SERBIA

BRNABIC: MEDIA STRATEGY TEXT BY END OF DECEMBER, PUBLIC DEBATE IN JANUARY

NOVI SAD, December 17 2018 (Beta) - Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said on Dec. 17 that she had been informed that the working group would submit the text of the media strategy to the cabinet by the end of the month, and that the public discussion of the document would begin in January. "This document will undoubtedly bring certain changes which will suit some, and suit others less. But only societies that accept change move ahead, which certainly requires courage, too," Brnabic said in Novi Sad at the opening of professional counseling on the working version of the media strategy. She voiced pleasure that the dialog had not been abandoned instead of disputes and differences, stating that she was "sincerely" grateful to journalist and media associations for this. "The greatest importance is dialog and building trust. If we succeed there, it may be a greater result than the media strategy itself," Brnabic said. She added that the goal was for the highest standards of media freedoms and the media scene to be aligned with the best international practice and standards. "Though it seems to me that many don't believe us, this topic isn't only important to the Serbian government because of our European path. These are the values of respect for diversity, honoring different opinions, professionalism and responsibility," the PM said. Andrea Orizio, head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, said it was up to Serbia to establish its standards through the media strategy and added that this was a unique opportunity to do so. He said journalist safety was a key precondition for free information.

STEFANOVIC: EU, U.S. HAVE WAYS TO GET PRISTINA TO HONOR AGREEMENTS

BELGRADE, December 17 2018 (Beta) - Serbian Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic said on Dec. 17, commenting on the U.N. Security Council session held later in the evening, that he could not be convinced that the U.S. and European Union have no way to get Pristina to honor the agreements it has signed, including its own law. Stefanovic told a news conference that the fight for the safety of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija was the most important thing to Serbia, because they were the most threatened, but that he was concerned that some of the international community did not accept Serbia's arguments, even though it has all the arguments. "So it's not important to honor the Constitution of Serbia, Resolution 1244, the Kumanovo Agreement, the Brussels Agreement, the SAA and CEFTA, or even the oral agreements we have with KFOR. No-one can convince me that the U.S. and EU can't get them to keep to what they signed, even what is in their own legislation," Stefanovic said. He said he had never heard that Pristina was even obligated to follow its own Constitution. "I don't know what's going to happen at the Security Council. It's not an easy battle and we'll have a lot of adversaries, but it's the only serious and responsible move we have," Stefanovic said, adding that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic would have serious talks with countries standing firm by Kosovo's independence despite the argument being on Belgrade's side.

LJAJIC: DAMAGE TO SERBIAN ECONOMY FROM KOSOVO TAX EUR30 MILLION

BELGRADE, December 17 2018 (Beta) - Serbian Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajic said that, since the Kosovo authorities had introduced a 100-percent tax on Serbian goods, the Serbian economy had EUR30 million's worth lower sales than last year. He told Prva TV that, from Nov. 21, when the measure was introduced, to Dec. 11, when the last calculations were done, the export of goods from Serbia to Kosovo had been completely halted, not counting some international brands exempt from the measure. Ljajic reiterated that he would not be a minister in the next government, that he would not change this decision and that he was focused on his own department and scoring the best possible results in this winter season.

EU WANTS KOSOVO TO LIFT TAXES ON GOODS FROM SERBIA, BOSNIA, FORM COMMUNITY OF SERB MUNICIPALITIES

BRUSSELS, December 17 2018 (Beta) - The European Union on Dec. 17 expressed "deep regret" over the Kosovo government's decision to raise customs on goods from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to 100 percent and to impose non-tariff barriers, and again put in a "strong" demand for the measures to be lifted immediately. This was in a press release issued after a session of the EU-Kosovo Council for Stabilization and Association. A news conference slated to be held after the session by EU officials Federia Mogherini and Johannes Hahn and Kosovo Premier Ramush Haradinaj was canceled after Haradinaj brusquely rejected the EU's demand. The EU also noted that all agreements already reached in the Belgrade-Pristina dialog had to be implemented immediately, especially the deal of 2015 on the Association/Community of Serb majority municipalities. The EU's statement stressed that the introduction of the taxes damaged the economic interests of Kosovo and its population, reduced trade and Kosovo's attraction for business and investment. The EU also stressed the importance of continued and efficient implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement, and contractual obligations in trade and customs. Any impediment to trade must be resolved by the responsible agencies and mechanisms, with the participation of all sides and in the spirit of regional cooperation and neighborly relations, the EU said. The EU further stressed the importance of continued involvement of Kosovo in the Belgrade-Pristina dialog, with EU mediation, in order to speed up and empower work in good faith to reach a legally binding agreement on the comprehensive normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

ECONOMY

EU ALLOCATES EUR97 MILLION FOR SERBIA'S GAS CONNECTOR

BRUSSELS, December 17 2018 (Beta) - An agreement was signed in Brussels, on Dec. 17, governing the use of EUR97 million from the European Union's Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA) program to support Serbia's preparations for EU membership. Out of the total, EUR49.6 million will be used for the construction of a gas connector between Serbia and Bulgaria, and some EUR29 million to protect the environment in several cities in Serbia. The agreement was signed by the Serbian minister in charge of the country's accession to the EU, Jadranka Joksimovic, and European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, who stressed that the gas connector with Bulgaria would support Serbia's independent energy supply from different sources. Hahn underlined that the new gas connector would strengthen "Serbia's independent gas supply," which "is neither targeted against anyone, nor for anyone's special benefit." "I believe that it's in the best interest of a state to be as independent as possible in terms of energy supply sources, leading to political and economic independence." "It's the Union's strategic goal to be as independent as possible in terms of energy supply," Hahn said, adding that it also added to political weight in talks. It's one of the most important projects, which is supposed to support Serbia's gas supply from different energy sources, steady supply and stronger infrastructure. Another important project supported by the EU grants is what Minister Joksimovic had described as "an environmental project in the broadest sense of the word," namely a group of waste water purification plants in Krusevac, Brus and Blace. The EU will also provide funding for environmental projects in 19 municipalities across Serbia, the minister explained, describing them as very important, as they would "show to our citizens what EU integration projects could mean to local communities." The EU enlargement commissioner added that the IPA funds would be provided for Kraljevo, Krusevac and Trstenik to have potable water, which together with waste water purification projects would improve the standard of living based on European values. Minister Joksimovic also said that political events that had happened lately "burdened the EU integration processes," but that "Serbia remains focused on its own development." "Unlike some others in the region, we have a different view of the world, committed to development, cooperation, respect to principles and, more importantly, our citizens." Commissioner Hahn tweeted that the agreements signed with Serbia on Dec. 17 supported reforms in key sectors, including democracy, administration, the environment, energy security and Serbia's participation in EU programs. Hahn specified that the total value of EU grants to Serbia since 2000 was three billion euros. "The financial support will support the reforms the citizens of Serbia have every right to expect, bringing Serbia closer to our common goal - membership of the EU," Hahn said.

ZORKA-KERAMIKA OWNERS ANNOUNCE EUR15-MILLION INVESTMENT

BELGRADE, December 17 2018 (Beta) - The Serbian parliament speaker, Maja Gojkovic, on Dec. 17 toured the Zorka Keramika ceramic tile factory in Sabac, whose owners have announced a EUR15-million investment in a new production plant and new jobs. This factory is the largest ceramic tile maker in Serbia, and produces 4.2 million square meters per year. Gojkovic said that Zorka-Keramika was a good example of a modern company keeping up with the trends, ready to apply new technology and that it was very important to Serbia and to export, not just to the region, but to the very demanding and competitive markets of the EU. "A EUR15-million investment in a new production facility will allow an increase in production of three million meters square, but also 100 new jobs," said Markus Bogdanovic, one of the owners of Zorka-Keramika. A consortium of Austrian businessmen bought Zorka-Keramika of Sabac and the Zorka-Opeka brick factory of Koceljeva in 2004 as part of the privatization of the Zorka Sabac industrial complex. The ceramic tile factory has a workforce of 300, and the brick factory, of 60. Of the total production, 50 percent is exported, to Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Italy.