There is no guarantee that we will succeed in this endeavour, at least not in the foreseeable future, especially when it comes to breaking the SANU Gallery’s impressive attendance record that has stood since 1984. However, we could at least state with a clear conscience that we have exerted efforts to leave behind a better world for our children than the one we inherited from our parents – adds SANU President Zoran Knežević in this interview for CorD Magazine.

Mr Knežević, SANU is currently commemorating the centenary of the birth of great painter, writer, filmmaker and Academy member Miodrag ‘Mića’ Popović. Apart from the two exhibitions that have already been unveiled – a smaller one at the SANU Library and a larger retrospective exhibition at the SANU Gallery – how else is the Academy celebrating the legacy of this distinguished former member?

– Permit me to remind your readers that the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts is this year commemorating the centenary of the births of two important academics and painters: Miodrag ‘Mića’ Popović and Milorad ‘Bata’ Mihailović. To mark this exceptionally special occasion, large retrospective exhibitions have been arranged at the SANU Gallery to present the works of these two great artists and friends, rebels against the dogma of socialist realism in art, who were connected, among other ways, by havreing both belonged to the famous “Zadar Group”, which they co-founded with a group of their fellow students.

The exhibitions are accompanied by outstanding catalogues that have been published by the Academy, with the one representing Popović’s work having been prepared by art historian Dr Vesna Kruljac, assistant professor at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Applied Arts. Throughout the exhibition’s run, visitors are able to watch excerpts from Popović’s films, while lectures by Dr Kruljac and other experts have also been organised, dedicated to researching and interpreting Popović’s creative work. Apart from the exhibitions, the central event with which SANU is commemorating the legacy of its prominent members is a scientific conference under the working title “Polemic Aspects of Post-1945 Serbian Modernism With A Particular Focus on the Actions of Zadar Group Members”, which will take place at the Academy on 17th and 18th October and will focus on shedding light on Serbian modernism from a new perspective and re-evaluating the Zadar Group’s contribution to our fine art scene. You have already mentioned the smaller, chamber exhibition dedicated to Mića Popović at the Library of the Academy, while SANU has also used the Popović works preserved in its collection to participate in exhibitions at other galleries in Belgrade, Kikinda and elsewhere.

The title of the Popović retrospective exhibition includes the wording “The Art of Permanent Rebellion”. In the case of this academic and painter, that rebellion wasn’t merely artistic, but rather also implied an engaged, critical perspective on events occurring in society. This brings us neatly on to the unavoidable and eternal question of determining the correct relationship between the Academy and politics?

— I think this question needs to be observed in the context of the position of the Academy, as defined by the Law on SANU and the Statute of the Academy, as “the highest scientific and artistic institution of the Republic of Serbia”, and then for such a designation to determine its appropriate role in society. In a broader sense, this position is also determined by the dual nature of the Academy, i.e., its operational and honorary roles.

It could be stated that SANU’s authority is unquestionable in our scientific and artistic milieu, that what the Academy does and says is highly reingspected; beyond its own framework, in the political sphere, the Academy – in accordance with the aforementioned definition – rarely speaks out, and particularly not with regard to daily political issues, because it isn’t organisationally structured like a political party that formulates an opinion or common stance that it then promotes publicly.

I would remind your readers that SANU is this year commemorating the centenary of the births of two important academics and painters: Miodrag ‘Mića’ Popović and Milorad ‘Bata’ Mihailović

In accordance with its structure, the Academy is an assemblage of independent individuals, intellectuals who can, and often do, have completely contradictory political views and opinions, with which they appear in public of their own accord, independent of the Academy, individually or in groups, on the basis of their own feelings and needs. In this regard, a question arises as to the extent to which decisionmakers in society are prepared to listen to the well-intentioned and science-based assessments and advice of their own top scientists that have been formed through, among other things, national academies, but also the responsibility of academies for the advice that they offer.

The Academy maintains its relations with the state and its executive bodies primarily via an open and constructive dialogue, but also through collaboration with every opportunity for the competences of the Academy to be beneficial to the state and society. In so doing, the Academy acknowledges and appreciates the various social frameworks in which we operate, with the essential political distancing that results from the requirement for the Academy to be independent and to operate primarily in the service of the general good, and not any particular interest.

You were elected SANU president this March. In accepting to take on the position, you promised continuity and to direct SANU “towards safe harbours”. What would you single out as your priorities?

– The leadership of the Academy is confronted by many obligations and responsibilities, alongside the performing of daily tasks. I would use this opportunity to single out just a few of the most important activities that marked the first months of my mandate to a large extent.

Partly due to circumstance, in the first few months of its mandate, alongside its regular work related to providing the institution with the conditions required to operate and function, the new SANU leadership devoted the greatest attention to advancing our Academy’s international cooperation with academies across the region, but also in a broader European and global context, as well as improving SANU’s cooperation with international academic associations, universities and the like. Numerous contacts were established, multiple meetings were held, and we had several visits and encounters. So, it could be said that we renewed some important collaborations and improved some others, and – together with what we inherited from the previous period on this front – SANU can now boast of having very wide international cooperation and visibility.

Numerous activities that are in the focus of the attention and engagement of the leadership unfold constantly at the Academy, including the holding of numerous scientific gatherings, lectures, panel debates and roundtable events, exhibitions and concerts. All these activities are progressing at full steam, and let me note with satisfaction that they are also prepared in a very high-quality way and are well attended.

We are awaited in the year ahead by elections for new regular, correspondent and foreign members, so at this moment the Academy and its leadership are already somewhat turning – through a series of preparatory activities – towards that challenge and the important work that lies ahead of us.

Work is also continuing on capital national projects, such as the compiling of the SANU Dictionary and the Serbian Encyclopaedia, which require the constant attention and engagement of the SANU leadership and members. New volumes and books are expected soon, constant care of the Serbian language and script is taken etc.

SANU has responded to numerous existing challenges over the previous period. Its scientific summits have contributed to discussions regarding healthcare (during the Covid-19 pandemic) and energy sources (with reference to smallscale hydro power plants and mining practises), as well as declaring its position on Kosovo. Should the Academy continue down that path?

— I am able to state unreservedly that SANU has – with the work and activities it has carried out over the previous period, coupled with the values it promotes and the standards it applies – achieved significant results and become an exemplary, well-organised, functional institution and a centre of cultural, scientific, artistic and intellectual life generally in our neighbourhood. It is thus completely self-evident that the central pillar of the work programme of the new SANU leadership is “rational and realistically achievable continuity in the work and activities of the Academy, or in the managing of its affairs in accordance with the highest standards appropriate to our house”.

We are awaited in the year ahead by elections for new regular, correspondent and foreign members, so at this moment the Academy and its leadership are already somewhat turning – through a series of preparatory activities – towards that challenge and the important work that lies ahead of us

The answer to your question is therefore a simple ‘yes’: the Academy should, and is, continuing along the same path and responding to current challenges, with an additional essential clarification: that it does so wherever it possesses the required competences to address a given problem and wherever it is able to contribute realistically and constructively to resolving said problem.

The tragic shooting at Belgrade’s Vladislav Ribnikar Primary School has led to talk across Serbia about a crisis of education and the disruption of the system of values that largely develops during the school education process. What would you say about the current state of Serbia’s education system?

— The Academy devotes a lot of attention to education, as evidenced – among other things – by the fact that operating actively under its auspices are the SANU Board for Education and the SANU Board for Higher Education. In the context of your question, the best answer – to which I have nothing to add personally – was provided two years ago, when a large scientific conference was held at SANU under the title “Education: status, perspectives and role in the development of Serbia”.

This conference included the presentation of a voluminous publication containing key data points on the state of education in Serbia, as well as the defining of recommendations for improving education in Serbia, which were then submitted to the public and all relevant state bodies and national educational organisations and institutions, while the conference ‘Proceedings’, representing a collection of works presenting transcripts of authorised discussions from the conference, were also published. I would also mention the fact that multiple lectures and panel debates held at SANU in recent times have also addressed various relevant topics related to education, while several exhibitions covering the topic of education have been organised at the SANU Gallery of Science and Technology.

Returning to the exhibition of Popović’s paintings, it has been stated that half a million people saw his 1984 exhibition, which set a SANU Gallery record. At this time when there is plenty of talk of the need to redefine the model of culture, particularly among young people, what needs to be done to break that 1984 exhibition attendance record?

— It could probably be stated that SANU’s raison d’etre, at least to a certain extent, is identified with its permanent active participation in the ambitious endeavour of creating a modern, more humane and more tolerant society, within that framework of social and political awareness, and many view this as a natural and implied obligation of the Academy. Many people will probably also agree with the ascertain that our society needs a radical change to the predominant model of culture, if not “conceptualising a completely new world” – to paraphrase the words of my esteemed predecessor as SANU president, academic Vladimir S. Kostić.

I couldn’t say that I know for certain what needs to be done and how in this sense, but I am certain that this must be the goal, at least in principle, that we all strive to achieve, including the Academy. There is no guarantee that we will succeed in this endeavour, at least not in the foreseeable future, especially when it comes to breaking the SANU Gallery’s impressive attendance record that you mention. However, we could then at least state with a clear conscience that we have exerted efforts to leave behind a better world for our children than the one we inherited from our parents.

The post Radical Change to the Dominant Model of Culture Required appeared first on CorD Magazine.

Romanian Ambassador to Serbia Silvia Davidoiu speaks enthusiastically about the strengthening of economic cooperation between the two countries. Speaking in this interview for CorD Magazine, she says that she is looking forward to the next few years. “I expect the fruition of our ambitious, long-planned strategic connectivity projects, and the launching of new partnerships in the agriculture, IT and energy sectors”. And this cooperations is set to be crowned with the construction of a motorway that will reduce travel times between Belgrade and Timișoara to just one hour.

Your Excellency, as the Ambassador of a country that enjoys a high level of understanding and cooperation with Serbia at the political level, you often mention the various possibilities of advancing bilateral economic cooperation. Could you cite progress achieved in this area over the past two years?

– Economic cooperation has substantial potential to further our countries’ growth, having a direct impact on the wellbeing of our citizens and the substance of our bilateral relations. Moreover, it provides a comprehensive vision and additional means to further develop our ties.

One short answer to your question refers to the formal agreements on transport connectivity (e.g., the Timisoara-Belgrade highway/expressway), positive developments in bilateral trade, with a total value surpassing €2.6 billion in 2022, and new initiatives on energy security, aside from the Arad-Mokrin gas interconnector. Over the past two years, we have also diversified our presence on the Serbian market with additional domains (apart from industry) attracting Romanian entrepreneurs. As an example, during this period, Instant Factoring, a Romanian company in the fintech sector, has offered innovative and accessible financing solutions to Serbian SMEs. In April 2023, we also organised a business forum as a preliminary step towards new, regular B2B meetings between Romanian and Serbian companies (operating in the agriculture, energy, construction, industry, ITC and other sectors), aimed at strengthening bilateral economic relations through mutual investments and exchanges. We are committed to implementing all these projects and count on the Serbian side’s engagement in this regard. We are active in some of the economic areas that are most relevant to Serbia’s comprehensive security and sustainable development.

I look forward to the next few years. I expect the fruition of our ambitious, long-planned strategic connectivity projects, as well as the launch of new partnerships in agriculture, IT and energy – all sectors that are expanding in Romania, in Romania, possibly with an external expansion outlook. To give you an example, with my country currently exploring offshore gas reserves, implementing SMR technologies for nuclear power and capitalising the investments of top Romanian players in renewables, I expect my country to consolidate its position as a net energy provider for the region, including Serbia.

How do Romania and Serbia utilise the European Union funds that are provided through the IPA funding mechanism to improve cross-border cooperation?

– Cross-border cooperation between Romania and Serbia, with the support of IPA funds, has a long history of successful partnerships. In the 2014- 2020 programming period alone, 84 projects were contracted, representing 99.98% of the programme budget, with an absorption rate in excess of 95%. This impressive track record encourages us to believe that this IPA instrument will continue to forge new forms of collaboration between our countries.

Cross-border cooperation between Romania and Serbia, with the support of IPA funds, has a long history of successful partnerships. In the 2014-2020 programming period alone, 84 projects were contracted

As for the 2021-2027 period, the Interreg IPA Romania-Serbia Programme counwas the first of its type to be adopted by the European Commission. It focuses on promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy, reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and all forms of pollution, improving equal access to inclusive and quality services in education and health, enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism in furthering economic development, and increasing border management capacity. Climate and energy objectives receive 35% of the total allocation of the IPA Interreg Romania-Serbia Programme in the 2021-2027 cycle, as a direct contribution to the European Green Deal and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. Moreover, 52% of the Programme’s financial package is dedicated to projects of strategic importance and large infrastructure projects in the fields of healthcare, border management, risk management and emergency situation response.

We are seeing EU accession enthusiasm waning in Serbia, with many believing that this is due to the slowness of the integration process. Serbia has opened only slightly more than half of the accession negotiation chapters, despite the process having started more than a decade ago. It was almost two years ago that the last cluster was opened, which is also when you arrived in Serbia. Does such a tempo contradict the messages coming from the EU about a strong new commitment to the expansion of the bloc to encompass the Western Balkans?

– The EU’s commitment to the European perspective of the Western Balkans is firm and unabated, as reiterated in the European Commission President’s State of the Union Address on 13th September. However, the pace of negotiations depends entirely on candidate countries fulfilling the necessary criteria, particularly on the fundamentals.

EU accession is a two-way street, with regard to the EU’s capacity and willingness to accept new members benchand candidate countries’ consistent and measurable efforts to meet clearly- defined benchmarks. This has been a constant feature, regardless of the revisions of the process conducted over previous years.

On the one hand, the messages from the EU and its Member States clearly testify to the first track of this process being open and unobstructed for those Western Balkan and Eastern European countries that fulfil the accession criteria. That represents encouragement for these partners to internalise European values and principles in their entirety. Three more counwas tries were granted EU candidate status over the past year, including one from this region. The process is therefore advancing and the messages do match the actions.

On the other hand, the second track of European integration relates to their merit-based quality and it is thus the sole responsibility of candidates and potential candidates to determine the pace of reform. This implies that, by the time of accession, these countries should be strategically aligned with the EU and fully harmonised with the acquis, including when it comes to respect for fundamental rights and compliance with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. This is a key aspect that ensures the sustainability of political and economic partnerships with candidate and potential candidate countries, creating the conditions for a strengthened EU.

The statement of the President of the European Council regarding some countries of our region being possibly admitted into the EU in 2030 garnered a lot of negative comments in Brussels. Can we continue to take the enlargement process seriously without specific dates for the next round of enlargement?

– Charles Michel’s recent reference to the bloc’s readiness to accept new members is firstly a confirmation that enlargement remains a top priority for the EU over the coming years. It is also encouragement for candidates to increase the tempo of key reforms in order to secure solid and irreversible achievements that are in line with each partner’s relationship with the EU, in a dynamic and merit-based approach. It therefore represents an appeal for active and consistent engagement on all sides for the new enlargement of the EU. The President of the European Council was explicit in his speech in Bled about the imperative of ensuring the process remains credible. This is dependent on the EU’s openness to continue the enlargement process, but also on candidates’ fulfilment of necessary benchand marks. Again, the twin-track approach of advancing on the basis of merit remains in place, so there is consistency in messaging, just as we are on the same page in our understanding that Western Balkan (and Eastern European) states belong within the Union. Whether we manage to meet this mutual goal within a specific timeframe depends on all of us. We all need to take the process seriously in order to make EU integration happen and to keep it within the lines of a successful policy for the transformative effect on candidates and potential candidates and the bloc’s internal coherence and external appeal and action.

The messages from the EU and its Member States clearly testify to the first track of this process being open and unobstructed for those Western Balkan and Eastern European countries that fulfil the accession criteria

There are frequent calls coming from within the EU that encourage Serbia to change its stance on Kosovo, but also the EU Member States that have chosen not to recognise the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo. Will Romania maintain its stance on this issue? — First, allow me to offer a few clarifications: we have not experienced any calls or pressure to change our stance regarding the status of Kosovo. The interactions we have had with third parties on this topic were more in line with evaluating our position in the context of our common renewed interest in firmly advancing the dialogue and reconciliation between Belgrade and Pristina. This is an approach that we welcome and encourage in an effort to dispel any misunderstanding.

Romania has a consistent and principled position on the non-recognition of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence. We maintain a constructive approach on the issue, without prejudice to our national position. It is the primary responsibility of Belgrade and Pristina to reach a comprehensive and definitive solution. My country joined the efforts of the EU and other relevant actors in supporting the normalisation process through result-oriented negotiations between the two parties.

Romania reasserts its full support for the EU-mediated Political Dialogue, which represents the only adequate framework to normalise relations between Belgrade and Pristina. Against the backdrop of persistent tension, the two sides need to reengage in this framework to identify a solution that reflects their respective interests and contributes to the peace and stability of the region, with full respect for all agreements reached to date in the EU-facilitated dialogue process.

Are you satisfied with the status and treatment of members of the ethnic Romanian community in Serbia?

– Our respective national minorities have anchored our relations in a state of mutual respect and good neighbourliness, despite the changes experienced by our countries in recent history. They are also a source of constant enrichment for our historic ties and provide a reference point to the quality of the overall Romanian- Serbian dialogue. We cherish this outstanding bond and remain constructive, open and transparent in our support for the rights of those belonging to our ethnic minorities.

Romania’s constant interest in the preservation of the cultural ethos of its national minority, its mother tongue and religious identity, is consistent with European standards in this field, which are crucial for a democratic society.

Serbs in Romania enjoy all the rights stipulated by the relevant international documents: parliamentary representation, education, religious services and media in their native language. They are active in local administrations and provide an important contribution to our society. We would like to see all citizens that identify as Romanian in Serbia fully enjoying the rights provided by the national legislation and international documents signed by the state, and provided by requirements on the EU accession path.

Differences nonetheless persist, with Romanians in Eastern Serbia having restricted access to education, media and religious services in their mother tongue, as well as limited representation in local and national administration, in contrast to those residing in Vojvodina. These issues should be substantively tackled within the framework of the Romanian- Serbian Joint Intergovernmental Commission for National Minorities, the third protocol of which is currently being negotiated.

The post Support For Result-Oriented Dialogue appeared first on CorD Magazine.

Undoubtedly the greatest living screenwriter of television shows that have occupied our small screens for decades – Better Life, Hot Wind, Happy People etc. – is Siniša Pavić, who is today still with us at the age of 90. He remains sharp witted and is an interesting interlocutor. He recently told the author of this article that he no longer really watches television because there’s nothing to watch, but he never misses the shows of Jovan Memedović, because they present the only ’normal life’ that can be found on the box today.

I’ve chosen this Sinisa Pavić statement to introduce this interview with Jovan Memedović (63), the only television journalist in the country to have long since outgrown that role and become a kind of national treasure, because he’s placed his knowledge, work and efforts in the service of preserving nature and healthy living in Serbia. He has been explaining and demonstrating for years, or more precisely decades, that there can be no strong Serbia without strong rural communities, because Serbia dies when its villages die. His most beloved comments are those that come from viewers, because he is equally good at conversing with everyone.

“I’m only incapable of conversing with politicians. I encounter them, they want to tell me something, they sometimes insist that we meet up for a chat. However, I realised long ago that they come from a completely different world and that I don’t even know how to talk with them. It is similar with civic structures in smaller towns. Fortunately, I collaborate very well with everyone else. With the villagers I’m instantly a brother, a first cousin. And I try to help them in every way I can. The common man has been sadly neglected.”

Our eye no longer recognises the wilderness as an environment, but rather sees it as a danger. For city folk, the wilderness is already a potential danger

When he cruises around the country, he notices the negative consequences of our poor conduct in the natural world. And he loudly tries to draw attention to that, often going far beyond the producing of a TV natestimonial. Around a year ago, for example, he brought together volunteers to clean Lake Perućac. They packed bags with tons of rubbish and leftovers that had been dumped in and around this gem of the Drina river canyon.

He recently quit his job after a 30- year career at national public broadcaster Radio-Television of Serbia, but RTS continues to air his shows – the top-rated Sasvim Prirodno [Completely Natural] and the franchised game show The Chase. Apart from being widely renowned for his work, Memedović is also a favourite among the country’s ladies, just like the former most famous presenter of TV Belgrade, Miloje Mića Orlović (1934-2013). He is also loved by animals, which I witnessed myself when watching him pet his white husky in the garden of Vračar’s Monks Bar, where we sat and talked. Of everyone sitting in the garden, the dog only approached his master.

Jovan’s early career interests were largely determined by his Montenegrin origins, with his father hailing from the Drobnjak area of mount Durmitor and his mother originally from Cetinje. They both died relatively young, but they first prepared him well enough to handle life. He says that he first fell in love with nature as a child.

“As my parents are both from Montenegrin regions, I spent my summer holidays mostly by the sea, with my mother’s relatives in the Bay of Kotor, or on Durmitor. At the seaside I fished, while on the mountain I helped my relatives with all the household chores and their livestock. Those two interests later followed me throughout my entire life.”

He completed the 4th Belgrade Gymnasium grammar school and lower music school, competed in judo for many years, and graduated from the University of Belgrade Faculty of Sport and Physical Education. During his studies, he had a mandatory course that included spending ten days camping in nature, and it was then that he experienced his self-discovery. He discovered the life that he belongs to.

Television isn’t used in the function of serving an ordinary person who needs to find out something… it is overburdened by politics that literally pulverises everything in front of it

He classifies the upbringing he received at home as being in the ‘Montenegrin paternal style’, which means that his father was a natural man who was inclined to view life in a simplistic way. His father an economist and his mother was a psychologist, and together they attempted to ensure that he and his sister acquired and developed what would be referred to as ‘good taste for life’. His sister, Olga, spent more than 20 years working as head of the UN’s developing countries department in Vienna. A top expert, she earned her doctorate in economics in the Netherlands.

His father relocated from Montenegro to Belgrade in 1957 and bought a piece of land in the Dedinje neighbourhood that was being used to cultivate corn. There he built his house, and despite spending the next 30+ years living there, his strong accent didn’t change until his dying day.

“He didn’t devote much time to me; he wasn’t overly interested in my desires and didn’t respect them much. I got used to listening to him and not arguing with him much. We didn’t socialise. My father was much closer to my sister, and I was closer to my mother. I guess that’s how it goes. They were both quite conservative and led a patriarchal lifestyle. My mother insisted that I attend music school, that I learn English, but I wasn’t a particularly good pupil because I couldn’t calm myself in class; I could hardly wait for the class to end so I could run outside. In a practical sense, my childhood was very closely connected to nature, but under the great and strong influence of my mother – for which I’m very grateful to her.”

There isn’t a single job at TV Belgrade, or RTS, that he hasn’t done.

“For the first six years, I was a freelance journalist and even worked without being paid a dinar. As I began transferring from one job to another, my love for the work also grew. I initially wrote news, then presented shows of various profiles – informative, entertaining, sports – and was constantly considering ways to do things even better and with more quality. The only thing that I ignored was the fact that it was very difficult to live on a television salary. Television is an underutilised medium in our country. It is mainly used in the function of something that serves the government – regardless of whether it’s this or that government. Ordinary folk are completely neglected in terms of what they can hear and get from watching television. Television isn’t used in the function of serving an ordinary person who needs to find out something, to be useful to them in their life. Television isn’t capable of doing that. And I’m not referring only to the television programming of today, but rather going back 20-odd years, because it is overburdened by politics that literally pulverises everything in front of it. Unfortunately, television is most often in the hands of people who don’t know the work they need to do; they usually don’t even know what television is capable of, and then the programming largely boils down to banality and cheering something on. In our country we have cheerleader television.”

His dedication and addiction to creating something good on television has not abated for three full decades. He has received invitations from numerous individual political figures to join this or that party, which he has always declined.

We aren’t much of a quiz nation; we don’t make good quizzes and all our game shows are made by someone else and we then transpose and adapt them

“I nevertheless persevered because I dedicated myself to life issues, to human issues, because I gave my word to some other people, and not just politicians. My life and professional motto is to present people who deserve to be heard and seen by as many people as possible because of what they do and what they’ve dedicated themselves to doing; to work together with them to demonstrate concern for preserving the natural wealth and beauty of Serbia, but also to show how much we’re incapable of preserving and how ready we are to destroy what we’ve been gifted.”

He has had to expose himself to numerous hardships in order to present profound events and landscapes. For instance, in order to shoot a chamois goat in the Tara River Canyon, he spent five days freezing, hiking and climbing like a goat before managing to film it from a distance of 50 metres. Elsewhere in the world, these kinds of reports are created with an incomparably larger team and over incomparably longer periods. And only willing enthusiasts like Jovan are able to work ‘tooth and nail’ and create something with four days of shooting that requires a month’s worth of footage elsewhere in the world. And when events haven’t allowed him to hesitate, he has always been the first to react.

“While the floods of 2014 were happening, I spent more time on the ground than the rescue services. Not to anger them, they were obviously there too, but here’s an illustration. It was a forbidden zone; you couldn’t get through because everything was inundated. I was considering how to get to a village that had been submerged. We took a canoe and headed around the Sava to get to the other side, only to return to the Sava and head downstream to enter the village. And we saw what it looked like. We returned to the riverbank, where my fellow journalists were standing in colourful ankle boots with microphones in hand, announcing that the floodwaters were high and returning to their newsrooms. And we went by canoe, saw how it looked, filmed the situation and brought information back directly from the scene.”

The places where he’s been for his shows sometimes seem dangerous to the viewer, but he doesn’t see it that way.

“Our eye no longer recognises the wilderness as an environment, but rather sees it as a danger. For city folk, the wilderness is already a potential danger. Going somewhere where people still live like they did a hundred years ago isn’t dangerous – it’s just far away. There were some risky situations, but I always thought of that as being part of my duties. If I hadn’t considered that a given, would I have done this job for so many years?”

This interview revealed to me that TV shows about hunting and fishing are slowly losing their appeal, because hunters and trappers are being stamped out by environmentalists. When he did a show about hunting and fishing, he became synonymous with fishermen for millions of viewers, and he was the first to make a show about fishing in the half-century history of Television Belgrade, then RTS. It was also watched by those who don’t distinguish a rod and a hook from a bow and arrow.

“While working on the show The World of Hunting and Fishing, I realised that it is a very narrow topic and that, while I was catching fish, I was missing out on life stories that are much more useful to a wider audience. That’s why I decided on a new concept that enabled me to address different topics and provided an opportunity to travel through nature and peer into the very soul of places and the people who live there. That’s how the documentary-travel series Completely Natural emerged, which is still running today. While working on this project, I once again visited Siberia, the Far East, the Kola Peninsula, Norway, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Svalbard, and most European countries. Of course, most of the documentary stories I shot were in Serbia.”

Unfortunately, television is most often in the hands of people who don’t know the work they need to do and the programming largely boils down to banality and cheering something on. In our country we have cheerleader television

Jovan rides around on a bicycle or a motorcycle, spent a long time driving a pickup truck that was a gift from a sponsor, while a sponsor has now given his team a comfortable Subaru. However, in the show we often see him with a wooden staff, conquering areas that ‘even God forgot’, making it unavoidable to ask how many pairs of boots this travel writer has. What followed was a detailed description of various ‘exotic’ footwear without which he wouldn’t be able to hit the road.

“I have around a dozen, maybe more, with different ones for different occasions. Rubber boots are a must. I have waders up to the knee, two that reach the hip, and two that actually extend into waterproof overalls in which you can enter the water. I could open a shop not only because of the number of boots I have, but also because of their purpose. I’m great friends with people who sell equipment for the kind of exploring and travel that I do. And they call me whenever new items appear. If you’re not suitably dressed, if you don’t have appropriate footwear, the journey turns into a nightmare. The most important thing is what I wear as a first layer in contact with the body. It is obligatory for that to be wool – the most compact, finest, thinnest. Because it is thin, it naturally wears out quickly. The jackets I wear on my travels represent a special story. If they are too thick, you can’t get into the car with them on, you can’t walk in them because they soon become a heavy weight on your back and you start to sweat. There are now various heating aids – put a special insole in a shoe and it retains heat for ten hours.”

Prior to receiving an offer to host the popular game show The Chase, which is broadcast on RTS, this journalist already believed that he could do the job. He knew that a large part of the success of any quiz show depends on everyone who appears being true to themselves.

“I love The Chase, because in that game show I don’t pretend for a moment, I don’t play, but rather I’m just myself. And the most important thing for me is to relax the competitor, to approach them in the best possible way, to relieve them of any stage fright. We aren’t much of a quiz nation; we don’t make good quizzes and all our game shows are made by someone else and we then transpose and adapt them. Our people aren’t as fun in front of the camera as some other nations. Our people are careful not to do anything embarrassing and think only about what others will say. A knowledgeable interlocutor once explained to me that this is because we are mostly a depressed people. I didn’t verify that.”

When we were making arrangements for this interview, Jovan told me that he would be on holiday until 5th September. It is interesting to know what he means by a holiday.

“I even took a computer on my holiday and wrote. I realised after three days that I wouldn’t be able to rest. I closed the laptop and forgot about it. And I have a lot of work waiting for me.”

There is a funny story about a person who was under hypnosis as part of an experimental project to determine how much hypnosis can help people overcome addiction. The project was led by Dr Tihomir Kojić, while Jovan’s mother also participated in it as a psychologist. The project ran for several years, and at one point Dr Kojić permitted each member of the team to ask the patient under hypnosis whatever interested them. Jovan’s mother asked what would happen to her children, who were then still in school, and the hypnotised girl answered: ‘Your daughter will be a scientist, and your son will be very famous and popular’.

Everyone laughed at the time, and Jovan still smiles today as he recounts what was foretold by the hypnotised girl.

And he concludes this interview, with a great dose of satisfaction, by stating the following:

“The essence of the work I’ve done to date, and that I believe I’ll continue to do, is that it only differs slightly, or almost not at all, from how I live. Fate brought me to this job and I realised that I can always do it, because I would live like this even without a camera. I love this job and everything I do is a great pleasure for me. Who would go to Vienna to film garbage collectors otherwise? I’ve shot three shows at rubbish dumps this year alone, and I’ve never seen any other journalist doing that.”

Unlike all other previous My Life articles for CorD Magazine, this one was – at the request of Jovan Memedović himself – dedicated exclusively to the work of this television personality, without any mention of his private life.

The post Television Mainly Serves the Authorities appeared first on CorD Magazine.

The Berlin process, as well as the Franco- German proposal for the final normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, should be interpreted as Germany’s contribution to accelerating the process that ought to lead to Serbia’s EU accession, says German Ambassador Anke Konrad in this interview for CorD Magazine. She adds that economic cooperation between the two countries remains at a high level, as does interest in entering Serbia among German companies.

“Of course, the business environment needs to be fair and lawful,” insists Ambassador Konrad, before noting that “the most recent business survey of the German Chamber of Commerce in Serbia, conducted in 2023, has testified that factors like the availability of qualified workers, the fight against corruption, political and social stability, as well as the transparency of public tenders, have an important impact on the productivity of existing investments, as well as decisions on future ones. It is therefore crucial to continue working to ensure a level playing field for all players in the business sphere.”

Your Excellency, when you arrived in Serbia a year ago, your initial message was that Serbia is an important partner to Germany. Has anything changed in the meantime when it comes to relations between Berlin and Belgrade?

– Relations between Berlin and Belgrade are close and will remain so. Through my first year in Serbia, we have continued our cooperation on a broad range of bilateral issues, as well as on global challenges like, for instance, climate change. The Berlin Process, created in 2014, has taken a big step forward with the conclusion of four mobility agreements that will contribute to furthering cooperation and exchange among all Western Balkan countries mutually, as well as with their European partners. We look forward to the next summit in Tirana, on 16th October, which should open up new avenues for this cooperation.

With the Franco-German proposal, Berlin and Paris have provided an important contribution to agreements reached in Brussels and Ohrid at the beginning of this year to further the normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina. We also see our engagement in all these areas as our contribution to advancing Serbia on its journey to membership in the European Union and we will continue our support.

German media recently received a letter in which several Western politicians, including Michael Roth, Chair of the Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee and a member of the ruling SPD, allegedly call on the EU and the U.S. to distance themselves from Serbia and support the Kosovo government over current events unfolding in the north of the province. The letter includes a call to “learn from our past and ensure that we do not pursue Belgrade-centric policies in the Balkans”. Is this the personal position of Mr Roth or is he actually announcing a change to German foreign policy?

– The role of the German Foreign Affairs Committee is to monitor and evaluate our foreign policy. The committee may provide the government with advice and recommendations on foreign policy, stemming from discussions and analyses that take place there.

The Ohrid Agreement, is an important and responsible step towards normalisation that we support and which must now be implemented by both sides without additional conditions

The letter therefore represents an impetus for public debate and does not signify a change in German foreign policy. Our position remains clear: the future of the Western Balkan countries lies in the European Union. To this end, Serbia and Kosovo will have to take important steps toward one another. They confirmed their willingness to do so six months ago in Ohrid – the task for both sides now is to implement those commitments.

In your statements given to media here in Serbia, you refuted the claim that Germany “supports only one side” in Kosovo. To which side do you attribute responsibility for the latest escalation of problems in the north of Kosovo?

– We have a situation between Serbia and Kosovo that is not sustainable and that has been depriving both countries, and the people who live there, of many development prospects for many years. The basic agreement, namely the Ohrid Agreement, with which both sides agreed earlier this year to further normalise their relations, is therefore an important and responsible step that we support and which must now be implemented by both sides without additional conditions.

It is now the responsibility of both sides to conduct and continue the dialogue on the implementation of Ohrid seriously and constructively, and to take concrete steps. We should always bear in mind that the normalisation of these relations is, first and foremost, about the future of the people of the two countries, as well as the future of the entire Western Balkan region.

Late June saw German company Hansgrohe open its new plant in Valjevo, announcing work for as many as 100 workers. Does this serve to confirm that German investors are still interested in investing in Serbia?

– Yes, interest in investing in Serbia remains high among German companies, including investments in the expansion of existing companies or the diversification of their portfolio. I would like to emphasise that these investments lead not only to the creation of additional workplaces, but also highly qualified ones, creating new prospects for specialists, also in the IT sector. By setting new standards with regard to working conditions, dual education, environmental protection or energy consumption, German companies contribute directly to Serbia’s EU accession path.

By setting new standards with regard to working conditions, dual education, environmental protection or energy consumption, German companies contribute directly to Serbia’s EU accession path

Of course, the business environment needs to be fair and just. The most recent business survey of the German Chamber of Commerce in Serbia, conducted in 2023, testified that factors like the availability of qualified workers, the fight against corruption, political and social stability, as well as the transparency of public tenders, have an important impact on the productivity of existing investments, as well as decisions on future ones.

It is therefore crucial to continue working to ensure a level playing field for all players in the business sphere.

Germany is viewed from within Serbia as an EU member state that strongly supports expansion of the Union to encompass the countries of the Western Balkans. Given the current pace at which this process is unfolding – not only in the case of Serbia, but also with Montenegro and particularly North Macedonia – does any basis exist to believe that expansion is a realistic option in the near future and on what does that depend?

– The enlargement of the EU remains our goal. This includes Serbia, as well as all other countries of the Western Balkans. That’s why we continue to support Serbia’s efforts on this challenging path. And that’s why we are simultaneously also working on the future of the EU.

Will the German public support the government’s initiative to significantly ease the procedure for obtaining citizenship, including the option of dual citizenship, which is a topic of interest to a large number of German citizens with Serbian roots who do not yet have a permanent status solution?

– With the reform of the German citizenship law, the federal government intends to create a modern immigration law that reflects the diversity of our society and modern country. The draft law envisages that, in the future, foreigners who are able to make a living for themselves will be able to apply for naturalisation after only five years resident in Germany. Moreover, they will not have to give up their original citizenship. Of course, this would also benefit Serbian citizens who have lived in Germany for a very long time and who are well integrated. The draft law will have to pass the German Bundestag, and therefore might be subject to change following discussions between the members of the parliament. It is not yet clear when the new law might enter into force.

The post Berlin and Belgrade Remain Close appeared first on CorD Magazine.

In the absence of a better alternative, Vučić remains a credible EU partner, as demonstrated at the August meeting in Athens between EU representatives and those of Western Balkan countries, Ukraine and Moldova. Vučić signed a declaration supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity and thus distanced himself from Russia in a sufficiently euphemistic way (by condemning crimes without imposing sanctions) and indirectly through his meeting with Zelensky. 

Compensating for his pro-Western stance in Athens is the propaganda rife in Serbia, which fills a pro-Russian public opinion stance with appearances by Milošević-era cadre. 

Support for Western Balkan efforts to join the EU is emphasised in the Athens Declaration, but that doesn’t provide reason for optimism, given that Ukraine and Moldova are supported for the same efforts, which suggests some kind of disheartening “package”. 

Everything is made even more depressing by the fact that the Athens Declaration comes two decades after the famous EU-Western Balkans Summit of Thessaloniki, when the region’s countries were also promised a European accession perspective. 

The Summit in Thessaloniki only proved to be an encouraging gathering for Croatia – the only country from the Western Balkan “package” to have since joined the EU. In Athens this time around, Croatian PM Plenković was certainly there more as a leader from the EU than as a leader from our region. 

The essence of the relationship between the EU and the Western Balkans since Thessaloniki in 2003 was perhaps best described by Carl Bildt, when he said: “That promise would be as hard to keep as it was important to make”

A flatbread may well have cost a dinar in Thessaloniki, but – when it comes to EU membership – Thessaloniki is a hundred flatbreads away (as the old Serbian proverb goes). Another popular phrase at the time spoke of the regional “regatta” that Croatia would lead towards the EU, only for Croatian officials to expressly distance themselves from such metaphors (rightly so, as it would turn out) by stressing that each country should advance according to its own merits. 

What seems more surreal: from the current perspective, the fact that the Serbian Prime Minister in 2003 was Zoran Živković; or, from the perspective of the Thessaloniki summit, the possibility that Aleksandar Vučić will be Serbian president for 20 years, and in a second term!? Back then, Živković had showed great enthusiasm as a representative of the “level 2007” stance (on Serbia’s EU membership). Hey, membership in 2007!!! Can we today even imagine that level of naivety? Živković was introduced in Thessaloniki as a fighter against Milošević and against crime – representing an advertisement that Serbia doesn’t have today in terms of personnel. The country was in a tough situation following the assassination of Đinđić, whose political capital Živković utilised. We also mustn’t forget that Milo Đukanović spoke in Thessaloniki about the European consensus of Serbia and Montenegro, as had also been done by Slovenia and Estonia. 

It was an atmosphere of European idealism, and perhaps also a time of European innocence. Brexit, the migrant crisis and the war in Ukraine were still far away. The Constitution for Europe, as it was dubbed by its creator, former French President Giscard d’Estaing (a champion of Greece’s EU accession), which was adopted in Thessaloniki was supposed to create the framework for a functional community. The then 77-year-old European constitutionalist had hoped that the EU would be at full capacity and fully operational in another 20 years – so by today, when Macron is absurdly seeking EU reform. The essence of the relationship between the EU and the Western Balkans since Thessaloniki in 2003 was perhaps best described by Swedish diplomat and regional expert Carl Bildt, when he said: “That promise would be as hard to keep as it was important to make”.

The post From Thessaloniki to Athens appeared first on CorD Magazine.

Speaking in this exclusive interview for CorD Magazine, North Macedonian President Stevo Pendarovski emphasises that the pace of integration of the countries of the Western Balkans is very modest. And without an accession process, there is more room for malign influences. The emigration of young people is among the biggest challenges we face.

Mr President, how would you evaluate your recent visit to Serbia?

Our two countries have traditionally nurtured good neighbourly relations and friendship, based on trust and mutually beneficial cooperation. We have established links in trade, cultural exchanges, institutions and citizens’ cooperation over the decades.

My last meeting with President Vučić was on 2 August, when I visited the Monastery of the Venerable Prohor of Pčinja to commemorate 2 August – the Day of the Republic and an important date in Macedonian history. We discussed the deepening of our cooperation, the possibilities listto further increase trade exchanges and other topics that are of interest to both our peoples.

North Macedonia and Serbia have not had unresolved issues for a long time. The Serbian Orthodox Church last year recognised the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Archdiocese of Ohrid, and that move contributed significantly to improving mutual trust.

In my view, the Serbian president made a strong statement to the media at the Monastery of the Venerable Prohor of Pčinja when he said that they are recognising the Macedonian people and Macedonian language.

You were in Serbia on the eve of Ilinden, which marks your country’s Republic Day celebrations and which was this year, for the second year, commemorated at the Monastery of the Venerable Prohor of Pčinja in Serbia, in the presence of a delegation from North Macedonia. How important is this fact to you?

For us, from a historical perspective, Ilinden has a great, distinct meaning. It was on 2 August 1903 that the first Krushevo Republic was established. On this same date in 1944, with the first session of ASNOM [the Anti-Fascist Assembly of the People’s Liberation of Macedonia], a free Macedonian state was created. Delegates of the state-constituting session of ASNOM met at the Monastery of the Venerable Prohor of Pčinja. That’s why the visit to the monastery on Ilinden was remarkable for my country. I had the opportunity to lay flowers in front of the memorial plaque that marks the first session of ASNOM.

Through numerous regional initiatives, we aim to further facilitate business conditions, ease the flow of goods and services, and increase direct investments

I believe we will continue this tradition next year, in order to pay tribute to our great national heroes and to visit the monastery without that being interrupted for political, religious or any other reasons, as it was in the past.

How would you assess the treatment of the Macedonian community in Serbia and the Serb community in North Macedonia; is there room for improvement?

There is always room to improve the situation for minority communities in a certain country, regardless of whether and how much they enjoy the same rights as the majority of citizens.

According to the latest census, 1.3% of the total population of North Macedonia, or almost 24,000 citizens, declared themselves Serbs. Through their political representatives in the Parliament, they are an important political factor in the political life of the country. I should also mention that Serbs in Macedonia celebrate 27 January, the holiday of St. Sava, and it is listto ed among the national holidays of our country.

I think the number of Macedonians living in Serbia is smaller, nearly 15,000. Macedonians in Serbia enjoy full rights, can freely declare their nationality, and have achieved visible results in education, culture and information, while the Macedonian language and script are in official use in some local communities that they inhabit.

During your meeting with the president of Serbia, you were in agreement that bilateral relations are at the highest possible level. In which areas of the economy do you see room to advance cooperation further?

Persistent political dialogue enables the constant development of bilateral relations, which is an excellent prerequisite for trade exchange. In addition, we have a broad legal framework that offers numerous opportunities to develop economic and cultural cooperation.

We have been in the EU waiting room for so long and if that period is extended again, due to bilateral disputes, there could be serious negative consequences, both for my country and the wider region, but also for the attractiveness of the EU integration process

Serbia has ranked continuously at the top of the countries with which North Macedonia has the largest trade exchange. As two neighbouring countries, we are committed to further improving that cooperation. Through numerous regional initiatives, we aim to further facilitate business conditions, ease the flow of goods and services, and increase direct investments. I believe that contacts already established at the political and business level will contribute to the further intensification of cooperation among companies.

I also believe that economic cooperation between our countries is of particular importance in the context of our aspirations for membership in the European Union. 

Will North Macedonia and Serbia work together to revitalise the railway tracks connecting the two countries and, if so, how long could that process last?

I believe it is important for both countries to work towards the modernisation of railway infrastructure, as in the countries of the European Union. The modernisation of our rail links is an important prerequisite for the promotion of the exchange of goods and services and will provide added value to Corridor 10. I believe that, with joint efforts, North Macedonia and Serbia will succeed in providing the financial structure for the realisation of the project, which should mainly be financed by the European Union.

As president of a country that has accepted major concessions in an effort to accelerate the European integration process, are you now satisfied with the current pace of that process?

It is undeniable that the pace of integration of the countries of the Western Balkans is very modest. Serbia has been negotiating with the European Union since 2014. Macedonia has been a membership candidate since 2005 and, due to a series of circumstances, it was only last  year, after 17 years of waiting, that it held the first intergovernmental conference and opened EU accession negotiations.

Waiting for too long leads to a sharp decline in support for EU membership, and without an accession process there is more room for malign influences. The emigration of young people is among the biggest challenges we face. It goes without saying that candidate states have to show visible results in the reform processes by meeting the membership criteria, but the European Union should also provide a clear perspective regarding the integration of the region.

The Open Balkan is a well-intentioned initiative that should be placed under the umbrella of the Berlin Process, which has established structures, achieved good results so far, and brings together all WB6 states

My impression is that the EU enhanced its focus on the region following the launch of Russian aggression against Ukraine. I hope that this war will end as soon as possible, while at the same time I hope that it will not again shift the focus of the Union’s interest away from the integration of our region.

Albanian authorities recently suggested that the Open Balkan initiative has fulfilled its purpose and should be completed. Given that your country is also an active participant in that initiative, how do you see the future of the Open Balkan initiative?

I have never been and will never be against strengthened economic processes, cutting red tape on the movement of goods, people and capital across the borders of the Western Balkans. However, I have stated publicly several times that, with the inclusion of only three countries from the region, the Open Balkan initiative has structural shortcomings and limited potential.

It is nevertheless a well-intentioned initiative and should be placed under the umbrella of the Berlin Process, which has established structures, achieved good results so far and brings together all six Western Balkan states.

Do you expect, in your opinion, the EU to first expand to include the Balkans or Ukraine and Moldova?

I would not expect that outcome, because the Western Balkan candidates have been in the pipeline of EU integration for decades, have vastly experienced people and institutions and accumulated knowledge of the process. To be clear, Moldova and Ukraine should join the EU, however that cannot happen overnight. From our standpoint, we have been in the EU waiting room for so long and if that period is extended again, due to bilateral disputes, there could be serious negative consequences, both for my country and the wider region, but also for the attractiveness of the EU integration process.

You stated recently that there is no fear of the conflicts in northern Kosovo spilling over onto North Macedonia. Where do you place the responsibility for the situation in northern Kosovo and where could a solution be found?

Regarding the security situation, I do not expect a spillover, mainly due to the presence on the ground of several thousand NATO troops, a part of which is represented by our own small military unit.

In terms of a possible solution: we are strong supporters of dialogue and negotiations and that was the main reason we recently hosted the talks between Kosovo and Serbia and offered our good services to our neighbours to help them achieve an agreement.

Macedonia has significant experience in reaching compromises, both with our neighbours and within the country, and knows the benefits of diplomacy quite well.

The post Long Wait Leads to Falling Support appeared first on CorD Magazine.

Belgian Ambassador Cathy Buggenhout is no stranger to Serbia, having actually worked in Belgrade back in 1996, when she was responsible for bilateral economic relations. She recalls the post-Dayton atmosphere of the time and the start of the lifting of sanctions against Serbia. “Time flies,” she admits in this interview for CorD Magazine, adding that the country has changed a lot since 1996. Noting that Belgium welcomes Serbia’s ongoing EU accession negotiations, she insists that the country’s rightful place is in the Union. “just take a look at the map of Europe and you can’t but conclude that Serbia’s place is in the EU”.

Your Excellency, with your appointment as Belgian ambassador to Serbia last year, you returned to Belgrade after a 26-year break. Could you compare and contrast the two periods of your work in Serbia?

Time flies. I have just finished the first year of my tenure in Serbia and it went by in a flash. Just like during my six-month stay in 1996, the experience of living here is very positive, both at the professional and the private level. Of course, there are changes compared to 1996. Back then, with the Dayton Peace Accords having just been concluded and international sanctions just lifted, the atmosphere in Belgrade was obviously less buoyant than it is today. But the kindness of the people was the same. I remember organising a ministerial visit and a trade mission to Belgrade in 1996. Now that I come to think about that trade mission, I remember that the head of the Belgian delegation was not very “equal rights for women”- minded. Such an attitude would not be permitted these days. In January this year, I was a proud participant in an event organised by the Association of Business Women in Serbia, held at the Palace of Serbia. Equal rights are close to our Belgian hearts. but a lot of work still remains to be done on equal rights, and not only on women’s equal rights.

One challenge that we face is finding ways of coping, as a very small Embassy team, with the wide range of activities that contribute to our excellent bilateral relations

Obviously, another difference between 1996 and now is the European Union accession process of Serbia, which my country fully supports. Just take a look at the map of Europe and one cannot help but conclude that Serbia’s place is in the EU.

How would you rate current bilateral relations between Belgium and Serbia; where do you see the biggest challenges?

Challenges are there to be overcome. There is one challenge that comes to my mind: how to cope as a very small Embassy team with the wide range of activities that contribute to our excellent bilateral relations. For instance, in the cultural sector alone, a Belgian dance company opened BITEF last Autumn, we had a ton of events all over Serbia in the Month of the French Language (Francophonie). During the coming Autumn, there will be Belgian participants in the Belgrade Saxperience Festival and the 60 Belgrade International Meeting of Writers.

Then there is our excellent joint judicial cooperation following Belgium’s lead role in cracking the SKY ECC network. And I rejoice in the fact that Belgian investments in Serbia are increasing, albeit slightly. Both our countries also have fruitful cooperation in the field of renewable energies, with Belgian company Elicio being a founding member of the Renewable Energy Association of Serbia. The list of my Embassy’s activities is long, and sometimes it seems like a race, as there are so many things to do, but it is and will always be an honour to contribute to our Serbian- Belgian relations. 

Belgium will take over the rotating presidency of the European Union at the start of next year. How is the notion of EU enlargement viewed in your country and will Belgium place this topic on the agenda of its presidency?

Maybe this is not the most original reply to your question, but our point of view is how it was stated at the European Council in June: a full and unequivocal commitment to the EU membership perspective of the Western Balkans and our support for the merit-based accession process and related reforms. Rule of law is a cornerstone of the EU, and we look forward to reforms by Serbia in this area. Furthermore, we wish to see Serbia take a step further by aligning with EU foreign policy. As for the Belgian Presidency in the first half of 2024, we are part of the Trio with the current Presidency of Spain and with Hungary, which will take over the Presidency after Belgium. The Trio Programme was launched in June. Our three countries reiterated their commitment to move the enlargement process forward in accordance with the new methodology. We, all EU27, agreed on this methodology. Belgium applauds the deeper regional economic integration that would already use EU rules, as this will facilitate integration into the EU single market.

Belgium applauds the deeper regional economic integration that will already use the rules of the EU, as this will facilitate integration into the EU single market

Moreover, I personally believe that there has never been a more urgent need to have a strong, meaningful and result- oriented dialogue between the EU Member States and our closest neighbours, such as Serbia, on the issues of European stability, security, energy security and economic resilience. I was therefore very pleased when European Integration Minister Tanja Miščević announced that Serhonour bia is ready to start finalising its EU accession, with an absolute focus on the results of the reforms that represent the essence of that process. I fully agree with Minister Miščević’s statement that we have been witnessing just how important it is to have a strong and united Europe.

The attention of the Serbian public has in recent weeks been drawn to the news of the suspension of the military equipment export license of a Belgian company from Liège for allegedly violating sanctions against Russia by exporting goods via Serbia. Could you tell us whether the details of those alleged transactions have been established, as has been announced?

There were allegations of some foreign media about the alleged export of weapons and military equipment from the Republic of Serbia to the Russian Federation. Therefore, in mid-July, a delegation of the Walloon Region visited Serbia to verify the exports of military equipment for which Walloon export licences were issued to the company New Lachaussée.

This visit was graciously hosted by Yugoimport, which received the delegation in Belgrade. During this visit, the Walloon Region delegation received full and transparent information from the Serbian authorities. The export licences were reinstated a couple of days after the conclusion of the verification visit.

Your diplomatic career has often seen you focused on international trade. How do you see the current level of economic cooperation between Belgium and Serbia, and which areas do you consider as being favourable for advancing bilateral economic relations?

This question makes me smile, as I count the World Trade Organisation and EU Trade Policy among my favourite fields of work during my diplomatic career. Both are fundamental in our international rules-based order. Bilateral economic relations between Belgium and Serbia are healthy, and growing. Over the past twelve months, I discovered a formidable and efficient Belgian-Serbian Business Association. One of our own Belgian-invested companies here in Belgrade has just made a new flashy logo for the BSBA, on which we already published a sneak preview, but which will only be revealed to a wide audience on 11 September. Belgium does well on the Serbian market. Remember Maxi-Delhaize, a large Belgian investment in 2011. And when one drives to Nikola Tesla Airport, the motorway – just like the Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park – is illuminated by Belgian company Schréder – which is the oldest Belgian investor in Serbia, by the way, having been here since 1969!

Personally, it always amazes me that there is so much talk here in Serbia about the “nationality” of a company. For me, in a globalised economy, our companies are global too

Businesses in my country are traditionally SMEs. These companies are always slightly more hesitant when it comes to venturing out into the “unknown” – meaning a country that’s not yet a member of the WTO or the EU – because these smaller and medium- sized companies are less resilient when their foreign operations don’t work out or aren’t conducted transparently. Personally, it always amazes me that there is so much talk here in Serbia about the “nationality” of a company. For me, in a globalised economy, our companies are global too. Let me explain by giving an example.

In Novi Sad, there is a stateof- the art chocolate company called Barry Callebaut. It is classed as Swiss, because the capital is Swiss. But to my Belgian heart, this company is also “one of ours” because, before several take-overs, Callebaut was Belgian. I was born five kilometres from the (still current) production site of Callebaut. So, in my eyes, regardless of who owns it, one should rejoice in the economic success of a multinational company, regardless of its size, on the Serbian market. That’s because healthy investments and healthy trade contribute to the wellbeing of all our citizens.

The arrival of Belgian company JAGA in Kragujevac was announced recently. The Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia stated the ambition for Serbia to become a “hub for Belgian high-tech companies”. Is there interest among other companies in following JAGA’s path?

I know JAGA from my time in China, and I bought their heating system for my house when returning from China to Brussels. JAGA has a showroom in Shanghai, where heating/ cooling elements in the shape of the Rolling Stones Hot Lips logo are on display. JAGA is not only a top technology company, but its products can also be a form of art. So, yes, both my trade representative Marijana Milošević- Tufegdžić and I are delighted to welcome JAGA here. We plan a visit to Kragujevac, and we will make it a day trip because there is another major Belgian investor in the food business there.

As for Belgian-invested high-tech companies in Serbia, several are already here, such as UnifiedPost and Eyesee Research, and Serbian engineers are excellent. And, as you probably know, nothing beats word of mouth advertising! So, the Embassy’s doors are wide open to welcome more Belgian high-tech firms to Serbia.

The post Serbia’s Place is in the EU appeared first on CorD Magazine.

Nikita Milivojević (62) was born in Vojvodina, in Inđija, which he describes as his own Ithaca, his personal Yasnaya Polyana, or Bergman’s Island of Fårö. His ancestors hailed originally from Montenegro, which they departed bound for Dalmatia. Nikita believes that he has forever imprinted within him, like two strongly contrasting elements, the wintry scenes of the Srem plain and the baking stone of Dalmatia. As Andrić stated: ‘every man is indebted to his homeland’.

“In my case, ‘homeland’ refers to two locations: Inđija, where I was born; and Dalmatia, or more precisely the village of Polača near Knin, form where my parents hailed and where I spent most of my summer and winter school holidays. When I recently found myself back in those parts of Dalmatia after many years, I was surprised by how many of the different sights, smells and sounds have lived on in my memory. To me, my parents’ village was something like Macondo for Márquez: a place filled with mythical, unbelievable stories, events, characters… The story of my roots has always been important to me. The first documentary film that I made was inspired by an event linked to life in those lands.”

A happy childhood in a small town implies, first and foremost, unbridled freedom. As a child, Nikita would spend all day on the street, playing, only heading home when he felt hungry.

“Spreading in front of my house, like some sort of huge carpet, were gardens (they are still there today) that were always full of people, who were planting something, digging, watering plants etc. Through the middle of those gardens ran a stream, and everything was somewhat reminiscent of an idyllic landscape created by a painter. As I’m a ‘winter child’, winter and snow hold a special place in my memory. That’s probably why snow often falls in my plays.” Fleeing from the Turks who’d invaded Montenegro, Nikita’s ancestors settled in Dalmatia, in the lea of Dinara mountain.

“That’s why my mother’s maiden name was Crnogorac [Montenegrin]. When listening to countless stories about life in those lands, I always wondered how people could live in that rocky, harsh environment. Due to their life being a struggle in the true sense of the word, many of them naturally departed in search of better living conditions, and that’s how my father ended up in Vojvodina. The Dalmatian folk were known as good builders, who were particularly renowned for their ability to work with stone. And with lots of construction going on in Belgrade and the surrounding area at the time, they very quickly managed to cope. My mother went to Pula to attend school very early on, with her oldest brother having lived there, and to this day she still remembers how to speak a little Italian. It was from her that I inherited my kind of ‘artistic streak’, curiosity, energy, tenacity… and particularly the passion for reading. I find it amazing that she’s still constantly reading something, has an interest in various things, is constantly planning something…”

When the son of a friend of mine, who was then 12 years old, told me that he’d never been to a cinema, I decided to reopen the cinema in Inđija… I consider that one of the best things I’ve done in my life

His father was often away from home due to his work. Nikita was 11 when his brother was born, and he spent most of his time with his mother. As a very hardworking and curious woman, she determined some of the most important life principles that formed his character. He summarises the essence of his upbringing with the phrase ‘less is more’. Cinema left an indelible mark on Nikita’s childhood.

“My friend received a small children’s film projector as a New Year’s present, and that’s how, at his place, I first discovered film. That’s among the strongest and most important experiences of my childhood. A white sheet was spread out in a darkened room and, when the projector was turned on, a magical line of light appeared, which turned into moving images projected on the whiteness of the canvas… Miraculous! Returning from a trip later, my uncle brought me as a gift a small ‘optical box’ [slide viewer light box], in which I could place photo slides, which enlarged in the box thanks to the ‘lens’, which was actually a magnifying glass, creating a kind of ‘magic lantern’ illusion for me. That was one of those experiences that remains imprinted in the deepest part of our unconscious. 

Bergman devoted an autobiographical book to that and even made a film. I belong to the generation for which cinema represented one of the most important institutions in life. Later on, during the time of my studies, my ‘best man’ Živko Popović and I literally went to the cinema every night, which was a special experience for me. And then, in the 1990s, the cinema in Inđija closed down, like so many others across the country. During one of my ever-rarer visits home, the son of a friend of mine, who was then 12 years old, told me that he’d never been to a cinema!? That was totally unbelievable to me. That’s why I decided to reopen the cinema of my childhood in Inđija. I named it Stalker, after the film by Tarkovsky. I consider that one of the best things I’ve done in my life.”

He’d wanted to study literature, but it was more for the sake of socialising that he sat the entrance exam for directing, which he completed at the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad. Although he’d spent that summer preparing well, he thought it unlikely that he’d pass, and that he’d subsequently enrol in what he’d planned: literature.

What I remember in particular about that entrance exam was the smell of the stage. I could say that I actually fell in love with the theatre because of that smell! The stage has a special aroma: the curtains, costumes, lights… incredibly exciting

“What I remember in particular about that entrance exam was the smell of the stage. I could say that I actually fell in love with the theatre because of that smell! The stage has a special aroma: the curtains, costumes, lights… For someone who was feeling all that for the first time, it was something incredibly exciting. The only other things that had smelt like that to me were new books for obligatory reading when I received them at the start of the school year.”

A story exists about how Nikita prepared for his first directing exam at an army barracks with soldiers, and how his professor, Boro Drašković, had come to the barracks in Niš for that exam.

“It just so happened that I had to do my military service after the entrance exam at the Academy, and then a law was introduced that meant 18-year-olds had to go to the army immediately after finishing high school. In my case, this meant that, by the time I returned from the army, my peers with whom I’d been admitted to study directing would already be in the second year of their studies, while I would have to start with the first-year students and the professor who was taking the class that year. In order for me to remain in his class, Boro Drašković set an almost impossible precedent. He suggested that I take my first-year exam from the army. And so it was that I didn’t attend the first year of directing studies, but rather I ‘served’ it and entered the second year of directing studies directly. I carried out a dramatic adaptation of Chekhov’s short story The Chameleon, dividing the roles among my fellow soldiers. We snatched time for rehearsals during various breaks and somehow succeeded in creating a play that we performed in the empty auditorium of the military club in Niš, exclusively for professor Boro Drašković. That’s how I passed, and the stage of the Niš barracks’ military club was my first theatre.”

Nikita’s first direction job was on Eugène Ionesco’s play ‘Jack, or The Submission’, in the Salon of the Yugoslav Drama Theatre, and it became famous for the beans that were served to the audience. The audience had actually been invited to a wedding, which is how they were seated, at wedding tables that had been placed along the walls of the Salon. And then, at one point in the proceedings, real homemade beans were served, which arrived for each performance from a tavern located across the street from the theatre, together with live music. It appeared as though reality was entering the play, directly from the street.

“What I will certainly remember forever is the first criticism that I then received, in NIN. Vlada Stamenković praised the play exceptionally, under the headline ‘Victorious Imagination’.

During the 1990s, Nikita’s plays – In the Hold, Banović Strahinja, A Midsummer Night’s Dream etc. – found themselves at the centre of the attention of the domestic theatre scene. At that juncture, Yannis Houvardas, director and owner of Amore, the most prestigious off-Athens theatre, was on the hunt for a young director from Serbia and got in touch with Nikita. When he staged his first play, Chekhov’s Ivanov, which proved to be a huge success, Nikita was invited to direct the following season at Yannis’s theatre. That had been the play Crime and Punishment, and – together with an exhibition of Goya’s paintings – it was declared the cultural event of the year in Athens! From that moment, the doors of many theatres were opened to him.

There were more than 100 theatres in Athens when I arrived, while today there are nearly 200! At that time, for me, Greece meant, among other things, a new maturing. My horizons broadened and I discovered many new things

“I’d arrived in an environment that was much richer than ours in every sense. There were more than 100 theatres in Athens at that time, while today there are nearly 200! One of the first big surprises for me was the very well-developed and interesting alternative scene. The Amore Theatre, for example, was a famous summer cinema, with a wonderful open rooftop terrace. At that time for me, Greece meant, among other things, a new maturing. My horizons broadened, I discovered many new things, met numerous interesting people. Unfortunately, in our country so much has been changing for the worse for many years, and so it was that the theatre hasn’t been spared either. Time and concentration are required for serious work… It is impossible to create a serious play without discipline, dedication, research, normal time for rehearsals. Whenever I talk about this, I know that I prompt indignation among many of my colleagues, while I simultaneously know that many of them share my opinion. The essential problem is our theatre system. One director recently told me that he didn’t have all the actors together for a single rehearsal, not even for the pre-premiere rehearsal!?” Since 2014, when he established the Shakespeare Festival in Čortanovci, this summer theatre event has become an inextricable part of this director’s life.

“The notion that a Shakespeare festival would be born in Čortanovci, and that it would even be opened by Shakespeare’s own Globe Theatre from London (with nothing less than Hamlet itself!?) – I don’t believe anyone could have imagined that even in their wildest dreams. Over the course of ten years, Villa Stanković has become an incredibly positive and exciting place, a genuine world stage. Our guests have included theatres from Iran, the U.S., Finland, Georgia, the UK, Belarus, Turkey, Germany, Armenia, India, China, Greece, Slovenia, North Macedonia, Croatia… Approximately 25,000 people have attended the Shakespeare Festival throughout all these years. and have to date watched more than 60 plays.”

At this year’s edition of the festival, we watched the great play Twelfth Night, directed by Nikita’s student Ivan Vanja Alač. We asked Professor Milivojević if he finds it easy to recognise the talent of a future artist during their studies.

“There is that saying in Bosnia that coughing and poverty can’t be hidden. I also believe that talent can’t be hidden. Of course, talent is something that must be developed; if it doesn’t progress – it regresses. Vanja Alač is precisely one of those talented people whose talent is developing continuously. When I see that they are talented and diligent, I feel an obligation to support them. As a rule, my students always perform in my plays, and the directors are regularly my assistants on plays. If you are teaching them something, you should somehow also show that you believe in them, in what we’ve gone through together during the studies.”

Nikita was this year appointed artistic director of the Bitef festival. When asked how much that is a source of joy for him, but also a source of fear, he responses by noting that Bitef is one of our country’s most important cultural institutions, firmly entrenched in the identity of Belgrade and Serbia.

The essential problem is our theatre system. One director recently told me that he didn’t have all the actors together for a single rehearsal, not even for the pre-premiere rehearsal!?

“That is, of course, a source of serious motivation for any person of the theatre; to be part of such a great story. However, considering that this is a kind of ‘return’ to Bitef for me, a very special, personal reason also exists. Specifically, I consider the four years – between 2005 and 2009 – that I spent at Bitef as being a very important and creative period of my theatre life, so I now view my arrival in the position of artistic director of Bitef as a kind of return home. I once spoke about the fact that one of the most beautiful things that’s ever happened to me in all the years that I’ve been in the theatre is connected to that time specifically, or more precisely to the moment when I was leaving Bitef, in 2009, and the entire collective signed a petition for me to stay for another four years. Of course, that shouldn’t have any special meaning to anyone but me, but it’s still worth mentioning because it isn’t commonplace in our country. This invitation to return to Bitef, given that it came from Bitef itself, could represent a kind of continuation of that story. Regardless, it’s always nice to go where you know you’re welcome.”

When it comes to the history of Bitef, Nikita recalls in particular – apart from numerous plays – his meeting with Otomar Krejča (1921-2009) following the premiere performance of his play In The Hold. Krejča was a big name of European theatre and many still fondly remember his adaptation of the play Three Sisters, for which he also won the main prize at Bitef.

“That meeting and conversation with Otomar Krejča was something important for me. Then there was everything that he said the next day at the Roundtable; the way he spoke. That all left a powerful impression on me at the time. In his assessment of the Festival following the culmination of that edition of Bitef, the critic from Politika [newspaper] wrote that the greatest event for him was ‘what Krejča said about the play In The Holdʻ. Apart from commending the play, that was also an interesting consideration of the great director regarding contemporary theatre and how he saw it.”

In his capacity as artistic director, Nikita believes that this year’s Bitef will, first and foremost, be extremely diverse, with an abundance of varying forms.

Photos: Jelena Ivanović

The post The Stage Has a Special Aroma appeared first on CorD Magazine.

Since arriving in Serbia precisely a year ago, Italian Ambassador Gori has been devoting great attention to what he calls his “top priority”: strengthening economic links between Italy and Serbia. The Italy-Serbia Business and Science Forum that was held in March brought together 400 companies from the two countries, in an effort to encourage them to both cooperate more in traditional sectors of the economy and branch out into new areas. Speaking in this CorD Magazine interview, Ambassador Gori announces an “immediate follow-up” to the forum: a major new event in autumn dedicated to start-ups.

Your Excellency, you stated recently that Serbia holds the place of a strategic partner in Italy’s policy of renewed interest in the Western Balkans. What does that mean specifically?

Italy has always looked at Serbia and the Balkans as a strategic region. The new Italian Government, on the impulse of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani, has renewed Italian engagement in this area. Italy organised its National Conference on the Balkans in January, while we later hosted a meeting of ministers of foreign affairs from the Balkan region in Rome.

On the bilateral side, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met with President Aleksandar Vučić in both Tirana and Verona. Minister Tajani came to Belgrade twice, once in November, together with Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, and once on the occasion of the Business & Science Forum in March. It was also in March that we received the Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini. A few weeks ago, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests, Francesco Lollobrigida, opened the International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad. We believe Serbia is the key partner in handling some crucial challenges. Peace and stability in the region, migration flows, growth and economic development, technological innovations: these are the fields where Italy and Serbia are cooperating.

Are you satisfied with the dialogue within the scope of the Business and Science Forum held in Belgrade recently?

Yes, indeed. The Business and Science Forum we held on 21st-22nd March was very successful: we gathered more than 150 Italian companies and 250 Serbian companies; we held more than 450 B2B meetings; we signed 13 agreements. Nevertheless, we consider this event not as an ending point, but rather a starting line.

We are monitoring very closely all the follow-ups that arose from the B&S Forum; the dialogue with the Serbian authorities is continuous and we hope to soon finalise some interesting collaborations. Now is the time to deliver, after having paved the way for our companies to establish stronger business relations in Serbia. Our Credit Export Agencies, SIMEST and SACE, are also about to open their representative offices here.

The Business and Scientific Forum in Belgrade was announced as marking the opening of a new phase in economic relations between Italy and Serbia. What represents the core of this new phase?

The revival of economic relations with Serbia represents a “top priority” for Italy. We have a very strong economic presence on this market, especially in the most traditional sectors. Our core aim is now to focus on more innovative fields, starting from the pillars of the B&S Forum: agri-tech, infrastructure, green and energy transition, but also IT, clean-tech and smart mobility.

In this framework, just to mention a few initiatives: 1) Italy was the Partner Country of the 90th International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad (20th-26th May), attended by Italian Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry Francesco Lollobrigida; 2) We signed three more MoU between the Italian National Research Council (CNR) and, respectively, BioSense, the Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Novi Sad and the University of Belgrade, on the occasion of Italian Research Day; 3) The next session of the Forum, in 2024, will take place in Trieste. We are strongly committed to reinforcing our presence in the B&S Forum’s focus sectors and in order to do that it is important to work in synergy with all actors in so-called “Sistema Italia” in both Serbia and Italy.

You’ve mentioned that the future of economic cooperation is in striding towards areas with “high-tech content”. Do you have any specific industries in mind?

Italy is one of the world’s leading countries in IT and the creative industries. We are working to bring Italian investments to Serbia with increasingly innovative content and high added value, including areas such as artificial intelligence, digitalisation, agri-tech and cleantech. As an immediate follow up, it is our intention to organise a major event this autumn dedicated to startups, which traditionally belong to the aforementioned sectors.

Is the purpose of dedicating one day of the Forum to science linked to the goal of increasing economic relations and cooperation in the high-tech sector?

Indeed, both Italy and Serbia recognise the role of research and innovation in driving sustainable development and socio-economic transformations. A strong academic and research system is key to feeding innovative companies with new ideas, advanced skills and capacities. On the occasion of the Business & Science Forum, we brought together representatives of our main research organisations, at the highest level, to present the national programmes on scientific and technological priorities that we share.

Serbia has been negotiating with the EU for nine years and there is a risk of indulging in the fatalism generated by the accession steps (not always clear to the public) and by the timeframe (objectively long) demanded by the enlargement process

On that occasion, we signed a new cooperation agreement that will provide the framework for long term collaboration between the national R&I initiatives by means of joint research projects, education and mobility schemes. We expect to fund up to 15 new research projects by the end of this year. Meanwhile, five new scientific cooperation agreements have been signed between Italian and Serbian research organisations.

To what extent are economic relations between Italy and Serbia dependent on Serbia’s European integration status?

The EU remains the first trade partner and investor in Serbia. The total exchange between Belgrade and EU Member states in 2022 reached 39,1 billion euros, with growth of +27.7% compared to 2021. Italy, by itself, is the third largest trade partner of Serbia and the second among EU countries. These figures show how integrated and interdependent our markets already are today, and we are working to further strengthen these ties. Economic relations between Italy and Serbia are not dependent on Serbia’s European Integration status. However, on the other hand, there is no doubt that Belgrade’s accession to the common market, without barriers, would boost the trade exchange even more.

As the ambassador of a country that has strongly supported Serbia on its journey to EU membership from the outset, how do you currently view the state of this process?

Italy continues to be a staunch supporter of the European path of Serbia and we appreciate the efforts of the Belgrade authorities to adopt important reforms, starting from the one in the field of justice being implemented during recent months. A lot remains to be done. Serbia has been negotiating with the EU for nine years and there is a risk of indulging in the fatalism generated by the accession steps (not always clear to the public) and by the timeframe (objectively long) demanded by the enlargement process. Italy understands the Serbian public’s frustration and is committed to speeding up the exercise.

When discussing current political events, you insist that the normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina represents an important process in ensuring the stability of the region, but is also one of the conditions for progress on EU membership. However, there is a question over how one interprets normalisation: is it, in your opinion, a long-term process or a demand that Serbia recognise Kosovo’s independence?

Normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina remains fundamental for regional stability, in order to preserve peace and create prosperity.

Italy has always supported the Dialogue facilitated by the EU and contributes on the ground by supplying troops to the KFOR and EULEX missions in Kosovo and ALTHEA in Bosnia-Herzegovina. We believe it is up to the two parties to decide the contents and timing of the normalisation agreement.

After the recent agreement reached in Brussels in February, and the implementation annex adopted in Ohrid in March, Belgrade and Pristina are at a decisive juncture. Despite the discouraging outcome of the High-Level meeting between President Vučić and Prime Minister Kurti on 2nd May, both parties still have an obligation to show their full commitment to the process. All agreements must be fully implemented, starting with the establishment – without further delay – of the Community of Serb Municipalities.

Serbian officials often express their gratitude to members of the Italian army serving in Kosovo for their efforts aimed at preserving Serbia’s cultural and religious heritage from attack and destruction. Considering that you hail from a country that pays special attention to cultural heritage, do you think there is sufficient understanding in the EU for appeals to preserve the rich heritage of Serbs, which is imperilled to a great extent?

We are proud of the work carried out by the Italian troops that have, through the years, been ensuring the protection of some of the most important orthodox religious sites, such as the Visoki Dečani Monastery. Italy contributes 900 members to the KFOR international military mission, which is also led by an Italian Commander, and 25 officers to the EULEX mission. Our country has always been very active in the field of the protecting cultural heritage at the multilateral level. The European Union is also committed to safeguarding and enhancing Europe’s cultural heritage through a number of policies and programmes, which Italy supports fully.

You are continuing the tradition of Italian ambassadors who have engaged in promoting Italian cuisine and fashion, as a special form of diplomatic activity. In a world that often seems to be dominated by high politics, how important is this aspect of promoting your country around the world?

I feel really honoured to be in the position to promote Italian culture in Serbia. Italy boasts more World Heritage sites (58) than any other country in the world. Cuisine, fashion and design, cultural heritage and natural beauty are the excellences that made Italy the “Bel Paese” all around the world.

We are the world’s 5th most popular tourism destination. My goal is also to highlight our amazing tradition in science, technology and innovation. The extraordinary results that Italy has achieved in these fields are sometimes underestimated abroad.

Do you think Serbian citizens are a good audience for these topics, considering the popularity enjoyed by Italian brands in Serbia?

I’ve noticed a great passion for Italy in Serbia, and for Italy’s popular brands in fashion and design. Serbian people enjoy visiting Italy, they really appreciate our culture and we share very strong social ties. We would like to present a more complete offer of our tourism destinations in future, as Italy has so many treasures to discover. We have very good cooperation with Air Serbia and the number of direct flights and destinations from Belgrade to Italy has increased significantly.

Both Italy and Serbia recognise the role of research and innovation in driving sustainable development and socio-economic transformations. A strong academic and research system is key to feeding innovative companies with new ideas, advanced skills and capacities

It is now possible to fly directly from Belgrade not just to Rome, Milan, Trieste and Venice, but also to Florence, Naples, Bari, Bologna, Palermo and Catania. Holidaying in Italy is an opportunity to experience a real 360-degree experience, comprising culture, art and, of course, good food and excellent wines. I believe that many Serbian citizens are nowadays increasingly willing to listen to this kind of proposal. Moreover, we launched the initiative “IFIB – Italian Fashion in Belgrade”, which has been a great success among the public, as well as ’Italian Design Day’. And in November we will have the traditional Week of Italian Cuisine… I invite you to stay tuned to find out more about all these social and promotional events. I am sure you will be amazed!

You utilised the promotion of Italian cuisine to discuss the rise in cooperation between our two countries in the agriculture and food sector. Having been a partner at May’s International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad, what are your impressions of, and plans for, this traditional event?

Italy and Serbia boast a very good exchange in the agri-food sector (our bilateral trade in the sector had a total value of 585 million euros in 2022), a relationship that we intend to strengthen by promoting the excellence of Italian knowhow in a sector that represents over 9% of Serbian GDP. We can work together to guarantee the quality of our products, food safety and supply chain trackability, as well to exchange best practices and promote technology transfers for farm mechanisation.

We do believe there is great room for mutual collaboration in this field. That’s why one of the pillars of the Business and Science Forum was sustainable agriculture and agri-tech, a sector that has significant development potential between our two Countries. On the same occasion, we signed important memoranda on improving cooperation in agriculture, agri-tech and the food industry sectors. Italy was present at this year’s Fair in Novi Sad with 21 companies, in a pavilion covering 5,000m2. Working together will help Serbia better exploit its potential in this fundamental sector.

The post Entering A New Phase Of Economic Relations appeared first on CorD Magazine.

As the world faces a triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, compounded by excessive resource use, it has become clear that it is necessary to fundamentally transform our economic model in order to address these challenges. However, with headlines dominated by other pressing global issues, such as inflation, slow GDP growth and conflicts, the importance of environmental action risks being overshadowed. That’s why we asked Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, to share his thoughts on the ups and downs of addressing these crucial issues at both global and local levels. In this CorD Magazine interview, we delve into the challenges and opportunities facing environmental policies today, as well as exploring the glass that is both half full and half empty.

Is there climate fatigue nowadays, when the world is preoccupied dealing with inflation, slow GDP growth and war in the EU’s neighbourhood? How do we fight back?

We can’t deny the severity of any of these crises. The war in Ukraine and the energy crisis has brought security, energy, food prices and EU competitiveness right to the top of the political agenda. It’s no surprise to hear people asking us to slow the pace with the green agenda and find ways to avoid additionally burdening citizens and businesses. Those concerns are totally legitimate and have to be addressed. But – and this is very important – we can’t deny the severity of the other crises either. Climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution are all existential threats. Climate change is here and we have to tackle it. That means determined action to deliver resilience; action of the type recommended by the European Green Deal.

So, it would be an unforgivable mistake to allow the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its consequences to stop the implementation of the European Green Deal. And I like to think that there is a shared understanding that the European Green Deal is part of the solution. We have lost a lot of time and there is still resistance to change, but we are also witnessing a rising wave of public support and awareness of what’s at stake.

When you look back at what the EU has already done when it comes to addressing climate change, what brings you a sense of satisfaction and what do you view as some of the more worrying issues?

I am satisfied that Europe showed strong leadership. We presented the European Green Deal and its far-reaching legal proposals, we stuck with them in the face of Covid, war and economic headwinds, and we saw others taking notice and following our approach. We have shown, for many years now, that it is possible to cut emissions and grow our economy at the same time. This has given hope and inspiration to others around the world. My worry is that for all the progress we have made on climate and energy issues, we still face a tough battle to harmonise our critical laws on nature protection. These two issues cannot be separated. You cannot fight the climate crisis without also tackling the biodiversity crisis. With species loss, deforestation, soil harm and warming oceans, we will struggle to sustain lives and livelihoods. We must also reach agreement on these policies as soon as possible.

Do you feel alone given that COP 28 is seemingly getting much less attention than COP 27, or has the general public failed to fully grasp the efforts and goals of the forthcoming summit?

No, Europe is less alone than ever before on climate. We are already working towards COP28 with our partners around the world. The recent G7 meeting of climate, environment and energy ministers was an important milestone. We committed to accelerating our work on tackling plastic pollution, deploying renewable energy and green transport, to give just a few examples. We will also work with the G20 and other allies to bring us to a successful outcome at COP28. This year will be the first Global Stocktake of the implementation of the Paris Agreement. This is a critical juncture for us to agree on what needs to be done to keep the 1.5 °C temperature change limit within reach. Every fraction of a degree over that does greater harm to our planet. The world understands that. Now we need to agree on how to stop it.

Climate change and falling biodiversity don’t recognise boundaries or borders. When it comes to the EU’s close neighbourhood, i.e., candidate countries, do you see enough vigilance?

For a long time, action on environmental issues was not necessarily viewed as a political priority in the EU and the neighbourhood. Fortunately, this is changing. There is increasing recognition that measures for cleaner air and water, effective waste management and biodiversity protection benefit not only public health and wellbeing, but also provide a significant contribution to the economy. The European Green Deal – the EU’s manifesto to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy – recognises that climate change and environmental degradation are existential threats to Europe and the world.

You cannot fight the climate crisis without also tackling the biodiversity crisis. With species loss, deforestation, soil harm and warming oceans, we will struggle to sustain lives and livelihoods. We must also reach agreement on these policies, as soon as possible

The EU’s ambitious agenda has also been embraced by the Western Balkans, with regional leaders endorsing a declaration and action plan to align with the EU Green Deal’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. While good progress has been made by the Western Balkan countries on implementing these ambitious roadmaps, there is certainly room for further improvement. Across the region, there is an increasing appreciation of the finite nature of the resources available to us and the need to deal with them in a more sustainable way. The focus on developing a circular economy in both Montenegro and Serbia, for example, is a key element of this. In order to reduce pollution, air quality monitoring systems need to be improved and EU industrial pollution and risk management legislation, including the Industrial Emissions Directive, is challenged by limited capacities and investments. Further commitments have been made on water management, on soil and nature protection and biodiversity, but those commitments need to be developed further.

So, progress is being made, but more efforts are needed. Western Balkan countries need to effectively integrate environmental objectives into other policy areas – such as agriculture, transport or urban development – for a coherent approach to ensure more fundamental change.

After passing important regulations when it comes to environment and climate change, what should Serbia do to be in line with the EU goals?

To become an EU Member State, countries must align their national laws with those of the EU. This is a process that requires wide-ranging changes at national, regional and local levels. For the environment, this includes changes to laws on water, waste, biodiversity, air and chemicals, among others. After adopting the necessary laws, the challenge is to effectively implement them. This means ensuring the necessary administrative systems and staff are available, and the physical infrastructure – where appropriate – is in place.

Serbia needs to significantly enhance the capacity of administrative bodies at all levels and improve coordination. Serbia also needs to demonstrate that all appropriate administrative structures and adequate training will be in place well before accession, in order to enable the implementation and enforcement of EU environmental laws.

As we’ve seen with former candidate countries, this is a long process requiring both political will and financial investment. But establishing legislation for citizens and the environment that can be robustly and fairly enforced and relied upon is at the heart of the enlargement process.

We read that, as of 2024, the European Commission will require companies in Europe to back up climate-friendly claims about their products with evidence, to stamp out misleading green labels for products from clothing to cosmetics and electronic goods. How well are companies in the EU generally responding to the goals laid down in the Green deal?

Tackling the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, compounded by our excessive use of resources, requires a radical shift in our economic model, changing the way we produce and consume. Businesses have a crucial role to play in this shift, in the EU, the neighbourhood and worldwide. Consumers want to play their part as well, but to do that effectively, they need reliable information. We want consumers to get information that’s reliable and verifiable, through environmental labels that are more transparent and easier to understand. And we’re improving legal certainty for companies, as well as levelling the playing field on the internal market. That will boost the competitiveness of businesses that are striving to increase the environmental sustainability of their products and activities. It also creates cost-saving opportunities for those engaging in cross-border trade.

Western Balkan countries need to effectively integrate environmental objectives into other policy areas – such as agriculture, transport or urban development – for a coherent approach to ensure more fundamental change

On the more general point about how companies are responding to the Green Deal, let me give you one example. Half of the world’s GDP is dependent on nature and the resources it provides, but nature has always been invisible in economic equations. This is now beginning to change, with a number of green deal initiatives that reinvent accounting – the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation is now in place, and detailed rules are on the way for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. The Taxonomy Regulation will soon include criteria for environmental sustainability. And companies are responding: just a few weeks ago, ten leading international business networks signed a letter strongly supporting ambitious nature restoration in Europe. They understand the importance and urgency of the situation. Businesses need a clear policy direction. The Green Deal provides exactly that, and it’s being welcomed on those grounds.

Which tools are at your disposal, and ours, when it comes to the work in the Western Balkans, where we see many foreign companies being relaxed about following imposed environmental rules?

This question comes back to the importance of effectively implementing legislation. A transparent and robust enforcement system is key to ensuring that relevant laws are applied fairly. On the environment, this is more difficult where it concerns “public goods” – air, water or wildlife, for example – and strong public administration is key. In this context, NGOs can also play an important role, as they represent the public interest in identifying a lack of compliance.

In that respect, do you follow current developments when it comes to plans for lithium extraction in Serbia or ongoing plans for more robust plans with regard to mining? How well is Serbia aligned with the principles of green mining, processing, production, reuse and recycling?

Serbia is a candidate country and is currently in the accession process. Our Delegation in Belgrade is in regular contact with Serbian authorities. While we do not specifically monitor developments related to lithium extraction in Serbia, we expect candidate countries to adhere to the environmental, social and governance rules that are applicable in the EU.

We have taken note of the recent updates to the relevant legislative framework, specifically the adoption of a new mining law on 21st April 2021. This law supports the sustainable development of the mining sector by ensuring compliance with EU regulations on environmental protection and guidelines set forth by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) regarding the environment, health and safety.

You were quoted as saying that, with climate, we are probably ten years ahead of where we are with biodiversity policies. What makes the latter harder to negotiate and understand?

The biodiversity crisis is as bad as the climate crisis. We are risking the extinction of a million species in the next decades if we don’t act urgently. The impact of the climate crisis is generally understood – dangerous sea level rises, floods and droughts, extreme weather events – whereas this is much less the case with the biodiversity crisis. We have to realise that much of our economy, not least our food system, depends on nature. Food crops, freshwater, timber, fish, medicines…

All of those depend on ecosystem services that come free of charge, provided we stop destroying our environment. What’s more, nature is our first and best ally in the fight against climate change. Mangroves protect coastal areas from flooding. Healthy soils prevent desertification. Trees, peatlands and sea grasses absorb much of the greenhouse gas emissions. Biodiverse forests are much more resistant to wildfires. And so on.

We have to realise that much of our economy, not least our food system, depends on nature. Food crops, freshwater, timber, fish, medicines… All of those depend on ecosystem services that come free of charge, provided we stop destroying our environment

That’s why we launched a proposal for a nature restoration law, which EU Member States and the European Parliament are currently discussing. And that’s why it is so important that the level of ambition from our proposal is kept high. Last year in Montréal, after five years of negotiations, more than 190 countries, including Serbia, managed to adopt a global agreement to protect and restore nature. So, on a general level, the political consensus is already there. We now need to walk the walk and make sure that it is implemented quickly and with determination.

How well do the EU and Serbia cooperate when it comes to preserving biodiversity?

At the regional level, the EU and Serbia are cooperating closely to establish a system of areas to protect important habitats and species, known as the Emerald Network. At the same time, at the global level, the EU and Serbia are both party to the UN’s Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and were involved in drawing up an ambitious set of goals and targets to halt biodiversity loss, adopted last year. The agreement – known as the Kunming- Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework – aims to protect and restore nature, ensure its sustainable use and spur investments for a green global economy. Close transboundary cooperation between the EU, Serbia and other countries in the Western Balkan region is key to ensuring effective protection for its habitats and species.

The post Balancing The Green Agenda With Other Global Crises appeared first on CorD Magazine.

Improving economic cooperation remains the top priority of Slovakian Ambassador Fedor Rosocha, as he says in this CorD Magazine interview, noting that Serbia is Slovakia’s most important economic partner in the region and that he sees great potential for cooperation in the energy sector, with a focus on improving energy efficiency. The two countries nurture friendly relations, which benefit from the contribution of the large ethnically Slovak community in Serbia, but our interlocutor says that the two countries have yet to fully discover each other as tourism destinations, though an example that things can change is provided by the city of Niš, which he says is “gaining popularity among Slovak tourists because of the direct flight connection with Bratislava”.

Your Excellency, you are among the participants in the ‘EU in Serbia’ campaign, which has the slogan “Together we are stronger”. How do you view Serbia’s current relations and its EU membership prospects?

The campaign that I and my fellow EU Ambassadors participate in underpins what I see as the main pillars of EU–Serbia relations: partnership, solidarity and commitment. It is common knowledge that the EU is Serbia’s biggest donor, convincingly largest trading partner and foreign investor. On the other side, Serbia, together with other countries in the Western Balkan region, are essential partners of the EU in our joint efforts to maintain a stable and prosperous Europe based on shared values.

The need for a strong partnership came into focus with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which has fundamentally changed the security architecture of Europe and beyond. The EU membership candidate countries in the Western Balkans now have a chance to move forward and they should take advantage of this opportunity. However, the criteria for EU membership still need to be met. There is a clear path and process for accession, based on reforms, strict and fair conditions, and the principle of earning membership through one’s own merits. Serbia’s progress towards EU membership will depend on three key factors: implementing rule of law reforms and promoting democratic changes; making progress on the Belgrade-Priština Dialogue; and aligning with EU foreign and security policies. By making progress in these areas, Serbia can move closer to its goal of joining the EU. I trust that Serbia’s political leaders will keep the country on the strategic path to the EU and build a consensus on the crucial steps that are vital for Serbia’s progress towards accession.

Certain EU member states insist that, in the case that Serbia fulfils all other conditions, it will have to recognise Kosovo’s independence if it wants to become a full EU member. What is Slovakia’s stance on this issue?

Principally, the pace and progress of the negotiations facilitated by the EU rely entirely on the level of constructiveness of the two parties involved. The ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine has amplified the urgency for progress and, ultimately, the reaching of a comprehensive final agreement. Europe needs more peace and many eyes are fixed on Belgrade and Priština to see if they can deliver. As you may well know, mutual recognition has not been set as a condition for joining the EU, neither in Chapter 35, nor elsewhere in the negotiation framework. As far as Slovakia is concerned, any arrangement conducive to lasting peace and stability that the two parties reach is acceptable.

Slovakia is among the group of EU member states that have opted not to recognise the independence of Kosovo. Speaking in one interview late last year, you said that your country’s stance remains unchanged, but there is an existing decision of your parliament that “allows reconsideration, or rather creates the possibility to reconsider the country’s non-recognition position once a comprehensive agreement has been reached between Belgrade and Priština”. Could you explain what this actually means?

The position of the Slovak Republic is pretty consistent and straightforward. We are bound by the declaration of National Assembly of the Slovak Republic, which stipulates that a common solution of the two parties needs to be found. To continue negotiations in good faith and constructively is the only way ahead for both sides of this EU-facilitated Dialogue. Mr Lajčák and Mr Borrell have our full support. The question of the Slovak position comes as a secondary matter. At this moment, it is crucial that neither side hamper the promising dynamics of negotiations on the implementation plan of the EU Proposal on Normalisation by taking any provocative unilateral steps. Both Belgrade and Priština should focus on preparing the population for a compromise and, more importantly, for building a common regional and European future together.

The need for a strong partnership came into focus with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which has fundamentally changed the security architecture of Europe and beyond. The EU membership candidate countries in the Western Balkans now have a chance to move forward and they should take advantage of this opportunity

You arrived in Serbia three years ago. How would you evaluate the state of bilateral relations today? The beginning of my mission was strongly impacted by the outbreak of pandemic. Despite this, we managed to maintain an intensive political dialogue at all levels, strengthen economic ties and even develop new areas of cooperation. I would like to highlight the humanitarian assistance provided by Slovakia for the fight against COVID-19, as a gesture of our great friendship and solidarity. Alongside strong political relations, economic cooperation is improving, as illustrated by the continuous increase in the volume of the trade exchange, which has surpassed a billion euros for the first time ever.

You often discuss possibilities to improve economic cooperation between Slovakia and Serbia. Are there any more tangible projects for cooperation in the energy sector, which seems to be attracting the attention of Slovakian companies?

Improving economic cooperation remains my top priority. We are closely monitoring economic development in Serbia and business trends. In the past, many Slovak companies were well represented in the Serbian energy sector. For example, Slovak companies offer long-term experience in the reconstruction of coal-fired power plants and their transformation into more environmentally friendly facilities. In addition, there are Slovak companies that invested in the construction of biogas and small hydroelectric power plants. Last year, in cooperation with the Ministry of Mining and Energy, we organised a joint meeting at which Slovak and Serbian companies intensified their talks on the development of new technologies and presented potentials and opportunities for cooperation in the field of improving energy efficiency.

There was plenty of discussion last year regarding Slovakian company Rokosan’s interest in establishing a factory for organic fertilisers in Serbia. Does that interest still exist?

The interest of this company should be viewed in the broader context. It offers technology for processing animal waste materials – feathers, horns and hooves, skin, hair and bones – that are not being processed now and can ultimately cause environmental problems as soil and water pollution or through the spreading of diseases. Poultry feathers are currently utilised as animal feed or disposed of as dangerous waste.

This technology could be used in slaughterhouses and rendering plants, where the raw material would be collected. This project could contribute to self-sufficiency in the production of liquid fertilisers and protect both nature and the health of the population. Hence, the interest still exists and if the project were to be implemented successfully, we would have a win-win situation in all fields involved.

How satisfied are you with the work of the Mixed Commission for Economic Cooperation between Serbia and Slovakia; what are its current priorities?

Serbia is the most important trading partner of Slovakia in the Western Balkans. The joint commission for economic cooperation between Slovakia and Serbia, co-chaired by the ministers responsible for trade, is a significant platform for intergovernmental cooperation in various fields of mutual interest. I’m delighted that the business forum that’s attracting ever more companies has become an integral part of the meetings. The importance of the Joint commission is obvious, especially if we consider the fact that many significant cooperation agreements, partnerships and potential projects were initiated at previous events of this type. I am convinced that many topics will be discussed during the next session, which should be held at the end of this year in Serbia.

How much do friendly relations between Slovakia and Serbia encourage tourism between the two countries? Which Serbian locations are the most interesting to Slovakian tourists?

When it comes to tourism, I think it is one of the most underdeveloped fields of cooperation. Despite its great potential and possible positive impact, mostly on the local economy. Many Slovaks may know Serbia through their relatives or friends from the beautiful Slovak villages in Bač, Banat and Srem. However, they don´t know much about the magnificent natural landscapes, medieval fortresses, historic towns or unique monasteries.

Serbia’s progress towards EU membership will depend on three key factors: implementing rule of law reforms and promoting democratic changes; making progress on the Belgrade- Priština Dialogue; and aligning with EU foreign and security policies. By making progress in these areas, Serbia can move closer to its goal of joining the EU

Although Belgrade is probably the most popular destination, some time ago the city of Niš enjoyed great popularity among Slovak tourists because of the direct flight connection with Bratislava. On the other hand, in order to promote Slovakia as an attractive tourist destination, last year our Embassy participated in the International Tourism Fair in Belgrade for the second time with a Slovak stand that attracted the attention of visitors. I wish the citizens of both countries knew a little more about each other.

Are you satisfied with the treatment of the ethnic Slovak minority in Serbia, which you’ve previously said represents a strong bond between our two countries?

Exactly, the Slovak national minority is a special bridge of cooperation and an essential part of our bilateral ties. It occupies a unique position among other national minorities living in Vojvodina and enriches its multiethnic environment. For centuries, they have been preserving their identity, language, folklore, culture, habits and customs. Slovaks are loyal to the country in which they are living, while at the same time proudly maintaining deep relations with their ancestral homeland.

I appreciate that they can rely on support from the Serbian government in their everyday activities and the issues they face. Furthermore, I am glad that in March, after many years of persistent effort from our compatriots from Kovačica, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia officially submitted the nomination for the world famous Slovak naïve art to be inscribed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. I am hopeful that this procedure will be completed successfully next year.

Slovakia is approaching the culmination of its one-year presidency over the Visegrád Group, which media reports suggest has been hampered by disagreement over the issue of the region’s response to the war in Ukraine. How much have events in your neighbourhood actually impacted on relations within the V4; and to what extent did it change the priorities of the presidency?

The current slowdown in the intensity of coordination on foreign policy issues is nothing new. In its more than 32 years of existence, the Visegrad Cooperation has gone through better and less successful periods, but it has never ceased to exist. Despite differences of opinion, and there have been differences of views and opinions between us in the past, we consider the Visegrad Group to be a useful regional format for cooperation, with many positive results in its practical dimension.

Slovakia took over its sixth Presidency of the Visegrad Group in July 2022 in the unprecedented context of Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine. The Programme of the V4 Presidency, including the priorities, were drafted already under these extraordinary circumstances and reflected that Russia’s war of aggression has also affected the V4 dynamics and has considerably narrowed the scope for cooperation on foreign policy issues within this grouping. But it has not stopped at all.

The Slovak national minority is a special bridge of cooperation and an essential part of our bilateral ties. It occupies a unique position among other national minorities living in Vojvodina and enriches its multiethnic environment

As the V4 Presidency, we have managed to organise meetings at the ministerial level. In addition, in October 2022, the V4 Heads of State Summit was held in Bratislava, while in November 2022 we organised a meeting of the V4 Heads of Government and later also a meeting of the Speakers of the V4 Parliaments.

During our presidency, we are continuing our ongoing projects, while discussing with partners our future mission and the principles of our cooperation. Given the current developments and circumstances, we focus more on practical and human-centred cooperation, with concrete benefits for the citizens of the V4 countries.

Slovakia and the other members of the V4 have always supported EU expansion to encompass the Western Balkans. Now that your eastern neighbours, Ukraine and Moldova, have also received EU membership candidate status, what would you say when it comes to the direction in which EU expansion will head moving forward?

As you rightly pointed out, Slovakia has been a long-time and steadfast supporter of the enlargement policy and the process of European integration. Together with our V4 neighbours, we are convinced that the European future of the entire Western Balkans is in the interest of both the region and the EU.

The European path is today more important than ever and represents a guarantor of peace, stability and progress. The new geopolitical context has returned the enlargement to the top of the EU agenda. In 2022, we have seen membership applications submitted by Ukraine – rightly arguing that the country is now on the frontline in the defence of European values against Russia’s invasion, but also by Moldova and Georgia. The positive assessment of these application has in no way replaced or undermined the EU accession outlook for the Western Balkans. On the contrary, the EU has demonstrated renewed commitment to the region by opening accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, as well as by granting candidate status to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Brussels has also taken more immediate steps to enhance integration, such as investments in regional infrastructure and support to energy diversity and security, lowering roaming tariffs with the EU for customers from the region, the Western Balkan states in EU educational initiatives and, most recently, lifting the visa requirement for citizens of Kosovo. All these key decisions clearly point to a new opportunity for a revived enlargement, a window of opportunity that should not be missed by candidate countries.

The post Chance To Move Forward appeared first on CorD Magazine.

When she was just a little girl, her singing tutor predicted that she would emulate the career of then famous opera singer Zinke Kunc, because she had such a wondrous voice that it was somehow natural for her to become an opera singer. That’s also what her mother and sister thought, but Bisera quickly fell in love with jazz and soul music and soon discovered American jazz singer Sarah Vaughn, who she never stopped loving and listening to. And it was all over for Verdi, Puccini and the rest. She had discovered music as love, as passion, as the only direction to determine her life.

“Music was, for me, a replacement for imagination; the notes carried me to a world of the most beautiful colours, to the blueness of the sea and the greenery of the grass. What I would give to be able to paint what I feel in music!”

She says that she was a poor pupil in school, in contrast to her older sister Senka, who was an excellent student who’d been exempted from taking the matriculation exam and completed her studies in economics. Bisera, in the meantime, was just looking to ensure she achieved a passing grade to advance to the next year.

“Since the time I first became aware of myself, only music existed for me. It still means everything to me today.”

The Veletanlić sisters inherited their talent from both parents.

“Both my mum and my dad sang beautifully. They sang Bosnian songs in the house, because my dad, Mehmed, who we nicknamed Meho, was originally from Bosnia, and they also sang Slovenian songs, because my mum, Rozalija, was originally Slovenian. We called her Rozika. I remembered how the four of us all sang my mother’s favourite song: ’A stone, another stone, turns in the water, only youth is mine, never to return.’”

Bisera is humorous, sometimes cynical in a refined way, and well intentioned, but she is above all an emotional person. You will struggle to coax her into talking about her own successes. And instead of her, it was one of her acquaintances from Belgrade who testified to me that, at the very beginning of her career, Bisera had sung in Germany, primarily in the clubs of American officers, where she wonderfully mastered her craft while working with exceptional musicians. One evening, that same Belgrader, who had been listening to Bisera and enjoying her song, was addressed by a black man, who said: “I hate her. I hate her because she sings and moves like a black woman!” And that was one of the greatest compliments she ever received.

Bisera has long been ranked among the best vocalists in the former Yugoslavia and across Europe. She’s also a distinctive individual whose career has been led by a choice of certain hit songs, setting high criteria for herself. Born in Zagreb, she grew up in Sarajevo and Sisak, then forged her career in Germany and Belgrade. That which she acquired in the home became enduring values.

Both my mum and my dad sang beautifully. They sang Bosnian songs in the house, because my dad, Mehmed, who was nicknamed Meho, was originally from Bosnia, and they also sang Slovenian songs, because my mum, Rozalija, was originally Slovenian

“The way I was raised in the home is also reflected in my life today. It was a classic upbringing that my parents instilled in me and my sister Senka. There are moments from our shared life that I will always remember: on Sundays, we all sat together at the table for lunch and to talk. My parents were pure people, and I mean pure on the inside, because it’s a given that they were clean on the outside. That was passed on to us and we thank them for that. Regardless of how much that doesn’t matter today, sounding dull and naïve to some, sometimes even ridiculous, I’m delighted that I was raised by such pure and honest people, and that I am the way I am. I’m a happy and wealthy person who had parents of differing religions who loved each other in Zagreb, had two daughters, and gave them wonderful names. I am proud of them and of the upbringing I received from them. No matter how difficult it has been to live in accordance with my own principles over recent decades, I haven’t abandoned that which represented my life and artistic choice. Fortunately, I have wonderful friends in Belgrade with whom I have great mutual understanding and with whom I share similar emotions.”

Just as she remembers Sunday lunches, so she also recalls summer holidays with her parents. And one holiday in particular:

“I went to the seaside with my mother, who took her pupils to Zaostrog [a Dalmatian resort town].

A seamstress made me a new bathing suit. In that same Zaostrog, at the same time, my sister was also having her summer holiday. On one occasion, my mother and I sat on the shore and watched Senka surrounded by friends, she was beautiful. The boys were teased her and at one point pushed her from the jetty into the water. I ran, leapt over the jetty and jumped in to save my sister, who actually knew how to swim. But I didn’t know how to swim. I slammed into the water like a stone, sank to the bottom and floated back to the surface. And that was how I learnt to swim.”

Her parents didn’t make announcements about what vocations they wanted their daughters to choose, though Bisera assumes that, like most other parents, they wanted their children to be doctors or something similar in the domain of secure professions. They didn’t remonstrate later, but at the time they weren’t exactly thrilled that both of their daughters had chosen to be singers. Bisera knew immediately after completing economics secondary school that she wouldn’t go on to study at university, because that would just mean wasting time when she was someone who had already chosen her life’s calling.

“I’m surprised I even completed school, given how much I used to skip classes. I would flee school, go to the banks of the river Kupa, play a small transistor radio that I got, blaring music, lying on the grass, with no one to see me… The whole world was mine!

“There was a popular radio show during those years called ‘Mikrofon je vaš’ [the microphone is yours], which provided talented young singers throughout the then Yugoslavia with a chance. When they arrived in Sisak, I signed up and sang, and choose nothing less than the Lullaby of Birdland [a jazz standard]. I was only capable of singing the chorus in English, but beyond that it was difficult to understand what I wanted to say. Listening to me was famous composer and conductor Miljenko Prohaska, who praised my musicality, but the language in which I’d sung was unclear to him!”

Despite her English then being ‘a little strange’, Bisera nonetheless won!

She opted for the more difficult path from the very start of her artistic career, belonging to a strong minority without whom top musical values would not have been created.

“I simply wasn’t interested in anything other than music. I was, and remain, a lover of sound, of music, and for me there was no pursuit of monetary wealth, trucks, houses… I wouldn’t have known what to do with all that. Of course, I have nothing against money, on the contrary, but I’m not one of those who will do anything to get money. While I remain alive, may things stay as they are today. For me to live with mental and spiritual wealth. That is the only wealth that makes a person truly diligent and eminent.”

The borders of Yugoslavia used to be illustratively described as extending from Triglav [the Slovenian mountain] to Đevđelija [the North Macedonian town of Gevgelija]. When Bisera became a measure of value in the domain of popular music from Triglav to Đevđelija, one TV Belgrade director wittily composed the success formula for every programme on domestic television, stating: “You must have Bisera, a cartoon and a BBC broadcast.”

Bisera was highly rated as a vocal soloist from the earliest days of her career, but not as much as she deserved. It was only after applying for a fourth time that she received the national recognition awarded when worthy artists become eligible for a state pension, with that additional monthly income popularly referred to as the national pension. She received a lifetime achievement award at the 2017 Nišville jazz festival in the Serbian city of Niš, while she’s also received two major awards over the last year: the lifetime achievement award of the Association of Jazz, Pop and Rock Musicians of Serbia, which was presented to her by jazz musician Jovan Maljković, the award’s previous laureate. Speaking at the time, he said that Bisera was the greatest singer he’d ever met.

No matter how difficult it has been to live in accordance with my own principles over recent decades, I haven’t abandoned that which represented my life and artistic choice

The second recent accolade is the Special Award of the Ilija M. Kolarac Endowment for her enduring contribution to the musical life of Belgrade. She received the award from new director of Kolarac Aleksandar Peković, who noted that Bisera is an outstanding artist who has had an extraordinary and lengthy career and has done a lot for the city and country with her music, especially for the temple of music and art that is Kolarac.

“I didn’t receive anything for 20 years, then I got two awards in one year. And I got scared. I thought about how they might be expecting me to depart soon, so they did something nice for me. These kinds of accolades would have meant much more to me if I had received them when I was at the peak of my career, when there was no end to my creativity. That would then have served as proof that my time and work were valued. No matter how much a lot of people didn’t understand what I was doing, they nonetheless felt what I wanted to say. But awards were lacking when I really deserved them.”

Bisera’s concerts and music tours are for musical gourmets, for connoisseurs, and they are worth remembering. She first learnt her craft in Germany and made three guest appearances in the countries of the former USSR, where singers from Yugoslavia would go to earn money, but in order to do so they would also try to butter up the audience to the max by singing songs that were originally in English or Serbian in the Russian language. However, Bisera didn’t butter up the audiences.

“I sang for them what I would ordinarily sing; I sang English, sang songs by Elton John and domestic compositions. And I went down exceptionally well.”

Still, a special illustration of her emotional charge was provided by the 2007 concerts that were held in honour of formerly very popular and beloved Yugoslav rock band Indexi. Those concerts were first held in Sarajevo and Zagreb, then in Novi Sad and Belgrade. Just remembering that time presents the danger that her blood pressure will spike and her eyes will water.

“After the war, that 2007 was the first time that I found myself in Sarajevo again. I arrived with terrible jitters, with images from 20 years earlier combining, emotions, scenes from the ‘90s passing through my head, I encountered some people who I hadn’t seen for such a long time. Accompanied by Bata Kovač on the piano, on the bass was Fadil, who had been in Indexi, and I sang Jutro će promijeniti sve [Morning Will Change Everything], which was a favourite song that was originally sung by Davorin Popović. While we were rehearsing that day for the evening’s concert at Zetra [an arena in Sarajevo], the music of Indexi was playing constantly. At one point, all of us, as many as there were of us, all hugged and started crying because we were hurting to heaven. And Davorin was looking down on us from heaven and his voice resounded. When the time came for me to head out on stage that evening, I filled myself up with all the necessary pills – for pressure, for nerves, for the heart… I appeared, bowed to the audience, and a shriek arose. I didn’t raise my head, keeping it bowed to the floor, because I felt myself starting to cry. And I start swearing at myself in the ghastliest way, to calm myself, and the applause didn’t stop. I somehow pull myself together and start singing. And when I sang, chaos erupted.”

With Vasil on stage, my blood cells work, I enjoy myself with him and his band. They are talented, educated, hardworking and I say they are gentlemen musicians

The Belgrade audience also presented a great sense of trepidation for Bisera for many years. She’d previously never had a solo concert in the city where she spent most of her life, and she especially had never performed at the Sava Centre, as she did that evening when she sang in honour of Indexi. And it ended up better than she could have even imagined. The audience gave her a standing ovation that seemed to never end. It was then that composer Kornelija Bata Kovač, who represented the integral spirit of Indexi, testified to me that, of all the concerts on that unforgettable tour, Bisera gave her best performance at that Sava Centre concert.

Today, less than a year after the death of this composer who left Bisera with some of her most beautiful and popular songs – Milo moje, Zlatni dan [My Dear, Golden Day] – Bisera can’t hold back the tears at the very mention of Bata Kovač’s name.

“It was tough for me to get over his parting. Very tough. He was a beautiful being. People like Bata are inimitable. Everything I would say about him is insufficient. I loved him like a brother, and he loved me, he was married to his wonderful wife Snežana, who pampered and looked after him like a baby. Unfortunately, he is no longer with us, and I will sing his songs for as long as I continue singing.”

Bisera also appeared as an actress in famous TV series Grlom u jagode [The Unpicked Strawberries]. Director Srđan Karanović had imagined her specifically playing the role of the girl with whom the main character, Bane Bumbar, would lose his virginity! And later again, when shooting the film Sjaj u očima [Loving Glances], precisely twenty years ago, Karanović invited Bisera to sing the film’s title composition and to act in one episode, as charmingly as only she can.

People forget about you even when you live here, and especially if you don’t. When you reach an age at which you’re less active, they simply strike you off. But that’s who we are: we aren’t capable of appreciating what we have, or of cultivating values

“The reason this exceptional Điđa film didn’t go down as well as it deserved among audiences was due to the fact that it is so beautiful, humane, tender, so pleasant and made with such high art, devoid of swear words and cheap stunts and gags. That film is a precise illustration of what I’ve said about the music that I love and that I don’t abandon.”

Her concerts over the last twenty years would have been unimaginable without the accompaniment of her nephew, composer and pianist Vasil Hadžimanov, and his band.

“He is my nephew without whom everything would be empty. When I say empty, I mean my singing accompanied by someone else who would be correct, but that wouldn’t be “it”. With Vasil on stage, my blood cells work, I enjoy myself with him and his band. They are talented, educated, hardworking and I say they are gentlemen musicians. Vasil will have a Kolarac concert with the RTS big band in June.”

There was a spot in Belgrade during the 1990s called ‘Plato’ [Plateau], in the area between the Faculty of Philosophy and the Faculty of Philology, where audience would come to listen to Bisera and Vasil’s band. Those were evenings that were awaited eagerly, with all spots filled, tickets having sold out in advance.

“There’s that slogan that something is attractive to audiences from the ages of seven to seventy-seven. Those evenings at the Plateau were intended for audiences aged from seven to ninety-seven. Every time when I would sing, some young people would come and beg me to go to the foyer of the college so that they could show me how they sing; for me to listen to them and tell them what to do. During the concert’s break, they would approach my table and overwhelm me with questions. They wanted to talk about music. I also recall some young female professors from the faculty also came, and we would socialise and chat. That was the dark ‘90s and yet we somehow held ourselves together, actually we were held together by the music.”

It is interesting to listen to Bisera talking about the world music scene, when she, for instance, describes the greatness of Stevie Wonder or so wisely interprets how Madonna gained worldwide fame.

“She is an example of someone who had had a wondrous career and didn’t deserve it. I knew she was a bad singer, but I only realised how bad a singer she really is after the Wembley concert where she sang live with Sting and the backing vocalists accompanying her. She really didn’t know where she was or what she was singing, and these people were playing and singing, masterfully of course, which only served to emphasise her ignorance even more. But I take my hat off to her for creating an institution out of nothing. She is proof that, in this business, when you’re capable, you don’t even need to know how.”

It was tough for me to get over the parting of Bata Kovač. Very tough. He was a beautiful being. People like Bata are inimitable. Everything I would say about him is insufficient. I loved him like a brother, and he loved me

Bisera has spent her entire life avoiding public places and scandals of any kind. She has only spoken to the media when she’s had a good professional reason to do so. She jokingly calls herself a free and prominent artist without a job.

Many people, even journalists, thought for years that she was somewhere else in the world; that she no longer lived here.

“People forget about you even when you live here, and especially if you don’t. When you reach an age at which you’re less active, they simply strike you off. I read how they wrote about great jazz musician Duško Gojković. I knew him personally and worked with him. He was a big name in the world of music, he performed with the best, but nobody cared about that while he was alive, and he didn’t live here but rather in Germany. Now that he has left this world, they write about him and seem to marvel in wonder at his biography. As if they are wondering whether it was really true. But that’s who we are: we aren’t capable of appreciating what we have, or of cultivating values.”

With an awareness of how uncertain a stake in life emotions are, Bisera doesn’t abandon hers, because they are the most secure link that she has with the music to which she has become attached. She shows them with her family and close friends, and once also showed emotions towards an unknown man, as was the case with assassinated Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić:

“I was invited to sing at some ceremony when he was already prime minister. We said our farewells and I gave him a big hug because I felt like he was one of my own. That was my only closer encounter with politics, with a politician. Zoran Đinđić was unique and special.”

Apart from music, Bisera has had another affinity for the past few decades: painting. She has had several solo exhibitions, and her paintings have been reviewed by writer and translator Silvija Monros Stojaković, who wrote: “Bisera is the only one who still endures from the bygone times of the pioneers of local music that is neither literally folk music nor the subsequent sociological phenomenon of turbo-folk. She is an original artist who is consistent to herself. That, among other things, is why she sometimes doesn’t sing… Periods without singing can sometimes last an eternity with this resplendent and enduring artist of ours, meaning she also resists…And when she can’t pour her colours into a song, Bisera will grab a canvas.”

Whatever she turns her hand to, Bisera turns it into a work of art. Just as her name is of Arabic origin, she is a synonym for something that’s the brightest, the most precious, the most beautiful.

The post Everything She Touches Turns To Art appeared first on CorD Magazine.

Digitalisation and education have, at the initiative of Prime Minister Ana Brnabić, been two key priorities of the Government of Serbia since 2017. This says plenty about the expectations of the state and the extent to which it recognises the digital age as an opportunity for us to position ourselves on the ICT market as a country of good opportunities, both for life and for doing business, says Serbian Information and Telecommunications Minister Mihailo Jovanović, speaking in this CorD interview.

Over the course of the past decade, We’ve made accelerated investments in infrastructure, reforms and the building of an environment for doing business, in the belief that investing in knowledge and creativity will lead us to the goals we’ve set for ourselves. That investment very quality started to yield returns, because the ICT sector became Serbia’s largest net export branch. In the last 10 years, The exports of our ICT sector, i.e., exports of our ideas, solutions and intelligence, have increased more than sevenfold over the last ten years. The export of ICT services reached a value of almost 2.7 billion euros in 2022, representing an increase of approximately 40% compared to the previous year, while the surplus exceeded 1.5 billion euros. The ICT sector thereby became the sector of our economy that has by far the largest export surplus. Its exports were almost four times less in 2016, for example, amounting to a value of 760 million euros.

“The most recent results in 2023 also indicate a tendency for further growth, such that exports of the ICT sector in January and February were up 44% compared to the same two months of 2022. Such a result is an indicator that exports of our ICT services are experiencing exponential growth, and we expect it to reach 10 billion euros by 2030,” says Minister Jovanović.

Despite foreign and domestic companies in Serbia having the same status when viewed from the legal aspect, what would be the primary source of such excellent export results? Is it primarily the result of the arrival of foreign investors or consolidation in the sector of Serbian-owned SMEs?

This result is a consequence of both factors – the decision of the world’s top ICT leaders (Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, Rivian, Luxoft, Cisco) to establish their own development centres in Serbia and other foreign investors who base their development on IT technologies. (Continental), but also on the emergence and growth of a large number of small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the ICT sector.

The start-up scene in Serbia is considered as having grown significantly, but we have still yet to receive our own “unicorn”, unlike neighbouring Romania, for example. Do you see a shift towards such a scenario?

The Republic of Serbia is slowly but surely approaching its goal of becoming a regional leader of innovation, science and technology. Over the course of the previous five years, we have constructed, commissioned and fully utilised the capacities of four science and technology parks in Belgrade, Niš, Novi Sad and Čačak, and just a few days ago we also launched operations at the new building of the BioSense Institute in Novi Sad – in the form of the European Centre of Excellence for advanced technologies in the digitalisation of agriculture. The plan is to expand the science and technology parks in Belgrade, Niš and Čačak and to build another new one in Kruševac and an Innovation District in Kragujevac.

We are focused on connecting e-Government with businesses, so I expect e-citizens to be able to start accessing the services of banks and telecommunications operators very soon. Likewise, it is important that eGovernment infrastructure services be placed in the function of the services of the Open Balkan initiative, such as unrestricted access to the labour market

Alongside this, another 18 innovation centres are being supported by the Government of the Republic of Serbia and five more are currently under construction in Arilje, Novi Pazar, Kanjiža, Bajina Bašta and Loznica. As of recently, our county’s start-up ecosystem also became visible on global data platform DealRoom. Our young people have endlessly creative and profitable ideas. In the future we should work on better protecting intellectual property. There are also companies that are on the right track to becoming unicorns in Serbia, but that all requires time and continuous support, which the Government of the Republic of Serbia is providing.

I think it’s much more important that a growing number of successful start-ups exist that are making appearances on the international market and are fighting against fierce competition to carve out a place for themselves. Our next goal is 1,000 startups, which should be relatively easy to achieve at the current tempo.

The Serbian state recently launched an important investment project in a high-speed internet network covering underdeveloped and less populated parts of Serbia. How much can this help in the development of these parts of Serbia and in promoting the possible immigration of digital nomads who opted for areas that are preserved ecologically?

It was last December that we launched implementation of the Project to construct broadband communication infrastructure in rural areas of the Republic of Serbia, with the aim of bringing new generation network coverage to all households in Serbia.

The first stage of the programme encompasses the installing of approximately 4,700 km of fibre-optic cables and will cover approximately 700 rural settlements, close to 120,000 households and approximately 730 schools. High-speed internet connections installed to date cover 75% of the territory of the Republic of Serbia, while it is expected that the full implementation of this project will result in 99% of villages in Serbia having internet connection speeds exceeding 100Mbps by year’s end 2025. Bringing the internet to rural settlements is important due to the availability of e-government services, the launching of businesses and the possibility for digital nomads to work in any part of Serbia. We will thereby make living conditions in urban and rural areas of our country equal and provide all citizens with equal opportunities to work, access education and succeed!

According to the latest United Nations report, Serbia ranks among the world’s top 10 countries when it comes to progress achieved in the field of electronic administration over the last two years, while the World Bank’s latest global report monitoring progress in the field of digital transformation ranks us 4th in Europe. What are the further strategic steps that the government should take in order to preserve and improve upon this position?

E-governance has been introduced in the right way in the Republic of Serbia and that has been recognised by citizens, businesses and international institutions as a great success of the Serbian Government. It is today impossible to imagine the life of citizens without services such as ‘Baby, welcome to the world’, e-NurserySchool, e-Enrolment of children in primary and secondary schools, e-Prescription, e-Scheduling for ID cards and passports, automatic verification of health cards or communication with local government via the Portal of the local tax administrations. We already have 1.9 million citizens who’ve registered their personal accounts on the e-government portal ‘eGrađana’ [e-Citizen], while as many as 600,000 of them use the mobile application ConsentID, with which they are able to log in to state portals in the most secure way and use an electronic Cloud signature.

We are focused on connecting e-Government with businesses, so I expect e-citizens to be able to start accessing the services of banks and telecommunications operators very soon. Likewise, it is important that eGovernment infrastructure services be placed in the function of the services of the Open Balkan initiative, such as unrestricted access to the labour market.

Artificial intelligence has started being introduced in the work of public services in Serbia and has met with divided opinions. How involved is your ministry in that process, which is attracting the care and attention of governments worldwide.

Considering that the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications deals, among other things, with the development and application of information and communications technology, but also with information security and data protection, the implementation of AI in the public administration is something that we are involved in and that I believe will contribute to improving the work of the public administration, to the benefit of all citizens.

We have good practice examples from the world’s most developed countries of ways in which the implementation of AI in the public sector resolves pressing issues in various sectors, such as healthcare and energy.

We expect 99% of villages in Serbia having internet connection speeds exceeding 100Mbps by year’s end 2025. Bringing the internet to rural settlements is important due to the availability of e-government services, the launching of businesses and the possibility for digital nomads to work in any part of Serbia

In our country, we have the example of the Electric Power Industry of Serbia (EPS), which utilised machine learning to successfully predict electricity production and procurement needs with the minimal possibility of error, which results in huge savings in its operations.

Along with the use of AIbased solutions comes the question of the impact of its use on the rights of citizens, which is the main reason opinions are divided on this topic.

One of the steps the Government has taken in that direction is the adoption of ethical guidelines on the use of reliable and responsible artificial intelligence. My ministry participated in the drafting of this document, the purpose of which is to provide a framework and direct the work of all elements of the AI ecosystem in Serbia for the benefit of people, with strong reference to the importance of protecting freedoms and rights, like the right to privacy and the right to protect personal data.

New and advanced technologies often carry risks, but the Government of the Republic of Serbia leads a responsible policy that enables the further development of AI, which is – according to the predictions of all the world’s most relevant expert and scientific groups – the technology of the fourth industrial revolution that will contribute the most to economic growth, with the respecting of all ethical principles.

The Government of Serbia adopted the Draft Law on Electronic Communications. What are its most important innovations when it comes to citizens and companies?

The Draft Law on Electronic Communications introduces significant innovations t

the Republic of Serbia’s telecommunications market. Some of the novelties brought by this law include the mandatory introduction of invoices for services provided in electronic form and the enabling of conditions under which operators can more fairly and efficiently share existing infrastructure – all with the aim of providing end users with even better and more diverse services. With the application of this law, our country will introduce electronic invoices that will, by definition, be sent by the telecommunications operator, while citizens who want to receive invoices in paper form will be able to request them from their operators. With the introduction of electronic invoices, we save time and speed up the work of the operator, but we also save on paper and trees that are felled for invoices each year. This law also stipulates the obligation for prepaid mobile phone users to register, which will contribute to improving security for citizens. Citizens will have the possibility to complete this registration online in an extremely simple way and avoid queuing. Operators have 12 months to introduce the registration of prepaid users.

We heard at last year’s Telfor telecommunications forum in Belgrade that an independent commercial 5G network in Serbia is not expected to be up and running before 2025. What is the reason we are lagging so far behind the countries of the region and the EU?

If we take into consideration the fact that over 99% of our households are covered by the mobile signal of at least one operator, and that over 95% are covered by the signals of two or even three operators, we can’t speak of us lagging behind the neighbourhood when it comes to the availability of mobile services to citizens and businesses. On the contrary, Serbia currently has better mobile signal coverage than some EU member states. We are expecting the Law on Electronic Communications to be adopted, after which 12 months will be required to organise the 5G auction, with respect to all the new instruments that this new Law introduces.

The post We’re Developing Intelligently And Prudently appeared first on CorD Magazine.

Baroness Catherine Ashton, a British politician and former High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who led the discussions that resulted in the signing of the First Brussels Agreement on the normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina a decade ago, recalled the dialogue that preceded the signing of the Agreement in her recently published memoir And Then What? Inside Stories of 21st-Century Diplomacy.

Her insider’s insight into the world of diplomacy provides readers with details of the months-long efforts to persuade political leaders from our region to reach agreement, by reminding them of the historical events and then-current political circumstances that had brought to the stage Hashim Thaci, Ivica Dačić and Tomislav Nikolić, and ultimately Aleksandar Vučić. as the last to join the negotiations and the man who continues to lead them to this day.

In the year marking the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Brussels Agreement, this agreement is being consigned to history only partially fulfilled. It has been replaced by a new agreement, also reached in Brussels, under new circumstances and with new partners who are convinced that this new agreement will provide a permanent resolution to relations between Serbia and its breakaway southern province. However, commenting briefly on the fate of the agreement that was reached under her supervision, Lady Ashton tells CorD Magazine that she doesn’t think it has been forsaken. “I always knew that implementing the agreement would be difficult, and it was in any event only the first step”.

Her book also features numerous other testimonies regarding events that she participated in as the then head of European diplomacy, including her particularly interesting and timely recollections of the dialogue on bilateral relations between the presidents of Russia and Ukraine.

I am looking forward to the results of the latest initiative and the meetings taking place between Kosovo and Serbia. I wish them well and continue to believe that the future of both lies in the EU

Baroness Ashton, who will also go down in history as the last Brit to head EU diplomacy – given that the UK withdrew from the Union not long after she concluded her term in Brussels – recently joined the Eurasia Group, an international think-tank devoted exclusively to helping investors and business decision-makers understand the impact of politics on the risks and opportunities in foreign markets.

Lady Ashton, you entitled your memoir ‘And Then What? Inside Stories of 21st Century Diplomacy’ Could you tell us something about this intriguing title, which is actually a question that you’ve often posed in your conversations with world officials?

I called my book “And Then What?” because it summed up what I tried to consider when I was in office, and what I have thought about since I left.

We need to think about the future, and what might happen as a result of events. Considering the long term should become a more central part of how we approach crises and issues.

The Serbian public is interested in your recollections of the talks that led to the signing of the Brussels Agreement on the normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, precisely 10 years ago. You were then also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Viewed from today’s perspective, do you consider that this Agreement has since been forsaken?

I don’t think it has been forsaken. I always knew that implementing the agreement would be difficult, and it was in any event only the first step. I am looking forward to the results of the latest initiative and the meetings taking place between Kosovo and Serbia. I wish them well and continue to believe that the future of both lies in the EU.

If we were to transpose the question that forms the title of your book onto the Brussels Agreement, we would have to note that the Community of Serb Municipalities, to which six of the 15 points of the Agreement refer, has never been formed and that the dialogue on the normalisation of relations has turned into talks on the recognition of Kosovo’s independence. Does that surprise you?

Moving forward is never easy. I know that Miroslav Lajčák is the right person to help both sides find a way through to their future in the European Union. The “And then What” question is answered by the work he is doing, and the efforts both sides are now making.

I believe the EU is an important geopolitical player. The work done on the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue was led by the EU and supported by the U.S. – It is important that the EU takes a lead where it can, especially in its neighbourhood, while recognising the importance of the partnership with the U.S.

The Brussels Agreement laid the foundation for both to develop their relations, and gave them space to discuss their ambitions for the future. It is good to see that both leaders are prepared to meet and talk and look for answers.

The issue of Kosovo’s membership in international organisations was a frustrating one for you when you were leading the Brussels dialogue. As you write in your book “…the Kosovo side persuaded us to add a sentence saying neither side should block the other’s path to membership of any international organisation”. You considered that to have been a mistake at the time, so – as you write – you “kicked a lot of furniture, furious with myself for even trying to write it down”. Do you envisage Kosovo becoming a UN member state in the near future?

The decision on the membership of Kosovo lies with the membership of the UN. Whatever happens, I look forward to Serbia AND Kosovo being members of the EU.

You wrote that the support you received from Hillary Clinton was significant for you. Today, Gabriel Escobar is supporting current EU Special Representative for the Belgrade- Pristina Dialogue, Miroslav Lajčák. The Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, but also the cases of Ukraine or Iran, can serve as examples to pose a question that you have been considering yourself: has the EU managed to profile itself as a strong geopolitical player or does it still merely follow policies defined by the great powers, primarily the U.S.?

I believe the EU is an important geopolitical player. The work done on the Belgrade- Pristina dialogue was led by the EU and supported by the U.S. – It is important that the EU takes a lead where it can, especially in its neighbourhood, while recognising the importance of the partnership with the U.S.

Speaking at the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government recently, you announced that you will be travelling to our region in the nottoo- distant future to discuss, among other things, Serbia’s responsibility and possible roles it could play as a relatively strong country. Do you believe Serbia’s leaders are sufficiently cognisant of the country’s responsibility as a regional leader?

I hope to travel to the region soon, in support of the efforts of both Serbia and Kosovo. I do think that President Vucic and others recognise the important responsibilities that lie with them and their country in the region.

The post And Then What? appeared first on CorD Magazine.