Beta - Daily News

All Asylim-Seekers from Southern Serbia to Return

9.3.2010. 21:6:4 +0100

PRESEVO, March 9, 2010 (BETA) - Melchior Wathelet, Belgian secretary of state for migration and asylum affairs, on March 9 told representatives of authorities in Presevo and Bujanovac that no citizen from southern Serbia seeking asylum in Belgium could claim it for economic reasons.

Together with European Commission official Jean Louis de Brouwer and Belgian Ambassador to Serbia Denise de Hauwere, Wathelet visited Bujanovac and discussed the issue of the increased number of asylum seekers in Belgium from southern Serbia with the representatives of ethnic Albanians from Bujanovac and Presevo.

The visitors met with Bujanovac Mayor Saip Kamberi and Presevo Mayor Ragmi Mustafa, other members of local governments and Riza Haljimi, the only ethnic Albanian member of Serbia's parliament, and stated that none of the citizens who sought asylum in Belgium after the European Union lifted visas for Serbia could be granted asylum for economic reasons.

Wathelet stated that the visa-free regime did not mean that Serbian citizens could get jobs, homes or money in Belgium, and that people who believed someone's false promises were the biggest victims, as nobody could hope for asylum based on economic circumstances.

Kamberi appealed to Belgium and other EU countries to view "the problem of persons attempting to get asylum more seriously, and to encourage both their own governments and the government of Serbia to invest more in Bujanovac and Presevo."

According to official records, 58 Serbian citizens filed for asylum in Belgium in January, 330 in February, and 59 in the first seven days of March. The asylum-seekers were mainly ethnic Albanians from southern Serbia.

Estonian Minister Supports Serbia's European Integration

TALLINN, March 9, 2010 (BETA) - Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with his Serbian counterpart Vuk Jeremic on March 9, in Tallinn, and stated that Serbia was getting good results in its bid to join the European Union, thanks to implementing key reforms and cooperation with the Hague tribunal.

"Estonia is a supporter of the European Union's open-door policy so that nations that share common values and principles with our member states can be included in the union," Paet said, as quoted in a press release from the Estonian Foreign Ministry.

Paet said Estonia recognized Serbia's steps toward the EU and fully supported its efforts at reform. He also stressed the importance of the EU's decision to lift visas for the citizens of Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia.

According to him, the EU's December decision to begin to apply its interim trade agreement with Serbia was also important in that country's European integration process.

Speaking about economic relations between the two countries, Paet stated that, though Estonia had closer economic ties with Serbia than with other West Balkan countries, there was great potential to advance the relations further.

"Estonian entrepreneurs are interested in, for example, cooperation with Serbia in the energy sector," Paet stated, adding that "Estonia and Serbia could develop energy-related cooperation in the oil shale industry."

"We hope that business contacts will be further inspired when the agreement for the avoidance of double taxation between Estonia and Serbia comes into effect," the Estonian minister said.

According to the announcement from the Estonian ministry, Paet and Jeremic also discussed the situation in the West Balkans.

Draskovic: EU Unconditionally, as soon as Possible

BELGRADE, March 9, 2010 (BETA) - Serbian Renewal Movement president Vuk Draskovic said that March 9, the 19th anniversary of the massive 1991 protest against the Slobodan Milosevic regime, was the right opportunity to say that the loss of Kosovo, produced by Milosevic, could on no account turn into losing the European Union too.

"March 9 is an opportunity to say that we will not acquiesce to further defeats and losses of Serbia. The Kosovo frustrations and the loss of Kosovo, which Slobodan Milosevic caused by his policy, must on no account turn into a loss of the EU," Draskovic said at Trg Republike Square, where, he said, 19 years ago, ten years of revolt against the Milosevic regime began.

"The EU, unconditionally and as soon as possible, that is the demand, the conviction of all those who, from March 9 until Oct. 5, 2000 fought and gave of themselves for a European, new, better and democratic Serbia," Draskovic said.

"Today the vast majority of participants in the demonstrations that had 19 years ago sparked a ten-year revolt against Milosevic's regime are disappointed. They are disappointed because those very people -- the youth of that time, the world of small businesses, the middle class, farmers, workers, turned out to be the biggest victims of the democratic transition," the leader of the Serbian Renewal Movement said.

According to him, because of the people who proclaimed that they were experts on Oct. 5 and who conducted backward developmental, economic and tax policies, those who had fought the battle against Milosevic had suffered, while war profiteers, smugglers and tycoons have profited, and went on to become economic and political overlords.

The president and officials of the Serbian Renewal Movement laid flowers at a monument at Trg Republike Square in remembrance of "fallen heroes." The demonstrations of tens of thousands of people claimed the lives of student Branivoj Milinovic and police officer Nedeljko Kosovic, while more than 200 protesters were injured.

(End)

G17 Plus, Socialists Deny Talks on Govt. Reorganization

8.3.2010. 23:13:16 +0100

BEOGRAD, March 8, 2010 (Beta) - G17 Plus Vice President Suzana Grubjesic on March 8 denied that an agreement had been reached to reduce the number of ministries in the government of Serbia.

"I don't know if there have been any talks on reorganizing the government," she told reporters, adding that, if such a discussion had taken place, G17 Plus had not participated in it.

Grubjesic said her party was ready to discuss the issue, but that it would not agree to the elimination of the Ministry for Youth and Sport, which is headed by Snezana Samardzic-Markovic of G17 Plus.

The March 8 issue of the Blic daily reported that the members of the coalition in power had agreed to reduce the number of ministries by five as of October 2010.

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs Ivica Dacic, who is also the president of the Socialist Party of Serbia, denied that the leaders of parties in the ruling coalition had discussed a reorganization of the government.

Still no Agreement About Conference in Brdo Near Kranj

PRISTINA, March 8, 2010 (Beta) - Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor said in Pristina on March 8 that disputes have not been settled concerning a conference of the region's leaders, due to take place in Brdo near Kranj, Slovenia, on March 20.

After meeting with Kosovo Premier Hashim Thaci, Pahor said he would like to see all the region's leaders in Slovenia, including Serbian President Boris Tadic and Thaci.

Following Belgrade's demand that Pristina 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 Pristina'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.

NGO Performance Against Women's Rights Violations

BELGRADE, March 8, 2010 (Beta) - On March 8, International Women's Day, activists of the non-governmental organization Women in Black and other civic sector organizations staged a march in Belgrade against violations of women's labor and other rights.

Around 100 activists organized a brief performance in Belgrade's downtown Square of the Republic, carrying signs that read "March 8 -- Solidarity," "Women Against Fascism," "Solidarity," and then marched to the Serbian Presidency building.

A large number of police officers secured the rally and there were no incidents.

"We consider important the values of today -- feminism, internationalism, anti-fascism, social justice and the fight for the labor rights of women, and we want to express our abhorrence of the ultra-conservative, clerical nationalistic, very ugly marking of International Women's Day which degrades them," Women in Black coordinator Stasa Zajovic said.

According to her, one of the most vulnerable groups in Serbia are single mothers and poor women, particularly Roma women, whose representatives took part in the march.

"We want to show that this is the emancipative, non-violent, progressive face of Serbia and that doors are open to us throughout the planet, while we are under an onslaught from patriots and clerical fascist organizations," she stressed.

Zajovic voiced disapproval that such a large number of police officers had escorted the rally, asking why so much money was spent to militarize a protest of "pacifists and feminists," instead of banning the work of clerical fascist organizations that target them.

Barroso: Commission Fully Supports Serbia's Eurointegration

7.3.2010. 21:38:28 +0100

BRUSSELS, March 7, 2010 (BETA) - After meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic in Brussels on March 5, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso stated that Serbia can be proud of what it has accomplished on its way to the EU in 2009.

Barroso said this is mostly proved by the lifting of Schengen visas for the Serbian citizens, the unfreezing of the Interim Trade Agreement between the EU and Serbia, and Serbia's application for EU membership candidate status.

That, underlined Barroso, shows "Serbia's serious dedication to EU integrations."

He stressed that the Commission is willing to draft an "objective opinion" on Serbia's readiness to acquire the status of an EU membership candidate as soon as the EU Ministerial Council requests that.

He said that on Serbia's path to the EU, crucial are the reforms for an independent and efficient judiciary, economic reforms, full cooperation with the Hague tribunal and regional cooperation, which implies that regional and bilateral issues are being solved.

Cvetkovic underlined that Serbia's inclusion into the EU is at the top of the Serbian government's program.

He also said that the zest created by the visa lifting, unfreezing of the interim agreement and the submitted candidacy for EU membership should be exploited for Serbia's accession to the EU.

Cvetkovic made it clear that Serbia will do everything in its power to conduct reforms in the economy and judiciary, to end its cooperation with the Hague successfully, and to introduce common European values into Serbian society.

Jeremic: No EU Member Opposes Serbia's Membership

MADRID, March 7, 2010 (BETA) - Joining the EU is Serbia's primary concern, as none of the EU members are against Serbia's membership, and "only some pose the question of the speed of accession," Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic told the Spanish daily Mundo on March 6.

Jeremic assessed that Serbia and the entire Western Balkans hold a great geopolitical importance for the EU, which cannot count on its own stability without the Balkans.

"It is true that we were 'the powder keg' of Europe. That's precisely why it's essential to join the EU," Jeremic said, adding that only Brussels can "finally put out" the constant potential turmoil in the Balkans.

Mundo assessed that "Kosovo is an unpleasant obstacle" on Serbia's way to the EU, explaining that "along with the others, France wants Serbia to accept the loss of Kosovo in order to enter the EU." "However, Jeremic is rejecting such an option," the Madrid daily says and reports Jeremic's stand that "Kosovo is a part of Serbia, and the declaration on the unilateral separation of Kosovo will not be accepted."

Thaci: Division of Kosovo would Open Border Issue in Balkans

PRISTINA, March 7, 2010 (BETA) - Kosovo Premier Hashim Thaci on March 6 assessed that a dividing of Kosovo would open the question of changing borders in the Balkans, and that this is the reason why no one is interested in opening the issue.

"Kosovo's territorial integrity is intangible, internationally recognized and guaranteed, and Kosovo will integrate in both NATO and EU with these borders," Thaci told BETA.

He assessed the security situation as being quite stable, and said that it has contributed to the integration of the members of all communities into the institutional and social life.

"We are strengthening our security institutions, the Kosovo Police and the Security Agency and Kosovo Security Forces, with the presence of NATO. Everything in the domain of security moves toward Euroatlantic norms, standards and rules," Thaci said,

According to him, such a situation has caused a reduction in the number of members of the international peace forces in Kosovo, and a reducing of international presence should be expected.

"This implies stability and a reinforcement of the security structures in Kosovo. NATO will maintain a presence in Kosovo, but Kosovo is gradually approaching the Partnership for Peace and other Euroatlantic mechanisms," Thaci stressed.

He repeated that the top priority security challenges in Kosovo include the integration of the northern region into the Pristina institutions, and the carrying out of legality in that part of Kosovo.

"We will engage comprehensively on the creating of a new municipality called Northern Mitrovica, on elections in Zvecan, Leposavic and Zubin Potok. Both social and economic issues will be a common priority of the government I am heading and the international community," he added.

(END)

Cvetkovic to Meet with Leaders of EU, Belgium

4.3.2010. 23:16:56 +0100

BELGRADE, March 4, 2010 (Beta) - Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic will meet in Brussels on March 5 with the chairman of the European Council, Herman van Rompuy, and the chairman of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, and discuss Serbia's further steps in the process of European integration.

According to a statement of the Serbian government, during the visit to Brussels Cvetkovic will also meet with Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme and discuss the improvement of all forms of bilateral cooperation.

On this occasion an agreement will also be signed on international road transportation between the governments of the Republic of Serbia and the Kingdom of Belgium, it was added in the statement.

According to earlier announcements from Brussels, one of the topics of the meeting between Leterme and Cvetkovic will also be the problem of the sudden wave of asylum seekers from Serbia in Belgium, after the decision to place Serbia on the white Schengen list.

EIB to Grant EUR200M to Science in Serbia

BELGRADE, March 4, 2010 (Beta) - On March 4, the Serbian government signed an agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) on EUR200 million worth of credit to be invested in the development of scientific and technological infrastructure.

Serbian President Boris Tadic said after the agreement was inked in the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts that the project of investing in scientific infrastructure represents an investment in Serbia's future.

Tadic underlined that in the next five years around EUR500 million is to be invested in the development of scientific and technological infrastructure.

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic said that as a part of financing scientific infrastructure, it is envisaged to construct a Science Promotion Center in Belgrade, the largest regional biomedical center within the Belgrade Clinical Center.

He also stressed that there are plans to build a stem-cell research center in Kragujevac, an IT and electronics development center in Nis, as well as 1,000 apartments for scientific workers in Serbia.

"The EIB set a condition to double the EUR200 million it granted for scientific and technological infrastructure, which will be done by allocating funds from the Serbian budget, finding partners, state and private companies and international technological companies interested in investing," he said.

EIB Vice President Dario Scannapieco said that he expects the financial institution's obligations to Serbia to reach a billion euros in 2010, and the investment is intended for infrastructure development and the easing of the consequences of the economic crisis.

Serbian Finance Minister Diana Dragutinovic said that the EIB granted the credit with a repayment period of 20 years and a grace period of six years, and that Serbia has the possibility to choose a variable or fixed interest rate, which currently amounts to 4.5 percent per annum.

Tadic's Office Denies Claims He Negotiated Sale of Telekom

BELGRADE, March 4, 2010 (Beta) - The office of Serbian President Boris Tadic on March 4 dismissed claims that Tadic discussed the sale of Telekom Srbija during his visit last week to Berlin.

"President Tadic had talks at the Bundestag with the speaker of the German Parliament and had no meeting with any representative of Deutsche Telekom," BETA was told by the office of the Serbian president.

The Belgrade weekly NIN reported in its latest issue that the state-owned package of shares in Telekom Srbija would be sold at a tender in October this year and, among other things, that the agreement in principle on the sale of Telekom at the tender in autumn was finally confirmed last week, during the visit of Serbian President Boris Tadic to Berlin.

The weekly claimed, without quoting a source, that the Serbian state helm had made this decision after negotiations with the most serious buyer, the German Deutsche Telekom, which already owns 20 percent of the Serbian company through Greece's OTE, of which it is the co-owner.

BETA was told by the Serbian Ministry for Telecommunications that the Serbian government had not discussed the sale of Telekom and that they could not comment on the claims of NIN.

Telekom Srbija has stated that neither the PTT Srbije public enterprise, nor the Greek OTE, as the owners of the Serbian telecommunications company, had informed Telekom about the intention to sell some of their shares. "Accordingly, we are not carrying out any activities in connection with this," it was said by Telekom Srbija.

Telekom Srbija is expected to transform from a closed to an open stock company by June 30, so that the citizens can obtain 15 percent of shares of this company, and the former and current employees 12 percent. The Serbian government currently holds 80 percent of Telekom Srbija through the PTT Srbije public enterprise, while Greece's OTE owns 20 percent.

Djelic, Mirel: Asylum Seekers Will Be Sent Back

2.3.2010. 23:27:46 +0100

BELGRADE, March 2, 2010 (BETA) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic said on March 2 that Serbian citizens asking for political asylum in European Union countries would be returned to Serbia in accordance with the readmission agreement, while the organizers of "such transports" are to be punished.

"In the weeks to come, Serbia will prove that we consider 'white Schengen' the first important step toward a long-term goal, which is to be a part of the Schengen area," Djelic told a news conference after meeting with European Commission official Pierre Mirel.

Mirel, director for the West Balkans at the EU Enlargement Directorate General, pointed out that those abusing the possibility of visa-free travel were "damaging Serbia's reputation."

Djelic warned that Serbia would not tolerate "those who through their actions would like to jeopardize a key freedom which is today enjoyed by all Serbian citizens."

He added that "this case in no way implicated the state," but that an initiative by certain groups was in question.

Mirel stated that the large number of people abusing the circumstance meant that the phenomenon was not individual but well-organized, and had to be investigated and stopped.

Belgian authorities have warned that hundreds of ethnic Albanians from Macedonia, southern Serbia, and considerably smaller numbers from Kosovo, were arriving to Brussels based on false information that they would get asylum, housing and financial aid, despite the fact that they have virtually no right to this.

At the first session of the Serbian and EU committee for implementing the interim trade agreement between Serbia and the EU, it was concluded that Serbia was applying the deal successfully.

Djelic, also the co-chairman of the committee, said Serbian agriculture had had a EUR215-million surplus in trade with the EU and that it was the only country in Central and South East Europe to have a surplus in agricultural trade with the EU.

Both Serbia, Bosnia To Request Extradition Of Ejup Ganic

BELGRADE/SARAJEVO, March 2, 2010 (BETA) - Serbian Justice Minister Snezana Malovic said on March 2 that Serbia's request for the extradition of former Bosnia and Herzegovina presidency member Ejup Ganic will be delivered to Great Britain as soon as possible.

"The authorized bodies of Great Britain on March 1 requested the submission of additional documentation and the Justice Ministry is rapidly working on preparing an extensive request to Great Britain for the extradition of Ejup Ganic," Minister Malovic told BETA.

At Serbia's arrest warrant, Ganic was arrested at London's Heathrow airport on the afternoon of March 1 and was placed in custody, from which he can be released for a bond of GBP200,000.

Serbia has 45 days to submit a request for his extradition.

Claiming that Serbian and British legal systems are different, i.e. that they are continental and Anglo-Saxon, Malovic said that that fact made the procedure of submitting an extradition request more complex "and also includes the submission of appropriate court documentation with accompanying evidence material."

Malovic pointed out that several Serbian and authorized bodies of the British embassy in Belgrade must verify the complete extensive documentation and accompanying evidence.

At the same time, the Bosnian prosecution announced it will "send the judicial bodies of Great Britain a request for the extradition of Ejup Ganic to Bosnia and Herzegovina as soon as possible."

The prosecution said that it is the only one authorized to prosecute Bosnian citizens suspected of war crimes committed in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

According to the announcement, the Special War Crimes Department of the Bosnian prosecution is working on the Dobrovoljacka Street case, in which an investigation has been ordered, and where Ejup Ganic is among the suspects.

The prosecution went on to say that the cases "in which the judicial bodies of the Republic of Serbia issue arrest warrants for Bosnian citizens are counterproductive and damage the investigations run by the Bosnian prosecution."

The Bosnian Party of Democratic Action said on March 2 that "the British judicial authorities' decision to hold Ejup Ganic in custody is legally unfounded and is fully contrary to the bilateral agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia."

"This move by the Serbian authorities not only has a negative impact on relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, but also makes the internal political situation and relations in Bosnia worse," the party says.

Bernard Kouchner Argues With Journalists

GRACANICA, March 2, 2010 (BETA) - On March 2, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner argued with journalists in Gracanica on the alleged trafficking of human organs harvested from captive Serbs, telling one journalist who questioned him in connection with the case to go see a doctor.

After meeting with Health Center director Rada Trajkovic in Gracanica, journalists asked Kouchner to comment on claims by the families of Serbs kidnapped in Kosovo concerning his alleged role in the trafficking case.

Kouchner first smiled at the question, and then asked the reporter: "Are you ill...? Do not believe everything that you hear. What are you saying, that Rada and I took corpses to steal organs?" the French foreign minister said.

When reporters asked about the so-called "yellow house" in northern Albania, where witnesses say organs were harvested from captive Serbs, Kouchner replied with a question of his own: "What is a yellow house? Why yellow?"

"You must go get a checkup. Those who say that are idiots and murderers," Kouchner said, in the company of Rada Trajkovic.

The Serbian war crimes prosecution is investigating the allegations of organ theft in Kosovo and northern Albania.

International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia Prosecutor Carla del Ponte first publicized the allegations in a book called "The Hunt: Me and War Criminals," which she published after leaving office.

On March 2, the Serbian Independent Journalist Association condemned Kouchner's actions saying that "France is a country that is proud of its freedom of the press and degree of democracy and no senior representative (of France) should allow himself to bring into doubt, on the one hand, these achievements, and on the other, efforts by the international community and Serbia to establish the truth concerning crimes committed in Kosovo," the association said.

The association also requested an official explanation from France on Kouchner's behavior, which it said, had more than stretched the boundaries of proper conduct and that it hoped that similar incidents would not happen in the future.