Mayor: “Work on Gazela Bridge to begin in August”

Belgrade, April 26, 2010 (Source: B92) - Mayor Dragan Đilas said that serious work on the restoration of the Gazela Bridge would not begin until August. He said that all the necessary materials for beginning work on the bridge have not yet arrived. Đilas said that discussions on the dynamics of work on the bridge would be finished once an acceptable solution for the city is found. The best-case scenario calls for the work that includes the closing of the Gazela Bridge to begin once the bridge across Ada Ciganlija is completed, but the condition of the bridge demands that the work starts earlier. “The city will then be in a state of siege, which is why I expect that work on the Gazela will be ongoing for 24 hours a day. There is still a question of whether work will be able to be done to the lower part of the bridge at night because of the safety of the workers. If there is a way to secure these conditions, there is no reason for work not to be done at night as well,” Đilas said. He said that the Gazela is not the only problem, adding that the restoration of the highway going through Belgrade from Bubanj Potok to Surčin could cause even more traffic problems. “Our demand is for the part from Geneks to the Sava Centar and the part from Mostarska Petlja to Dušanovac to be worked on during the summer, when there is less traffic, because it demands the closing down of one side of the highway. We have already reached an agreement on the highway through Belgrade, where the Ratko Mitrović subcontractor and its workers will be working non-stop. Te realistic problem is that there are not a lot of construction sites in the country, so the contractors are making things harder. But once an agreement is reached, all deadlines must be respected,” the Mayor said. As far as the European Investment Bank's demands for moving the Roma communities from under the Gazela Bridge are concerned, Đilas said that the city will be finishing 80 so-called social apartments for the most endangered citizens of Belgrade in a month’s time.

Signing of contract on financing Serbian language textbooks for children in Diaspora

Belgrade, April 25. 2010 (Serbia Today) - Minister for Diaspora Srdjan Sreckovic and Director of the Institute for Textbooks and Teaching Aids Miloljub Albijanic will sign a contract on joint financing of making of a set of Serbian language textbooks for children in Diaspora. The contract will be signed at 12.00 on 26 April, at the premises of the Ministry for Diaspora, Vase Carapica 20. In the first phase of cooperation of the Ministry and the Institute, pupils of the first to fourth grade of elementary schools in the municipalities of Canada, the US and Europe will receive 8,400 alphabet books, readers and Serbian language grammar books. All books have multimedia presentations of the content, a CD and a DVD.

Serbia observes Earth Day

Belgrade, April 24, 2010 (Serbia Today) – Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning Oliver Dulic attended a campaign of dump cleaning at Ada Huja in Belgrade today to mark 22 April – Earth Day. On this occasion, Dulic said that a big campaign of cleaning of Serbia will take place on 5 June and called on all citizens to clean something in their surroundings on that day and thus contribute to environmental protection. The Minister pointed out that there are thousands of places in Serbia like Ada Huja, where garbage has been deposited for years. He recalled that owing to the “Let's Clean Serbia“ campaign, 60 waste dumps out of a total of 4,600 have been cleaned up so far, but citizens have continued to deposit waste on some of them. We need to change our habits, mentality, and to remind people each day that it is important to save the planet, said the Minister and invited students in elementary and secondary schools, representatives of various associations, fishermen and non-governmental organizations to join the cleaning. Dulic then visited Ada Huja and an event at Republic Square traditionally organised by the Society for assistance to persons with developmental disabilities. As part of the marking of the Earth Day, Director of the “Let's Clean Serbia” campaign Milan Kindjic and Director of the National Office of the President of the Republic Tatjana Pasic will plant 50 seedlings of broadleaved and coniferous trees in Paracin.

Floods in Serbia

Belgrade, April 23. 2010 (Serbia Today) - Several areas of Serbia have been recently affected by the spring river floods. In the area of Leskovac floods damaged about 200 objects, while in Prokuplje region 60 people were evacuated during the night from the Roma neighborhood by members of the Department for Emergency Situations of the Serbian Interior Ministry. River Toplica water level is declining at the present, but in the town of Prokuplje the tennis courts and part of the city cemetery are still under water, while half of the town does not have drinking water because of the flooded wells. Predrag Maric from the Emergency Situations Dept. of the Ministry of Interior of Serbia said this morning to Tanjug News Agency that currently are flooded the most vulnerable regions of Kraljevo, Nis, Krusevac, and Prokuplje. Several emergency teams are involved in the prevention of more floods and in the assistance to the citizens in the affected areas, particularly around rivers Toplice and Ibar. Regular defense measures are implemented in the South Morava River region, the Toponica Gabrovača, in the South Morava River basin, and in the river Ibar region, as well as in the basin of the Western Morava River.

Human rights activist dies

Belgrade, April 22. 2010 (Source:B92) - Well-known known human rights activist and Lawyers Committee for Human Rights (YUCOM) President Biljana Kovačević-Vučo passed away Tuesday morning in Belgrade. Kovačević-Vučo was one of the founders of the Yugoslav Action NGO and the independent union Nezavisnost in March 1999. She was also a member of the Working Group for the Future of former Yugoslavia (established at a conference in Bratislava in July 1999. which was organized by East West Institute from New York). During her long career as a peace movement and human rights activist, Kovačević-Vučo was the founder of the Human Rights Council of Center for Antiwar Action in Belgrade and head of the SOS helpline for the victims of political, ethnic and workplace discrimination. She also founded and was secretary general of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights Office for Legal Help in Belgrade from 1994 until 1997, president of the Democracy Transition Center executive board in 1997, and founder and president of YUCOM since 1997. During her career as a lawyer she worked at the Commercial Court in Belgrade from 1978 until 1988 and as a senior associate at the Serbian Supreme Court’s criminal and civil departments from 1988 until 1996. Kovačević-Vučo represented journalist Željko Bodrožić in the only case which Serbia lost before the UN Human Rights Council. Kovačević-Vučo was a member of the YUCOM expert and lawyers team which won two cases before European Court of Human Rights.

Air Traffic Partially Normalized

Belgrade, 21. 2010 (Serbia Today) - Flights from the Belgrade Airport “Nikola Tesla” have normalized for the most part and are taking off to more destinations after weekend restrictions. Flights to Western Europe that were canceled over the weekend due to the volcanic ash over Serbian skies have restarted. On Monday morning, planes have departed to Athens, Podgorica and Rome and one has arrived from Vienna. After more than 40 hours of the ban on departures and arrivals in Belgrade, the situation has normalized. "Apart from our internet presentation and telephone services, we will update the public through all outlets as soon as we receive confirmations from air travel companies that flights will be reinstated in this emergency situation," Airport Director Velimir Radosavljević said. The number of flights and landings realized depends on how many European countries have reopened their airspaces. Radosavljević said that he believes that there will still be cancellations in the coming days and he expects big crowds at the airport of people trying to receive information on their flights. Air traffic throughout most of Europe has been crippled over the past four days because of the ash clouds drifting into the atmosphere from a volcano that erupted last week in Iceland. The Serbia and Montenegro Air Traffic Services Agency closed its airspace on Saturday afternoon and reopened it for aircrafts flying through on Sunday evening.

The Avala Tower Ready for the Opening!

By Milen Vesovic

Belgrade, April 20, 2010 (Serbia Today) - One of the most recognizable symbols of Belgrade - Avala Tower will be officially re-opened on Wednesday April 21 with a live broadcast of national television (RTS) and the presence of government officials of Serbia and Belgrade. The construction of the new Avala Tower lasted almost three years, from 2005-2008. It started on the initiative of the RTS, and was done by Serbian construction company "CIP" and "Ratko Mitrovic". The newly built tower is 204 meters high and is the highest building in the Balkans. The Avala tower will be primarily telecommunication tower as before , and will be used as Belgrade tourist attraction as well. Avala tower, which was originaly put into use in 1965th was destroyed in 1999 th during NATO bombing of Belgrade and Serbia.

“The Edict of Milan” to be celebrated in Nis in 2013?

Belgrade, April 18. 2010 (Serbia Today) - His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Irenaeus said in Nis that he was told by a Roman prelate that it was their opinion that the Nis is best place to organize a central ceremony of the 17 centuries of the Edict of Milan, in the year 2013. "One of the Roman prelates told me that according to their opinion, the most appropriate place should be the city of Nis, because of its location between the East and the West," - said on Thursday Patriarch Irenaeus in his introductory speech before the lecture given by Prof. Vladete Jerotic about Constantine the Great ( 271-337) and Christianity. "It will be an opportunity for us, the Orthodox Christians and religious communities closest to us to be for the first time together, to learn, to remind ourselves of the time of a great beginning of the Christian mind," said the Patriarch Irenaeus at the St. Sava's Hall in Nis. The Center for the Church Study began a series of lectures, panel discussions and scientific conferences on Christianity and the life of Constantine the Great, who was born in Nis. The “Edict of Milan” was brought by Constantine the Great in the 313th , which declares the equality of religions and stops the persecution of the Christians.

The Workers Strike in “Knjaz Milos” Company Continued

Belgrade, April 17. 2010 (Serbia Today) - Employees of the "Knjaz Milos” mineral water bottling company in Arandjelovac continued this morning a general strike, which begun after failed negotiation with the leadership during the night between Tuesday and Wednesday. Strikers announced that the shutdown will continue until the fulfillment of demands, including keeping 106 workers who were suppose to be laid off. Workers are seeking the increase of salaries and working conditions as well as the respect of the collective agreement. CEO Michael Jankovic told Tanjug that the leadership will remain open to negotiations with the union and that they are ready at any time to sit at the negotiating table again. "The precondition is, however, cooperation and willingness to compromise on the other side, because so far we have not seen it. It's not realistic to expect any increase in wages in a situation in which the company operates at a loss, and the average salary of employees, excluding management, amounts to 42,000 RSD," he said, adding that salaries have never been late. Jankovic also stated that the strike was declared, despite the fact that management did not take "no concrete initiative towards reducing the number of employees, without a regular dialogue between unions and employers about important issues." Jankovic said that in the meantime he will insist on compliance with the minimum of the work process, in the common interest, to avoid serious damage to the company. President of the Independent Trade Union "Prince" Zivorad Kolarević said Tanjug yesterday that, in contrast to the employer, the union acted responsibly and that the factory provided a minimum of 20 percent of production. General strike in “Knjaz Milos” company , the first in its 199 year long history, begun on Wednesday morning, when it halted production of the plants for production of bottled water and juices.

Delta MAXI Company donating to orphans

Belgrade, April 16. 2010 (Serbia Today) - On Monday, April 12th , “Delta Maxi” company informed medias that during the month of March they have raised 3.5 million dinars for orphans. Funds were gathered during the campaign that single out one dinar from each product sold by the brand “Premia”. This money will be used for improvement the living conditions of orphan children in the House “Petar Radovanovic” in Uzice. On Friday, April 16th, grant will be handed over at a ceremony during the anniversary of the House “Petar Radovanovic”. Today the House accommodates 35 children, without parents, age 10 to 20. Two hundred and forty-five students passed through the Petar Radovanovic House. A part of the house was redesigned to accommodate children with disabilities.

The construction of the swimming pool in Novi Sad

Belgrade/Novi Sad, April 16. 2010 (Serbia Today) - One of the biggest investments for the City of Novi Sad in 2010 will be building of three new swimming pools in the pool complex sports-business center “Vojvodina”, the biggest sport center in Novi Sad. For many years, this Center is waiting for reconstruction and upgrading, and finally, gets his chance in the year to mark 29 years of its existence. After this construction, which will begin in the summer of 2010, Novi sad will be able to host big European and world championships in swimming sports. The project by architect Miroslav Krstonosic, in collaboration with Boris Petrovski and businesses “Sigma Engineering” from Novi Sad and “Jubel” from Belgrade, was chosen for the best general idea pool complex on Spens in Novi Sad. The city Novi Sad and the Ministry of Sports gave 65 million dinars to complete the first phase of works. We except to begin construction this summer, by the end of this year will finish a two-thirds of the work in the first phase. We will finish new pools until next fall, and people from Novi Sad will be able to use it next year. After that comes the reconstruction of the existing closed building, with the most modern following contents.”- said Mr. Sasa Igic, deputy Mayor of Novi Sad.

The new Serbian Language Guide

Belgrade, April 15. 2010 (Serbia Today) - Dr. Milan Sipka's Serbian language spelling dictionary with spelling-grammar appendix is the first serbian standard language manual in the last 100 years. Last time the similar dictionary was published in 1960 , but it included rules of the Serbo-Croatian language as it was called at the time. Sipka's capital work on more than 1,400 pages was published in Novi Sad by "Prometheus," supported by large number of subscribers and with the support of the Government of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. “ It is not just a spelling dictionary, but also a grammar guide, processing grammatical forms and accented it," Sipka said. According to him, it is a linguistic adviser and it warns of many errors people usually make. The director of the Prometheus, Zoran Kolundzija, said that the most important thing is that the dictionary contains the correct spelling rules in accordance with the Serbian Matica issues, and the rules are named and numbered by the paragraphs. Consultant and supervisor was the member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences Dr. Ivan Klein. This dictionary will be useful to all of those who desire to speak and write properly, and to all those who wish to improve their language skills. This new spelling dictionary was officially released on Tuesday during the ceremony held in the building of the Government of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina.

Serbia will make full contribution to solving problems of Roma

Belgrade, April 10. 2010 – (Serbia Today) - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic said today that the Second European Summit on Roma Inclusion in Cordoba is a milestone that indicates that the whole of Europe is engaged in solving the problems of the Roma population, and stressed that Serbia will give its full contribution to this process. Djelic told the Tanjug news agency that a joint declaration of Spain, Belgium and Hungary, countries that will preside over the EU in the near future, was adopted at this meeting that was held yesterday and today in Cordoba. An action plan will be prepared and structural funds to resolve the problems of the Roma will be opened, according to Djelic. The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that Serbia has contributed to this meeting by suggesting that the European Bank for Development (EBD) becomes a financial partner in the implementation of this policy. Djelic also recalled that Serbia has already proposed projects related to the Roma population in the amount of €64 million.

Serbia committed to combating harmful effects of climate change

Belgrade, 8 April 2010 – ( Serbia Today) - Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning Oliver Dulic stressed today that Serbia is committed to the fight against harmful effects of climate change and could become a regional leader in “green economy”. Speaking at the “Climate Change and Renewable Energy – Challenges and Opportunities for Local Authorities” conference, Dulic pointed to the importance of local self-governments’ engagement in the process. He stressed that Serbia realized that it is part of the solution to the global problem regarding the fight against climate changes, recalling that a series of strategies and decrees were adopted with that aim. There can be no EU integration unless the glasshouse effect is reduced and adequate activities implemented in agriculture, technology, industry and similar areas to protect the environment, he said. President of the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities Sasa Paunovic said that this association is ready to actively engage in the fight against negative conseqPaunovic noted that rational electric energy consumption, along with alternative energy sources, waste management and the resolution of landfill issues and harmful gas emissions not only protects the environment, but can also help to attract investment and open new jobs. UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia William Infante said it is important to combat climate changes, announcing continued support to Serbia in this process. He presented the UNDP’s activities in the region and Serbia, noting the importance of sharing experiences in this area. The gathering, attended by representatives from numerous international and domestic organizations, was organized with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

Croatia sends invite to Serb tourists

Zagreb, April, 06. 2010 (Source : B92) - Croatia is strengthening its campaign in the region in an effort to get more tourists from Serbia to vacation on the Croatian seaside. The Croatian Tourism Ministry said that last year’s campaign contributed to an increase in the number of tourists from Serbia, so the ministry wants to do the same thing this year, preparing new television commercials that would soon be presented to the public. The ministry stated that the number of guests from Serbia is steadily increasing every year and that last year’s campaign, with the slogan “So beautiful, so close,” increased the number of tourists from Serbia. According to the ministry’s data, 89,000 tourists from Serbia vacationed in Croatia in 2009, which is 1.3 percent more than in the prior year. Serbian tourists spent 441,000 nights in Croatia in 2009, which was an increase of 14.5 percent compared to 2008. Because of the popularity of the Istra region, namely Rovinj and Poreč, there will be direct flights offered from Belgrade to Pula. Pula Airport Director Bruno Rogović confirmed that the route would be introduced in May, adding that it would be one of the most profitable flights this year. According to statistics, JAT Airways had 2,650 passengers on flights in between Belgrade and Pula in 2008, when the route was introduced, and 9,000 last year.

Conference marking World Health Day

Belgrade, April, 05. 2010 (Serbia Today) - Minister of Health Tomica Milosavljevic will speak at a press conference marking World Health Day at 11.00 on 7 April at Dragoslava Jovanovica 2. The conference will be attended by Belgrade Mayor Dragan Djilas, Head of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Serbia Dorit Nitzan Kaluski, Director of the Institute of Public Health "Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut" Tanja Knezevic, deputy chief of the WHO Office for Serbia Melita Vujnović, Secretary of the City Secretariat for Health Zoran Blagojevic, head of the Secretariat for Environmental Protection Natasa Djokic and assistant director of the City Office of Public Health Snezana Matic-Besarabic.

Djelic to speak at press conference on the project “Europe for All“

Belgrade, April, 05. 2010 (Serbia Today) - Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic will speak at 11.30 on 6 April at Nikola Tesla Airport at a press conference on the project “Europe for All“, as part of which 40 young people without parental care will travel on a three-day visit to Vienna. The Cabinet of the Deputy Prime Minister prepared the trip for the young people from Belgrade, Nis, Krusevac, Negotin and Sremski Karlovci in partnership with the Telenor Foundation, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and the European Movement in Serbia. Apart from Djelic, representatives of the partners and sponsors will also speak at the press conference.

Serbia's Christians to celebrate Easter

Belgrade, April 02. 2010 ( Source: B92 ) - This year, Serbia's Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Christians will mark the faith's most important holiday, Easter, on the same day. Ahead of the celebrations on Sunday, Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Patriarch Irinej has sent "brotherly greetings" to Roman Catholic Archbishop of Belgrade Stanislav Hočevar, reports said. Irinej noted that Easter celebrates “the secret of the Bible, kept for centuries in the bosom of the Old Testament, and revealed to the world in the New Testament.” “With sincere respect we stay together in our Resurrected God-Man Jesus Christ,” the patriarch wrote. President Boris Tadić also sent his Easter greetings on Wednesday Patriarch Irinej, Archbishop Hočevar, as well as to "all priests, Christians and citizens". "I wish that we spend the holiday in spiritual and general peace, understanding and tolerance among the faithful, friends and neighbors. By respecting traditions and values, we preserve our identity, and by believing in ourselves, we can create an even better society," says the president's message.

Serbia's Christians to celebrate Easter

Belgrade, April 02. 2010 ( Source: B92 ) - This year, Serbia's Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant Christians will mark the faith's most important holiday, Easter, on the same day. Ahead of the celebrations on Sunday, Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) Patriarch Irinej has sent "brotherly greetings" to Roman Catholic Archbishop of Belgrade Stanislav Hočevar, reports said. Irinej noted that Easter celebrates “the secret of the Bible, kept for centuries in the bosom of the Old Testament, and revealed to the world in the New Testament.” “With sincere respect we stay together in our Resurrected God-Man Jesus Christ,” the patriarch wrote. President Boris Tadić also sent his Easter greetings on Wednesday Patriarch Irinej, Archbishop Hočevar, as well as to "all priests, Christians and citizens". "I wish that we spend the holiday in spiritual and general peace, understanding and tolerance among the faithful, friends and neighbors. By respecting traditions and values, we preserve our identity, and by believing in ourselves, we can create an even better society," says the president's message.

Djelic to open conference “Danube strategy, ideas and projects”

Belgrade, March, 31, 2010 (Serbia Today) - Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration and National Coordinator for Cooperation with the EU in the Danube Region Bozidar Djelic opened the conference “Danube strategy, ideas and projects” at 9.30 on March 30 in the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Resavska 15. Apart from Djelic, speakers in the introductory part of the conference included President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce Milos Bugarin, Director of “East Point Holdings“ Zoran Drakulic and Director of “Silver Lake Resort" Slobodan Vucicevic. The conference was organized by the Cabinet of Deputy Prime Minister Djelic and the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, with its aim being the promotion of cooperation with the EU in the preparation of a comprehensive Danube strategy.

The TQ City business-residential complex in Inđija has opened

Belgrade, March 30, 2010 (Source : B92) - Trade Unique invested EUR 35mn in the project. The complex includes shopping and exhibition centers, apartments, a hotel and a helicopter-landing site. The total area of the complex is about 50,000 square meters. Trade Minister Slobodan Milosavljević told journalists that Inđija has received one of the most modern centers in Serbia and that it is a good example of partnership between the municipality and a private company. He said that it is a good sign that a center such as this one is opening in a time when everyone is talking about the economic crisis. The minister said that about 1The Trade Unique construction company has many years of experience in the Russian market, and has built hotels in Spain and Montenegro, owner Mirko Latinović said. Inđija Municipal President Goran Ješić said that there will be a technical studies faculty working within the complex as well, which will be accepting 200 students annually. Ješić said that the Slovenian Cinkarna company is also planning a large investment in the municipality this year ,000 workers will be employed in the center.

Work on Gazela Bridge

Belgrade, March, 30. 2010 ( Source: B92) - The traffic regime on the Gazela Bridge will be altered on Monday morning, according to the Serbian Roads public company as restoration work begins. The fast lanes will be closed in both directions heading towards the highways to Niš and Šid.
The merging lanes from Savska street and Vojvoda Mišića Boulevard will be closed, as well as the lane coming from Vladimira Popovića street heading towards Jurija Gagarina. Serbian Roads are calling on drivers to respect the traffic signalization that will be installed and to adhere to the new speed limits on the roads resulting from the traffic regime changes.

Lottery Winner

By: Bojana Janković

Kanjiza, March 30, 2010 (Serbia Today) - A village of Kanjiza had a „Lucky Seven“ lottery winner last week. A lucky participant whose numbers were drawn on March 23, 2010, will collect 4 800 000 Euros!
The name of the lucky winner is still not known, and the State Lottery of Serbia reserves the right not to diclose it. The ticket carrying the lucky numbers 1,2,4,8,13,14,26 was bought at the newstand „Lottery“ in Kanjiza.