REPUBLIC OF SERBIA - MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

 SERBIA SHOULD RESPOND TO CROATIA’S APPLICATION BY MARCH 2010

SERBIA – FM BILATERAL VISITS / LJUBLJANA, PARIS, ROME

JEREMIC: KSF WILL COMPLICATE SITUATION

LJUBLJANA, Jan 22 (Beta) - Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic in an interview for the Slovenian STA agency described the security situation in Kosovo as "very complicated" and said that the newlyformed KSF will only "further complicate" matters. Jeremic, who officially visited Slovenia on Jan. 21, also expressed his "strong opposition" to the formation of those forces in an interview with daily Dnevnik. Jeremic said that the Kosovo Security Forces are an "illegal, paramilitary organization whose activities are in violation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244," and added that Belgrade will "attempt to disband it through all diplomatic channels." In the interview for STA, Jeremic said that the issue of Kosovo and the issue of EU association with Serbia and other Western Balkan countries must remain separate. The Serbian foreign minister reiterated that European Union membership is a strategic interest of Serbia and that one of the most important steps in that direction is the unfreezing of the Stabilization and Association Agreement. In response to STA’s question, what are the chances of that happening without the arrest of the last two fugitives from the Hague tribunal, Jeremic said that Serbia wants to find a model that will give the EU a better insight into what Serbia is really doing and what measures are being taken to arrest Mladic and Hadzic.

JEREMIC: 2009 YEAR OF SERBIA’S INTEGRATIONS WITH EU

PARIS, Jan 23 (Tanjug) - Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said evening, after talks with French counterpart Bernard Kouchner, that this year must be the year of integrations with the EU for Serbia, as well as for the entire western Balkans. The year 2008 was a year of traumas, and this must be a year of progress, Jeremic said, addressing a joint news conference with Kouchner after their talks at the French Foreign Ministry. The subject that dominated the talks of the two ministers was the Eurpopean future of Serbia. Jeremic underscored great satisfaction that Serbia has in France an absolute ally for this future. The process that is currently not proceeding at the desired pace must be stepped up in 2009, Jeremic said, the process of Serbia’s integrations with Europe. Serbia has demonstrated that it is a constructive partner of the EU, that it handled difficult challenges in 2008 in a constructive way, without making compromises with its principles or Constitution, he said. Addressing the conference, Kouchner underscored that he has no doubts that Serbia belongs in the EU, and thanked Serbia for accepting EULEX. The European future of Serbia was discussed, Kouchner said, cooperation with the ICTY in The Hague and Serbia extraditing indictee Ratko Mladic. This cooperation remains to be realized, he said. Kouchner expressed confidence that Serbia will do everything in connection with the good cooperation with its neighbors, because it would otherwise be impossible to join the EU.

JEREMIC: WITH HELP OF FRIENDS TO EU CANDIDACY

ROME, Jan 23 (Tanjug) - Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said in Rome that with the strong support of Italy and of other good friends in Europe, Serbia could obtain EU candidate status by the end of the year. Addressing the participants of a ceremony marking the 130th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Serbia and Italy, Jeremic reiterated that Serbia’s central strategic priority was to join the EU as soon as possible.According to him, the advancing of Serbia’s European perspective in 2009 is possible with a close cooperation which will make the right to travel visa-free a reality for all the citizens of the Republic of Serbia, as well as with the synergizing of our efforts to overcome the recalcitrance of few on un-freezing the Interim Agreement between Serbia and the EU. Serbia, as Jeremic pointed out, also expects support when it comes to the country’s upcoming application for EU membership. "We hope that the (EU) Council of Ministers will welcome its (application’s) arrival, and swiftly forward it to the European Commission - tasking it to promptly provide the Council with an avis on its merits. With the strong support of dedicated friends, Serbia could achieve official candidate status by the end of the year," the Serbian foreign minister said. "If we don’t seize the moment before us to focus all our efforts on fulfilling the Copenhagen Criteria as fast as we can, then I am afraid that the prospect of cementing the gains already made could fall to the wayside," Jeremic warned. Jeremic reminded of the history of the Serbian-Italian diplomatic relations, which were formally established in 1879, noting that Italy had been and still was Serbia’s first strategic economic partner. "More than 200 Italian companies, investing about two point four billion euros in Serbia per annum, employ more than 18,000 hard-working citizens of my country," Jeremic sad, adding that upon the initiative of President Tadic, the ties with a number of Italian regions had been institutionalized.He said that a perfect example of mutual cooperation was the commitment the Fiat had made last year to one billion euro investment in Serbia.

FRATTINI: TALKS ON INTERIM AGREEMENT RATIFICATION IN FEBRUARY

ROME, Jan 23 ( Tanjug ) - Italy holds that there is to be no further blocking of Belgrade’s path towards Europe and urges the Czech EU Presidency that the ratifying of the Interim Agreement with Serbia be considered at the forthcomoing EU session in February, stated the Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini. The talks, led by the EU minister ought to move from the field of experts to that of politics in charge of which are the EU ministers, said Frattini at he end of the celebration marking 130 years of diplomatic relations between Italy and Serbia, which is underway in Rome. We should surpass the difficulties that exist in the defreezing of the Interim Agreement, having in mind the progress Serbia has made in its cooperation with The Hague. Frattini said that the liberalization of viza regime between Serbia and the EU might take effect very soon. This may happen before European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso ends his term of office (in October 2009) or even before summer, Frattini underscored, adding that there is no need for this issue to be postponed until November when the next meeting of the EC is scheduled. He pointed out that the viza regime liberalization is a clear sign of mutual trust. The celebration was also attended by the Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, who will later on have an official meeting with Frattini.

KOSOVO – METOHIJA / KOSOVO SECURITY FORCES

PROTEST OVER KSF FORMATION

BELGRADE, Jan 22 (Tanjug) - President Boris Tadic has sent letters to the secretary generals of the United Nations and NATO protesting over the formation of the Kosovo Security Forces. This is just the first step within the diplomatic initiative to be conducted by Tadic and Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic with the aim of showing that the formation of these forces represents a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. On the eve of the formation of BSK, Tadic said that Serbia would insist that these forces are disbanded. "We will insist all the time in international forums and in NATO that BSK should be disbanded, because it does not contribute to security in Kosovo and Metohija," Tadic said. He recalled that, in the talks on the status of Kosovo and Metohija, Serbia has proposed the demilitarization of the province as the best solution for the security challenges in the field.

TADIC LODGES STRONG PROTEST WITH BAN

BELGRADE, Jan 23 (Tanjug) - President Boris Tadic has protested in the strongest terms to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer over the forming of the so-called Kosovo Security Force by Pristina because such an act is in violation of UN SC Resolution 1244, the Press Service of the Serbian President has announced. In the letter, Tadic said (unofficial translation): "Excellency, I would like to inform you about the stand of the Republic of Serbia in connection with the recent action by the temporary organs in Serbia’s southern province of Kosovo and Metohija which is under UN interim administration in keeping with UN SCResolution 1244 (1999). The Republic of Serbia protests over the forming of the so-called Kosovo Security Force by Pristina and it considers this an illegal paramilitary organization that poses a clear threat to the security of my country. The existence and the activities of this new force, both present and future, pose a direct threat to the peace and the stability in the western Balkans that is the common goal of all the legitimate factors in the region. "I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the so-called Kosovo Security Force was not formed in line with Res 1244. It was formed on the grounds of the so-called Ahtisaari plan which was never adopted at the Security Council. "The forming of the so-called KSF presents a flagrant violation of our Constitution, international law, and it is absolutely unacceptable for Serbia. The Republic of Serbia therefore maintains that this organization must be disbanded immediately. "Excellency, I take advantage of this opportunity yet again to confirm that Serbia will continue to cooperate with status-neutral international civilian and security missions in our southern province in keeping with Res 1244. At the same time, we will actively follow whether there is any aggravation of the security situation in the field, in particular in view of the forming of the so-called Kosovo Security Force. I expect that, as on all previous occasions, we will maintain cooperation in connection with this issue which is of vast importance," President Tadic said in the letter.

FEITH: EU TO ASSIST KOSOVO

PRISTINA, Jan 23 (Tanjug) - EU Special Representative in Kosovo Pieter Feith said that this year, the EU would continue to make all possible effort so as to help Kosovo to head toward a future of abundant dignity for all. In 2008, Kosovo presented to the world its wish to assume responsibility for its own fate, for its own development, stability and reforms and to show its readiness to join the family of Euro-Atlantic countries, Feith said at a reception which European missions organized for the representatives of Kosovo institutions, international organisations and the civic society. Along with Feith, the hosts of the reception were Czech Ambassador to Kosovo Janina Hrebickova, Head of the EULEX Mission Ives de Kermabon and Head of the European Commission Liaison Office in Kosovo Renzo Davidi.

ATTACK ON KSF

PRISTINA, Jan 23 (Tanjug) - Unidentified perpetrators shelled the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) barracks near Pec, western Kosovo and Metohija but initial reports do not mention any casualties. One shell was fired at the Pec barracks, presumably from a hand-held launcher, KSF Spokesman Veton Elsani confirmed. The roof of one of the buildings in the barracks compound was hit and minor material damage was inflicted, he said. Nothing is know for now of the motives behind this attack, or who is behind it. Special units carried out an on-the-spot examination last night and an investigation is ongoing.

SERBIA – ECONOMY

GOVERNMENT: NO INCREASE OF PRICE OF GAS

BELGRADE, Jan 23 (Tanjug) - At a meeting with Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic, it has been agreed that there will be no increase of as gas price, Tanjug learned at the premier’s cabinet. The Serbian government will make effort to ensure funds that would cover the losses of Srbijagas, as well as funds that would be invested in the finalization of the construction of the underground gas storage facilities in Banatski Dvor. General Manager of Srbijagas Dusan Bajatovic said earlier, in an interview with Tanjug, that his company had suggested to the Serbian government that the price of gas be increased by approximately 18 percent, and added that the public company would accept any decision the body might reach.

DJELIC: UNIVERSIADE BUDGET TO BE 4.2 BILLION DINARS

BELGRADE, Jan 22 (Tanjug) - Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic told that the Universiade budget of 4.2 billion dinars, which was approved by the UB2009 organisation committee on Thursday, would make it possible to organise the largest sports event ever held in our country in the best possible way. "The organisation committee finally adopted the budget of the Universiade, which will make it possible to organise the world’s biggest sports event this year, with the participation of representatives of 140 countries. Within the 4.2 million dinar budget, 2.4 billion will be used for the purchase of different goods necessary for this big event," Djelic said and added that "public procurement was a major chance for our economy." The chairman of the UB 2009 organisation committee said that volunteer practice at the event would be very useful for our students.

DACIC ANNOUNCES FORMING OF FINANCIAL POLICE UNIT

BELGRADE, Jan 23 (Tanjug) - Interior Minister Ivica Dacic announced evening that a financial investigations unit will be formed by the end of March and that its work will be essential for the implementation of the asset forfeiture law. Speaking for Belgrade-based TV B92, Dacic underscored that no budget funds are envisaged for this police activity, but that this work will not be jeopardized as it will be financed by funds available to the Interior Ministry. It is very difficult to implement the asset forfeiture law, as all the connected persons must be identified, Dacic said. That is why a response by organized criminal groups is to be expected, he pointed out. Police have compiled and systematized all operative knowledge and intelligence data about criminal groups and their members in a so-called White Book, including data about the laundering of money acquired through crime, the minister said. "It is a long road from operative knowledge to the judicial organs and that is why material evidence must be collected," Dacic said, explaining that this requires a coordinated action of the police, security services and judicial organs which is the task of the National Security Council.

AT PRESENT NO REASON FOR USING IMF FUNDS

BELGRADE, Jan 22 (Tanjug) - National Bank of Serbia Governer Jelasic said that at present he sees no reason for Serbia to withdraw funds from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and warned that this would depend on the fluctuation of state-controlled prices. Jelasic told reporters that by using the IMF funds, Serbia would confirm that the conditions which are the basis of the program with that financial institution are not being realized, either linked to economic growth, inflow of investments or financing the deficit. He stated that the program with the IMF increases the trust of foreign and domestic intestors, because it confirms that Serbia has a consistent and transparent economic program. On Jan 16, the IMF Board of Directors approved a stand-by arrangement to Serbia amounting to 402.5 million euros (530.3 million dollars) as support for the Serbian government’s program for sustaining the country’s macro-economic and financial stability in view of the global financial crisis.

TENDER INVITATIONS FOR SECOND OPERATOR BEFORE SUMMER

BELGRADE, Jan 23 ( Tanjug ) - Minister of Telecommunications and Information Society Jasna Matic expressed her expectation that several companies would participate in the tender for the second operator of fixed telephony in Serbia, which will be called before the summer. Reminding that in 2008 several companies were interested in covering that field, Matic evaluated that in the circumstances of the global economic crisis the situation has probably slightly changed, because the telephony and telecommunications are businesses with constant money influx. In a statement for the RTS Matic announced that introducing competition in fixed telephony will lead to expedient improvement of that situation and that the Ministry will soon begin carrying out the tender for an operator in the fixed wireless telephony which ought to make it possible for our citizens living in rural areas to obtain telephones.

SERBIA – EU

DJELIC: EUROPEAN INTEGRATIONS ARE NOT OBLIGATORY

BELGRADE, Jan 22 (Tanjug) - Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic stated that European integrations are not Serbia’s obligation but a big opportunity for the entire society to make progress. Djelic, who is in charge of European integrations, told ahead of his visit to the Czech Republic, which is currently holding the presidency of the European Union, that opinion poll results, according to which popularity of the EU among the Serbian citizens had dropped by six percent compared to last May, should not come as a surprise. "I am not surprised with the result. It is primarily a message to the European Union that the integration backing depends directly on the progress our country is allowed to make," concluded Djelic. Djelic underscored, however, that European integrations are being carried out here because of Serbia and not because of Europe. "It is in the interest of all citizens to have the whole country included in all aspects of the EU life as soon as possible," underscored Djelic.

KOUCHNER: ARREST OF MLADIC IS IMPORTANT FOR APPROACHING EU

PARIS, Jan 22 (Beta) - French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner on Jan. 22 reminded how important the arrest of war crimes suspect Ratko Mladic is for Serbia’s coming closer to the European Union. We expect Serbia to make every effort to arrest Mladic, Kouchner said at a joint news conference in Paris with his Serbian counterpart, Vuk Jeremic. Kouchner stated that the fact that Mladic had not yet been arrested was the reason why The Netherlands is refusing to move forward in cooperation with Belgrade. Jeremic expressed the wish for this year to be the year of progress in Serbia’s approaching the EU, which, in his words, "is not developing at the desired pace at this time." "For Serbia 2009 should be the year of European integration, just as for all countries of the Western Balkans," Jeremic said. Kouchner said there is no doubt that Serbia belongs in Europe, but recollected that Paris will condition further EU enlargement on the adoption of the Lisbon agreement.

RUSSIA WELCOMES SERBIA’S ACCESSION IN EU

BELGRADE, Jan 22 (Tanjug) - Serbia will surely become a member of the European Union sometime in the near future, Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexandar Konuzin, underscoring that this must not affect strengthening of the relations between Serbia and Russia. "Russia welcomes Serbia’s accession in the EU and it will surely be much better for Serbia there," Konuzin said during a visit of a business delegation of the Kursk Oblast in the Russian Federation to the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, expressing his confidence that those relations will continue to develop to the benefit of all - Serbia, Russia and the EU. He told Russia’s businessmen that they should calculate carefully what it is that they can do present interests of Russia’s businessmen in the EU market through Serbia. Konuzin said that Serbia has great potential that may be of mutual benefit to Serbia’s and Russia’s businessmen, adding that Moscow is most active in the regional cooperation between Serbia and Russia. He suggested that inventory of all regional agreement signed so far between the two countries should be done in order to make the future cooperation more efficient, which would contribute to more concrete business results.

SCHWARZENBERG: BALKANS NEEDS CHANCE TO JOIN EU QUICKLY

VIENNA, Jan 23 (Tanjug ) - As soon as they fulfill the required precondition, Croatia and other Balkan countries should be given a chance as soon as possible to join the EU, President of the EU, Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg has assessed for Die Presse. Asked whether Croatia would conclude its EU membership negotiations in 2009, he answered by saying that he did not know. In case of Croatia, we have Slovenia that is blocking them, and right now, this is the main obstacle, Schwarzenberg said, adding that the two countries had to resolve that issue between themselves. When asked to comment on the fact that the Netherlands was blocking Serbia’s path to the EU, he pointed out that assistance should be offered to both Croatia and Serbia. We should assists Serbia and Croatia so that certain processes take place there, so that these two countries, once they have reached the level required by the EU, could join the Union at once, Schwarzenberg explained. Croatia has first of all to resolve the open problems it has with Slovenia, and on the other side we have to see a resolution of the issue of full cooperation with The Hague Tribunal, he explained. This would open the way to EU admission, Karel Schwarzenberg said, and at the same time expressed belief that all EU member states would ratify the Lisbon Agreement by fall.

SERBIA

JEREMIC SAYS CHURCH & STATE MUST HAVE SYNERGY

BELGRADE, Jan 22 (Tanjug) - Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic informed members of the Serbia Orthodox Church’s Holy Synod about the government efforts to keep Kosovo-Metohija within Serbia and stressed that international law was the strongest state argument in the defence of Serbia’s integrity before the International Court of Justice. A Serbian Orthodox Church statement said that Jeremic had attended the regular session of the Synod and spoke about the next steps of the Serbian government and Foreign Ministry legal team in the protection of the Serbian people and their holy places in Kosovo-Metohija. The statement said that Jeremic had said after the Synod session that synergy between the Church and state had to exist at this difficult time for Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija, especially "after the establishment of the Kosovo Security Force paramilitary formation and support of some European and other states to this organisation in the territory of Serbia." Special attention at the session was dedicated to the protection of the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija and cooperation with UNESCO in the reconstruction of destroyed churches and monasteris in Kosovo-Metohija.

SERBIA - CANADA PARLIAMENTARY COOPERATION DISCUSSED

BELGRADE, Jan 22 (Tanjug) -Serbian parliament President Djukic-Dejanovic and newly appointed Ambassador of Canada to Serbia John Arthur Morrison discussed the political situation in Serbia and Canada after parliamentary elections. During the meeting, mutual wish to promote the overall bilateral relations through more intensive parliamentary cooperation between the two countries was expressed, the Serbian parliament public relations department said in a statement. Djukic-Dejanovic informed Ambassador Morrison that extensive and complex legislative work and adoption of a law that would create a legal framework for the continuation of the society reform are ahead of parliament members.

SUTANOVAC DISCUSSES MILITARY COOPERATION IN BAGHDAD

BAGHDAD, Jan 22 (Beta) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki spoke in Baghdad with Serbian Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac about military cooperation, the Iraqi leader’s cabinet has announced."Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki and Serbian Defense Minister Sutanovac, who traveled to Baghdad on Jan. 22, spoke about cooperation mechanisms to supply the Iraqi army and police with equipment and weapons," alMaliki’s cabinet announced.Sutanovac, as it was reported, emphasized that Serbia was "maintaining friendly relations with Iraq" and that he had traveled to Iraq in order to "develop" those relations. "We are prepared to secure everything that Iraq requires," said Sutanovac.Iraq intends to increase military cooperation with Serbia and introduce changes in the acquisition of weapons so that it is not completely dependent on the U.S. when the new American president, Barack Obama, decides to quickly withdraw U.S. armed forces from the country, reports AFP.Serbian President Boris Tadic announced in December that Serbia is prepared to finalize an agreement with Iraq on the import of weapons and military equipment worth USD 235 million.

AMBASSADOR VUJACIC EXPECTS PROGRESS IN RELATIONS WITH USA

WASHINGTON, Jan 23 (Tanjug) - Serbian Ambassador to the United States of America Ivan Vujacic has said that relations between the two countries are good and that he expects a positive development of relations with the new US Administration, but pointed out that he is disappointed with the level of US investments in Serbia, and in particular with the US Steel company decision to put two blast furnaces in Smederevo on standby. Vujacic, who will end his mandate in April, said that bilateral relations over the past six years were very good, Voice of America reported. Serbia managed to defreeze its property, both private and state-owned, to normalize trade relations, to restore the system of preferences, as well as the executive order that enables exports of US weapons to Serbia, Vujacic said in a lecture entitled "Serbia Confronts 2009: Opportunities and Challenges" given at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, DC.The ambassador also mentioned the activities of the Serbian caucus in the US Congress. Until recently a member of that caucus, Rahm Emanuel, has now become the White House Chief of Staff, Vujacic pointed out.

KONUZIN ON RUSSIAN - SERBIAN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

BELGRADE, Jan 23 (Tanjug) - Russian Ambassador in Belgrade Alexander Konuzin has said that because of the long-term strategic nature of the relations between Russia and Serbia, there is no crisis which could affect the development of the political, and in particular economic relations between the two countries. Russia has proved on a number of occasions its commitment to an all-level deepening of the two countries’ relations regarding economic, political and all other issues, Konuzin said in an interview for the Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti. He underlined that Serbia was an important partner in the Balkans, a country which had shared a common history with Ruissia and whose people had always been regarded as brothers. Asked if Russia would present a statement with the International Court of Justice following the initiative of the UN General Assembly that the Court gave its legal opinion on whether the proclamation of Kosovo independence had been in keeping with international law, Konuzin said that Russia planned to draft such a document. We have already begun preparations to that effect by engaging a group of Russian experts on international law, which will be headed by President of the Russian Association of International Law A.J. Kapustin, Ambassador Konuzin added. Our position remains the same - the declaration of Kosovo independence is in contradiction with international law, and this is the view we intend to present to the International Court of Justice, the Russian ambassador said.

SPAIN: IN LINE WITH BELGRADE

PARIS, Jan 22 (Beta) - Spanish Ambassador to Serbia Inigo de Palacio Espana told that Spain, as well as other countries, has been invited to forward its written opinion to the International Court of Justice on the legality of Kosovo’s unilateral proclamation of independence and that Spain will reiterate its stance which is "in line with Belgrade’s." The ambassador said that it was not a question of a special diplomatic initiative by his country, but of ordinary practice, adding that Spain will use the opportunity to repeat that it considers Kosovo’s unilateral proclamation of independence illegal. "We have been invited, as have other countries, to forward our written opinion on Kosovo’s unilateral proclamation of independence. Spain’s stance is known, we consider Kosovo’s independence proclamation illegal and we do not recognize it. Our stance will therefore be in line with that of Belgrade," said De Palacio Espana. The Spanish ambassador spoke with Tomislav Nikolic, president of the Progressive Party, after which the party announced that "Spain is preparing a large amount of material for the International Court of Justice which should contribute to the success of Serbia’s diplomatic fight to keep Kosovo within its borders."

SERBIA SHOULD RESPOND TO CROATIA’S APPLICATION BY MARCH 2010

THE HAGUE, Jan 22 (Tanjug) - The International Court of Justice (ICJ) gave Serbia until end of March 2010 to respond to Croatia’s application regarding allegations of genocide against non-Serbs in the republic between 1991 and 1995, the ICJ said in a statement on Thursday. The highest UN judicial body on January 20 decided, in view of both sides’ stands, to give Serbia until March 22, 2010 to respond to Croatia’s 1999 application. In November 2008, the ICJ declared itself competent for the dispute which Croatia had started against Serbia for violations of the UN Convention on Genocide.

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