REPUBLIC OF SERBIA - MINISTRY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

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SERBIA – CENTRAL CELEBRATION OF SERBIA’S STATEHOOD DAY

TADIC LAYS WREATH AT MONUMENT OF UNKNOWN HERO ON MT AVALA

BELGRADE, Feb 15 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic on Sunday, marking Serbia’s Statehood Day, laid a wreath at the Monument to the Unknown Hero on Mt. Avala close to Belgrade. The Serbian president’s delegation included Defence Minister Dragan Sutanovac and Serbian Army Chief of General Staff Lt - Gen Miloje Miletic. Statehood and Serbian Army Day are marked to commemorate Feb 15, 1804 and the First Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman Turks and the National Assembly of 1835, when the first Constitution was adopted, thus laying the foundations of the modern Serbian state.

CENTRAL CELEBRATION OF SERBIA’S STATEHOOD DAY

ORASAC, SERBIA, Feb 15 (Tanjug) - Within the central celebration of Serbia’s Statehood Day, representatives of the Serbian government, the Serbian Army (VS) and the municipality of Arandjelovac laid wreaths on Sunday at the foot of the monument to Karadjordje and the participants of the 1804 First Serbian Uprising in Mariceva Jaruga. The wreaths were laid by Premier Cvetkovic, Serbian parliament Speaker Djukic - Dejanovic, VS representatives, HRH Prince Alexander Karadjordjevic and local government head Radosav Svabic, whose territory was the site of the uprising headed by Karadjordje. The gathering was addressed by Cvetkovic, Prince Karadjordjevic and Svabic. Cvetkovic said that Serbia has the strength to meet all challenges and to open up prospects for all its citizens. "It is time to turn towards the future, to work hard and together on securing faster development, to resolve problems, rather than leaving them to our children. We have no time for political disputes. This is a time when we are deciding how our country will look in 10 - 20 years," Cvetkovic stated. Prince Karadjordjevic, the descendent of the leader of the First Serbian Uprising, said that our ancestors had a joint vision when, 205 years ago, they rose up against the Ottoman Turks, and this was freedom and a better and happier Serbia. According to him, today the realization of that vision should be reflected in the creation of a state that would be an example to others and of which the citizens could be proud. This would mean responsibility, friendship and the best possible relations with neighbors, as well as strategic partnership with all who share with Serbia the most profound civilization, human and humanitarian values, Prince Karadjordjevic said. He said that Serbia should have the strength to distance itself from the past when that past becomes an obstacle on the path towards the future. After the completion of a service in the Church of the Assumption of Our Lord and a walkabout, Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Adriatic Coast Amfilohije, the Bishop of Sumadija Jovan and the clergy served a mas for Karadjordje and the participants of the uprising in Mariceva Jaruga.

CVETKOVIC: SERBIAN GOVERNMENT WILL NOT GIVE UP KOSOVO

ORASAC, SERBIA, Feb 15 (Tanjug) - Serbian Premier Mirko Cvetkovic said that this Serbian government is assuming responsibility for the resolution of problems in Kosovo and Metohija, a part of Serbia that is currently under the UN protectorate. The declaration of the independence of Kosovo by the provisional government in Pristina has seriously jeopardized international law, regional security and the safety of the population in the province, he told a central celebration of Serbia’s Statehood Day in Orasac. "However, the Serbian government will never under any circumstances give up Kosovo and Metohija. We have opted to use legitimate and peaceful means to fight for Kosovo and Metohija," Cvetkovic stated, recalling that the country is marking successes in diplomatic attempts to annul the self-declared independence of the province in keeping with the international law. Serbia is thoroughly preparing arguments for the process before the ICJ. At the same time, Serbia is investing into the fast development of its southern province and preparing detailed plans for sustainable survival and the return of the displaced. "The aim is of all citizens of Kosovo and Metohija to live in peace, not to fear for their children, to have possibilities to earn a living in their own country and on their own land. We will reach that goal with patience and a cool head. The future is not built through conflicts, but through agreement, and the people living in this region should rely on each other. It is time to initiate a healthy process of reconciliation, to set the safe foundations of the future. No one else will do this for us," Cvetkovic stated. "Only a strong Serbia can resist such temptations," he noted, adding that for the country to grow strong, it needs friends both in the West and in the East. "Today, on the spot where the past and the future meet and where the foundations of the modern Serbian state were set, we must tell ourselves and the world that, more than ever, we need concordance and solidarity, and that only united can we realize the dream of all generations - a healthily and stable european Serbia, with preserved democratic and freedom-loving traditions," Cvetkovic concluded.

SERBIA – CELEBRATIONS STATEHOOD AND ARMY DAY IN NOVI SAD

TADIC: SERBIA NEEDS TO UNITE ALL NATIONAL POTENTIALS

NOVI SAD, Feb 14 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Tadic said that Serbia needs to unite all national potentials and solidarity. "We need to respect each other and to rally around what is common to all and what is undisputable - the prosperity of Serbia, instead of wasting time and energy on in-fighting and conflicts," Tadic said. Tadic said that today’s celebrations combine the identity of the Army and the state, thus reviving their most profound ties in Serbia’s nation-building tradition. "A Serbia that is no one’s enemy, but a friend, partner, the foundation of regional stability and security and a democratic and european country," Tadic underscored. According to Tadic, Serbia’s security system is stable, despite the fact that the foreign-policy environment is brimming with new security challenges. "Kosovo and Metohija is the most important and most sensitive issue of our, but also of regional and european security and policy," Tadic noted, adding that Serbia remains firmly oriented to defend its legitimate rights in its own territory through legal and diplomatic means, rather than by force. "Serbia will never recognize the independence of Kosovo and, respecting the international law, our own legitimate interests, our integrity in Kosovo, it will defend this in the legal sphere before the International Court of Justice," Tadic stated. "For Serbia, Feb 17 is only a date when an illegal act was adopted, when Pristina illegally declared Kosovo as a so-called state. A year later, it is clear to all that Kosovo is not a state," Tadic said. His message to the Kosovo Serbs was that their country is caring for them and their interests. Tadic recalled that "membership in the European Union, as a strategic goal of Serbia, has been clearly determined and confirmed at all elections through the decisions made by the citizens" and expressed belief that "we will realize this historic aim, despite the current global financial crisis and its influence on international relations." Tadic stated that cooperation with the ICTY in The Hague, which is the sole political condition for EU membership, must be completed. "There can be no giving up and, despite the obstacles, there is no place for mistrust, skepticism and despondency. Serbia needs a new impulse and, with the new energy within us, we will succeed, because this nation had the strength to overcome all obstacles when there was the clear awareness of the goals, when there was unity, gravity, politeness and work," Tadic set out. According to him, apart from the EU membership, Serbia wants to have the best possible relations with Russia and the United States and it aims to boost relations with Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia so that the region could be stable and that good relations form the basis of successful regional prosperity. Without Serbia and its potentials, no regional initiative has a chance to succeed, and with Serbia all economic, political and peace proceses in the Western Balkans have a future, Tadic concluded.

TADIC: SERBIA WILL NOT BE DIVIDED BY RELIGION OR NATIONALITY

NOVI SAD, Feb 14 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Tadic said that in Serbia there is no place for chauvinism, fascism, antisemitism and the language of hatered. "Serbia is a country that will never again be divided, neither by religious beliefs, nor by nationality," Tadic said in Novi Sad where he was attending celebrations marking Statehood and Army Day (Feb 15). "Today, Serbia needs the unification of all national potentials, it needs solidarity, we should respect each other and rally around what is common to all and which is undisputable - the prosperity of Serbia, instead of wasting time and energy on in-fighting and conflicts," Tadic said. All who restore to the implementation of anti-civilization actions, such as chauvinism, fascism, antisemitism and the language of hatered, will be met with a strong response and the condemnation of the public first of all, Tadic set out. "Those who insult and belittle members of national minorities, are insulting the entire Serbian nation. Especially if this happens in the top legislative institution - the Serbian parliament," Tadic underscored. He demanded from all government representatives and from the citizens to apply "the european standards set by those who developped the Presentation Constitution in 1835 - the respect of the Constitution and the laws of the country, that the law allpies to all, both to the citizens and all those in power." According to Tadic, all ministers, all government officials, all MPs should always bear in mind that they must serve the people, the citizens, that their conduct should be becoming and modest and that they should do their jobs seriously and honestly.

DACIC: SERBIAN ARMY FACTOR OF REGIONAL PEACE AND STABILITY

NOVI SAD, Feb 14 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said that the success of the "Presentation 2009" military exercise has demonstrated that the Serbian Army (VS) is a factor of peace and stability in the region. Speaking after the military exercise in Novi Sad, Dacic said that VS is "a factor of deterring and a factor of peace and stability" and that today’s event has clearly shown all the capabilities of RS. Dacic stated that the military and the state of Serbia are a "respectable force" in this part of Europe. During today’s celebrations marking Statehood and Army Day (Feb 15) in Novi Sad, VS demonstrated a high level of training and readiness and has shown some new military capabilities, including pilotles aircraft. The exercise was attended by President Tadic, Defence Minister Sutanovac, Acting VS Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Miloje Miletic, ministers, representatives of the diplomatic corps and military attachés accredited to Belgrade. The exercise included river demolition units, various aircraft, including a MIG-29 fighter plane, artillery activities and actions for combating an imaginary terrorist group.

LT-GEN MILOJE MILETIC NEW SERBIAN ARMY CIEF OF GENERALSTAF

BELGRADE, Feb 15 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic upgraded Serbian Army (VS) Acting Chief of General Staff Lieutenant - General Miloje Miletic into the new Chief of General Staff, Tadic’s office has announced. Tadic appointed Lt - Gen Miladin Cirkovic as Miletic’s second in command, from his position of commander of the ground forces until now. Major General Ljubisa Dikovic, until now the commander of the Training Command, was appointed the new commander of the ground forces. The commander of the Training Command will now be Major General Aleksandar Zivkovic, until now deputy commander of the ground forces. The rank of Lt - Gen was granted to major generals Ljubisa Dikovic and Dragan Katanic, the commanders of the Air Force and the Anit-Airforce Defence.

SERBIA – EU

JEREMIC: MEMBERSHIP CANDIDACY DURING CZEC EU PRESIDENCY

BELGRADE, Feb 13 (Tanjug) - Serbian Foreign Minister Jeremic stated that Serbia will submit an application for its accession in the EU this year, adding that this will, most likely, take place during the Czech Presidency of the EU. Jeremic told a news conference that country’s accession in the Union is the Serbian government’s main strategic priority. Presenting a six-month report on the Foreign Ministry’s work, Jeremic said that Serbian diplomats had completed most of the work on the abolishment of visas for the EU countries and that the country now has to meet technical conditions.

JEREMIC: WESTERN BALKANS’ ADMISSION TO EU A SAFER EUROPE

OXFORD, Feb. 16 (Beta) - Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said in Oxford on Feb. 16 that the admission of the Western Balkans together with Serbia as its central country into the EU would ensure greater security for Europe. "Provided that transatlantic ties are harmonized, I believe that the EU must focus on the countries of the east and southeast, in particular, on three pivotal states in the wider European region: Ukraine, Turkey and Serbia," Jeremic said in a debate at the Oxford Union Society. "The decision about whether Europe will rapidly extend membership to Serbia will definitely affect the future of the entire Western Balkans, which I believe is vital to the consolidation of European security," Jeremic added. Noting that the recent energy crisis demonstrated that Europe "has a strategic interest in the stability of Ukraine," Jeremic stressed that "the way in which the EU engages with Ukraine will strongly affect the overall tone in its relationship with its largest neighbor, the Russian Federation." In his words, "the combination of a stable Ukraine and an unantagonized Russia is both a security and an economic imperative for the EU." Speaking about Serbia’s European future, Jeremic said that Serbia "is the indispensable anchor of the Western Balkans, uniquely placed to act as the accelerator of the region’s EU accession. Jeremic added that Europe "must not contemplate an exit strategy when it comes to Serbia."

LJAJIC MORE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT MLADIC’S ARREST

BELGRADE, Feb 15 (Tanjug) - The head of the National Council for Cooperation with the ICTY in The Hague Rasim Ljajic has said that he is much more optimistic about the arrest of Mladic than a couple of months ago and that he believes that Serbia will deliver Hague indictees Mladic and Hadzic before The Netherlands gives away in its conditions for Serbia’s accession to the EU. "I cannot speak whether we are now closer or further from Mladic, but it is certain that now we have more reasons for optimism than in the past months. It would be a huge surprise if we failed to complete this task in 2009. We are aware that if Mladic does not go to The Hague, Serbia will remain in the hallway of Europe for a long time," Ljajic told to Blic daily. Asked on what he bases his optimism, Ljajic said: " On the excellent coordination of the civilian and military services and on all the information at our disposal. The information about Mladic is growing." "The data collected so far shows that Mladic’s close bodyguards were paid only a mere couple of hundred euros, while those who organized the network for his concealment took tens of thousands. They got this money from financiers, i.e. private businessmen who mainly came to Serbia from Bosnia-Herzegovina after the war and who founded companies here," Ljajic stated. He set out that "the organizers of this network skimmed off the bulk of the money, while Mladic’s immediate security detail received minor sums and they even carried out Mladic’s private affairs" such as taking care of his bee hives.

WORDSWORTH: NO ONE ASKING SERBIA TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO

BELGRADE, Feb 15 (Beta) - The recognition of Kosovo is not a condition for Serbia to become an EU member, British Ambassador in Belgrade Stephen Wordsworth stated. Wordsworth said that cooperation with the Hague tribunal was and still is the only political condition for the European integration of Serbia and other regional countries, expressing hope that the EU will soon be able to achieve consensus that the condition has been fulfilled. When it comes to Kosovo, no one is asking Serbia to recognize its independence. Serbia will have to find its own way to face the fact that Kosovo has been recognized by 22 members of the EU, whose member it itself wants to become, and do this in a way which will not hinder its own progress. That is something Serbia will have to do on its own, and the EU will be glad to help, Wordsworth said. He expressed belief that, in 2009, the process of Serbia’s European integration "will certainly progress faster than in 2008," and underlined that the process "mostly depends on Serbia itself," and that the EU is stimulating it by investing several millions of euros per week through various support projects. The ambassador stated that one of the biggest problems at the moment is the delays in adopting European standard reforms due to the blockade in the parliament. He assessed that Serbia had made "significant progress" in the cooperation with the Hague tribunal "by arresting Karadzic, and by making clear and determined efforts to locate and arrest the remaining two fugitives." Regarding the Serbian initiative for the EU to send a mission that would assess its cooperation with the Tribunal, Wordsworth said that he "understands very well" why that was proposed, and that he "likes the proposal," but that he "does not believe that would solve the problem."

BRAMMERTZ TO DISCUS SERBIA’S COOPERATION WITH EU OFFICIALS

THE HAGUE, Feb 13 (Tanjug) - ICTY Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz will attend a meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the EU in Brussels on February 18, which will focus on the issue of Belgrade’s cooperation with The Hague Tribunal, Spokesperson for the Office of the Prosecutor Olga Kavran confirmed. Brammertz was invited to the meeting and he accepted the invitation, Kavran said and underlined that at the meeting of the permanent representatives of the 28 EU member states, the ICTY chief prosecutor would answer the questions the officials might ask and exchange views with them. Kavran reminded that Chief Prosecutor Brammertz would present his regular report on Serbia’s cooperation with the Tribunal to the UN Security Council in June.

SERBIA – THE DRAFT VOJVODINA STATUTE

TADIC: VOJVODINA STATUTE WILL NOT THREATEN COUNTRY’S UNITY

NOVI SAD, Feb 14 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Tadic said that the Vojvodina statute would not threaten Serbia’s unity in any way. The Vojvodina statute, which will be adapted to the Constitution of Serbia, will bring to the province what it is guaranteed to it by the Constitution so that it will not threaten the country’s unity in any way, Tadic said. "Decentralization is the tradition of Serbia, and Vojvodina, as a region, has a european or primarily Serbian character," Tadic underscored, adding that Vojvodina "is an integral part of Serbia and will always remain so." Tadic demanded that the debate on the draft Vojvodina statute, which has been politicized, should be transformed into a democratic discussion backed by arguments in order to remove all doubts and fears. “On Statehood Day we are also marking the symbolic unity of Serbia, its territorial integrity and entirety. We are marking the freedom-loving tradition of the Serbian nation, as well as the respect of all citizens of Serbia: Serbs, ethnic Hungarians, Croats, Slovaks, Romanians, Albanians, Montenegrins, Macedonians, Bosniaks, Roma, Ruthenians, Backa Croatians, Goranis and Vlacs. We celebrate the revival of statehood, but also the determined work on the promotion of human rights and freedoms, the respect of religious beliefs, traditions, culture and identity," he set out.

DACIC: CONSTITUTION SHOULD BE RESPECTED

BELGRADE, Feb 14 (Tanjug) - Serbian Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic has said that Serbia would not lose if Vojvodina were to get autonomy, but that this should not be allowed to be a basis for separatism and that this is why certain provisions of the draft Vojvodina statute should be corrected. "The law on the provincial powers should correct those provisions of the draft statute which can be described as bring contrary to the Constititution of Serbia," Dacic told to Novosti. He said that the position of the ruling coalition is that the Constitution cannot be changed because of the Vojvodina statute, adding that certain provisions would be changed and "not only in the language sphere", because "we certainly cannot vote for something that is contrary to the Constitution." "When you begin the operalization of what is contained in the draft statute, then you arrive at something that is not in keeping with the Constitution. This is why we have proposed that the statute is corrected through the law on powers. I do not expect much to be made about this," Dacic stated. Asked whether the government was "shaking", Dacic said that this is normal for a coalition government and that it "lacks better coordination, even about ’minor’ issues and this is when we have diverging from the united stand." "As far as I can see, no party believes that elections are the solution. Elections that would be held so soon would not result in a new political scene," Dacic set out, noting he has mentioned a govt. reshuffle only as a possibility.

SERBIA

TADIC RECEIVES NEWLY APPOINTED AMBASADORS

BELGRADE, Feb 13 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic received newly appointed ambassadors of Croatia - Zeljko Kupresak, Japan - Toshi Tsunozaki, Greece - Demostenis Stoides and Switzerland - Erwin Hoffer. As stated by the president’s pres service, President Tadic welcomed the newly appointed ambassadors and wished them success in their work. President Tadic expressed his confidence that relations between Serbia and those countries will be further promoted in the interest of citizens and the states.

GOVERNMENT STRONGLY CONDEMNS VELIMIR ILIC’S STATEMENT

BELGRADE, Feb 13 (Tanjug) - The Serbian government strongly condemned the statement made by parliament member Velimir Ilic in reference to the invitations for Statehood Day reception, finding it offensive to Minister for Labor and Social Policy Rasim Ljajic. "The Serbian government recalls that hate speech and inciting intolerance are forbidden under the Constitution," it was said in a government statement. The government called for strict adherence to the Constitution as a guarantee of equal rights for all citizens, regardless of religion or ethnicity, read the statement. "Statehood Day celebrates the adoption of the first modern Serbian Constitution, which symbolizes Serbia’s path towards European and civilization values," read the statement. Ilic criticized at the parliament on Thursday the fact that the invitations to the celebration of Statehood Day in Orasac were signed by Labor Minister Rasim Ljajic. You are going to visit Karadjordje in Orasac and the invitations are sent out by Rasim Ljajic, who is my friend, but it is an insult to the dignity of this country and Karadjordje, it is an insult to everything that is Serbian, said Ilic.

CVETKOVIC MEETS PORTUGUESE DEFENSE MINISTER

BELGRADE, Feb 13 (Tanjug)- Serbian Prime Minister Cvetkovic met with Portuguese Defense Minister Nuno Severino Teixeira, reaching a joint conclusion that the cooperation between the two countries needs to be promoted, particularly in the area of defense. It is said in a statement released by the Government Office for Cooperation with Media that Cvetkovic thanked the Portuguese government for its support extended to Serbia on its path to European integration and visa liberalization.

JEREMIC REPORTS ON WORK OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY

BELGRADE, Feb 13 (Beta) - At a press conference at the Serbian government building, Serbian Foreign Minister Jeremic showed journalists a report of the work of his ministry. "We will continue with intense contact, but we will not allow anyone’s internal politics to slow us on our European path," Jeremic said. The report, which will be given to Prime Minister Cvetkovic and President Tadic, contains the results of the work of the Foreign Affairs Ministry in several fields over the most recent period of time. In the first half of the report, the activities of defending Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty were presented. In this part, the efforts of the Ministry to get the majority of the UN to allow Serbia to question the legality of the Kosovo independence proclamation were also presented, Jeremic explained. The second part of the report showed the results achieved in the negotiations regarding European integration. Jeremic said that a large number of countries still support Serbia on that road, but that the basic goal this year will be completing the technical conditions for the liberalization of the visa regime for EU memberstates. "Receiving full-fledged membership remains the central strategic priority of the government and Foreign Affairs Ministry. Our actions for this plan were described, and the results are that we have strong support from the European Council. Unfortunately, it is not complete, as we have no consensus," Jeremic said. The Foreign Minister added that great progress was made by Serbia receiving the "road map", a list of things which should be done in order to realize a visafree regime with the EU, which practically finishes off the job of the diplomats and is now more of a task of the parliament and government. The report speaks on regional cooperation as well, which Jeremic said was damaged by the decision of some neighboring countries to recognize Kosovo’s independence.

SERBIA ASSUMES PRESIDENCY OF UNEP

NAIROBI, Feb. 16 (Beta) - Serbia on Feb. 16 in Nairobi, Kenya, assumed the presidency of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) for two years, announced the Serbian Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning. Oliver Dulic, the Serbian minister of environment and spatial planning, was unanimously chosen as president of the governing council, the most important UNEP body which is made up of environment ministers from U.N. member states, reads the statement. In his speech, Dulic thanked those present for the confidence shown in him and announced that the next two years would be marked by attempts to fight the global financial crisis through improving the environment. "Events during the second half of 2008 and responding to the challenge of the financial crisis have clearly shown that environmental issues are no longer on the margins of global events," said Dulic. The statements say that "the new global green response," which was begun by UNEP, will offer mechanisms to confront the global crisis, said Dulic.

TWO MINISTERS SIGN AGREEMENT IN FIELD OF DEFENCE

BELGRADE, Feb 13 (Tanjug) - The defence ministers of Serbia and Portugal, Dragan Sutanovac and Nuno Severian Teixeira respectively, signed an agreement referring to cooperation in the field of defence which envisages a number of joint activities, including exchange of experience in the domain of training. After the signing ceremony at the Guard House in Topcider, Sutanovac underlined that the document should represent a new beginning in the cooperation between the two countries. He said he had thanked his Portuguese counterpart for the support his country was giving Serbia on its road to the European Union, reminding that Portugal had also backed Serbia in respect to the white Schengen list. "Portugal has expressed a wish to take part in the training of the members of the Serbian Army, as well as in the respective manifestations which will be held in the second half of the year and which are very important for us," Sutanovac said, noting that that referred in particular to Portugal’s attending the big aero meeting. The Portuguese defence minister said that his country viewed Serbia as a crucial figure in the West Balkans and that it appreciated the major efforts Serbia was making to establish cooperation with multinational organizations. He also expressed satisfaction over the signed agreement and pointed out that the document would open the door to a new stage in the relations between the two countries in defence.

SERBIA AIMS TO WIN OVER AS MANY NATO MEMBERS AS POSIBLE

BELGRADE, Feb 13 (Tanjug) - Serbian Defence Minister Dragan Sutanovac stated that NATO recently made some decisions that did not strengthen the relations with Serbia, but added, however, that we must bear in mind that countries such as Slovakia, Romania and Greece, which did not acknowledge the Kosovo and Metohija’s unilateral proclamation of independence, are within this Alliance as well. The aim is to win over as many countries as possible to represent Serbia’s interests in NATO, said Sutanovac after signing the agreement on co-operation in the area of defence with his Portuguese counterpart Nuno Severiano Teixeira who is on a visit to Belgrade. Sutanovac pointed out that he tried to convince his Portuguese colleagues that "NATO did not always make decisions that benefited the security of the entire region...in fact, some of their decisions made no sense whatsoever." "If we succeeded today in altering the viewpoints of Portugal in favor of Serbia, and I believe we did, it seems to me that we gained ourselves another ally," he concluded.

KOSOVO AND METOHIJA – SITUATION, REACTIONS

TADIC: THERE IS NO STATE IN KOSOVO

BELGRADE, Feb. 16 (Beta) - President Boris Tadic on Feb. 16 said there was no state in Kosovo a year after it unilaterally declared independence. "A year later, it is clear to everyone who wants to see the real situation in Kosovo that it is not a state," Tadic said in an interview with French agency AFP. According to Tadic, for Serbia, the first anniversary of the unilaterally proclaimed independence "is a day when the authorities in Pristina declared the independence of Kosovo in an illegal way, from the viewpoint of international law." "Serbia does not accept Kosovo’s independence and will never accept it," Tadic stressed. In his words, the level of "human rights protection in Kosovo is truly minimal, which is proven by the lack of Serbs and other refugees returning to their homes." "Serbia, just as are numerous EU countries, is suffering due to the activities of the Albanian mafia in Kosovo," which is very active in drug trafficking, especially heroin, Tadic added. Speaking about Serbia’s accession to the EU, the president said the current global economic crisis and the Treaty of Lisbon, which has not yet been ratified, were influencing the Europeans’ stand on enlargement. "For us, it is most important to become a candidate for the EU as soon as possible. It is not only about applying for candidate status, but about accepting it quickly," Tadic noted. The president said further that Serbia was being punished over Hague tribunal fugitive Ratko Mladic, who, according to him, had not yet been located. Tadic added that Serbia was doing everything in its power to arrest Mladic and Goran Hadzic.

TADIC IN WASHINGTON TIMES: A JUDICIAL APPROACH ON KOSOVO

WASHINGTON, Feb 17 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic said, in a signed article entitled "A judicial approach on Kosovo" published in The Washington Times on Tuesday, that Serbia will under no conditions recognize the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo, and underscored that this stand, which has its roots in the Serbian Constitution as well, will not be changed. President Tadic wrote: "A year ago today, a great disturbance with global implications was felt throughout the international system - the unilateral declaration of independence by the ethnic-Albanian authorities of Serbia’s southern province of Kosovo. "This blatant attempt at secession is in direct violation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999), the U.N. Charter, and the Helsinki Final Act. As a result, a vast majority of U.N. member states, including many with multiethnic populations, have refused to recognize Kosovo’s independence. "At the time, we stated clearly that Serbia would never recognize Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence under any circumstances. This position is enshrined in our constitution, and will not change. Self-determination and secession cannot be forced on a democratic country. "The way in which the Kosovo issue was addressed was a failure and should be a lesson to all. An attempt to force the settlement of one outstanding international issue has produced even more unfinished business. In the context of today’s dramatic global challenges, this is something the international community does not need. "Pristina’s ethnically motivated attempt at secession severely tested the resilience of our democracy. Serbia met the challenge with a carefully measured policy designed to defend our sovereignty and territorial integrity in a peaceful way. From the very onset of this grave crisis, we ruled out the use of force, and have remained steadfast in our commitment not to exercise other unilateral options, such as imposing economic sanctions, against our breakaway province. "For the first time in the history of our region, an issue of such fundamental importance and complexity - passionately involving all at once identity, boundaries, communal rights and opposing historical narratives - has not resulted in armed conflict. My country’s strategic decision to contest the unilateral declaration of independence at the International Court of Justice - as a result of last September’s referral by the United Nations General Assembly - constituted a paradigm shift in favor of peace in the Western Balkans. "The international court will take at least all of 2009 to render its advisory opinion on whether the unilateral declaration of independence violates international law. Once the court has spoken, the question of Kosovo’s future status could be revisited. "It is imperative that the judicial process be allowed to run its course, free of political interference. No one should attempt to circumvent the international justice system by pushing for new recognitions of Kosovo or by trying to encourage multilateral bodies to extend membership to the secessionist authorities in Kosovo - initiatives Serbia would have no choice but to vigorously counter. "Instead, legitimate stakeholders must now find ways to constructively engage on a whole host of practical issues, while continuing to respect each other’s red lines. Perhaps most important is our common commitment to keep the Kosovo issue entirely delinked from the region’s European Union accession process. "Despite the present difficulties my country faces, from the financial crisis to the lack of consensus in Brussels on our full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, attaining EU membership as rapidly as possible remains the central strategic priority of the Republic of Serbia. "Our purpose is clear and our will to become fully integrated into the European Union is unshakable. Serbia is the indispensable anchor of democratic stability and security in the Western Balkans, uniquely placed to act as the region’s EU accession accelerator. Our success would cement the recent democratic gains made throughout the region. "Should Belgrade and Brussels commit to working in concert, we would succeed together in helping the Western Balkans move forward and weather the consequences of the economic crisis. This cooperation will enable us to take a decisive step in the direction of completing the primary piece of Europe’s unfinished strategic business: rapidly achieving the membership of all the countries of the Western Balkans in the European Union," President Tadic concluded in his article in The Washington Times. JEREMIC ON KOSOVO’S ADMISION INTO FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

BELGRADE, Feb 13 (Tanjug) - Serbian Foreign Minister Jeremic said that Serbia did not support Kosovo’s admission into any international financial institution, but added that the country would not block its membership in regional and multilateral organisations provided that it was to be registered under the name of UNMIK Kosovo. When asked at a pres conference to comment on the Thursday statement by the Serbian president that Belgrade was not preventing Kosovo’s admission into certain financial institutions, Jeremic said that Boris Tadic "only reiterated the position that was presented in the negotiations on Kosovo status two years ago," when Serbia had offered Kosovo separate membership in international financial institutions, but only as part of a package that would resolve the future status of that province. "The president just pointed to the fact that during the negotiations, we had offered Pristina, as part of the package on status, the possibility of the province’s separate membership in international financial institutions," Jeremic said. According to him, this offer is still on the table, "provided that it is part of the package on status, which would imply a long-lasting solution acceptable for both sides and a solution approved by the UN Security Council. He said that Serbia was not blocking Kosovo’s membership in regional and multilateral organisations, but only under the condition that it was to be registered under the name of Kosovo UNMIK, reminding that we had already accepted Pristina’s admission into the CEFTA under that name. "Serbia will not change, not even a little bit, its policy toward Kosovo. We will continue to fight with all legal, political and diplomatic means for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country," Jeremic concluded.

JEREMIC TO CONFER WITH BAN & ZANNIER NEXT WEEK

BELGRADE, Feb 13 (Tanjug) - Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic on Friday announced that he will next week confer with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UNMIK Chief Lamberto Zannier on the implementation of the general-secretary’s six-point plan. Addressing news conference, Minister Jeremic said he will meet with Ban in New York on February 17, and with Zannier in Belgrade on February 19.

ZANNIER RECEIVES INVITATION TO MEET WITH JEREMIC, BOGDANOVIC

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - UNMIK Spokesman Russell Geekie said in a statement for Tanjug on Monday that UNMIK Chief Lamberto Zannier has received an invitation to meet with Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic and Minister for Kosovo and Metohija Goran Bogdanovic. Geekie said the details in connection with the meeting of the UNMIK chief and the Belgrade representatives will be agreed on during the week. Zannier is very focused on preparations for the upcoming United Nations (UN) Security Council session dedicated to Kosovo, set for March 9. The UNMIK chief will have meetings in Brussels with European Union (EU) and NATO officials along these lines over the next few days, Geekie specified. Zannier will then proceed to Belgrade, where he wishes to hear the official stands, and this is all within the preparations for the UN Security Council session, the spokesman said.

BOGDANOVIC: SERBIA WILL NEVER GIVE UP ON KOSOVO

BELGRADE, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - Minister for Kosovo and Metohija Goran Bogdanovic said on Monday, one year following the unilateral secession of that province that "Serbia will never give up on its struggle for Kosovo." "Kosovo and Metohija is an integral part of the Republic of Serbia and the unilateral decision of the interim institutions on the proclamation of the independence of Kosovo-Metohija is in violation of (United Nations Security Council )Resolution 1244 and international law," Bogdanovic said in an interview to Tanjug. This illegal act by Pristina has complicated relations in the region, in Europe, and it could also be said in the whole world, the minister said. In the southern Serbian province itself, it has caused further disquiet among the Serb population and members of non-Albanian communities, he pointed out. "That is an act that has not been conducive to stability. Moreover, it has caused additional disquiet, in already restless Kosovo and Metohija," Bogdanovic said. Over the past year, the state of Serbia has done everything to annul that unilaterally proclaimed independence, primarily through the Security Council, through the UN, and, for the first time, it has recorded two big successes - the acceptance of Serbia’s initiative that the International Court of Justice provide an opinion about the legality of this act, and the deployment of the EULEX mission under the conditions that the state of Serbia agreed with the UN, Bogdanovic said. The unilateral independence of Kosovo has further aggravated tensions in the province itself, in particular regarding the anxiety of Serbs and other non-Albanians, since the trend in the violations of human rights, freedom of movement, the right to return, and the usurping of the property of Serbs, is still not progressing in the direction that Serbs and other non-Albanians would like, Bogdanovic told Tanjug.

BOGDANOVIC: STRATEGY FOR TENABLE REMAIN, RETURN OF DISPLACED

BELGRADE, Feb 16 (Tanjug) - Minister for Kosovo and Metohija Goran Bogdanovic said on Monday that his Ministry has prepared a strategy for the tenable remain of the population and the return of displaced persons, and stressed that Serbia must help these citizens to realize their rights. "The Ministry for Kosovo and Metohija has prepared a strategy for tenable remain and return of displaced persons to the southern province. The objective is to correct historic injustices, that the government helps people to launch companies, to recover usurped property, to be in their own right in their own place, and to build the future on their own soil," Bogdanovic said in an interview to Tanjug. "This is not an easy job," Bogdanovic said, pointing out that problems of more than 200,000 displaced persons must be resolved and that "the state must help them realize their rights and recover what has been forcibly taken away from them." The Serbian government, in addition to the diplomatic activities involving the preservation of Kosovo and Metohija, is also investing huge funds into the promoting of the social and economic situation in the province, Bogdanovic said. Crucial investments in the development of the infrastructure in Kosovo and Metohija are planned, in launching businesses that will open new jobs, and, most importantly, secure the tenable remain of the population, Minister Bogdanovic said.

SEJDIU TO JOIN CREATION OF NEW SPIRIT OF COOPERATION

PRISTINA, Feb 15 (Beta) - Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu said that Kosovo was becoming more and more a significant factor of security and peace in the region and voiced the hope that Serbia would take part in the creation of a new spirit of cooperation in the region. On the anniversary of Kosovo’s declaration of independence on Feb. 17, 2008, Sejdiu told that the past year was "a fruitful year for an independent, democratic, functional state of law." He recalled that during its first year of independence, Kosovo had been recognized by 54 states, including the "U.S. and the EU’s most influential nations." "For us it is important and significant to be recognized by our neighbors Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro, with which we have excellent relations of cooperation and friendship. These recognitions are a confirmation that Kosovo’s independence has not upset the region as claimed by opponents (of our) independence, but created new possibilities for progress in this part of South East Europe," he said. Sejdiu stressed the Kosovo people’s devotion to integrating with the EU and NATO. Sejdiu also underlined the "resolve" of Kosovo’s institutions to continue "closely cooperating" with EULEX, KFOR, the Kosovo police and the Kosovo Security Force towards "overall stability regardless of the existence of illegal structures in the north which are attempting to spread anarchy and destroy the good image of Kosovo in the world." THACI: KOSOVO’S FIRST YEAR OF INDEPENDENCE A SUCCESS

PRISTINA, Feb. 16 (Beta) - The first year of Kosovo’s independence has been a success, though it has only been recognized by a few dozen countries, Kosovo Premier Hashim Thaci said on Feb. 16. In an interview with the Associated Press, on the eve of the anniversary of the proclamation of independence, Thaci said he was certain that many other countries would recognize Kosovo as time went by. "Kosovo will become a member of NATO, the European Union and the United Nations, and we will be recognized by the entire world," the premier stated in his office in Pristina, whose main streets were decorated with the flags of Kosovo, the U.S. and the EU. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia on Feb. 17, 2008. To date, 54 countries worldwide have recognized it, including 22 of the 27 EU states. Thaci said he was not disappointed, adding about the countries that have recognized Kosovo: "It’s not the numbers but the value they represent." Kosovo’s premier accused the Serbian government of "sticking to the mentality of (former president of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) Slobodan Milosevic."

SEJDIU, THACI RECEIVE CONGRATULATIONS FROM OBAMA

PRISTINA, Feb. 16 (Beta) - Kosovo’s president and premier, Fatmir Sejdiu and Hashim Thaci, on Feb. 16 received best wishes from U.S. President Barack Obama on the first anniversary of Kosovo’s proclamation of independence. In the name of the American people, I congratulate you and the people of Kosovo on the first anniversary of the historical declaration of Kosovo’s independence, Obama said in his note, the Kosovo president’s cabinet announced. The U.S. will continue to support Kosovo in its efforts to become a full member of the international community, the letter read. While the people of Kosovo work toward a common future, I want to point out that the U.S. will continue to support a multiethnic, independent and democratic Kosovo in its efforts to take its rightful place as a full member of the community of nations, Obama’s letter of congratulations to Sejdiu read.

QUEEN, MILIBAND CONGRATULATE KOSOVO ON ANNIVERSARY

PRISTINA, Feb. 16 (Beta) - Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and British Foreign Secretary David Miliband congratulated Kosovo President Fatmir Sejdiu on the first anniversary of Kosovo’s independence, the British Foreign Office announced on Feb. 16. "Kosovo and its neighbours in the Western Balkans share a common ambition for a European future... the UK is committed to working with all in the region in pursuit of this goal," read a statement from Miliband. "A new chapter of history opened with Kosovo’s declaration of independence" one year ago, he said. "In the year ahead, I hope to see Kosovo continue on its current path, moving away from past conflict towards a stable, prosperous future," the press release stated. The British foreign secretary added that he appreciated that "this anniversary evokes different feelings for some in Kosovo and in the region." "I want to reassure the Serbian government that we recognize their continuing legitimate interest in the welfare of the Kosovo Serb community, and I urge the Kosovo government to redouble its efforts to win the confidence of all communities in Kosovo," the statement said. Queen Elizabeth sent "her warmest greetings and her best wishes for the good fortune and happiness of the people of Kosovo in the coming year."

FEITH CONGRATULATES FIRST YEAR OF KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE

PRISTINA, Feb. 16 (Beta) - International civil representative in Kosovo Pieter Feith on Feb. 16 congratulated all Kosovo citizens on the first year anniversary of their country’s independence. "Over the past year, we your international partners traveled with you together and witnessed the great changes that occurred when you started to build a bright future as a democratic and multiethnic society," Feith said. He also pointed to the challenges, saying that Kosovo’s leaders and international representatives had the task of "making progress in all fields of reforms and reconciliation" and ensuring "a life of stability and peace with equal opportunities for all."

TACI: ICJ DECISION WILL BE HONORED AND ASSESSED

VIENNA, Feb 17 (Tanjug) - Kosovo Prime Minister Hasim Taci has said in an interview to the Austrian dailies Oberosterreichische Nachrichten and Kleine Zeitung that Pristina will respect the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in connection with Serbia’s motion for its opinion on whether the proclamation of the independence of Kosovo was in keeping with international law. "I do not wish to interfere in the Court decision. We will respect and assess it," Taci replied when he was asked what Pristina will do if the ICJ announces a negative decision. Speaking about the recognition of the independence of Kosovo, Taci underscored that many countries are still in the process of recognition, and said that the majority of world countries promised to recognize Kosovo. Taci said he expects of Serbia as soon as possible to recognize Kosovo as a state. "That would be best for peace and stability in the region, and the best for our two countries. We are ready to establish bilateral diplomatic relations with Serbia. Pristina would be happy to have an embassy in Belgrade so that we could function as two normal states," Taci said.

AHTISAARI, ROHAN, ISCHINGER: SERBIA MUST ACCEPT REALITY

BELGRADE, Feb. 16 (Beta) - A year after Kosovo proclaimed independence, the issue cannot be put an end to, because Serbia refuses to accept reality and is doing everything it can to prevent the situation returning to normal, three diplomats who were involved in the Kosovo status talks concluded on Feb. 16. Former U.N. envoy and architect of the plan on the supervised independence of Kosovo Martti Ahtisaari, his deputy Albert Rohan and German diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger stated that today’s democratic government in Serbia needed to see that the loss of Kosovo was a reality that could not be changed and that it had to face. In a joint statement on the anniversary of Kosovo’s proclamation of independence, published on the website of the international newspaper association Project Syndicate, the three diplomats reminded that Kosovo had been recognized by more than 50 countries, which represent almost 60 percent of the world’s economic power, that interethnic violence had largely been avoided, and that a mass exodus of Serbs, which many had predicted, had not happened. The Ahtisaari plan is slowly being put into effect, and a large civilian EU mission deployed in Kosovo, but the dangerous conflict is yet to be put an end to, because Serbia still refuses to accept reality and is doing everything in its power to prevent normalization of circumstances, the statement read.

DE KERMABON: WE DEAL WITH TECHNICAL ISSUES IN FIELD OF RULE OF LAW

BELGRADE, Feb 17 (Tanjug) - EULEX Chief Ives de Kermabon has said that his mission is not in Kosovo so as to make laws or reach political decisions and that, should it be part of the UN six-point plan, it will deal with technical issues in the domain of rule of law. It is not in my jurisdiction to discuss politics, Kermabon said in an interview for the Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti, published on Tuesday. We can give our advice only once the talks have reached that point which has to do with the mandate of EULEX, he added. Kermabon said that EULEX will not be involved in the issue of Kosovo status, and that the mission insisted on such a position. This is the result of very complex negotiations of the EU with Russia and Serbia. It is for the individual members of the EU, and not for the EU as a whole, to decide on the (Kosovo) recognition, Kermabon said. He underlined that it was quite clear that EULEX was operating on the basis of a joint decision which the European Union member states had reached on February 4, 2008, adding that the first article of that decision proved the fact that EULEX was operating under (UN Security Council) Resolution 1244.

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Minister for Foreign Affairs of Serbia