated that "the EU will have to make its stance on Serbia's membership unanimously". 22 out of 27 EU member-states have recognized the proclamation. Kouchner, meanwhile, says he considers himself "a friend" of both Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo. After Belgrade, he will travel to the province, to meet with Kosovo officials in Priština, and he will also tour the Serbian monastery of Gračanica, it was reported on Sunday. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told B92 in an exclusive interview that "relations with Kosovo must be simpler and based on friendship". These relations must be less tense, because that will make easier Serbia’s future in the EU, he said. “President Sarkozy and I are not asking Serbia to recognize Kosovo, but to begin the process of dialogue, work, relaxation, and the normalization of relations,” Kouchner said. “There are many people among the 27 (EU) member-states that do not agree with new Union enlargement. We have already gained experience with one divided country, Cyprus, and we are not ready to repeat that. "I am not saying that there are conditions or prerequisites to solve the Kosovo problem, and in Kosovo, to solve the problem with Serbia, no, but there must be an atmosphere that will enable everything to be regulated once Serbia becomes an EU member-state,” Kouchner told B92. Political analyst Predrag Simić that Kouchner is expected to encourage cooperation between Serbia and EULEX during his Belgrade visit. “Because of the fact that this is the first visit of a French foreign minister since July 2007 –the first since Kosovo’s proclamation – it can be said that the goal of the visit is to normalize and further develop relations between Belgrade and Paris,” Simić said. He believes that the key topic will be Kosovo and the role of EULEX. “There has been a lot of speculation that France is unsatisfied with Belgrade’s stance towards EULEX and the announcements that Belgrade could be initiating a new action before the UN Security Council after the International Court of Justice gives its opinion on (the legality of) Kosovo’s (unilateral) independence proclamation,” he said. “I think that the message is clear, that Kosovo is a done deal for France and that Belgrade is expected, not to recognize Kosovo, but to cooperate with EULEX and help normalize the situation in Kosovo. This will probably also include the controversial plan of Pieter Feith, which received negative reactions from Serbs in Kosovo and the government in Belgrade,” Simić said.
France’s support for European integration is not being questioned, Simić said, but there is a possibility that France will ask Serbia to reformulate its stances regarding Kosovo on the road to EU integration. Simić said that be believes that Kouchner’s visit represents an announcement of the visit of President Nikola Sarkozy, which France has been announcing over the last two years. Simić said that besides Kosovo and EU integration, there are other open questions between Paris and Belgrade. One such question is the French investments which have stagnated, and trade cooperation between the two countries, which was successfully developing until 2007, especially when it comes to Serbia’s exports to France.

“Serbia should insist on talks with EU in regard to Kosovo”

Belgrade, March, 02, 2010 ( Source: Tanjug) – DSS President Vojislav Koštunica said that Serbia should insist on talks with the EU in which there will be clear discussions of Kosovo. “European officials are stating every day that the time has come for conditions to be set before Serbia publicly to begin cooperating with Kosovo as a neighboring country,” the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) leader said. He said that it is “pointless for the government to continue to hide the truth from the people, because the time for fraudulence has passed.” “The government should not be allowed, without the approval of the parliament, to enter negotiations on new agreements, especially not on implementing good neighborly relations with Kosovo,” Koštunica said. He repeated that “the current government accepted EULEX without the approval of the parliamentary and signed an agreement on the recognition of borders with Kosovo,” and stressed that it is “unacceptable for the state parliament to never discuss the southern province.”

“Strategic partnership agreement between Serbia and France is ready”

Belgrade, Feb. 26, 2010 (Serbia Today) - French Ambassador to Serbia Jean-Francois Terral has said that the text of a strategic partnership agreement between Serbia and France is ready, and that the negotiations should be completed by initialing the agreement during a future visit by France's Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner
French Ambassador to Serbia Jean-Francois Terral has said that the text of a strategic partnership agreement between Serbia and France is ready, and that the negotiations should be completed by initialing the agreement during a future visit by France's Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner. Terral told Vecernje novosti, a Serbian daily, that the agreement was announced in May 2009, during Serbian President Boris Tadic's visit to Paris, adding that French President Nicolas Sarkozy is going visit Serbia in 2010. According to Terral, the agreement tries to give a formal shape to the political obligation to cooperate in Serbia's European integration when it comes to economy, energy, defense, security, environment protection, science, culture and university issues. Terral pointed out that France feels that Serbia belongs in the EU, which was stated very clearly by Sarkozy during his meeting with Tadic in Paris. France will back Serbia's EU bid, Terral noted, adding that the bid being sent to the European Commission is a technical matter with the aim of getting an opinion. It could be sent immediately, according to Terral, who remarked that France hopes a consensus will be reached soon.

Serbian Police searched Ratko Mladic’s house in Belgrade

Belgrade, Feb. 25, 2010 (Serbia Today) -  According to news reports by the Serbian  media, Serbian police (MUP) ended an operation that started on Tuesday morning, where they searched the home of Ratko Mladić in the Belgrade municipality of Banovo Brdo. The search for the former military leader of Bosnia's Serbs and Hague Tribunal began early on Tuesday with about ten officers from MUP's special units seen in front of the house. Police said that they confiscated "a number of movable objects and a small sum of money". Neighbors reported that Ratko Mladić‘s son Darko Mladić was present in the building. The last publicized operation, launched as part of the search for Mladić, took place in October of last year, near Novi Sad, with the President of the National Council for Hague Cooperation Rasim Ljajić stating at the time that a “widespread search was implemented.” In Bosnia, EUFOR conducted its own search on request from the Hague Tribunal in Bjeljina in May 2009. The last time Mladić’s home in Banovo Brdo was searched was in December 2008, when police spent eight hours there. Interior Minister Ivica Dačić said on Tuesday that the search of the location was part of the regular activities of the Action Team for the location and arrest of remaining Hague indictees. “Search is underway in certain buildings and the Office of the War Crimes Prosecutor will inform the public about that. The search is part of the regular activities which have been carried out at different locations with the aim to find evidence that might help locate the ones that have been charged with the Hague Tribunal,” Dačić told journalists during his visit to the Police Academy. Asked if state bodies were now closer to locating Mladić, Dačić answered that he would be able to answer that question "only once the search had been proved as fruitful," according to Tanjug. It was reported on Wednesday that "EUR 70,000 was found in the apartment of J. Hadži Đokića, a urologist and SANU member, former director of the Clinical Center of Serbia and JUL member". The JUL was a party founded and led by Slobodan Milošević's wife Mirjana Marković. Vujačić also said that the search was ordered by the investigating magistrate of the Belgrade Higher Court War Crimes Department, adding that it is the fourth time in the past year that Mladić's house, where his wife and son live, is being searched. Vujačić explained that he was present at the search as a "family friend" and not as a legal counsel, since Mladić's family are not suspects.

Serbian Progressive Party push for early elections

Belgrade, Feb. 24, 2010 ( Serbia Today) – The leader of the opposition Serbian Progressive Party  campaigned in Belgrade on Monday for early elections.  He was joined by Velimir Ilic of the NS Party and Nenad Popovic of the DSS Party. As Serbian news agency Tanjug reports, they were united in their request for early parliamentary elections.
At a meeting to show support the campaign of signature-collection urging new elections in Serbia, Nikolić declared that SNS, NS and DSS are united, adding that he believed that other parties in Serbia will soon join them. He noted that around one million signatures have been collected so far. When asked about the formation of a pre-election coalition, Ilić answered that this issue will be discussed and that the parties are now firmly united. He believes that the most important matter is that the people are also united in their bid to hold elections. Popović stated that he was designated by DSS leader Vojislav Koštunica to attend the meeting. He added that the elections were the only solution for overcoming the "deep political and economic crisis" in the country.

American Congressman Earl Pomeroy visits Serbia

Belgrade, Feb. 22, 2010 (Serbia Today) – Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration and Minister of Science and Technological Development Bozidar Djelic met last Thursday with a delegation of US Congress, led by Congressman Earl Pomeroy, after which he stated that Serbia has full support of the United States for its membership in the EU. Djelic pointed out that there are differences in the attitudes of Serbia and the United States on Kosovo- Metohija and added that Serbian arguments were presented to Pomeroy. According to Djelic, Serbia believes that after the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague will create conditions for solving the status of Kosovo-Metohija. The Deputy Prime Minister announced that he will visit the United States in April, when he will sign the first agreement on scientific and technical cooperation of Serbia and the United States. Pomeroy said he will spend one day visit Kraljevo, where he as high school students spent one summer in a Serbian family. Pomeroy said he is pleased that the citizens of Serbia are granted visa liberalization and also with the fact that Serbia applied to obtain candidate status for EU membership. The Serbian government is working hard, Pomeroy said, adding that he believes that there is room for improvement of cooperation between Serbia and the United States in the field of science, agriculture and energy.

Ministers charged with misdemeanor

Belgrade, Feb. 22, 2010 (Serbia Today) – Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic talked last Friday with all the government ministers against whom charges have been filed by the State Audit Institution.

In a written statement, the Prime Minister said that he is informed about the preparation of documentation in various ministries concerning the irregularities and that this material will be presented in court. He said that after conducting an audit control procedure for the 2008 budget the State Audit Institution filed misdemeanor charges against those suspected of irregularities and it is up to the courts as independent bodies to determine the validity of these allegations. The government will take all necessary steps in the future to prevent such irregularities. I would like to state once more that it is extremely important for Serbia that the State Audit Institution has presented its first report and that state spending transparency has been established, said Cvetkovic.
Nevertheless, it is expected that most of the ministers will be punished only with the monetary fines which could be as low as 8 US Dollars and no higher than 700 US Dollars. It also not expected that any of them will be called to answer for their wrongdoings in front of their party members. Ministers that were charged are Slobodan Milosavljević, Goran Bogdanović, Žarko Obradovića, Tomica Milosavljević,, Nebojša Bradić, Saša Dragin, and Oliver Dulić.

The Financing of the Political Parties in Serbia

Belgrade, Feb. 20, 2010 (Serbia Today) – The annual financial reports by the political parties in Serbia revealing all of the sources of the financial support and of the ways funds were spent, will probably never be completed, according to an article published in Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti on Thursday. One of the crucial questions is if all of those who gave donations to the political parties have their incomes from the legit sources and how the parties could protect themselves from being sucked into receiving support from questionable sources often connected to organized crime. That there is a certain amount of the lack of control shows a fact that since 2004 there were 268 cases open before Serbian Courts against parties that didn’t give full documentation about their expenditures and none of them have ever been resolved. Furthermore, until the beginning of last year, all of the financial transactions by the parties were controlled by the Finance Committee of the Parliament, and it was not to expect that MP’s will objects their own parties reports. New Law that is in preparation by the Ministry of Justice will try to solve all of the financing issues with much tougher punishments for those parties and individuals that break the law. It is expected this Law to come before Parliament in June. However, this law will be implemented only on reports starting with the end of 2009 and after. The Government Agency for the Fight against corruption prepares a form of a questioner for the parties that will require parties to declare all expenditures and income. This questioner will be ready by March 7th and it is expected to be used for the local elections in the Municipality of Negotin for the very first time.