Thursday, February 25, 2010
Serbs living abroad have helped Serbia during the crisis more than the IMF
Belgrade, Feb. 18, 2010 (Serbia Today, B92, Vecernje Novosti) – Serbs living abroad have helped Serbia during the crisis more than the IMF and all other international financial organizations. This is according to Minister for the Diaspora Srđan Srećković, who believes that for this reason, it would be useful to include representatives of the Diaspora even more actively in the country's economic and political life. “A large number of our people are willing to participate in the political life of Serbia. My task is to articulate their requests and put them on the agenda of the public debate in the country,” Srećković told Belgrade daily Večernje Novosti. “One of the ideas is to get the Diaspora more actively involved in the political life and this is yet to be discussed,” he said ,and pointed out that "our country would certainly benefit from any model of the Diaspora’s political involvement". Speaking about the Serbs abroad as Serbia’s economic backbone, the minister said that contrary to all assessments coming from political analysts, last year’s hard currency inflow from remittances was about USD 5.5bn. “That’s fantastic growth of about 15 percent compared to the previous year, and it makes more than 14 percent of the total GDP,” he pointed out. The minister stressed that it was precisely this inflow of hard currency that influenced in the greatest degree the macro-economic stability, and that of the Serbian dinar (RSD).
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
“Scandalous treatment of Roma in Kosovo”
Kosovska Mitrovica, Feb. 18, 2010 (Source: Tanjug) – The Europe Human Rights Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg called for an end to forcible return of Roma to Kosovo. After his second visit in ten months to the contaminated Roma camps in Česmin Lug and Osterode, Hammarberg said that the situation had not changed, and called for an urgent evacuation of the settlements. “The fact is that these camps have been inhabited for an entire decade is scandalous. The international community is partly to blame for this situation,” Hammarberg said. He said that the lead contamination posed a very serious danger for the people and children of the community. “New, safe housing is needed for about 600 people, in order to close the camps. They all need immediate medical care as well,” he said. Hammarberg said that he is concerned about the fact that Europe is implementing a forcible return of Roma to Kosovo. According to UN statistics, 2,500 people from EU countries were returned to Kosovo in 2009. Some of the Roma forced to go back to the province were sent to the contaminated camps, most of them being from Austria, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland. “I am calling on European countries to stop the forcible return until Kosovo is ready to secure the necessary conditions of life, medical care, education, social services and jobs,” he said. He reminded that Kosovo has already signed readmission agreements with several countries. “In Kosovo alone there are 20,000 internally displaced persons and the unemployment rate is at about 50 percent, which clearly shows that Kosovo still lacks the infrastructure needed to allow a sustainable reintegration of refugees,” Hammarberg said. He added that some of the refugees have lived in other countries for a long time and have children that were born in European countries, speak the languages of these countries fluently and have no ties to Kosovo. “The result is that many refugees are trying to return as soon as they can to the countries they used to live in,” the commissioner said. In a report published last summer, Human Rights Watch said that the Roma district in the northern city of Kosovska Mitrovica was attacked by ethnic Albanians in June 1999. "By June 24, the district had been looted and burned to the ground, and its 8,000 inhabitants had fled. Many were resettled by the UN in camps in a heavily contaminated area located near a defunct lead mine. The move was originally intended to be temporary, yet about 670 Roma still live in camps near the site, with damaging consequences for their health," said the report.
Malovic and Vukcevic visit Canada
Belgrade, Feb. 17, 2010 (Serbia Today) – Minister of Justice Snezana Malovic and war crimes prosecutor Vladimir Vukcevic are on a three-day visit to Canada, where on 18 February they will attend the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding concerning war crimes proceedings.
The Ministry of Justice says in a statement that Malovic said that the signing of the Memorandum is of historic importance since this will be the first such agreement regulating the cooperation between Serbia in Canada in this remit. The signing of the document will demonstrate the high level of understanding the two countries have achieved, Malovic said. She noted that through the CIDA project, Canada is among the countries that have backed Serbia’s judicial reform for years. The Memorandum of Understanding and Improvement of Voluntary Mutual Assistance in Investigative Cases and Proceedings on War Crimes, Crimes against Humanity and Genocide is the first bilateral agreement in this remit that Serbia will have signed with another country. Its guarantors will be Serbian Minister of Justice Snezana Malovic and Canadian Minister of Justice Robert Nicholson, Director and General Advisor of the War Crimes Section at the Canadian Justice Department Terry Bitner and Serbian war crimes prosecutor Vladimir Vukcevic. On 17 February Malovic will talk with Canadian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Allen Keseol about the possibilities of signing the Agreement on Judicial Cooperation in Criminal and Civic Matters. Malovic and Keseol will also discuss the finalization of talks and the signing of the Social Insurance Agreement, which Canada already signed with Bosnia-Herzegovina. They will look at the points regarding the finalization of talks and the signing of the Agreement on Air Traffic and the Convention on Avoiding Double Taxation, as well as begin talks on the Agreement on Facilitated Movement of Young People. Malovic will also visit the Canadian Supreme Court and Canadian Parliament, the statement adds.
The Ministry of Justice says in a statement that Malovic said that the signing of the Memorandum is of historic importance since this will be the first such agreement regulating the cooperation between Serbia in Canada in this remit. The signing of the document will demonstrate the high level of understanding the two countries have achieved, Malovic said. She noted that through the CIDA project, Canada is among the countries that have backed Serbia’s judicial reform for years. The Memorandum of Understanding and Improvement of Voluntary Mutual Assistance in Investigative Cases and Proceedings on War Crimes, Crimes against Humanity and Genocide is the first bilateral agreement in this remit that Serbia will have signed with another country. Its guarantors will be Serbian Minister of Justice Snezana Malovic and Canadian Minister of Justice Robert Nicholson, Director and General Advisor of the War Crimes Section at the Canadian Justice Department Terry Bitner and Serbian war crimes prosecutor Vladimir Vukcevic. On 17 February Malovic will talk with Canadian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Allen Keseol about the possibilities of signing the Agreement on Judicial Cooperation in Criminal and Civic Matters. Malovic and Keseol will also discuss the finalization of talks and the signing of the Social Insurance Agreement, which Canada already signed with Bosnia-Herzegovina. They will look at the points regarding the finalization of talks and the signing of the Agreement on Air Traffic and the Convention on Avoiding Double Taxation, as well as begin talks on the Agreement on Facilitated Movement of Young People. Malovic will also visit the Canadian Supreme Court and Canadian Parliament, the statement adds.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Monks clash at Monastery Gracanica
Belgrade, Feb. 17, 2010 (Serbia Today) - A group of monks, supporters of Archbishop Artemije, tried to force their way into the Gracanica Monastery to protect the dismissed church dignitary right after the arrival of his successor Bishop Atanasije, Kosovo Radio reported on Sunday.
After several unsuccessful attempts, the group of 12 monks attacked the ones who supported the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC)' decision. The group allegedly withdrew to afterwards enter the monastery from the back door. The Kosovo police didn't interfere, only made attempts to set the opposed groups apart, the radio said. The SPC Holy Synod, the church's top body, ruled Saturday that Archbishop Artemije can no longer lead the church in Kosovo. Artemije was investigated by the church for allegedly mishandling millions of Euros in aid and government funds over several years.
After several unsuccessful attempts, the group of 12 monks attacked the ones who supported the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC)' decision. The group allegedly withdrew to afterwards enter the monastery from the back door. The Kosovo police didn't interfere, only made attempts to set the opposed groups apart, the radio said. The SPC Holy Synod, the church's top body, ruled Saturday that Archbishop Artemije can no longer lead the church in Kosovo. Artemije was investigated by the church for allegedly mishandling millions of Euros in aid and government funds over several years.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church released Bishop Artemije from his duties
Belgrade, Feb. 15 2010 (Serbia Today) – The Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church decided on Friday to release Bishop Artemije immediately from his duties as the Bishop of the Ras & Prizren Diocese. In their statement Synod makes clear that Bishop Artemije has not been suspended from his post, but only that he is prevented from doing his duties until the inquire into the financial and business transactions involving Bishop and his Diocese is not completed. . Retired Bishop of the Hercegovuna Diocese Atanasije will take temporarily over Bishop Artemije’s duties
Synod started its deliberations on Thursday after representatives of the Synod reported back their findings from the interview with Bishop Artemije and the review of the financial books and records of the Ras and Prizren Diocese. Further, Synod was not pleased with the attitude and responding of the Bishop Artemije towards Synod’s representatives during the interview. Also, they will ask for a criminal charges for embezzlement to be brought against some of the Bishop’s employees.
Some two hundred supporters of the Bishop Artemije including a number of monks from the Ras and Prizren Diocese gathered on Friiday in front Serbian Orthodox church Headquarter in downtown Belgrade in a show of support for the troubled Bishop Artemije. The heavy snow and winds didn’t prevent them to express their dissatisfaction with the decision of the Holy Synod. They claim that Bishop Artemije was unjustly accused and a victim of the media hunt and power struggle within a leadership of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Synod started its deliberations on Thursday after representatives of the Synod reported back their findings from the interview with Bishop Artemije and the review of the financial books and records of the Ras and Prizren Diocese. Further, Synod was not pleased with the attitude and responding of the Bishop Artemije towards Synod’s representatives during the interview. Also, they will ask for a criminal charges for embezzlement to be brought against some of the Bishop’s employees.
Some two hundred supporters of the Bishop Artemije including a number of monks from the Ras and Prizren Diocese gathered on Friiday in front Serbian Orthodox church Headquarter in downtown Belgrade in a show of support for the troubled Bishop Artemije. The heavy snow and winds didn’t prevent them to express their dissatisfaction with the decision of the Holy Synod. They claim that Bishop Artemije was unjustly accused and a victim of the media hunt and power struggle within a leadership of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Proposed changes to Serbian pension and disability insurance system (PIO) in line with European standards
Belgrade, Feb 13, 2010 (Serbia Today) – Deputy Prime Minister Jovan Krkobabic informed a delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday, led by Albert Jeger, about proposed changes and amendments to the Serbian pension and disability insurance system (PIO).
IMF representatives welcomed the changes and the professionalism with which the previous four funds were merged into a unique pension system. They said that the proposed changes are compatible with European standards and that they form a basis for a pension system which will sustainable in the long run and which will not jeopardize the country’s economic stability. Talks with IMF representatives on some technical issues, which started on Monday, will be continued in the next few days. These talks were preceded by a series of meetings with World Bank representatives, who also welcomed the proposed changes to the pension system.
IMF representatives welcomed the changes and the professionalism with which the previous four funds were merged into a unique pension system. They said that the proposed changes are compatible with European standards and that they form a basis for a pension system which will sustainable in the long run and which will not jeopardize the country’s economic stability. Talks with IMF representatives on some technical issues, which started on Monday, will be continued in the next few days. These talks were preceded by a series of meetings with World Bank representatives, who also welcomed the proposed changes to the pension system.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Discounted Monthly Bus Passes only to 50.000 unemployed
Belgrade, Feb. 12, 2010 (Serbia Today) - The National Employment Agency have signed the contract with the Belgrade Public Transportation Company that will secure 50.000 discounted monthly bus passes to unemployed citizens of Belgrade. This in itself would be a good thing if the Belgrade does not have over 90.000 people on the lists of the unemployed.
As it was explained in the National Employment Agency, securing the discounted monthly bus passes is not one of the benefits of the unemployed regulated with any law or rule. It is simply the administrative decision by the Agency to purchase a certain number of discounted bus passes for the unemployed. The contracted quote was 50.000 and nobody never thought of buying passes for the total number of unemployed on the territory of the City of Belgrade. Passes are sold on the first come, first serve basis and that’s the whole of the story.
Nevertheless, unemployed in Belgrade are neither satisfied nor amused with this explanation. They can not accept the fact that each month almost half of them will not have bus passes and not be able to travel on the public transportation system. For many public transportation tickets are already very expensive and take big part of the realy small house budgets of those out of work.
As it was explained in the National Employment Agency, securing the discounted monthly bus passes is not one of the benefits of the unemployed regulated with any law or rule. It is simply the administrative decision by the Agency to purchase a certain number of discounted bus passes for the unemployed. The contracted quote was 50.000 and nobody never thought of buying passes for the total number of unemployed on the territory of the City of Belgrade. Passes are sold on the first come, first serve basis and that’s the whole of the story.
Nevertheless, unemployed in Belgrade are neither satisfied nor amused with this explanation. They can not accept the fact that each month almost half of them will not have bus passes and not be able to travel on the public transportation system. For many public transportation tickets are already very expensive and take big part of the realy small house budgets of those out of work.
Roma’s Inclusion in the Serbian Society
Belgrade, Feb. 11, 2010 (Serbia Today) - – Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic chaired on Tuesday the fourth session of the Council for improvement of the position of the Roma, in which it was concluded that last year significant progress was made during Serbia's chairmanship over the Decade of Roma, as the official government website reports.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said that progress has been made by adopting the Strategy for improving the position of the Roma and the Action plan for its implementation, as well as a series of laws and by-laws, such as the Law on basics in the education system, in order to increase the social involvement of the most populous minority group in Serbia. Implementation of important projects, "Education for all" and "Social Inclusion" was also announced in the meeting. These projects will be financed from IPA funds in the amount of €8 million. The participants in the meeting examined the use of funds from the 2009 and 2010 budgets, in the amount of RSD 530 million each. This year, additional funds will be set aside for the housing and development of Roma entrepreneurship. The next session of the Council for improvement of the position of the Roma will be held in early April, just before the European Summit on Roma in Cordoba, Spain, at which the Serbian delegation will propose the adoption of the Strategy for Roma inclusion for the entire continent.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said that progress has been made by adopting the Strategy for improving the position of the Roma and the Action plan for its implementation, as well as a series of laws and by-laws, such as the Law on basics in the education system, in order to increase the social involvement of the most populous minority group in Serbia. Implementation of important projects, "Education for all" and "Social Inclusion" was also announced in the meeting. These projects will be financed from IPA funds in the amount of €8 million. The participants in the meeting examined the use of funds from the 2009 and 2010 budgets, in the amount of RSD 530 million each. This year, additional funds will be set aside for the housing and development of Roma entrepreneurship. The next session of the Council for improvement of the position of the Roma will be held in early April, just before the European Summit on Roma in Cordoba, Spain, at which the Serbian delegation will propose the adoption of the Strategy for Roma inclusion for the entire continent.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Roads mostly clear in Serbia, traffic slowed due to winter weather
Belgrade, Feb. 09, 2010, (Serbia Today) – After latest snowfalls in Serbia all main roads have been cleared, however, vehicles are traveling at a significantly slower pace. According to the Automobile and Motorcycle Association of Serbia (AMSS), throughout most of Serbia, snow is falling and temperatures are below zero. Citizens are being urged to drive carefully because of the slippery road conditions, or to not travel at all unless it is absolutely necessary. After Saturday’s freezing rain, snow and high winds, the winter weather situation in Serbia is not as extreme on Sunday, AMSS states. AMSS added that most of the main roads have been completely cleared, but recommended to drivers to remain cautious.
Mayor Dragan Djilas: “No Increases in prices of communal services”
Belgrade, Feb. 08, 2010, (Serbia Today) – As Serbian news agency Tanjug reports, Belgrade Mayor Dragan Đilas said that there will be no other increases in prices for communal services in Belgrade other than for heating.
We have no plan to increase the prices of other communal services. Recently, we even decreased the price of water and garbage removal,” Đilas said. He said that there is a possibility that the costs of other services will be decreased, if the companies working in these fields find that it can be done after evaluating their income. The Mayor said that heating prices are related to energy prices, and if one increases, the other must as well.
“We are now in a difficult position and asking for heating price to be increased by more than six percent in a time when people are barely making ends meet. However, if we do not do this, we could end up with no heat,” he said. “The state must decide whether it will have an agreed or market price. You cannot say that the energy prices are formed freely and according to the market and then have an increase of 30 percent in four months, and for heating to increase by six percent. That is not possible,” Đilas said. He said that the state should take a stance on whether it wants to co-finance the price of gas and other energy sources in order to enable the citizens to have cheaper heating.
We have no plan to increase the prices of other communal services. Recently, we even decreased the price of water and garbage removal,” Đilas said. He said that there is a possibility that the costs of other services will be decreased, if the companies working in these fields find that it can be done after evaluating their income. The Mayor said that heating prices are related to energy prices, and if one increases, the other must as well.
“We are now in a difficult position and asking for heating price to be increased by more than six percent in a time when people are barely making ends meet. However, if we do not do this, we could end up with no heat,” he said. “The state must decide whether it will have an agreed or market price. You cannot say that the energy prices are formed freely and according to the market and then have an increase of 30 percent in four months, and for heating to increase by six percent. That is not possible,” Đilas said. He said that the state should take a stance on whether it wants to co-finance the price of gas and other energy sources in order to enable the citizens to have cheaper heating.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Low-cost Apartments in Serbia
By: Bojana Jankovic
Kragujevac, ,Feb. 06 ,2010 (Serbia Today) - Building of the first low-cost apartments will begin in May this year. The investors are receiving building permits for the provided locations in Nis, Novi Sad and Kragujevac. However, it is not enough, because investors are asking the state to specify conditions with banks’ lending; that the debts should be reprogrammed to two years but also that some construction companies should not be favorites..
Recently adopted, the Regulation of transfer laws of usage of property over city’s construction lands, should accelerate the construction of apartments. Accumulated stocks of construction materials are going to be used in building these low-cost apartments.
Price of a square meter will depend on the location and infrastructure, but can not be higher than 1 600 Euros. The government representatives say that the citizens are very interested about the announced construction of low-cost apartments.
“To start running this construction cycle, the Investors have to start buying the land, and the Bank to accelerate the approval of subsidized credits.”- said Mr. Goran Rodic from Serbian Chamber of Commerce.
The largest settlement in Belgrade will be built in Vozdovac, while the area of the former military barracks will provide building of about 4 000 apartment units. Price of a square meter should be about 1 300 Euros. Ministry of department will build plan documentation and issue a building permit. The city will provide the infrastructure. Building Directorate of Serbia is a project manager. On this occasion, Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning, Oliver Dulic said, “Building Directorate will be the user of funds for project financing, will sell the apartments and negotiate building of all these apartments with the work groups of Serbia.”
Real estate agents believe that the construction of low-cost apartments will break monopoly, but that prices will not fall. The invitation for the construction of low-cost apartments was sent to all construction companies that have prepared the locations, and to the local governments to reduce the price of compensation for construction sites preparation.
Kragujevac, ,Feb. 06 ,2010 (Serbia Today) - Building of the first low-cost apartments will begin in May this year. The investors are receiving building permits for the provided locations in Nis, Novi Sad and Kragujevac. However, it is not enough, because investors are asking the state to specify conditions with banks’ lending; that the debts should be reprogrammed to two years but also that some construction companies should not be favorites..
Recently adopted, the Regulation of transfer laws of usage of property over city’s construction lands, should accelerate the construction of apartments. Accumulated stocks of construction materials are going to be used in building these low-cost apartments.
Price of a square meter will depend on the location and infrastructure, but can not be higher than 1 600 Euros. The government representatives say that the citizens are very interested about the announced construction of low-cost apartments.
“To start running this construction cycle, the Investors have to start buying the land, and the Bank to accelerate the approval of subsidized credits.”- said Mr. Goran Rodic from Serbian Chamber of Commerce.
The largest settlement in Belgrade will be built in Vozdovac, while the area of the former military barracks will provide building of about 4 000 apartment units. Price of a square meter should be about 1 300 Euros. Ministry of department will build plan documentation and issue a building permit. The city will provide the infrastructure. Building Directorate of Serbia is a project manager. On this occasion, Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning, Oliver Dulic said, “Building Directorate will be the user of funds for project financing, will sell the apartments and negotiate building of all these apartments with the work groups of Serbia.”
Real estate agents believe that the construction of low-cost apartments will break monopoly, but that prices will not fall. The invitation for the construction of low-cost apartments was sent to all construction companies that have prepared the locations, and to the local governments to reduce the price of compensation for construction sites preparation.
Srebrenica Resolution
Novi Sad, Feb. 05, 2010, (Serbia Today) – While the declaration with which parliament would condemn the Srebrenica crimes is supported by 20.6 percent of Serbia’s citizens, 46.2 percent would support the adoption of one all-inclusive resolution, according to an article in Novi Sad daily Dnevnik. According to a survey conducted by the National Council for Cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, as many as 55.2 percent of those polled believe that the crime committed in Srebrenica was “maliciously blown out of proportions by our enemies and media”. Social Democratic Union (SDU) President Žarko Korać, who was the initiator of the version of Srebrenica resolution that was not accepted by either the government or opposition, said that the fact that President Boris Tadić proposed the resolution this time around is important. Korać said that there is no use in voting for such a resolution if the people think that it is imposed, if there is no sincerity and it is being done just because someone is asking for it. “There can be a purpose only in the desire for Serbia to be relieved of the burden, because there is a video that was shown on television in Serbia with Ratko Mladić saying: ‘I have finally freed this city of Turks, and I’m handing it over to the Serb people’,” Korać said. Korać added that “no one asked the Serb people about that, nor did the Serb people give Mladić the authority to do that in their name”. “And that is why the Serb people should show that they do not want to accept this responsibility, which belongs to the criminals that planned and carried out the crime,” he said. Korać also stated that this was the time for the political elite in both the ruling coalition and opposition to show maturity and do what was needed for Serbia in the long-term, and that would help relieve it from the burden of the horrible tragedy.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Regional Automobile „Clusters“
By: Bojana Jankovic
Kragujevac, Feb.04,2010 (Serbia Today) - On Monday February 1, 2010 in the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Kragujevac, the Chambers of Commerce of Kragujevac, Krusevac and Kraljevo signed a letter of intent to support the establishment of regional business initiative called car „clusters“ of Central Serbia.
During the meeting the study funded by the Dutch organization „SPARK“, on development of networks of suppliers of small and medium companies for the automobile industry in Central Serbia was presented. This promotion was atended by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Serbia, Mr. Ron Von Dartel. He said that this study gave an impuls to the suppliers to direct their business plans towards the Fiat coming in Kragujevac, but also that the Netherlands are interested in business opportunities.
In addition, at this meeting on February 1st, the Chamber of Commerce announced that the first International Automobile Suppliers Industry Fair will be held in Kragujevac from May 19- 21st, this year. Center of auto industry of the Western Balkans- a Regional Chamber of Commerce Kragujevac, and Sumadia Fair will appear as the organizers of this Fair.
Kragujevac, Feb.04,2010 (Serbia Today) - On Monday February 1, 2010 in the Regional Chamber of Commerce in Kragujevac, the Chambers of Commerce of Kragujevac, Krusevac and Kraljevo signed a letter of intent to support the establishment of regional business initiative called car „clusters“ of Central Serbia.
During the meeting the study funded by the Dutch organization „SPARK“, on development of networks of suppliers of small and medium companies for the automobile industry in Central Serbia was presented. This promotion was atended by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Serbia, Mr. Ron Von Dartel. He said that this study gave an impuls to the suppliers to direct their business plans towards the Fiat coming in Kragujevac, but also that the Netherlands are interested in business opportunities.
In addition, at this meeting on February 1st, the Chamber of Commerce announced that the first International Automobile Suppliers Industry Fair will be held in Kragujevac from May 19- 21st, this year. Center of auto industry of the Western Balkans- a Regional Chamber of Commerce Kragujevac, and Sumadia Fair will appear as the organizers of this Fair.
Friday, February 5, 2010
High School Students organized a Humanitarian Concert
Arilje, Feb. 04,2010 (Serbia Today) – On Tuesday, January 26, High School students from Arilje have organized a humanitarian music concert to benefit the „Society for children with special needs“.
During the last year, students from the High School „St.Ahilije“ organized various humanitarian activities which proceeds helped the „Society for children with special needs“, and proved to be heartfilled activities that had the response „Thank you“,which was an enough reason why this tradition continues.
„Our wish is that children with special needs get at least a little help, and in this way we will show them that they are not alone and are part of our community and society. On this occasion, we collected 13,000 dinars ( about 133 euros), which we will give them. This help is not big, but it is from the heart“, said Stefan Cirjakovic,a High school student and president of School Parliament about the humanitarian concert organized by students on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010.
The money was collected from tickets sales, and donated to the Society called “Impuls”. Participating were bands from Uzice, Lobotomy Equation and Rusted Gears.
Created concert’s atmosphere will be remembered, and all the students had a great time. This kind of humanitarian concerts will continue.
During the last year, students from the High School „St.Ahilije“ organized various humanitarian activities which proceeds helped the „Society for children with special needs“, and proved to be heartfilled activities that had the response „Thank you“,which was an enough reason why this tradition continues.
„Our wish is that children with special needs get at least a little help, and in this way we will show them that they are not alone and are part of our community and society. On this occasion, we collected 13,000 dinars ( about 133 euros), which we will give them. This help is not big, but it is from the heart“, said Stefan Cirjakovic,a High school student and president of School Parliament about the humanitarian concert organized by students on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010.
The money was collected from tickets sales, and donated to the Society called “Impuls”. Participating were bands from Uzice, Lobotomy Equation and Rusted Gears.
Created concert’s atmosphere will be remembered, and all the students had a great time. This kind of humanitarian concerts will continue.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Serbia at 131st place in the World Bank rating
Belgrade, Feb. 03, 2010, (Serbia Today) - Poor business climate, poor infrastructure, inadequate anti-monopoly policy – these are some of the conclusions in the research carried out by the World Bank and the World economic forum over conditions for business dealing and competition in Serbia.
The ministries in charge claim to be on good course to correct these problems and that in the next ranking we might make a progress by rising 20 places up. Economists, however, claim that changes must be carried out more rapidly.
According to the research by the World Bank about conditions for business dealing in 2010, Serbia is on the 88th position in a list of 183 countries. In the research of the World economic forum Serbia is on the 93rd position among 133 countries.
The total index of our country as per this report is 3.8 so Serbia dropped from the 85th place it occupied last year to the 93rd now. According to this report the most serious problems for business dealing in Serbia are corruption, political instability, access to finances, inefficient state bureaucracy and inflation.
Andreja Marusic of the Government’s office for implementation of the thorough reform of regulations says that until so far the Government has adopted 212 recommendations for change of regulations that were making business dealing complicated. According to her words these changes should improve rating of the country by the World Bank in 2010 and 2011 by at least 20 positions.
The ministries in charge claim to be on good course to correct these problems and that in the next ranking we might make a progress by rising 20 places up. Economists, however, claim that changes must be carried out more rapidly.
According to the research by the World Bank about conditions for business dealing in 2010, Serbia is on the 88th position in a list of 183 countries. In the research of the World economic forum Serbia is on the 93rd position among 133 countries.
The total index of our country as per this report is 3.8 so Serbia dropped from the 85th place it occupied last year to the 93rd now. According to this report the most serious problems for business dealing in Serbia are corruption, political instability, access to finances, inefficient state bureaucracy and inflation.
Andreja Marusic of the Government’s office for implementation of the thorough reform of regulations says that until so far the Government has adopted 212 recommendations for change of regulations that were making business dealing complicated. According to her words these changes should improve rating of the country by the World Bank in 2010 and 2011 by at least 20 positions.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Professional military in Serbia by 2011
Belgrade, Feb. 01, 2010 (Serbia Today) – As Serbian daily Vecernje Novosti reports, the Serbian military will be almost completely professional by 2010, with more than 10,000 soldiers who chose to make the military their profession.
By abolishing the military obligation, which has existed since the time of Prince Mihailo Obrenović III, the country will complete the changes that began after the collapse of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. The military will be made up of professional soldiers and 2,000 volunteers. Making the military professional will also enable the military to organize itself according to European models. According to the Defense Ministry, the last phase of the process will be the acceptance of 4,500 soldiers by contract into the army in 2010. They will be joining the professional rank of soldiers, of which 2,100 were added in 2009 alone. “The defense system will have about 36,000 people. The plan is to have 10,600 places reserved for professional soldiers, and 2,000 for volunteers. The final changes in jobs, within which the ministry is to decrease the number of employees from 11,500 to 8,500, guarantees an almost ideal pyramid of officers and relations between the number of soldiers and commanders,”- the Defense Ministry stated. The process of making the military professional began in 2007 and included many changes that needed to be made in the organization of the military, especially in the training system, which was completely accommodated towards soldiers working under contract.
By abolishing the military obligation, which has existed since the time of Prince Mihailo Obrenović III, the country will complete the changes that began after the collapse of the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. The military will be made up of professional soldiers and 2,000 volunteers. Making the military professional will also enable the military to organize itself according to European models. According to the Defense Ministry, the last phase of the process will be the acceptance of 4,500 soldiers by contract into the army in 2010. They will be joining the professional rank of soldiers, of which 2,100 were added in 2009 alone. “The defense system will have about 36,000 people. The plan is to have 10,600 places reserved for professional soldiers, and 2,000 for volunteers. The final changes in jobs, within which the ministry is to decrease the number of employees from 11,500 to 8,500, guarantees an almost ideal pyramid of officers and relations between the number of soldiers and commanders,”- the Defense Ministry stated. The process of making the military professional began in 2007 and included many changes that needed to be made in the organization of the military, especially in the training system, which was completely accommodated towards soldiers working under contract.
Enthronement of a Patriarch in the Patriarchate of Pec
By Bojana Jankovic
Belgrade, Jan.29, 2010 (Serbia Today)- On Sunday, April 25, 2010, the newly elected Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Irenej, will be enthroned in the Patriarchate of Pec
“The Synod will begin then, and will continue in Belgrade. Foreign guests will be present at that event in the Patriarchate of Pec and that is good, because they will be able to see the situation in Kosovo and what does the Patriarchate of Pec represent to the Serbian church and the Serbian people”, said the new Serbian Patriarch Irenej.
Talking about celebrating in 2013 the marking of 1700 years since the adoption of the Edict of Milan, Patriarch Irenej said that the city Niš has a great event in store.
“I would like to commemorate this event the best way possible and that once imperial city Nis enters into the reconstruction of historic memories and times in which we live”, said the Patriarch Irenej.
Belgrade, Jan.29, 2010 (Serbia Today)- On Sunday, April 25, 2010, the newly elected Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Irenej, will be enthroned in the Patriarchate of Pec
“The Synod will begin then, and will continue in Belgrade. Foreign guests will be present at that event in the Patriarchate of Pec and that is good, because they will be able to see the situation in Kosovo and what does the Patriarchate of Pec represent to the Serbian church and the Serbian people”, said the new Serbian Patriarch Irenej.
Talking about celebrating in 2013 the marking of 1700 years since the adoption of the Edict of Milan, Patriarch Irenej said that the city Niš has a great event in store.
“I would like to commemorate this event the best way possible and that once imperial city Nis enters into the reconstruction of historic memories and times in which we live”, said the Patriarch Irenej.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Pope has strong wish to visit Serbia
Belgrade, Jan. 29, 2010 (Serbia Today) – As daily Blic reports the jubilee in the City of Nis in 2013 marking the freedom to Christianity, is an appropriate occasion for the meeting between leaders of the Orthodox and Catholic world. In Vatican’s Office for media in Belgrade’s Archdiocese reporters were told that ‘there is positive mood that the Pope Benedict visits Serbia’. Father Federico Lombardi, Director of the Office says that the statement by the Patriarch Irinej that the time has come for the meeting with the Pope Benedict XVI is very encouraging. ‘This is a sign that the dialog that began at the time of Patriarch Pavle will be continued with the new Patriarch. It would be nice if he would make a step further in order that we meet and see the possibilities for cooperation’, Lombardi says.
Monday, February 1, 2010
The First among Equals is Chosen
Belgrade, Jan. 25 ,2010 (Serbia Today)- When Patriarch Pavle died in November 2009 the Orthodox believers awaited with impatience for the election of a New Patriarch of Serbia.
The elections began on Friday, January 22 at dawn, and almost unbelievably, the same day they elected the new Patriarch.
The supreme head of the Serbian Orthodox Church was to be chosen among the three bishops who were nominated by all members of the Synod, and by the will of God to be the first among equals. The Synod has 45 members and 35 bishops were eligible for nomination.
The new Patriarch was elected on Friday, January 22,2010 exactly at 14:30. Half an hour after the announcement of Cathedral bells, the flag on the Patriarch’s House was raised, after being lowered to half mast upon the death of Patriarch Pavle, on November 15, 2009.
The new Patriarch Irenaeus was born in Vidova, a small town in vicinity of the city Cacak, Serbia, in 1930. He was elected Bishop of Moravica in 1974 and a year later, Bishop of Nis.
The Analyst of religion, Živica Tucić, says that “On a Patriarch of the Church depends where the church is going. He should understand the right moment in which he should act, but it is important also to act on behalf of his own people. A Patriarch can provide an extremely important tone and be the initiator of certain changes, but does not have such a great power of decision-making, like for example the Patriarchs of Moscow or Constantinople. His main functions are to keep the unity of the church and its believers from the division and to spread that to other churches and cities.”
By tradition, the electoral council is held under the domes of the church, the Patriarchate, in the Sabor hall and a chapel of St. Simeon. Election begins by invoking the Holy Spirit in the chapel. The lot is drawn among three candidates. After the election, the Chairperson of the Synod will read the name of the new Mitropolit of Pec, Belgrade-Karlovac and Serbian Patriarch. The day after the election and the liturgy in the Cathedral the enthronement of Patriarch is performed placing him in the throne of Saint Sava. The new Patriarch is delivered patriarchal signs and symbols of the Church of Christ: Patriarchal scepter, Panagia of St. Sava and a string of medallions with images of Serbian saints, which was a gift of King Aleksander to the church. Then the Patriarch for the first time as the new head of the church is addressing the present in the Cathedral.
The newly elected Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Irenaeus said, “My election was the will of God and of the Holy bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church Synod. I was elected to this honorable and difficult duty with the help of brothers, bishops with whom I will carry all the problems and burdens together.”
The elections began on Friday, January 22 at dawn, and almost unbelievably, the same day they elected the new Patriarch.
The supreme head of the Serbian Orthodox Church was to be chosen among the three bishops who were nominated by all members of the Synod, and by the will of God to be the first among equals. The Synod has 45 members and 35 bishops were eligible for nomination.
The new Patriarch was elected on Friday, January 22,2010 exactly at 14:30. Half an hour after the announcement of Cathedral bells, the flag on the Patriarch’s House was raised, after being lowered to half mast upon the death of Patriarch Pavle, on November 15, 2009.
The new Patriarch Irenaeus was born in Vidova, a small town in vicinity of the city Cacak, Serbia, in 1930. He was elected Bishop of Moravica in 1974 and a year later, Bishop of Nis.
The Analyst of religion, Živica Tucić, says that “On a Patriarch of the Church depends where the church is going. He should understand the right moment in which he should act, but it is important also to act on behalf of his own people. A Patriarch can provide an extremely important tone and be the initiator of certain changes, but does not have such a great power of decision-making, like for example the Patriarchs of Moscow or Constantinople. His main functions are to keep the unity of the church and its believers from the division and to spread that to other churches and cities.”
By tradition, the electoral council is held under the domes of the church, the Patriarchate, in the Sabor hall and a chapel of St. Simeon. Election begins by invoking the Holy Spirit in the chapel. The lot is drawn among three candidates. After the election, the Chairperson of the Synod will read the name of the new Mitropolit of Pec, Belgrade-Karlovac and Serbian Patriarch. The day after the election and the liturgy in the Cathedral the enthronement of Patriarch is performed placing him in the throne of Saint Sava. The new Patriarch is delivered patriarchal signs and symbols of the Church of Christ: Patriarchal scepter, Panagia of St. Sava and a string of medallions with images of Serbian saints, which was a gift of King Aleksander to the church. Then the Patriarch for the first time as the new head of the church is addressing the present in the Cathedral.
The newly elected Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Irenaeus said, “My election was the will of God and of the Holy bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church Synod. I was elected to this honorable and difficult duty with the help of brothers, bishops with whom I will carry all the problems and burdens together.”
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