SERBIA

VUCIC: ARMY OF KOSOVO FORMED ILLEGALLY

BELGRADE, December 14 2018 (Beta) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Dec. 14 that the "so-called Army of Kosovo" had been formed illegally. "Everything the Albanians did, they did against the norms of public law and their own supreme legal document, the Constitution, showing, like their protectors and sponsors, that they do not care about the law and justice, but about brute force, attacking Serbs and openly attacking Serbia," Vucic told a news conference. Vucic said Serbia had invested huge efforts to preserve peace and compromise and that it was quite clear today that neither Albanians nor their sponsors ever wanted peace. He mentioned the U.S. and the UK as Kosovo's "sponsors," and Germany in relation to the military.

U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL SESSION ON KOSOVO OPEN TO PUBLIC

BELGRADE, December 15 2018 (Beta) - The United Nations Security Council will meet on Dec. 17 to discuss Pristina's decision to set up a Kosovo army, the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to Beta. The session will be open to the public, and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic is going to address the Council. Serbia requested the session, and Russia supported the request. Vucic said on Dec. 15 that after the Security Council's session, he would be travelling to Brussels at the invitation of High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. Other regional representatives will be in Brussels as well. "Invitations were sent to Rama, Zvizdic, Zaev, Djukanovic and Thaci and me," Vucic said in an interview with the Prva TV.

GOJKOVIC ATTENDS INAUGURATION OF GEORGIAN PRESIDENT, CONVEYS VUCIC'S CONGRATULATIONS

BELGRADE, December 16 2018 (Beta) - Serbian parliament Speaker Maja Gojkovic attended the inauguration of the newly elected president of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, in Telavi, on Dec. 16, and was then to attend a ceremonial dinner hosted by Zurabishvili, the Serbian parliament said in a press release. Gojkovic conveyed the congratulations of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and voiced the conviction that Serbia and Georgia would continue to develop good and friendly relations, the statement read further. Gojkovic spoke with Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani and parliament Speaker Irakli Kobakhidze, stating that Serbia was committed to further developing and advancing cooperation in all areas, including parliamentary and economic. The Serbian speaker thanked Georgia for not recognizing Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence and voting against Kosovo being admitted into Interpol at a general assembly held in Dubai. On the sidelines of the inauguration, Gojkovic spoke with many senior officials about advancing bilateral relations and developing cooperation, including Azerbaijani parliament Speaker Ogtay Asadov, Czech Senate head Jaroslav Kubera, Lithuanuian parliament Speaker Viktoras Pranckietis, and Polish parliament Speaker Marek Kuchcinski.

DJORDJEVIC, TOPLIN DISCUSSED PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, WORKERS, INVESTORS

BELGRADE, December 15 2018 (Beta) - Serbian Mnister of Labor, Employment, Veterans' and Social Affairs Zoran Djordjevic said at a Dec. 15 meeting in Moscow with his Russian counterpart, Maxim Toplin, that exchanging experiences with Russia in different domains was of vital importance for Serbia. The Serbian labor ministry quoted Djordjevic as saying that one of the priorities for both states was to look after persons with disabilities, improving their position and living conditions. The minister said that in that area Serbia was following Russia's best practices. "The goal of the Serbian government is to create a modern society free of discrimination. We consider persons with disabiities to be equal members of society, and their position as a human rights issue," Djordjevic said, adding that he had followed Toplin's example, who had Braille business cards made for him. The Serbian and Russian ministers also discussed the position of workers and Russian investors in Serbia. Minister Djordjevic said it was important to protect workers and make employers happy, for a good business and investment climate. "We expect a visit by Vladimir Putin to be an opportunity to sign several bilateral agreements between corresponding ministries," Minister Djordjevic was quoted as saying in a press release by his ministry.

EU: TRANSFORMATION OF KOSOVO SECURITY FORCES SHOULD HAVE BEEN GRADUAL, CONSTITUTIONAL

BRUSSELS, December 14 2018 (Beta) - The European Union reiterated on Dec. 14 that the transformation of the Kosovo Security Forces should have been an inclusive and gradual process, in line with the Kosovo Constitution. Like NATO, the EU shares the position that the mandate of the Kosovo Security Force should only be changed through an inclusive and gradual process in line with the Kosovo Constitution, the European Foreign Affairs Service said in a press release on the adoption of the law to transform the Security Forces by the Kosovo Assembly. The EU expects Kosovo to continue to adhere to its obligations in accordance with the first agreement made in Brussels in 2013 and its security arrangements, the press release read further.

STOLTENBERG REGRETS LAW TRANSFORMING KOSOVO SECURITY FORCES, URGES RESTRAINT

BRUSSELS, December 14 2018 (Beta) - NATO general secretary Jens Stoltenberg expressed regret on Dec. 14 over the decision of the Kosovo Assembly to adopt legislation transforming the Kosovo Security Forces against the concerns that the military alliance had about the matter, reiterating that it was not a good time for such a move. Stoltenberg urged all political stakeholders to restraint, and called on Pristina and Belgrade to continue dialog under EU auspices. Though the transition of the Kosovo Security Forces is in essence an issue to be decided by Kosovo, we sent a clear message that the timing for such a move was bad," Stoltenberg after the Kosovo Assembly passed a bill on the transformation of the Security Forces. The press release notes that NATO supports the development of the Kosovo Security Forces in line with their current mandate, adding that now that the mandate has changed, it will have to reconsider the level of its involvement with the Kosovo Security Forces. Through KFOR, NATO will remain committed to a secure and safe Kosovo and stability across the Western Balkans, the statement read. The press release stressed that all sides had to ensure that the adoption of the bills does not lead to further tensions in the region, and that all responsible political stakeholders in the region should focus on reforms and dialog. I again urge Pristina and Belgrade to remain calm and refrain from any statements or actions that could lead to an escalation of tensions. NATO will continue to support the dialog under EU auspices as the only lasting political solution for the region, Stoltenberg said in the statement.

ECONOMY

VUCIC, LARKIN ON SERBIA-WEF COOPERATION

BELGRADE, December 14 2018 (Beta) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke on Dec. 14 with World Economic Forum Executive Committee member Martina Larkin and voiced pleasure over the in-depth cooperation between Serbia and WEF, whose annual sessions in Davos bring together the world's political and business elite, the presidency said in a press release. Vucic briefed Larkin on the situation in Kosovo and Pristina's unilateral actions. They agreed that solutions were needed for political problems in the region so the region can move forward, and Vucic reiterated his proposal for a regional economic area. The officials also said political stability was necessary to curb the brain drain. Vucic voiced the hope that economic cooperation with WEF would contribute to more investments in Serbia.

SERBIAN PRIME MINISTER INKS MEMORANDUM WITH WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM DIRECTOR

BELGRADE, December 14 2018 (Beta) - Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic signed a memorandum of understanding with Martina Larkin, director of the World Economic Forum for Europe and Eurasia, on Dec. 14, and said the document would have a positive impact on the region, too. "This is an important day for our economy, science and future," Brnabic told reporters in the Serbian government headquarters after the signing. WEF analyzes politics in relation to the most current political, economic, social and security events. Brnabic said the signing of the memorandum was the apex of years of hard work and a series of initiatives. Establishing cooperation between Serbia and WEF is "a confirmation of the results of reforms and the growing power of the Serbian economy, which is better and better with each day," she said.She added that the document also affirmed the road that Serbia was taking, from an investment economy to an innovation economy. The prime minister stressed that Serbia was the only nation in the region with a signed deal with WEF and that this confirmed it as a factor of stability.