Belgrade, May 18, 2010

SERBIA – UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL SESSION ON KOSOVO

JEREMIC: ICJ OPINION OPPORTUNITY FOR COMPROMISE ON KOSOVO
NEW YORK, May 17 (Tanjug) - Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said in New York that despite the setbacks on the ground, "a new, more promising moment" is being approached, and expressed belief that the opinion of the ICJ will create an unprecedented opportunity to achieve a strategic compromise between Serbs and Albanians. "This year can be the year of our shared success. I want to assure this Council that Serbia stands ready to flexibly engage in all sincerity, for our intent is neither to freeze the conflict, nor to triumph or to subjugate," Jeremic said. Jeremic took part in the UN SC session on the situation in Kosovo, which, as he said earlier, could be the last one before the ICJ gives its advisory opinion. He reminded that the court is close to completing its deliberations on the unilateral proclamation of Kosovo independence. "This is a fact we all have an obligation to take very seriously. The judges' work should be allowed to run its course, unhindered by political pressures, such as further recognitions of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence," the Serbian minister underscored. Jeremic reminded that even two years after the unilateral proclamation of Kosovo's independence, and regardless of different views, the status of the southern Serbian province remains bitterly disputed. "Pristina's unilateral declaration of independence has clearly divided the world and brought into question the fundamental tenets of the contemporary international system.It has neither contributed to Balkan stability, nor enhanced regional cooperation," he underscored. The only way forward, as he assessed, is to bring about a just compromise that balances the desires and interests of the two peoples. "This is the goal of Serbia, and we will pursue it until it is achieved - for no stopping short of agreement will ever be justified," Jeremic pointed out. On the other hand, waiting around for an indeterminate period in the vague hope that one side will eventually give-in is a recipe for freezing Kosovo's limbo, the minister warned, adding that this is most certainly not what any responsible stakeholder wants. Jeremic reminded that a substantial majority of UN member states and the SC have stood firm against efforts to impose the forcible partition of Serbia, and reiterated Belgrade's stand that it will never recognise the unilateral declaration of Kosovo independence. "The principled position of Serbia's democracy remains set in stone: we will never recognize the unilateral declaration of independence. We will continue to vigorously defend our position in a non-confrontational manner, using all diplomatic means at the disposal of a peaceful sovereign state," Jeremic said. Speaking about the situation on the ground, Jeremic pointed out that it is critical that the SC keeps supporting UNMIK as "a crucial pillar of peace and stability" in the province. "We deeply appreciate the constructive approach by the UN and organizations that operate under its overall authority, such as EULEX," the minister said. Pointing out that disagreements on status must not impede the ability to act in concert on resolving practical issues, Jeremic reminded that Kosovo's ethnic Albanian authorities have on numerous occasions failed to embrace pragmatic, status neutral engagement, notably in the rule of law area. Pristina publicly rejected the agreement on how to move forward rapidly on the judiciary issue, in particular as it affects the North Mitrovica courthouse, which was reached during the March 2 visit by the Head of EULEX, Yves de Kermabon, to Belgrade, Jeremic said, and warned that the the UN Secretary General's report unfortunately downplays a number of growing challenges in Kosovo. He pointed to the case regarding Pristina's Minister of Transport and Communication Fatmir Limaj, who has been under investigation for "money laundering, organized crime, misappropriations of office, fraud in office, and soliciting bribes," as well as to the fact that the EULEX chief prosecutor has hinted that Kosovo Premier Hasim Taci had strongly discouraged him from moving forward. The foreign minister also reminded that War Veterans Association of the (so-called) Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) made threats against EULEX after the recent arrest of former KLA commander Sabit Geci, who is charged with crimes related to organ harvesting committed on ethnic Serb civilians in the well-known "Yellow House" in neighboring Albania. Jeremic reminded that several Serbian officials were illegitimately expelled by Pristina under armed escort, and that at around the same time, unilateral force was used by a Kosovo special police unit on Serbian mobile and fixed telephony, disrupting the ability of Kosovo Serbs to communicate beyond their enclaves. This is a serious breach of contemporary humanitarian norms, Jeremic underlined, warning that this sort of unilateralism must not happen ever again. The precarious state of Serbian patrimony also remains a deeply troubling part of the reality on the ground in Kosovo, and the report by the UN Secretary general highlights a number of disturbing incidents, including church vandalism, graveyard desecration, looting of icons and other relics, he said. Jeremic, however, noted that it (report) does not mention the lack of progress in reversing the outrageous decision to pave-over with concrete the remains of the twice-destroyed Serbian church in the center of Djakovica. "These illustrative examples are not isolated incidents. They cause, result from and reinforce each other - all at the same time. They are an integral part of the post UDI-reality on the ground that directly affects the return of the 205,835 expelled Kosovo Serbs registered by the UNHCR," Jeremic stressed, pointing out that last year, only a few hundred Kosovo Serbs had returned to their homes. "This amounts to less than one half of one percent, a staggering figure. It is a failure of monumental proportions that must urgently be addressed," Jeremic concluded.

ZANNIER: BOTH SIDES SHOULD INVEST EFFORTS
NEW YORK, May 18 (Tanjug) - UNMIK Chief Lamberto Zannier evaluated at the UN SC session in New York that the UN Mission wants to promote the situation in Kosovo, but that both the Serbian and Albanian sides need to invest their efforts. He assessed the situation in Kosovska Mitrovica as politically delicate, particularly in regards to courts, adding that UNMIK is trying to contribute to the situation improvement. Zannier warned that little is being said about everyday problems of citizens. UNMIK is investing efforts in renewing the dialogue between the northern and southern parts of Kosovska Mitrovica, said Zannier, adding that representatives of the UN Mission had talked with leaders of both sides but that political argumentation had prevailed. Stating that 1,800 persons are still recorded as missing, Zannier spoke about the incidents in the village of Zac, where Serbs are not allowed to return to their homes, as well as about the decision of the Kosovo authorities to disconnect the telephone lines of the Serbian operators in Kosovo, which had led to a communication halt in the minority-populated areas. According to Zannier, it is a complex issue in which legal and humanitarian elements are combined.

HISENI: SERBIA'S ROLE IN KOSOVO IS NOT HELPFUL
NEW YORK, May 18 (Tanjug) - Foreign Minister of the provisional Kosovo government Skender Hiseni stated at the UN SC session on Kosovo that the Kosovo institutions continue to work to the benefit of all citizens of Kosovo, including ethnic minorities, the Serbian minority in particular, but that the role of Serbia in Kosovo does not help. Speaking at the session in which he took part as a private person, Hiseni said that this role was disturbing at one point. In regards to the strategy for the north of Kosovo, Hiseni said that it should provide conditions for a normal life of all citizens of Kosovo regardless of their ethnicity. He also said that Kosovo wishes to discuss issues of mutual interest with Serbia and to have normal relations with Belgrade.

RUSSIA & CHINA: SITUATION COMPLEX, UNMIK HAS MAIN ROLE
NEW YORK, May 18 (Tanjug) - China and Russia evaluated at the UN SC debate on Kosovo that the situation in Kosovo remains complex and urged for the UNMIK to keep its main role in the province. Russia's permanent representative to the United Nations evaluated that the situation in Kosovo raises cause for concern, underlining that the UN should have the main role in the province. Underscoring that he shares the opinion of the Serbian foreign minister, the Russian representative recalled that the official Moscow does not accept the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo. He pointed out that UN SC Resolution 1244 is still in force and that no one may replace UNMIK in its mission of establishing international standards. The Russian ambassador also expressed his concern over the removal of transmitters of Serbian telephone operators in Kosovo, which had led to an increase of tension. He criticized NATO for transferring the responsibility of protecting the Serbian cultural and religious monuments in Kosovo on to the Kosovo police, recalling that EULEX may act only in keeping with Res 1244. China's representative evaluated the situation in Kosovo as complex and sensitive, but that things remain generally stable, thanks to UNMIK. He called on the UN member states to support UNMIK, reiterating that the official Beijing respects Serbia's territorial integrity and that problems should be solved in keeping with the UN Charter. Great Britain's ambassador expressed his satisfaction over the fact that ethnically motivated violence was not escalating. In regards to the incidents in the village of Zac, he underlined that such incidents are impermissible and requested Pristina to observe its obligations. He also expressed his support to the roles of UNMIK and EULEX and their efforts to establish the rule of law in Kosovo. The USA's representative concluded that two years after the proclamation of independence Kosovo is developing into an open multiethnic and democratic republic. She underscored that Kosovo's independence is irretrievable and that partition of the province is unacceptable. The French representative evaluated that Kosovo, two years after the declaration of independence, continues to promote its institutions. Recalling that 68 states, of which 23 are members of the EU, have recognized Kosovo, he pointed out that long talks under various auspices had been carried out on Kosovo's status and that it had turned out that it is impossible to reach a solution that would satisfy both sides.

JEREMIC: SERBIA HAS NO PRECONDITIONS FOR DIALOGUE ON KOSOVO
NEW YORK, May 18 (Tanjug) - Foreign Minister Jeremic stated at the UN SC session that Serbia is not setting any prerequisites for opening a dialogue on Kosovo and Metohija, underscoring that progress is not possible by taking unilateral actions. We are ready to discuss all issues, including those that are in the heart of the problem: the future status of Kosovo, said Jeremic in his response at the end of the SC session on the latest report by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. According to Jeremic, progress may only be made if an agreement is reached by the parties concerned and not by taking unilateral actions, no matter how powerful were those who back those actions. For the first time in history of the Balkans, such a dispute, including the issue of borders, is not being solved with a conflict and war but in a peaceful way instead, said Jeremic, adding that this is what Serbia proposes and remains ready to engage in the best possible way in solving the issue. Jeremic also pointed out that the UN secretary-general mentions in his report that there are five times more returnees to Kosovo than in the previous period. That is correct, but there were 50 returnees previously and now there are 259 returnees, out of the 200,000 internally displaced persons, said Jeremic, adding that the very fact shows that the issue should be address.

SERBIA – ECONOMY

TADIC: SERBIA HAS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT
KRALJEVO, May 17 (Tanjug) - President Tadic stated that Serbia has great potential to develop agriculture and that the country's export of agricultural products could be doubled in the coming years. During his visit to the household of one Milan Milenkovic in the village of Lazac, near Kraljevo, Tadic said that investment in the most profitable agricultural branches, one of which being dairy farming, is the prerequisite for the development of agriculture. The Serbian president evaluated that Milenkovic's cow farm and dairy plant show that it is possible to remain in rural areas and develop a modern business on one's own farm with the help of the state. Tadic also said that the economic crisis had also affected the country's agriculture, as well as all other branches of economy, but he sent out a message that the Serbian economy is recovering and that it will return to the high growth rate from the pre-crisis period as soon as 2012 and 2013.

TADIC: WE ARE CONSIDERING PRIVATIZATION OF TELEKOM
KRALJEVO, May 17 (Tanjug) - President Tadic said that the state is considering the privatization of the telecommunications company Telekom, as that would enable investment in priority infrastructure projects. Visiting a landslide on one of the banks of the Ibar River in Kraljevo, Tadic said that Serbia does not have sufficient funds for realizing projects which are the country's prerogatives for future development, such as investments in water management. "If we want to redirect the funds that have so far been invested into telecommunications and use them for roads, railways and water management, people need to show understanding. We are not a rich society and do not have unlimited access to EU funds, and we are not entitled to receive grants as EU members do," Tadic said. "We are therefore considering the privatization of Telekom. One part of the funds (obtained thereby) has to go straight into these (infrastructure) investments," President Tadic concluded.

TADIC: IF NO CREDIT, WE MUST BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE ON OUR OWN
KRALJEVO, May 17 (Tanjug) - President Tadic said that Serbia will have to complete its road and railway infrastructure projects on its own if it does not get favourable credits with a maximum of 3 percent interest from foreign sources. Tadic met with representatives of various companies in Kraljevo, a city in central Serbia, and stated that the country can afford loans with up to 3 percent interest, adding that it will implement such solutions as the sale of Telekom Srbija, the country's leading telecommunications company, if it fails to get those loans from other countries. "I see my political fate as something closely connected to the completion of transport corridors. Where will the money for that come from? That is the reason why we are thinking about selling Telekom," he explained. "If we do not finish the roads, we will take the blame. If we do not finish what we are doing now, we will be punished by the citizens at the next elections," he said. He noted that the country's telecommunications will not suffer should Telekom be sold, and neither will its people, since there is a high level of competition in the field, ensuring a good offer and fair prices. He stated that the Serbian economy has been experiencing systemic problems for a number of decades, but added that the current government is doing everything in its power to help the companies. Serbia, he said, has to support home companies, but also respect international standards, which means to help create an economy that will be able to stand up to the competition.

CVETKOVIC & DRAGUTINOVIC WITH IMF MISSION
BELGRADE, May 17 (Tanjug) - Prime Minister Cvetkovic and Finance Minister Dragutinovic reached an agreement with the IMF mission to consider, in scope of the fourth revision of the Stand-By Arrangement, the possibility of unfreezing salaries and pensions. "Agreement has been reached to consider a possible unfreezing of salaries and pensions from the point of 2010 economic trends and by examining fiscal consequences," it was released in a statement after the meeting. The topic of the meeting with the IMF mission, led by Albert Jaeger, was both the current economic situation in Serbia and macroeconomic indicators for the first quarter of 2010, the government's press service released in a statement. In the next two weeks talks will be held with the IMF mission in scope of the fourth revision of the arrangement, which will focus on the further implementation of the agreed measures, the statement reads. The official talks between Serbia and the international financial institution were opened by a plenary session at the National Bank of Serbia.

ITALIANS INTERESTED IN INVESTING IN SERBIA
VICENZA May 17 (Tanjug) - About 70 leading companies from northern Italy which attended the event "Serbia - Ideal Business Partner in the Balkans", held in Vicenza, Italy, have expressed great interest in investing in Serbia, Minister of Trade and Services Slobodan Milosavljevic told. The talks focused mainly on the sectors of agriculture, textile, leather and vehicle parts industries and renewable energy sources, he said. The Italian companies which are already present in Serbia as investors have presented their positive experiences, he said. Milosavljevic said he will confer with the managements of some companies, such as the engine manufaturer Marelli, which are planning to open their plants in Serbia by the end of this year. This is the right way to help Serbia's economic recovery, open employment prospects and invest in export-oriented industries, he said. This involves the creating of free trade zones and the free trade agreement concluded by Serbia and Russia, he said. He presented to the participants Serbia's economic achievments and possibilities for increasing trade cooperation between Serbia and Italy and for offering incentives to Italian investors.

SERBIA – REGION

ŠIMONOVIC: GOVERNMENTS COMPETENT FOR LAWSUITS
ZAGREB, May 17 (Tanjug) - Following his meeting with Justice Minister Snezana Malovic, Croatian Justice Minister Ivan Simonovic recalled Zagreb's stand that the issue of the lawsuit and countercharges for genocide brought by the two countries before the ICJ in The Hague were in the competence of their governments. Responding to a question on possibilities of dropping the mutual charges, Simonovic underscored at a joint press conference held with the Serbian minister that the Croatian government had not discussed the issue, noting that facing the past would solve the problems. Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor said during her last week's meeting with her counterpart Mirko Cvetkovic in Zagreb that a decision on dropping charges may only be made by the Croatian government but that it has yet to discuss the issue. Prime Minister Cvetkovic said during the same meeting that the official Belgrade is ready to drop its genocide countercharges against Croatia if the authorities in Zagreb concurrently drop their charges before the ICJ.

DJUKANOVIC ONCE AGAIN ACCUSES AND OFFERS EVIDENCE
PODGORICA, May 18 (Tanjug) - Montegrin PM Milo Djukanovic continued accusing the cabinet of President Tadic of directly interfering in the internal political affairs of Montenegro. During the campaign rally for the local elections in several municipalities in Montenegro, Djukanovic accused Mladen Djordjevic, advisor to the Serbian president, of helping the Montenegrin opposition and of being directly involved in the internal political affairs of the sovereign state of Montenegro. Djukanovic accused Djordjevic of managing a campaign on behalf of the Serbian opposition in Montenegro and providing them with financial and other kinds of support. "Since spokespersons from Belgrade denied this saying that they did not know who I was talking about, I can tell them right now that Djordjevic is the person. If they need evidence, as a serious man and a representative of a serious state, I will give them the documentation," he said. He had said earlier that the aim of the Montenegrin opposition coalition, thrown together in the cabinet of an advisor to the Serbian president, is not only to bring down DPS, but also to reopen the issue of Montenegrin independence. Tadic' cabinet denied Djukanovic's accusations, pointing out that this is a complete lie.

KOSOVO – METOHIJA

LAJCAK: SOLUTION FOR KOSOVO CAN BE FOUND IN REGION
BELGRADE, May 18 (Tanjug) - The solution for the Kosovo problem can be found in the region, said Slovakian Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak, who once again confirmed that he has no ambitions of proposing his own plan for Kosovo. What is important for me is that the EU is actively working on the issue and that we look at the region and not at each country individually, Lajcak said in an interview for the daily Novosti. Asked how the Kosovo issue will be settled in the context of European integration, when some countries recognize its unilaterally declared independence while others do not, Lajcak said that the answer to that question can be found in the region. "If the atmosphere in the region changes and if communication improves, then everything will be very simple for other countries as well. Slovenia's position is known and it is not hostile to the citizens of Kosovo. We have diplomats, soldiers and police there, and offer development aid, he pointed out.

MEETING OF PARLIAMENT COMMITTEE CHAIRS OF CROATIA AND KOSOVO
ZAGREB, May 17 (Beta) - Frano Matusic and Sabri Hamiti, the chairs of Croatia's and Kosovo's foreign policy parliamentary committees, said in Zagreb that there was great potential for widening cooperation between Kosovo and Croatia in the fields of economy, culture and education. Matusic said that Croatia would continue to support the building of democratic institutions and processes which are bringing all countries in the region closer to EuroAtlantic integration. He also reiterated that Croatia was ready to share its experiences in negotiations with other countries in the region. Hamiti said that Kosovo expected the liberalization of the visa regime for Kosovo citizens traveling to EU countries to begin this year, reads a statement issued by the Croatian Parliament. In Zagreb, Hamiti is participating in a discussion titled "Current Trends in the Western Balkans," organized by the Western EU Assembly and the Croatian Parliament.

SERBIA – EU

DEGERT: START OF SAA RATIFICATION DEPENDS ON BRAMMERTZ'S REPORT
BELGRADE, May 18 (Tanjug) - The upcoming report of Hague Tribunal chief prosecutor Serge Brammertz is the key for the start of the ratification process of Serbia's SAA with the EU and it needs to be at least as positive as his last one, said Head of the EU Delegation in Belgrade Vincent Degert. Degert believes that EU should start ratifying the SAA after Brammertz presents his report. I do not think The Hague issue should delay Serbia's Eu integration, but I could also ask why it is proving this difficult to arrest Hague indictees, he told for Danas and added that so far Brammertz has been satisfied with the search for the accused. The report will be presented on June 18, the first meeting of the Council of Ministers is scheduled for June 14 and 15 and a session of the Council of the EU for June 17 and 18. The thing that remains to be seen is what the EU will do about Serbia's membership bid, Degert said. The EC has made clear it is ready to offer its opinion on Serbia's application, but first we need to reach a consensus among all member states, he added. According to Degert, 2009 was a very good year for Serbia from an EU perspective. Degert said he is satisfied with the political system reform during the mandate of Prime Minister Cvetkovic.

KACIN & FULE: EU ENLARGEMENT MUST NOT ABATE
STRASBOURG, May 18 (Tanjug) - European Parliament Rapporteur for Serbia Jelko Kacin said in a meeting with EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule that EU enlargement must not abate, the EP said in a statement. Discussing Serbia's progress in Eu integration, Kacin noted the justice system reform as key to the success of Serbia's Eu integration, because the country can become an EU member only if it implements the rule of law. Kacin commended the efforts of Justice Minister Snezana Malovic, particularly the fact that Serbia has joined the Regional Anti-Corruption Initiative for Southeastern Europe by signing the accession memorandum in Zagreb. Kacin also called Fule's attention to the importance of deeper and more concrete cooperation with the Serbian Agriculture Ministry, noting Serbia is not composed only of Belgrade and bigger towns, but villages and rural areas as well. According to Kacin, in order to maintain the dynamic of the Eu integration of the Western Balkans, as one country in the region nears the end of the accession process, the EU needs to start membership talks with another.

SERBIA

TADIC: THERE WILL BE FUNDS FOR FLOOD DEFENSE
TRGOVISTE, May 18 (Tanjug) - President Tadic expressed his expectation that the budget revision for 2010 or 2011 will allocate funds for the reconstruction of the bulwark for the flood defense in Trgoviste minicipality, which was struck by a heavy flood upon the overflowing of the Pcinja River. Tadic expressed his satisfaction over the fact that the government allocated RSD 15 million for the emergency assistance for the Trgoviste municipality, pointing out that the repair of the damages will require much larger funds as well as the engagement of the Infrastructure Ministry. Tadic said that, apart from the flood damages, the Trgoviste municipality population have been suffering damages due to the economic downfall, adding that several small factories need to be built there, which would employ the inhabitants of this region. According to him, the opening of the border crossing towards Macedonia is also of great significance for the connection of the economies of both countries' border areas.

CONFERENCE ON CLIMATIC CHANGES OPENS OFFICIALLY
BELGRADE, May 18 (Tanjug) - Parliament President Djukic-Dejanovic officially opened a two-day conference dubbed "Learning and teaching about climatic changes and the UN system," underscoring that the meeting will give an important contribution to adopting specific programs. "I am confident that conclusions will be made at the conference that will be important and very useful for the stands of governments, international organizations, scientific institutions and all individuals that receive the information in Southeast Europe as a whole," said Dejanovic. "In keeping with what we have done so far and with the idea that the future should be as best as possible for all, we will work on upgrading the environment, both by adopting laws and implementing them," she concluded.