DAILY SURVEY - Nr. 51 / 404 - Belgrade - Prepared by: Z. Bucin

- SERBIA

JEREMIC AND NALBANDIAN DISCUSS COOPERATION, KOSOVO & N.KARABAKH

YEREVAN, Oct 19 (Tanjug) - Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic met Tuesday in Yerevan his Armenian counterpart Edward Nalbandian, with whom he discussed the further steps concerning the advancement in bilateral cooperation, as well as the issues of Kosovo and Nagorno Karabakh, the Azerbaijan’s breakaway region populated mostly by Armenians. As the Armenian news agencies reported on, during the meeting with Jeremic, Nalbandian estimated that last year visit of Serbian President Boris Tadic to Armenia represented the important step in terms of further advancement in bilateral relations. The foreign ministers discussed the cooperation in the domain of politics, economy and humanitarian activities, and Jeremic informed his Armenian counterpart about the situation regarding Kosovo. Armenia did not recognize Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence. In Yerevan, Jeremic will attend the 6th session of the Council of Europe Forum for the Future of Democracy. Jeremic arrived in Armenia from Helsinki, and after his stay in Yerevan, the Serbian foreign minister will pay a working visit to Slovenia on Wednesday.

TADIC: SERBIA MUST NOT STOP

BELGRADE, Oct 19 (Tanjug) - The Serbian Security Information Agency (BIA) marked its anniversary in Belgrade on Monday evening, in the presence of top state officials, representatives of the judiciary, prosecution, diplomatic corps and religious communities, and Serbian President Boris Tadic stated Serbia must not stop and that the country will not be the prey of protagonists of violence and organized crime. "Serbia must not stop," Tadic said, stressing that the state will not be the "prey of protagonists of violence and organized crime," but will rather "take the fate of hooligans and criminals into its own hands and put them in jail where they belong." Congratulating the BIA members on the anniversary, Serbian President Boris Tadic said that BIA must have full support as it is a part of the system and the state which is determined, despite all temptations, unfavorable atmosphere, violence, extremism inherited from previous decades, organized crime and economic crisis, to move forward in realizing the crucial goal - EU accession. Tadic also said that Serbia has a firm intention of becoming an EU member, as this would bring about essential changes in the country. "The EU accession also provides the possibility for individual progress, as well as security for its members, and the essence of the EU accession is a regulated society, legal order and taking over of responsibility for all social factors," Tadic pointed out. However, Tadic underscored that the EU accession is not a cure for everything, as the reform process never stops.

TADIC RECEIVES CREDENTIALS OF NEW AMBASSADORS

BELGRADE, Oct 18 (Tanjug) - Serbian President Boris Tadic received Monday the credentials of the new Ambassadors of France Francois-Xavier Deniau, Turkey Ali Riza Colak, Sweden Christer Asp, Slovenia Franc But, Cyprus Charalambos Hadjisavvas and Knights of Malta Alberto di Lucca, the president’s press office said. Tadic welcomed the new ambassadors, wished them success in their work and expressed his conviction that they will have good cooperation with Serbia’s democratic institutions, the release says.

JEREMIC: INCIDENTS DO NOT AFFECT STATE STABILITY

HELSINKI, Oct 18 (Tanjug) - The incidents which happened recently in Belgrade and Genoa were acts by separate extremist groups and cannot affect the stability of the state, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said Monday after meeting Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb. The Serbian government has taken measures and demonstrated that the rule of law is respected in the country and that an adequate level of security in the streets has been reached, even under very difficult circumstances, Jeremic told a news conference. A very serious investigation on the incidents us underway and should soon produce results, he said, emphasizing that the exemplary cooperation between the security services and the police in Belgrade had helped improve Serbia’s image in the world. Asked whether such incidents affect the stability of the state and the government, Jeremic said that the state is strong enough and that it cannot be destabilized by small groups of extremists. The state is strong enough and will show that it cannot be destabilized by small groups of extremists. They were very violent and admittedly caused great damage, but it is exaggerated to speak of destabilization of the state or the government, he concluded. During his visit to Helsinki, Jeremic will also meet with Finnish Minister of Migrations and European Affairs Astrid Thors.

CVETKOVIC: BIA IS PILLAR OF SERBIA’S SECURITY

BELGRADE, Oct 19 (Tanjug) - Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic stated at the celebration marking the Serbian Security Information Agency (BIA) anniversary on Monday evening that BIA represents the pillar of Serbia’s security. "Reorganized in accordance with contemporary needs and by fulfilling constitutional obligations, BIA has given a very significant contribution in the fight against organized crime," Cvetkovic said. He stressed that BIA’s results are quite noticeable, particularly in the fight against narcotics smugglers. "BIA has made it possible for them to be revealed and its achievements have been recognized both in the country and abroad," Cvetkovic said. Cvetkovic announced that, in the period to come, the Serbian government will try to financially assist BIA in accordance with the country’s economic capacities. Stressing that the government is yet to draft the 2011 budget, Cvetkovic said that BIA members can expect a "better treatment, both regarding salaries and equipment." Cvetkovic congratulated the anniversary to all BIA members, which was marked in the presence of top state officials, representatives of the judiciary, prosecution, diplomatic corps and religious communities.

DENIAU HONORED TO BE AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE TO SERBIA

BELGRADE, Oct 18 (Tanjug) - The new Ambassador of France to Serbia Francois-Xavier Deniau presented Monday his credentials to Serbian President Boris Tadic and then laid a wreath at the Monument of Gratitude to France at the Belgrade Fort. Emphasizing that he is honored and pleased to be ambassador of France to Serbia, Deniau said that the monument, one of few of its kind in the world, was not erected for political reasons but came from the hearts of the people. Speaking to the press after the ceremony attended by members of the French diplomatic and military missions and by his associates, he noted that the monument was built in the nineteen twenties with funds provided by the Society of the Friends of France and Association of Former Serbian Students in France. Although one should preferably look to the future, it is much easier and gratifying to do so if one knows that the past is characterized by a great friendship symbolized by this monument, Deniau said.

SERBIA COMMENDED FOR FIGHTING ORGANIZED CRIME & CORRUPTION

VIENNA, Oct 18 (Tanjug) - Serbia has been commended for the results it has achieved so far in fighting organized crime and corruption, Serbian Justice Minister Snezana Malovic told Tanjug on Monday after meeting Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Marc Perrin de Brichambaut. Serbia will intensify the fight against organized crime and corruption, she said, adding that her talk with Brichambaut also focused on the judiciary reform and the steps taken by the Serbian Justice Ministry to that end. Serbia has been commended for the results it has achieved so far regarding criminal proceedings and enforcement of the law on seizing assets obtained through criminal activities, Malovic said. The talk also focused on regional cooperation, she said, adding that cooperation with OSCE will continue to be fostered in the future.

- SERBIA – EU

JEREMIC & STUBB: FINLAND SUPPORTS SUBMISSION OF SERBIA’S CANDIDACY

HELSINKI, Oct 18 (Tanjug) - Finland supports the submission of Serbia’s EU candidacy to the European Commission at the meeting of EU foreign ministers on October 25, Finland’s Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb said on Monday. At a press conference following a meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic, Stubb expressed belief that it is of key importance to submit Serbia’s candidacy to the European Commission, and added that he hopes this will be done on October 25. EU foreign ministers will confer in Luxembourg next Monday, and one of the topics which will be discussed at the meeting will refer to Serbia’s candidacy. When asked whether a solution can be found which would reconcile the wish of EU member countries to help Serbia access the EU and Holland’s condition that requires the country to cooperate with the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY), Stubb replied that he believes that this can be done. Jeremic pointed out that this is an exceptionally important moment for the Western Balkans and Serbia, as Belgrade expects a lot from the forthcoming ministerial meeting. He expressed hope that Serbia’s candidacy application will be submitted to the European Commission on October 25. Serbia has worked hard in cooperation with other EU members to gain support, and this is an important moment, Jeremic said and added that the government in Helsinki has been supportive and will hopefully continue supporting not only Serbia’s European integration, but also the integration of the entire Western Balkans. Jeremic expressed belief that one relatively simple and merely technical decision can now have considerable consequences, which will hopefully be positive. On the occasion of the upcoming Belgrade-Pristina dialogue which was also discussed in Helsinki, Jeremic underlined that the talks should start as soon as possible. The Serbian minister said that the dialogue should start as soon as possible. Serbia is ready for it and truly appreciates the fact that the EU has offered to take on a role in that dialogue. He also expressed hope that this will contribute to resolving open issues regarding Kosovo. Stubb underscored that Serbia’s government is exceptionally pro-European, and added that it is very important to initiate a dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina as soon as possible.

CVETKOVIC: SERBIA IN EU BETWEEN 2014 AND 2016

BELGRADE, Oct 19 (Tanjug) - Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic stated in Belgrade on Tuesday that Serbia may become an EU member between 2014 and 2016. At the Euromoney conference on finances and investments in South-East Europe, Cvetkovic pointed out that he does not wish to speculate on the exact date of the EU accession, adding that it will certainly happen after the current government’s mandate. Answering the questions at the conference, Cvetkovic stressed that Serbia is not concerned that the problems in Western European countries will slow down its pace towards the EU membership as the country’s aim is primarily to introduce the European system and standards. "We want to join the EU, but even more so, we want our system to be the same as in the EU countries," Cvetkovic underscored. "We are not concerned, Serbia is moving forward and it will become an EU member state," Cvetkovic said, adding that the EU is based on the principles of peace, stability and strong economy, and that Serbia strives for the same goals. Cvetkovic is taking part in the two-day conference Euromoney which will focus on finances and investments in South-East Europe, and which will be attended by over 300 bankers, businessmen and officials from about twenty countries.

- SERBIA – REGION

STUBB & FUELE IN FAVOR OF EU ENLARGEMENT

HELSINKI, Oct 19 (Tanjug) - Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb has stated that his country emphatically supports the EU enlargement, which he believes to be the key factor of the EU’s prosperity. We believe that the enlargement policy is among the EU’s finest policy programmes and is a key success factor for the Union, Stubb stated on Monday evening after a meeting with EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele. According to Stubb, the EU has three simultaneous enlargement strategies, the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland reads. The first is in the Western Balkans, and we are awaiting the views on this to be announced by the Commission on the 9th of November. The second is the enlargement strategies pertaining to Serbia and Turkey. The third is the ’easier enlargement case’ involving Iceland, Stubb said.

DJUKANOVIC OPPOSES SIMULTANEOUS EU ACCESSION

PODGORICA, Oct 18 (Tanjug) - Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic believes that the concept of simultaneous EU accession of Serbia, Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) and Montenegro is wrong. Speaking for the Podgorica-based daily Pobjeda, Djukanovic said that he views as wrong the concept of certain advocates of simultaneous EU accession of the four countries. It would be like having a train of Balkan states adjusting its speed to its slowest car, Djukanovic said, not specifying which state is the slowest one. According to him, it would be more useful for the Balkan states, as well as for Europe and NATO, for the speed to be adjusted according to the country with the fastest EU integration process. It would be good if Serbia, as the largest country in the region, was the train’s fastest car, or even its engine, he added.

BOZINOVIC: WE WITNESS THE POSITIVE PROSPECTS OF THE WHOLE REGION

VIENNA, Oct 19 (Tanjug) - Serbia is a country with great potentials, interesting to investors, especially from Austria, that was the conclusion of the yesterday’s discussion on the topic "Economic partner of Serbia" which was organized in Vienna by Austrian magazine "Cercle Diplomatique et Economique International." Recalling that ten years ago Serbia was experiencing the period that marked our region in a negative way, Serbian Ambassador to Austria Milovan Bozinovic said that we have fortunately overcome that period and that today we witness the positive prospects of the whole region. He emphasized that now it is clear that all Balkan countries are committed to joining the EU which will certainly enlarge to integrate this region. Bozinovic said that, besides all problems it is tackling, Serbia is on a good road, thorny, but surmountable. Member of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce Assembly Marko Stijakovic estimated that the conditions for investing into Serbia have never been so favourable, and mentioned the SAA and the existence of economic clusters in some places, for example the car industry in Kragujevac (central Serbia). Head of the Department for Southeastern Europe with the Austrian Chamber of Commerce Georg Krauchenberg pointed out that Austria is the biggest foreign investor in Serbia, but added that Austrian entrepreneurs should have invested even more in this country.

- SERBIA – ECONOMY

AGREEMENT REACHED WITH A HIGH-LEVEL CHINESE DELEGATION

BELGRADE, Oct 18 (Tanjug) - Serbian Minister for the National Investment Plan (NIP) Verica Kalanovic stated in Belgrade on Monday after meeting with a high-level Chinese delegation that an agreement has been reached regarding the construction of a bridge over the Danube, and added that the project will be completed within the set deadlines. "The conceptual design, which was submitted by the Chinese side, has to be amended with pre-measurements and estimates, and we received affirmation today that November 15 will be the deadline for submitting a quite exact account of these details to the State Audit Commission," Kalanovic told Tanjug. The Serbian minister and Belgrade Mayor Dragan Djilas had separate talks with the Chinese delegation headed by China’s Vice Minister for Transport Feng Zhenglin, representatives of the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and representatives of Chinese Embassy in Serbia. Kalanovic said that the payment dynamics will be established in keeping with the agreement that the first tranche be an advance payment up to 15 percent of the total value. "We did not discuss the amount of the advance payment today, but this is Serbia’s stand with which our Chinese partners are already acquainted with," Kalanovic pointed out. The participants at the meeting also agreed that the supervising body which would monitor the pace and the quality of the works should be an independent and experienced foreign company. The Serbian minister also stressed that the bridge will be constructed in keeping with the highest world standards, and noted that on the basis of the international agreement, China has proposed the reputable company CRBC, which would be for the first time building a facility of the kind in Europe. Belgrade’s Mayor Dragan Djilas said last month that the bridge construction project was running behind schedule because CRBC had not yet completed the conceptual design. According to certain media reports, the Chinese company requested an advance payment amounting to 35 percent of the total investment.

For further information: Minister for Foreign Affairs of Serbia