Serbia wants to keep her scientists

Belgrade May 25. 2010. (Serbia Today) -  Serbia has recently established National Council for Science and Technology. As Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic announced that goal of Council is that Serbia no longer export smart people, but smart products. The task of the Council is also to check the quality and control implementation of key reform processes in the field of science and technology in Serbia." Djelic said. He also recently announced that Serbia will, in the next five years, invest around 800 million EUR in science and technological development. These funds should make better living conditions for all scientists in Serbia. We have clear priorities for different science areas such as biology, medicine, information technologies , energy and the economy",  Djelic said. The President of the newly established National Council for Scientific and Technological Development Vera Dondur  said that the Council has a duty to restore confidence of young people that it is good decision to stay in Serbia. Council will make sure that what scientists do in laboratories can be transformed into technology and products. Looking at our young people in universities, those who go to large research centers, I think we have great potential”, said Dondur.
 

Tourist visas for the United States now valid for 10 years

Belgrade, May, 24. 2010(Serbia Today) – Validity of visas for citizens of Serbia for tourist or business travel to the United States will be extended from three to ten years, said U.S. ambassador in Belgrade Vorlik Mary on Thursday.
This is the maximum period to which the citizens of one country in the world may grant the U.S. visa and means that visitors who visit the U.S.
on tourist or business travel, need only visit the embassy only once in 10
years to renew their visas. "This decision represents a turning point in relations between U.S. and Serbia and it is a symbol of our profound friendship. I hope that the introduction of visas for 10
years, with the possibility of multiple entries, will contribute to improving
operations between the Serbian and U.S. firms and that more Serbian
tourists will include the United States in their travel plans ", said Vorlik in Belgrade. Consul General U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, Peter Marilijano explained that the ten years visas are to be issued only for categories B1 and B2 which are related to short-term tourist and business visits, while the validity of all other visas will stay unchanged. Marilijano pointed out that America wants to increase the number of tourist
visits, and the citizens of Serbia who decide to travel first will have to buy PIN number at Raiffeisen Bank, which cost about 10 dollars, and then call the call center to schedule an interview with the relevant Embassy officials. All necessary forms for the visa, which will still cost 131 dollars, can be filled at the embassy website said Marilijano adding that the criteria for obtaining a visa for 10 years will not be changed, compared to the three-year visa. Also, the Serbian citizens who have valid U.S. visas continuing to use them until their expiration.

Penalties for selling alcohol and cigarettes to minors

Belgrade, May, 22.  2010 (Serbia Today)  From June , sellers of cigarettes and alcoholic beverages  will be required to prohibit buyers if they think that they are underage. The law on consumer protection has not been completed, and penalties are not officially defined but Serbian media are speculating that it will be up to 200, 000 EUR. Although selling alcohol and cigarettes to minors is already prohibited, minors can usually buy them without a problem. As of June it should not be more difficult, because the sellers and waiters will be required to screen them and check their age and the right to buy cigarettes or drink. Previous law prohibited serving alcohol and cigarettes to minors but has not determined the penalties for those who sell alcohol and cigarettes under 18 years. Researches showed that young people in Serbia first try alcohol at the age of 13.

Climate change conference opens

Belgrade, May, 21. 2010 (Serbia Today) - Parliament President Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic late on Monday officially opened a two-day climate change conference, called “Learning and teaching climate changesand the United Nations system”. Djukic-Dejanovic underscored that the meeting would give an important contribution to adopting specific programs. “I am confident that conclusions will be made at the conference that will be important and very useful for the stands of governments, international organizations, scientific institutions and all individuals that receive the information in Southeast Europe as a whole”, she said. Djukic-Dejanovic concluded that Serbia will work on improving the environment, both by adopting laws and implementing them.

Ministry of Education awards the best pupils

Belgrade, May, 20. 2010 (Serbia Today) – The Ministry of Education will reward the best pupils in primary and secondary schools in Serbia announced the Education Minister Zarko Obradovic on Monday. The best students in Serbia will be given 25 coins of alloy of new silver with characters of Serbian statesmen, scientists and artists, and a book on famous personalities from Serbian history, culture and science, such as Dositej Obradovic, Nikola Tesla, Milutin Milankovic and Milena Pavlovic Barili. Obradovic stressed that the goal is to promote education and the best pupils. He said that education in Serbia should be adjusted to the needs of market and economic development, so that Serbia does not fall behind other countries. One of the sponsors of this action is Politika. The president of the Board Sonja Licht said that the goal of action is to promote knowledge and pupils who are best worked. It will be awarded to a total of 1711 students. The best students will determine a classroom and teaching Council in schools, and in addition to success in school into account will be taken conduct and awards in competitions that were organized by the Ministry of Education.

Serbian students wants to leave the country

Belgrade, May, 19. 2010 (Serbia Today) - Most of the Belgrade university students, about two-thirds,  considering leaving Serbia after finishing their studies, writes  Belgrade daily Blic.  Research by the Marketing Workshop of the Economy Faculty shows that more and more students are considering leaving Serbia after graduation.  Results of the survey show that 56 percent of students would leave Serbia after school if an opportunity presented itself, while 21 would leave to continue their schooling and nine percent would leave to find a job. After finishing school, 63 percent of students intend to look for a job in Belgrade, 19 abroad, and 13.5 percent in their cities or towns of origin. More than one-third of those surveyed believe that a connection or acquaintance is needed to find a job, while one-fourth believe that ability is most important, and one-fourth believe that having a diploma is what is key in finding a job.

Organizers of last year’s gay Pride Parade are warning that the atmosphere of hatred toward the LGBT community is stirring up again

Belgrade, May, 18. 2010 (Serbia Today) - Organizers of last year’s gay Pride Parade are warning that the atmosphere of hatred toward the LGBT community is stirring up again, especially, as they say with the scenario of “planting false news. The announcement from the organizers said in Belgrade on Tuesday that already tested instruments for spreading false information were activated similar to what happened last year, when the parade was in the end canceled to security concerns. Earlier this week, it was announced that the Pride Parade would be held on September 19 in Belgrade, organized by the LGBT Forum Serbia, but the representatives of all relevant gay NGOs in Serbia claim that organization does not even exist. Members of Pride Parade 2009 organizing committee said that this was in fact a web page launched last year when the organization of the parade, which was scheduled for September 20, entered its most delicate phase. The site’s content was completely identical to the content of the Pride Parade’s official web page and the address was almost identical, in order to mislead the public that it was the official source of information. “Several days before the Pride Parade (last year) disinformation that the gathering would begin with the burning of the Republic of Serbia’s state flag was released on that fake website. Conservative centers of power wanted to additionally heighten tensions and increase threats of extreme-rightist groups in this way, which eventually led to the capitulation of the state authorities when they banned the Pride Parade in the scheduled location,” the announcement said. They also point out that the phantom organization LGBT Forum Serbia announced the flag burning again in its statement on Monday. The organizers conclude that will be taken all legal measures in this case.

Avala tower sees 1,500 people a day

 
Belgrade, May, 17. 2010 (Serbia Today) - From its opening, less than a month ago, Avala tower sees about 1,500 people daily, with this figure doubling on weekends. For May Day reveille, six thousand persons visited to the highest building in the Balkans. The architect of the tower, Bato Milatovic says for Vecernje novosti, that in less than a month ago, the Avala Tower has become our most attractive tourist site. “The most prestigious view in the Serbia”, is 125 meters high, and with a view that encompasses Belgrade and 70 percent of Sumadija, this view has already been enjoyed by 23 000 people. The only thing that is lacking is a place to sit down and have a drink or something to eat. There is a restaurant, with an area of 100 square meters, located just below the highest point of "observation", and it is expected to open, when the sale has been concluded. This will provide an oasis of national cuisine. Although conceived to bolster tourism and support telecommunications, this lighthouse has inspired romantics and adventurers to make their marriage proposals. Avala tower is open to visitors every day except Monday. On working days, from 10:00 to 16:30 and on weekends the opportunity to see the top is extended for an hour and a half. Ticket price is 50 dinars, and if you are visiting in a group, then 30.

“ Sparrow” - new product of the Serbian army

Belgrade, May, 15. 2010 (Serbia Today) Army of Serbia will soon receive unmanned aerial vehicles. “Vrabac” (means  Sparrow). As medias in Serbia reported, the first Serbian unmanned aerial vehicles will be passing through the last series of tests at Military technical Institute. Aside from military purposes, "Sparrow" will be used for civilian purposes, such as ground reconnaissance during floods and fires and control traffic. "Sparrow" is the first Serbian mini unmanned aerial vehicles. The end of the flight tests should see simulations replaced with practice.  "Sparrow is designed to survey the ground for the Serbian army’s needs. It can also be used to survey forest, fire, traffic control and part of the border. So it has a civic purpose," explains Zijah Burzić, Military Technical Institute.  System, "Sparrow" will consist of three spacecraft and ground stations. In addition to cameras, "Sparrow" brings the summer computer, in which experts are especially proud of VTI.  The ground station in real time read the data sent by "Sparrow" .  Unmanned aerial vehicles can stay in the air for over an hour, for up to 500 meters, and exceeding  the distance  up to 12 kilometers.  Weighs about 6 pounds.  No one can remember who was the “best man”, who gave the aircraft name Sparrow. Serbian Army two years ago started the use of unmanned aircraft purchase several Israeli aircraft type "orbiter."  It is expected that the "sparrow" can become an important export product.
 

The first salt room in Vojvodina

Belgarde, May 14. 2010 (Serbia Today) - In Subotica, the first salt- rooms have opened. They are becoming increasingly popular. The first such area is situated in Vojvodina in the studio "Vitas" in Dimitrija Tucovica  Street under the slogan "Inhale the scent of the sea - every day." There are currently about 1,000 salt rooms, which are known worldwide for their relaxation values, which they achieve with halo treatment. A salt room simulates the microclimate of salt caves, which is known to have a positive impact on the body, since the ancient Greeks. The presence of particles in the air of salt room salt prevents the growth of bacteria, viruses and fungi. Inhalation of such air strengthens the defense mechanism of respiratory organs and the immune system. In the past 20 years there have been 1,000 salt rooms built, mostly in Russia, Finland, Canada and Central Europe.

New building for school in Leskovac

Belgrade, May, 14. 2010 -(Serbia Today)In Leskovac recently the foundation stone for the new building of  State business School was laid. Norway, Serbian government and local administration will invest 3,65 milion  EUR for new building of that education institution. Serbian minister for education Zarko Obradovic and Norway ambassador in Belgrade  Haakon  Blakenborg laid the foundation stone. Half of the money is a gift of the Norwegian government. Ministry of Education will invest one million EUR, the local government 700,000, and the school itself  100,000 EUR. The building have an area of 300 square meters and could teach about 700 students. The new school building should be finished in a 15 months.

Success of Serbia’s students

Belgrade, May 13. 2010 (Serbia Today) - Students of the Belgrade Mathematical High School won six medals at the recently held 27th Balkan Mathematical olimpijadi held in Moldova. This success proved that Belgrade students belong among the best young mathematicians in the international arena.  From Moldova, they returned with six medals, including the winner of mathematical Balkanijada-Theodore Von Burg. The Serbian team is already looking forward to the next challenge and the next competition.  After the Balkan Mathematical Olympiad, and school obligations, the next contest is expected in July in Kazakhstan, which will be held Mathematical world Olympiad.

Serbia is moving closer to EU membership

Belgrade, May, 12. 2010 (Serbia today) - The Swedish Ambassador to Serbia Krister Bringeus expect  that the process of ratification of Serbia's  Stabilization and Association Agreement with EU could begin in June.  "Based on the mood in Brussels, I believe half of this year we have a signal to begin the process of ratification. I personally think it would be in June," said the Ambassador.  As media in Serbia reported, Bringeus pointed out that Sweden strongly supports the ratification of the SAA with Serbia. "Our belief is that Serbia is fully cooperating with the Hague tribunal, for us it is not a problem. Of course we wish that the accused be brought to justice, but we believe that Serbian authorities are doing everything in their power," said Swedish Ambassador.  Sweden supports Serbia's candidacy for EU membership, Bringeus added. Also speaking about process of European integration deputy Prime Minister Božidar Đelić, said that Serbia’s goal is to begin EU membership negotiations by the end of the government’s mandate in 2012. “These are our goals, and it is up to us to secure a consensus within the EU for making them a reality,” Đelić told the Tanjug news agency.

Employment for people with disabilities

Belgrade, May 10. 2010 (Serbia Today) From  May 24, Serbian companies employing 20 or more workers, will be obliged to employ persons with disabilities. Failure to do so will cause the employers to incur a penalty equal to three times the minimum wage of each disabled person. Firms with 20 to 50 employees must employ one person with a disability. Companies with over 50 employees must employ one person with a disability for every 50 employees. This requirement obligation is mandated by the Law on Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities, which was enacted in May 2009. It is estimated that about 10 percent of the world’s population constitute disabled persons. Serbia has around 700,000 people with disabilities.

Serbian alpinists continue scaling the highest peaks of the world

Belgrade/Prijepolje, May 08. 2010 (Serbia today) -Dragan Petric and Elijah Andrejic, alpinists from Prijepolje, continued their goal - "Climbing the seven highest peaks on the planet." They travel to the next mountain range Denali on 12th May. Expedition "Denali 2010" is also composed of the following: Miroslav Kurkich, then alpinistkinja Neda Milosevic, Drasko Markovic, and mountaineer cameraman Srboljub Dobrosavljevic. The team is half way to conquering all seven peaks, having already scaled Mont Blanc and Elbrus), Asia (roof of the world Mount Everest) and southern America (Aconcagua, which was won twice). Next in the series is Denali (also known as McKinley), the highest peak of America. Denali is in Alaska and has a peak of 6194 meters. Organizers are Mountaineering Association of Serbia and society "Kamena Gora" from Prijepolje. It is expected to reach the Denalija between 30 May and 4 June, depending on weather conditions.

Growing number of poor in Serbia

Belgrade, May. 07. 2010 (Serbia Today) - In Serbia about 720 000 people below the poverty line, with the number of poor beginning to increase for the first time since 2000 according to data by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. The growing trend of poverty was the theme of  the conference in Belgrade  "Serbia is hungry" Advisor to the Minister of Labor and Social policyLjubomir Pejakovic  said that the most vulnerable are the unemployed, especially older than 50 years,  disabled and families with children with disabilities.  Pejakovic announced the adoption of amendments to the Law on Social protection which will increase assistance to the poorest citizens.  According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy in Serbia, there are about 720 000 unemployed people. More than 480,000 of them have been jobless for more than than one year. Women constitute 55 percent of the unemployed. The highest proportion of the unemployed is youth aged 25 to 29 years.  The data show that Serbia employs less than two million people, and that this number grows less every year. At the same time the number of retirees is growing and it presently stands at about 1.600.000.

The Bishops' Assembly of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) protest because of the situation in Kosovo.

Belgrade, May 06. 2010 (Serbia Today) - The assembly announced that it is concerned that the recent incidents were the “latest denial of freedom and violation of basic human rights of the Serbs and other ethnic non-Albanians in Kosovo by the unlawful and uncivilized removal of Serbian mobile network operators in most of Kosovo.”The statement, signed by Bishop Irinej, spokesperson of the Assembly, pointed out that the ethnic Albanian police has destroyed mobile network base stations in Serb villages and places where Serbs and other ethnic non-Albanians reside, putting human lives in danger. The church also expressed concern about the lives and freedom of Serb refugee returnees in the village of Žač and o ther places in Metohija where the Serbs are returning to their homes. The Assembly appealed to the Serbian government, international community in Kosovo, governments of Europe and the U.S. and to the United Nations to put a stop to "any kind of violence against the already afflicted and innocent people in this part of the Balkans and Europe, the cradle of the civilization and source of humanity's spiritual and material culture.”

Serbs on Kosovo can communicate again

Belgrade/Kosovsko Pomoravlje, May 06. 2010 (Serbia Today) - After more than 10 days without phone signal Serbs in Kosovo can communicate again.“Some 10,000 Serbs have mobile and landline telephony service restored, while municipalities of Novo Brdo, parts of Vitina, and parts of Kosovska Kamenica are still without service,” Kosovsko Pomoravlje District Chief Dragan Nikolić reported for Kim radio. He confirmed that Belgrade-based mobile operators had re-established service in that part of the province late on Sunday, but could not give further details. On April 23, Kosovo Albanian authorities, helped with police, moved to disable or destroy Telekom and Telenor's mobile and landline base stations south of the Ibar River, leaving an estimated 100,000 Serbs in the enclaves without working telephone lines.

30 years since Tito’s death marked

Belgrade, May 05, 2010 ( Source: Beta) - Tuesday marks thirty years since the death of the late Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito. The Yugoslav Communist dictator, the former country's president for life, and also life-long president of its only party, died on May 3, 1980, in Ljubljana. Thirty years after, there is still no clear stance on his historical role. Historian Branka Prpa said that there is no realistic picture of Tito’s period today, because that part of history is looked at from a different ideological position. Many believe that Tito’s death was the beginning of the break-up of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRJ). The years before the country began to dissolve, there was much criticism and distancing from his actions and persona. He was accused of the murder of political opponents during his long reign, but also for leading economic policies based on taking loans in order to keep the people content, which led to high foreign debt and a fall into economic crisis. There are also many conspiracy theories that aim to find out where Tito’s power and influence in the state and entire world came from. Some claim that Tito was replaced by a “doppelganger” and that he was buried without any religious denotations because he was a Mason, while others claim that he was not buried at the place he was believed to be laid to rest, in the Belgrade neighborhood of Dedinje. But 30 years after his death and 20 years after the bloody disintegration of the country, many still fondly remember the high living standard, safety and well-organized nature of the country during his rule. His tomb has become a much more popular tourist destination over the last ten years. “My memories are nice and warm, grandfather respected us as people, we did not want to trouble him with our problems, but we could talk to him,” his granddaughter Zlatica Broz said.

Constructions of Inexpensive Apartments to begin in August

Belgrade, May 3, 2010 ( Source: Tanjug) – As Belgrade’s news agency Tanjug reports, the construction of inexpensive apartments where Belgrade military barracks once stood will begin in either late August or early September. “I think that the Spatial Planning Ministry, which has been involved since the beginning, will do its part of the job very quickly. ” Secretary of the Association for the Construction Industry in the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS), Goran Rodić, said. "It is then up to the other ministries to secure the finances and other needs in order for the job to be realized," he added. He said that the PKS still has no information on when the financial construct would be closed, adding that the construction operative is waiting for this to be completed. “There is a great deal of interest for this job, not only by construction companies, but also buyers, because of the price of EUR 1290 per square meter in that zone,” Rodić said. He said that the state will be able to improve the construction operative with such moves not only in Belgrade, but also in other larger cities in Serbia where vacant state property exists. Rodić said that the low prices of the apartments will in no way mean that the quality of the housing will not be up to par. He said that most of the site where the Stepa Stepanović barracks were located would have smaller apartments—one room, two room and some three room ones—adding that there would be garages, shopping centers, ambulances, preschools and schools built within the site as well. The Spatial Planning and Defense Ministries announced earlier that there would be 5,000 apartments built at the site.

May 1st celebrations in Serbia

Belgrade, May 01, 2010 (Serbia Today) - It use to be that biggest state holidays in Serbia. This year it falls on Saturday, so Serbian workers will have long holiday weekend and will go back to work on Tuesday. However, no official Workers May Parades will happen this year. Labor Unions either don’t have funds to organize one, or are to busy organizing one of many workers strikes going on at the moment in various companies throughout Serbia. Some are even questioning if workers class still exists in Serbia. According to official statistics there is about 1.8 million working people out of which more than a half are employed in public services or government and other state agencies. Traditionally, a term “working class” is used for those employed in the industrial sector, which makes more than a half of working people ineligible to call themselves working class. Happy holiday.

U.S. Embassy awards for excellence in investigative journalism

Belgrade, May 01, 2010 (Serbia Today) - The American Ambassador will join members of the Serbian press and NUNS representatives at the award ceremony for the journalist whose specialty is investigative journalism at the Faculty of Dramatis Arts in Belgrade, on Tuesday May 4th The journalist interested in reporting from this event should be at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts, Bulevar Umetnosti 20, on Tuesday May 4th at 6:45 PM.

Serbia gets green light for fish product export to EU

Belgrade, April 30. 2010 (Serbia Today) - The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management stated that during 2009 it managed to meet first the legislative, and then the practical conditions for exporting fish products to the EU. The statement adds that early in 2010 a veterinary inspection of the EU Food and Veterinary Office visited Serbia and inspected the entire system. It affirmed that Serbia possesses a quality system for producing and selling fish and fish products correspondent to that of the EU, that it introduced EU standards and will join the ranks of countries that are allowed to export these products to EU market. This license signifies a new beginning for Serbia and an opportunity for it to achieve its potential in the fishery sector and sell its fish products to the EU market, the statement adds.

Zastava workers in protest rally

Beograd/Kragujevac 29. 2010 (Serbia Today) – “Zastava” Cars factory unions organized a protest yesterday of those workers who did not transfer to the new Fiat company. They cite wage cuts introduced in April as the reason for the protest. The workers will be given lower wages until they have been offered jobs in one of the Fiat’s factories, unless they choose to terminate their employment and take severance pay. The government and the Economy Ministry have announced in the meantime that they will not allow the factory to be blocked and that they will take “all lawful measures to prevent that” .Some 400 workers showed up for the protest today, reports from Kragujevac, in central Serbia, said. The union representatives said earlier today that the workers would legitimately express their discontent over the wage reduction, which they believe came in violation of a protocol signed by the union and the Economy Ministry and verified by the government. The government and the Economy Ministry will try to prevent the protest, but the measures are still unknown. The union president said that the protocol verified by the government, as well as the Labor Law were being violated so that the protest was a legitimate form of union action.

Air force operating centre in Zemun opens

Belgrade, April 28. 2010 (Serbia Today) - Minister of Defense Dragan Sutanovac and Danish Ambassador to Serbia Mette Kjuel Nielsen attended the opening of the Operating Centre of Command of the Aviation and Antiaircraft Defense in Zemun yesterday. Sutanovac said that the centre has been equipped through a Danish donation worth €650,000. He explained that this centre will have primarily a military use, but it will be also useful for civil aviation. We need safe skies, Sutanovac said noting that the centre will easily locate off-route spacecraft and will especially be useful for the rescue and transportation of people in emergency situations to military and civilian hospitals. The donation is only one of many which Serbia and the Ministry of Defense has received from Denmark, Sutanovac recalled adding that it has financial, as well as humane value since it is intended for those who need such assistance the most. The Minister announced that after Denmark’s prominent participation in last year’s air show in Batajnica, Serbian aero planes will also take part in an air show in Denmark, scheduled for this June, adding that the relations between the two countries will thus be further strengthened. Head of the Defense Command of Denmark Major-General Kurt Mosgard underscored that Denmark is honored that Serbia chose to cooperate with it in several sections of the defense sector. He voiced the hope that the Operating Centre will enable speedier response in crisis situations, emphasizing that he was impressed by the speed and professionalism of Serbian officers participating in the project. Also present at the opening of the Operating Centre were Serbian Army Chief of General Staff Lieutenant-General Miloje Miletic and Brigadier General Ranko Zivak.

For state titles, national diplomas

Belgrade, April 27. 2010 (Serbia Today) - The decision of the Ministry of Education to update the law on higher education so that the judges, prosecutors, doctors and educators in the future can be educated only in the state schools facing different reactions among the rectors of private universities. Ministry, namely, prepared a proposal for amending the Law on Higher Education in which the right to education of the judiciary, medical practitioners and teachers exclusively belongs to educational institutions established by the state. The proposal, if approved by the government, would have to pass ratification by the Parliament. Mica Jovanovic, the owner and the rector of the university "Megatrend", said for "Blic" that this is a shocking bad proposal to amend the law. This proposal changes the law and destroys the previous efforts to make equal the rights of state and private universities. It is totally foolish idea that the judiciary, medics and educator must educate only in the national universities. This idea destroys the students rights to the proper selection and opens the door to manipulations. – said Dr. Jovanovic. In his opinion, this is the best way to distroy private higher education institutions in the Serbian education system. Responsibility for this lies with the Ministry of Education. - added Rector Jovanovic. On the other hand, Dr. Milovan Stanisic, rector of the "Singidunum" university, believes that states should have exclusivity in training teachers in primary and secondary schools for pedagogical and psychological subjects, because they propagate the system value that is of importance for the country as a whole. All other teachers, however, may have degrees of private educational institutions.