CorD Magazine 102

Strengthening Regional Ties H.E. Mr. angel Dimitrov

New Goals for the Next Millennium

Unforgettable Memories

UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia

Japanese Ambassador to Serbia

HE Mr. Toshio Tsunozaki

William Infante

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march ‘13 / ISSUE No. 102

Bulgarian Ambassador to Serbia

interviews opinions news comments events PRICE 300 RSD

Ivan Tasovac, pianist and director of the Belgrade Philharmonic

Leading by Example

Ivan Tasovac has been the director of the Belgrade Philharmonic for over 11 years. He was the youngest person ever to be at the helm of this orchestra in its 90-year history sport

Match-fixing Scandal Spreads to the Balkans

Most of the “suspicious” matches identified by Europol were played in Turkey -- 79 -- but some were also in the Balkans – 18 in Croatia, two in Montenegro and seven in BiH Tony O’Brien, DIRECTOR WESTERN BALKANS, BRITISH COUNCIL

Importance of Building Understanding “We believe that cultural relations builds international trust and understanding, generates opportunities for individuals to fulfil their potential and fosters the co-operation that contributes to a stable world

Jelko Kacin European Parliament’s special rapporteur for Southeast Europe

Expecting Crucial

Steps Forward

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COVER Jelko Kacin, European Parliament’s special rapporteur for Southeast Europe

Expecting Crucial Steps Forward

contents

Page 12

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Perpetuating the idea about early parliamentary elections does not contribute to political stability. On the other hand, the leaders of the governing coalition were very clear about wanting to continue working together on reforms and obtaining the date of the beginning of accession negotiations. Once the negotiations start, the political discourse in Serbia will change and a new stability will be established.

Expropriation of the State

50

Vukašin Obradović, President of the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (NUNS)

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Expecting Crucial Steps Forward

Jelko Kacin, European Parliament’s special rapporteur for Southeast Europe

17

Unforgettable Memories

18

Global diary

20

Strengthening Regional Ties

54

f aces & places

60

Im portance of Building understanding

H.E. Mr. angel Dimitrov, Bulgarian Ambassador to Serbia

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Tony O’Brien, Director Western Balkans, British Council

New Goals for the Next Millennium

William Infante, UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia

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S erbian Scientists in the world

Nenad Tomašević, Co-founder and Vice President Allakos US

H.E. Mr. Toshio Tsunozaki, Japanese Ambassador to Serbia

Leading by Example

atchM Comment page fixing Scandal spreads to the Balkans

Business Dialogue

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Contributing to Growth

44

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Profile page 82

64

47

68

Reimbursments Increased During the Crisis

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Ticket to the World of Success

L akes and Ponds of Serbia

Travel

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Nataša SaVić, Director of Rio company from Kostolac

E AST CLASHES WEST

Wta Tour 2013 at Glance

Georgios Papanastasiou, President of the Executive Board, Alpha Bank Serbia

Milanko Bogosavljević, Director of AOFI

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Christen Bradley Farmer c.farmer@aim.rs CONTRIBUTORS: Rob Dugdale, Mirjana Jovanović, Radmila Stanković, Steve MacKenzie, Zorica Todorović Mirković, Sonja Ćirić, Jovana Gligorijević, Mirjana Zec PHOTOS: Zoran Petrović, Časlav Vukojičić TRANSLATION: Snežana Bjelotomić PROJECT MANAGERS: Biljana Dević, b.devic@aim.rs Svetlana Okanović, s.okanovic@aim.rs Jelena Bulić, j.bulic@aim.rs Nataša Popović, n.popovic@aim.rs

GENERAL MANAGER: Ivan Novčić i.novcic@aim.rs

Feature

35

ART DIRECTOR: Ilija Petrović i.petrovic@aim.rs

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Ruža Ristanović r.ristanovic@aim.rs

Ivan Tasovac, Pianist and Director of the Belgrade Philharmonic

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EDITOR: Saša Marić s.maric@aim.rs

De veloping Young Minds

Dr. RoBert Risch, Director of the International School of Belgrade

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March 2013

t he best of ces

Techno talk

Te am Builds Success

Andrijana Đikanović, Marketing and PR manager for brands Volkswagen and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Serbia and Montenegro

FINANCIAL DIRECTOR: Ana Besedić a.besedic@aim.rs editorial MANAGER: Tanja Banković t.bankovic@aim.rs OFFICE MANAGER: Nataša Nešić, n.nesic@aim.rs PRINTING: Rotografika d.o.o., Segedinski put 72, Subotica CorD is published by: alliance international media Makenzijeva 67, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Phone: +(381 11) 2450 508 Fax: +(381 11) 2450 122 E-mail: cordeditorial@cma.rs www.cordmagazine.com www.allianceinternationalmedia.com ISSN no: 1451-7833 All rights reserved alliance international media 2013

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comment

Expropriation

of the State

When, on April 16, the European Commission releases its report on Serbia, media freedom and the new public information act will be the areas that will be evaluated, in addition to “the visible and sustainable improvement of relations with Kosovo”, human rights, justice and corruption

I

t seems like the Serbian government has forgot this fact for a moment while focusing its attention on the Kosovo gibberish. Ever since September, the dates, the timing, the number of laws and the work force have been the subject of conjecture, and very little has been done in practice. It seems that, in mid-January, it was necessary for the Head of the Delegation of the EU, Vincent Degert to remind Serbia of this fact and its obligation for a set of media acts to be adopted by March 31, in accordance with the Media Strategy.

Anyhow, at this moment, the process is evidently gaining momentum and, probably, after this column goes into print, we are already going to have a draft Public Information Act as an umbrella act in the media sphere. It is likely that the act will have been approved by the provided deadline. It is very difficult to foresee what is going to happen to the Electronic Media Act and Public Service Broadcasting Act. Unquestionably, the EU considers it important for the Public Information Act to create a general framework which would, to a large extent, limit room for possible (undesired) manoeuvres in legislative media activities.

As expected, the role of the state and defining the public interest were the key issues in the Public Information Act. The Act, or its current draft, defines public interest as “the public’s right to be informed,” and the state’s role is to fulfil the public interest “by encouraging media diversity and pluralism of views and opinions, as well as a free development of independent and professional media and media system.”

What does that mean in practice? According to the currently available draft act, public interest is secured primarily through project financing of media content. The draft also says that the republic, the autonomous province and the local authorities should provide at least 90% of the financing from their own budgets, with the funds disbursed via public competitions. Also, the proposed solutions should accurately define the project financing process – from forming professional and independent commissions to determining the criteria, the competition rules and stipulating that the media, which are receiving public funds, cannot compete, which is a novelty. The draft also stipulates that the application of these provisions should commence on January 1, 2014, which practically means, that, at the beginning of next year, there no funds will be received from the state budget, while the state-owned media should be privatized by December 31, 2014, according to the draft act. As stated, “state-owned capital in media organizations, i.e. the capital owned by the founder of a media organization, will be privatized via sale or transfer of capital free of charge, in accordance with the privatization regulation.”

The draft Act also regulates the area of ownership transparency by setting up a registry where, as stated, no media which are directly or

Vukašin Obradović, President of the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia (NUNS) indirectly owned by “legal entities whose proprietors cannot be determined – natural person” will be able to register. It is very difficult to say, at this moment, whether this provision will really result in total ownership transparency. We should remember the example of the Avala TV station where we knew who the end owner was – a certain lawyer from Vienna – who was suspected of being only a figurehead.

In terms of unlawful media convergence in print media, the draft Act forbids the consolidation of ownership rights in two of more dailies which daily circulation figures exceed 50% of the total sales on the territory of the Republic of Serbia. When it comes to radio and TV, the percentage is limited to 35% of the total listenership and viewership respectively.

The draft Act regulates many other issues too, some needlessly, so, the general objection was that the Public Information Act is overlyregulated since, in its current form, it has 156 articles and 47 pages, including the transitional and final provisions.

A public debate will follow after the official version of the draft Act is released. As currently envisaged, the Act will be discussed in Belgrade, Niš, Novi Sad and Novi Pazar in the first half of March.

After that, the Ministry of Culture will forward the Act to the Government, while the final version, as expected, would have been adopted by the Serbian Parliament by March 31.

As expected, the role of the state and defining the public interest were the key issues in the Public Information Act

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102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

It remains unclear what will happen in the meantime.

This caution is warranted primarily because, at certain point and despite the objections coming from the media community (which, this time around, only had its observers in the task force), as well as the clear intention of the Media Strategy, the proposed solutions failed to observe the strategic goal of the state’s withdrawing from the media segment. On the contrary, the offered format represented, in a way, a further nationalization of public information.

This retrograde process has been strongly criticized by all media associations, while the opinions expressed by the EU experts were as equally critical.

Some kind of compromise has been barely reached, but it still remains unclear to what extent the objections of the media community and the recommendations of the EU experts are going to be accepted.

Many interests, from media to political, will cross each other’s paths on the Act’s journey to the Serbian Parliament and that’s why is so difficult to foresee the end result of this process. ■

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interview Jelko Kacin, European Parliament’s special rapporteur for Southeast Europe

Expecting Crucial

Steps Forward Copyright EP audiovisual

Perpetuating the idea about early parliamentary elections does not contribute to political stability.

On the other hand, the leaders of the governing coalition were very clear about wanting to continue working together on reforms and obtaining the date of the beginning of accession negotiations. Once the negotiations start, the political discourse in Serbia will change and a new stability will be established

T

he European Parliament’s special rapporteur for Serbia and the Southeast Europe, Jelko Kacin represents the most direct channel through which the European Union and Serbia communicate. His views and statements and the severity or the leniency he uses to express them are the clearest signal of the European Union’s mood towards Serbia at any given moment. In the last few months, all key questions and processes in the West Balkans have become actualized, and many of them have entered their final stages. The headway made in the relations between Serbia and Kosovo demonstrates that there is a way for the most serious issue in the region to be resolved. Croatia’s accession to the European Union in July this year is undoubtedly going to affect the course of processes in other former Yugoslav republics. We speak to Mr. Kacin about that topic, as well as other burning issues concerning Serbia and the region’s future in Europe.

■ Considering your latest statements, you seem abso-

lutely sure that Serbia will be given a date of the beginning of the EU accession negotiations soon. What do you base this certainty on?

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102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

- I have never said that I was absolutely sure about the date of the beginning of the negotiations. I do hope that that would happen, but we can be seldom sure about it. Serbia has

Dialogue

Serbia has been working hard on meeting the priority criteria which, first and foremost, pertain to the political dialogue on the highest level between Prime Ministers Dačić and Thaci.

Corruption

The fight against systemic corruption, led by the First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić, is starting to yield results.

been working hard on meeting the priority criteria which, first and foremost, pertain to the political dialogue on the highest level between Prime Ministers Dačić and Thaci.

During my official visit to Belgrade between February 12 and 14, all the top officials that I met with assured me that Serbia was completely dedicated to European integration and that there was a sincere will for reaching an agreement about Northern Kosovo. At the same time, the fight against systemic corruption, led by First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić, is starting to yield results. I see this fight as a determined step forward towards the preventing of further misuse of the Serbs living in Northern Kosovo in the context of organized crime and corruption which have emerged in the legal vacuum in the North. The Serbs from Northern Kosovo have been manipulated in the past with the aim of deceiving the public in Serbia, Kosovo, the West Balkans and the EU. That is changing now. Because of the results achieved so far and the will for something more to be done, I think that the date of the beginning of the accession negotiations is at Serbia’s fingertips.

Fingertips

Because of the results achieved so far and the will for something more to be done, I think that the date of the beginning of the accession negotiations is at Serbia’s fingertips.

grow. I would like to use this opportunity to announce an inter-parliamentary conference of the European Parliament and the delegates of the West Balkan countries about LGBT rights that will take place at the National Parliament in June this year.

■ Do you think that the progress made in relations with Kosovo has sidelined the issue of the Pride Parade?

- The Pride Parade is certainly one of the key rites of passage and test of efficiency for Serbian institutions. I am confident that ’security risks’ are never going to be used as the reason for banning the Pride Parade, as they were used

■ Still, you refuse to talk about additional conditions that might be put in front of Serbia. Why?

- How can we have a credible discussion about something that is not even on the agenda? The criteria for obtaining the date of the negotiations have been listed in detail in the latest conclusions of the European Council for the very reason of avoiding such speculations and misunderstandings.

■ The LGBT rights or, to be more concrete, the Pride Parade, have been considered one of the key hurdles on Serbia’s road toward the EU membership for a long time. No important headway has been made regarding this issue, yet the EU’s attitude towards Serbia has softened. What is your explanation for that?

- Let me clarify. Human and minority rights, the rule of the law and stable democratic institutions are something that Serbia has been aspiring to, regardless of these standards being required during the European integration process.

On the other hand, being given the date of the beginning of the accession negotiations depends on Serbia meeting concrete conditions, primarily those that pertain to normalizing relations with Kosovo. You cannot expect a club to have instability in its lobby.

So, the issue of human and minority rights has never lost on importance. On the contrary! We believe that, once the negotiations start, the pressure of domestic public on political leaders to improve and expedite the reforms will

Human and minority rights, the rule of the law and stable democratic institutions are something that Serbia has been aspiring to, regardless of these standards being required during the European integration process last year. As a topic of public interest, the Parade was not pushed to the sidelines. Let me reiterate, once the negotiations start, the first two chapters to negotiate will be 23 and 24: the rule of the law and justice reform. There will have to be concrete results made after the negotiations, and simply adopting laws will not be enough. The Pride Parade will remain at the top of the EU-Serbia agenda.

■ You have been very critical of the judicial reform and

have underlined the importance of regulating the system’s institutions. On the other hand, you think that the procedure should not be expedited but rather conducted in a gradual manner. Bearing in mind that you anticipate that Serbia will be given the date of negocordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 13

tiations soon, how can we reconcile the speed with the gradual work on the institutions?

- Minister Selaković has said himself that the judiciary is in an undesirable state. The problem is systemic – nobody knows how many judges there are, the structure, and the results of the 2009 reform are questionable, while doubts about politics influencing the prosecution and the judiciary have not been eliminated. At this moment, it is very important to strike a careful balance between the quality of the reforms, the need for wide public consultations and the fact that order needs to be promptly restored to the judiciary so that we can have smooth negotiations about chapters 23 and 24. Personally, I think that we should not wait for the Strategy and the Action Plan to be adopted as prerequisites for task forces to write draft laws or for a

that would fully regulate this segment. The rule of the law entails a clear civil authority mechanism that supervises security services which is not the case here. The National Parliament’s Security Committee is totally inactive on this issue, while the role of the National Security Council is rather vague. In terms of the police, we have witnessed, to say the least, unprofessional behaviour by the police in certain Serbian towns lately. It is necessary to restore order in those organizations. Independent regulatory bodies have to be given financial and administrative support in order to do their job properly.

■ Speaking about financial reforms, it seems that you

think that quick changes would do a lot of damage.

What do you object to in particular?

- The transition in Serbia was conducted in a random manner and was marred by many affairs while the desired effect of reviving the economy was missing. The financial sector demonstrated a somewhat better stability, but this is also where the Serbian economy has been experiencing problems, particularly when it comes to the dinar exchange rate. The state-owned banks have proven to be particularly vulnerable and susceptible to corruption.

■ At a recent meeting with the Democratic Party, you

Civil control over civil and military security agencies has not been clearly defined and you need to work on a system law that would fully regulate this segment more intense public debate to be held. The judicial problems are well documented. At the same time, the Ministry of Justice is responsible for adopting the Anti-Corruption Strategy which needs to provide an institutional framework for the current efforts in fighting corruption. The first deputy prime minister, Vučić, is coordinating this fight which depends on ad hoc political will. I don’t think that we have witnessed political showdowns so far, but we have seen that the institutions are still not equipped to work efficiently and in a coordinated manner. The professionalization of the prosecution and investigating authorities holds an invaluable significance, as does establishing a strong and independent Anti-Corruption Agency.

■ Apart from the judiciary, what other system institutions need to be thoroughly reformed?

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- Definitely the security agencies and the police. Civil control over civil and military security agencies has not been clearly defined and you need to work on a system law

102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

underlined the importance of having a strong political opposition. Do you think that Serbia has strong opposition parties at the time when the biggest opposition party is being shaken to the core by huge changes in membership and is still not managing to consolidate its ranks after losing the election and power?

- As European Parliament’s rapporteur for Serbia, and also a politician who spent many years in power and in opposition, I know all too well about the importance and the role that the opposition plays in a democratic system. A strong and active opposition will make for more responsible government. At this moment, the opposition parties are undergoing a consolidation period after the May 2012 parliamentary elections. I will let Serbian citizens decide whether the DS, the LDP or any other opposition party are active enough in criticizing the current government. What is important is that a firm consensus about the strategic goal of the EU membership is in place.

■ You think that, at this time, new elections are not in

Serbia’s best interest. However, the events on the political scene have been hinting new elections. In that respect, can we even talk about any kind of political stability which is required for making progress in key political processes?

- Of course perpetuating the idea about early parliamentary election does not contribute to political stability. On the other hand, the leaders of the governing coalition were very clear about wanting to continue working together on reforms and obtaining the date of the beginning of acces-

sion negotiations. Once the negotiations start, the political discourse in Serbia will change and a new stability will be established.

■ According to Prime Minister Dačić, the next round of

negotiations between Belgrade and Priština will be the toughest so far. What is expected of this round?

- I think that we are almost there. Northern Kosovo is the last stumbling block which prevents the Belgrade-Priština relations from becoming fully normalized. Both Serbia and Kosovo are dealing with huge economic challenges, something that requires their political leaders to invest all their energy in overcoming them. There is plenty of room for economic cooperation.

- I expect a crucial step forward to be made towards finding a resolution for Northern ■ In late January, public The citizens are not against the Kosovo. In the days leadopinion surveys showed EU, but are slowly becoming ing up to the new round that only 41% of the of negotiations, Dačić Serbian citizens were in apathetic towards the political and Thaci gave very enfavour of the country’s process in general which is couraging statements integration into EU, imbued with phrases like the and demonstrated readiwhich is the lowest perness for compromise decentage so far. Despite European integration due to the spite many political hurthis percentage is unemployment and social instability that, dles that both of them still higher than the balhave to face. They told me the same thing when I recently ance of power in the Serbian Parliament where only the met them separately. I sincerely hope for success.

DSS is against Serbia joining the EU. So, the number of ■ Do you think that the headway that this government

has made about the Kosovo issue makes it impossible to go back? When are we going to be able to say that this is a stable process that is certainly going in the specified direction?

Serbian MPs in favour of the country’s EU integration does not correspond to how the citizens feel. In your opinion, how relevant is the EU membership for the electorate in Serbia in terms of deciding who are they going to vote for?

- The attitude that Serbian citizens have towards the EU just

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102 March 2013 | 15

reflects the depth of the economic recession in Serbia. I am confident that the citizens are not against the EU, but are slowly becoming apathetic towards the political process in general which is imbued with phrases like the European integration due to the unemployment and social instability.

The EU, as such, is still not a relevant subject, but the reforms brought on by the membership negotiations are. The citizens will vote for the people who offer the most credible plan for overcoming the economic downturn and establishing the rule of the law. The date of the beginning of the accession negotiations is going to send a clear signal to foreign investors that Serbia is a stable country and its institutions are efficient.

■ Bearing in mind the previous

question, do you think that the issue of the EU membership has become certain in a way that even if a large number of citizens are against membership, their opposition is more passive than active since European integration is perceived as a necessity?

govina and Macedonia on their way to the EU. On the other hand, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo have a far livelier political dynamic and I expect them to lead the region to the EU by example and their dedication to reforms. In terms of the relations between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, they are still heavily burdened by the relations between Belgrade and Banja Luka. I think that Belgrade is responsible for getting involved, at certain point, in efforts to get Bosnia out of the Dayton deadlock and into adopting a new and contemporary Constitution that would help the country to obtain the EU candidate status and develop normally. Up until recently, Serbia used to shift the responsibility for the standstill in the European integration process to others, and, as soon as the country turned towards itself and its challenges, it made a progress which was important for Serbia and the region alike. From being a hurdle, Serbia has now become the driving force in the region.

Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina can make the same u-turn.

- As I have tried to explain in my ■ What will Croatia’s accession previous answer, I don’t think that to the EU change in terms of the Serbian citizens are opposing the European integration process in In terms of the relations other West Balkan countries?

EU, apart from maybe the people who voted for the DSS. I think between Serbia and Bosnia - Croatia’s accession will send out that all political and economic one of the strongest messages and Herzegovina, they parameters show that Serbia’s to the West Balkans that the EU are still heavily burdened is serious and credible about its membership in the EU is in the country’s strategic interest, and by the relations between enlargement. Reforms do pay off I am glad that almost all politiBelgrade and Banja Luka and bring results. Hence, in a way, Zagreb has the responsibility at a cal leaders have recognized that. regional level to fulfil the remaining conditions stated in However, an ordinary citizen cannot live off politics, but chapters 8, 23 and 24, as underlined by the Commission’s has to work. The policy of getting closer to the EU memberreport. Croatia’s accession to the EU needs to run smoothly. ship will enjoy more support once it brings about foreign investments in Serbian economy.

■ Your frequent refusal to talk about certain subjects ■ Kosovo is one of the key issues for the stability of related to Serbia coincides with the government and

16 |

the entire region. However, this is not the only issue.

In terms of the European future, how much do internal issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Srpska and Serbia reflect on each other and how much do internal processes in Montenegro or Macedonia affect the rest of the region?

the opposition calling upon your authority and pointing out that they have been commended by you about something. The Serbian media tend to ask for your opinion about the issues that do not fall in your domain of activity, like the case of Darko Šarić. What is your view of that?

- Regional relations are closely interrelated and the integration dynamics of one country affect the other. Montenegro, which is currently negotiating about its EU membership, is certainly an important incentive for Serbian leaders to do their job faster and better. Unfortunately, this positive influence is not always present which can be seen from the examples of complete stagnation of Albania, Bosnia and Herze-

- I am very open to any questions that the media might have as long as I can respond to them in my capacity of the European Parliament’s rapporteur for Serbia. I rarely refuse to give a comment. In regard to Šarić, I am not familiar with all the investigation details, but I do know that that case is one of the main challenges in fighting organized crime and system corruption – money laundering. ■

102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

farewell comment

Unforgettable

Memories

I feel sad knowing that my tenure as the Ambassador of Japan in Serbia is approaching the end, but I am trying to think of how happy I was because I was able to work in a country in which Japan, Japanese tradition and values are very much appreciated

HE Mr. Toshio Tsunozaki Japanese Ambassador to Serbia

I

think that Serbia is still a dangerous place. So, firstly I will could go back to Japan with unforgettable memories. explain to them that a woman in Belgrade walks alone at I extensively traveled in Serbia, visiting more than 80 midnight without any fear. Then, I will explain the rich hiscities, including Novi Sad which I visited 27 times. By traveling in the country, I found out how different these cittory of Serbia. There are many ruins of the Roman Empire and 17 Roman Emperors came from the region which is ies and regions are. But each has its beauty and attractivecurrently Serbia. It is also interesting to visit monasterness. I liked cycling around the Lake Palic as well as walking in Zlatibor. It was great fun for me to visit Pimnice in ies, some of which are designated as world heritage by Rajac, and I also liked my visit to Vinotec in Fruska Gora.

UNESCO. Serbian wine is not well-known to Japanese In Belgrade there are also many places which I will probpeople, so I have to tell them that there are wine routes for tourists in Serbia and we can enjoy wonderful wine from ably miss when I go back to Japan. I went so many times many different kinds of grapes. As for food, I should not to Kolarac, National Theater, Guarnerius or Sava Center forget to mention about organic food in Serbia. to attend various events. During the weekends I walked, The events which left the strongest impression on cycled and played golf in Ada Ciganlija. I often took my me were those which took place all over Serbia to exfriends who visited me in Belgrade to Kalemegdan Park, Knez Mihailova Street and St. Sava Cathedral.

The events which left the strongest Belgrade is a nice city and its citizens are very kind to foreigners. But I have one suggestion to impression on me were those which took make the city nicer. It is common in Belgrade place all over Serbia to express sympathy and to park cars on sidewalks, therefore the city is solidarity to Japanese people after the Great not pedestrian-friendly. It is essential to prohibit parking on sidewalks and make more East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami underground parking spaces so that pedestrians including foreign tourists can enjoy walking in the press sympathy and solidarity to Japanese people afcity without being bothered by parked cars. I think I must ter the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. I still come back to Serbia sometime. clearly remember how men and women gathered in the In Japan, when people hear the name of Serbia, they Republic Square of Belgrade to form a flag of Japan by associate it with famous athletes like Novak Djokovic or wearing red and white T-shirts. There were many big Piksi. I do, too. Then, until I came to Serbia, I had never sign-boards saying “Uz Japan” in Belgrade. I was invittried rakija. But now I come to like it. So for me Serbia is ed to many events which took place throughout Serbia. the country of rakija. Kolo is another thing which I encounAround 3 million dollars were donated by Serbia through Red Cross and through our embassy. Using this opportered in Serbia for the first time, and Serbia is the kolo country. Slava is an interesting and unique custom, and is tunity I would like to express my deep appreciation to similar to Japanese “Uji-gami”, which means god of one’s Serbian people for all those events. Thanks to the enclan. In Japan, on a special day, a family goes to a local couragement from the peoples of the world, Japan is reshrine where we worship family Uji-gami. Many Japanese covering from the disaster quickly. ■ cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 17

Relationship “We value our essential relationship with the UK, as well as our relationship with the EU - which makes critical contributions to peace, prosperity and security in Europe, and around the world. We believe the UK is stronger as a result of its membership.” — Joe Biden, US Vice-President

global diary

Something to be Learned from the New York Times

Well-Known Themes

The New York Times Company announced operating profits of US $44 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared with US $90.8 million in the same period of 2011. Excluding depreciation, amortization, severance pay and the special items, operating profit was US $124.5 million in the

Pope’s Brother Has Known of Resignation

fourth quarter of 2012 compared with US $126.8 million in the last quarter of 2011.

“2012 showed both the opportunities and challenges we face as a company,” said Mark Thompson, president and chief executive officer. “We saw continued strong growth in digital subscriptions as well as increased revenue from our large print circulation base.

Indeed, for the first time in our history, annual circulation revenues surpassed those from advertising. Our pay model continued to prove itself, with approximately 668,000 paid digital subscriptions across the Company at quarter end, up 13 percent from the end of the third quarter.

“The demonstrated willingness of users here and around the world to pay for the high quality journalism for which The New York Times and the Company’s other titles are renowned will be a key building block in the strategy for growth,” said Mark Thompson.

18 |

The pope’s brother Georg Ratzinger said he has known “for a few months” that Benedict XVI was planning to resign and confirmed that the 85-year-old pontiff was “feeling the burden of his age”.

“He knows the demands of the office. I think his decision is correct. It is a positive thing that he is handing over the office to younger hands,” said Ratzinger, four years the pope’s senior.

He also confirmed that Benedict XVI would remain in Rome.

“I am in Rome three times a year. On this Rome trip, we will be able to spend some more time together,” Ratzinger said.

Benedict XVI was born Joseph Ratzinger on April 16, 1927, in Marktl am Inn, in the predominantly Catholic southern German region of Bavaria. He was ordained priest at the same time as Georg in 1951, and began teaching theology at Freising College in 1958.

Ratzinger went on from there to teach at several other German universities, notably in Bonn, Muenster and Regensburg.

Keynote Speaker Former US president Bill Clinton, who has worked with the Samsung’s charity efforts in the past, was keynote speaker on Korean tech giant’s CES 2013 presentation, covering a variety of topics from gun control to women’s rights. Mr Clinton’s speaking fee being reported to be as

102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

high as $500,000 for a single appearance. Clinton didn’t waste any time, breaking the ice with cracks about his run in the Oval Office, a time when “cell phones weighed five pounds...” and “there [were] a grand total of 50 websites on the internet.”

Clinton steadily moved into serious statesmen mode, lecturing the crowd about the benefits of technology to the developing world. Banking by cell phone in Haiti, social media and the Arab spring and bracing for global warming. Finally, Clinton was met with applause when he mentioned American gun violence problem, and his support of the assault weapons ban.

A war of words is continuing between South African Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Helen Zille and the government over advertising in the national New Age newspaper Helen Zille from DA has claimed that the New Age newspaper’s advertising revenue came from the national and provincial government department. The DA has called for the establishment of a Judicial Commission of Enquiry to investigate government advertising The Presidency explained that in the financial year of 2012/13 government media bulk buying spent R108 million (€ 9

Helen Zille

million) across all platforms.

In 2010/11, 52% was spent on Naspers group of newspapers, 34% on Avusa media, 13.6% on Independent Newspapers and only 0.6% on the New Age newspaper (the first publication of The New Age was on 6 December 2010.)

In the 2011/12, 35% was spent on Naspers, 28% on Avusa media, 14% on Independent Newspapers and 15.9% on the New Age Newspaper.

“This analysis states clearly that the New Age newspaper enjoys less advertising as compared to other groups of newspapers,” said the Presidency.

Zille accused Britain of “not moving its posture by one iota” and “using the islanders to justify its own intransigence”.

“What I sense in the British position is a strong smell of oil.”

Problem “I can’t really believe David Cameron thinks it’s sensible to get out of Europe. If Britain did vote to go out, it would be a huge problem for our country. Why would we separate ourselves from the biggest political union and the largest business market in the world?”

— Tony Blair, former British Prime Minister

Smell of Oil The Argentine foreign minister Hector Timerman has said that British plans for the Falkland Islands have a “strong smell of oil” Mr Timerman turned down the opportunity for talks with his British counterpart William Hague last month, once he learnt two members of the Falkland Islands legislative assembly would be present. During his trip to the UK, Mr Timerman accused Britain that their “position has a strong smell of oil” Britain authorised oil prospecting around the Falkland Islands in 2010, with sever-

Hector Timerman The Argentine foreign minister

al British companies taking the rights. It is estimated that a potential 3.5 billion barrels of oil and nine trillion cubic feet of natural gas could lie within the Falklands’ territorial waters, potentially worth at least £25 billion.

If the predictions are accurate, it would make the 8,000 residents of Falkland Islands significantly wealthier.

Mr Timerman believes it is Argentina, rather than the Falkland Islanders, that should benefit from this wealth. He added: “The Falkland Islanders do not exist.

What exists is British citizens who live in the Islas Malvinas.”

Putin Proposes Ban on Foreign Accounts for Officials President Vladimir Putin has sent to the State Duma a bill proposing to ban senior officials and their

relatives from having accounts in foreign banks and holding securities issued by foreign bodies.

The ban should apply to members of federal and regional parliaments and governments, board members of the Central Bank, judges, officials working in governmentrun companies and foundations, as well as other officials appointed by the president, government or prosecutor general, the bill said.

It will also apply to officials’ spouses and children, but it will not affect diplomats, it said.

After the bill becomes effective, officials will have to choose between closing their accounts and selling securities within three months or a voluntary or forced resignation.

Netherlands Lead New Media Tech Adoption Western Europe leads in the adoption of new media technology, according to a report by ZenithOptimedia that combines the absolute size and percentage of total adspend taken by internet expenditure in the world’s top 19 digital markets, looking at smartphones, tablets and connected TVs. Despite the continued economic troubles in Western Europe, the top five markets in 2012 are Norway, France, Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark. The highest-ranked market from outside Western Europe was Canada, in sixth place. Australia, in seventh place, was the highest-placed market from Asia Pacific, while Hungary is topping Central & Eastern Europe, at 16th. Brazil, at 17th, is the only Latin American market in the top 19.

By 2015, ZenithOptimedia expect the Netherlands to take the

Moon Walker

According to the North Korean sources Dear Leader Kim Jong-un had become the first man to walk on the moon North Korean officials confirmed that not only had the country soundly trumped and “obliterated the memory” of South Korea’s recent successful launch of a civilian rocket, but that the unprecedented moon-walking achievement was performed by none other than the supreme leader Kim Jong-un himself in yet another display of his substantial cleverness and strength.

“We give our imperialist aggressors yet another reason to feel their inferiority as our glorious leader extends our empire to the moon and the stars!” announced Minister of Aerospace Sciences Kai Gyoh. “For a man to walk among the heavens was thought impossible. Our Dear Leader knows no such word.”

top position thanks to its extremely rapid adoption of IPTV, which broadband providers are competing to offer as a valueadded service to take advantage of new fibre infrastructure. The report estimates IPTV will be in

91 percent of Dutch homes by 2015, compared to 27 percent in 2012 and 10 percent in 2010. The second-ranked market for IPTV, Canada, is expected to have 69 percent penetration in 2015.

By that year, the top five digital markets are predicted to be the Netherlands, France, Ireland, Norway and Canada.

Horsemeat is Ever More popular in Salzburg The Austrian State Horse Breeding Association confirmed that the demand for horsemeat in Salzburg has increased in the last few years.

This is due to more information about the fact that the consummation of horsemeat is no longer a taboo.

Consumers appreciate the nutritious meat, said Johann Wieser, Managing Director of the State Horse Breeding Association.

Horsemeat is not only low in fat and cholesterol, but also rich in iron and calcium.

Leonhard Rettenbacher, restaurateur from Russbach, Tennengau (Salzburg) confirms the trend to eat horsemeat.

“In our restaurant we sell about 1,000 kilos of horsemeat, 1,000 kilos of lamb and 1,000 kilos of venison. At the moment it is going really well.”, says the restaurateur.

cordeditorial@cma.rs |

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interview

■ Photos: Zoran Petrović

H.E. Mr. angel Dimitrov, Bulgarian Ambassador to Serbia

Strengthening

Regional Ties

The foreign policy atmosphere in Europe is different today, and it would be a grave political mistake if we failed to appreciate fully the opportunity which European integration offers to gradually overcome existing differences and actually resolve old problems between states ■ What is Bulgaria’s view of the current overall relations

between the countries in the Balkan region?

- Against the backdrop of the new tendencies in international relations, regional cooperation in Southeast Europe is being transformed toward the construction of single European space. It is precisely due to that reason that the success of various regional initiatives would be guaranteed if they were to be implemented in a European context. In fact, through its regional policy, the EU is implementing one of its core principles – solidarity – by setting aside funds to support less developed regions. In the Balkans, there are a number of European programs available not only to EU member states, but also to those countries that are in the process of EU integration, like Serbia. I would like to mention that, here, EU financing comes, for example, through the Program for egional cooperation is much more than trans-border cooperation with Bulgaria, as well as through just a prerequisite to the development of cooperation on constructing the transport Corridor 10. one or another area of society. It is the key Our own experience from to mutual Relations between Bulgaria and the last fifteen years or so has trust, to an shown that EU enlargement atmosphere of good neighSerbia, particularly against the and the strengthening of rebourly relations, and to harbackdrop of the contradictory monious bilateral relations. gional ties contribute to both 20th century, are genuinely good. faster inclusion into the EuroThese components contribute to the stability that counBut they are still far from what is Atlantic structures and to the decreasing of the region’s risk tries need in order to be able both desirable and possible potential. In fact, regional deto fully use their available resources to develop. These components also help create velopment was already deemed to be a stabilizing factor durfavourable conditions for joint action aimed at achieving ing the 1990s with the Sofia Declaration of the ministers of shared goals,” said Bulgarian Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Mr. foreign affairs of Southeast European states, which later grew Angel Dimitrov for CorD. into the Process for Cooperation in Southeast Europe – an

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Policy

Bulgaria’s foreign policy in the region is clear and categorical: we support the EU and Euro-Atlantic integration of the countries in Southeast Europe, of the socalled Western Balkans.

Macedonia

The reasons for the differences between Sofia and Skopje lie in the insecurity of Macedonian identity and in the historically atypical way that Macedonian statehood was created

already established regional initiative which Serbia chaired last year. Bulgaria’s foreign policy in the region is clear and categorical: we support the EU and Euro-Atlantic integration of the countries in Southeast Europe, of the so-called Western Balkans, and we are prepared to share our experience and to work together for the fulfilment of the required criteria.

■ Even after the wars from the not-too-distant past, the

Balkans is still an area of unresolved relations among its countries, as it seems that almost all Balkan states have some unsettled issues in their agendas. In your opinion, what priorities should be met in order for the region to have lasting peace and cooperation?

- Wars, in fact, rarely lead to just resolutions of the problems that caused them. In some cases this even happens to the “winners,” if more powerful outside factors impose their will in the pursuit of their own interests. Problems among Balkan nations and states have deep historical roots, but they are first and foremost related to the rearrangement of the region’s political map during the Modern Age, and, most often, precisely following military conflicts. The reason is that the solution to the so-called Eastern Question – at least that part having to do with the Balkan possessions of the Ottoman Empire – was an act of the European great powers, which were more concerned about maintaining the balance between one another than about applying a national principle in the reestablishment of the Balkan states. In that regard, some problems were complicated by the wars during the 20th century. So this region, with its conflict-filled historical legacy, is indeed Europe’s most politically-seismic part. And it is precisely that fact that obliges us to part with the inertia of thinking, inherited from the past with its frayed myths and stereotypes; it obliges us to leave behind all those understandings and approaches toward the problems which inflicted untold damage on the region, gave the Balkans a bad name, and pitted otherwise closely-related communities, cultures, and states against one another in a lasting manner.

The foreign policy atmosphere in Europe is different today, and it would be a grave political mistake if we failed to appreciate fully the opportunity which European integration offers, to gradually overcome existing differences and actually resolve old problems between states. The priorities are clear: stronger economic and cultural communication and political convergence in the spirit of shared European standards and values.

■ What is at the core of the disagreement between Bul-

garia and Macedonia which led to Bulgaria saying that it

Investment

Bulgarian investors have the feeling that they are not treated (in Serbia) on equal terms with investors from big Western states, and perhaps from Eastern ones as well

might block Macedonia’s accession to the EU?

- The political message coming from Bulgaria, which is in line with our country’s public opinion, has to do with the main tenor in our conversation so far – with the necessity of having politics based on good neighbourly relations, respect for historical facts and respect for today’s political reality. It is precisely these things that are scarce in the Republic of Macedonia’s policy toward Bulgaria, and that is obviously in contradiction with part of the criteria necessary for EU membership.

The reasons for the differences between Sofia and Skopje lie in the insecurity of Macedonian identity and in the historically atypical way that Macedonian statehood was cre-

Our own experience from the last fifteen years or so has shown that EU enlargement and the strengthening of regional ties contribute to both faster inclusion into the Euro-Atlantic structures and to the decreasing of the region’s risk potential ated. I think that these things are known in Serbia, not to mention that downtown Skopje has lately been turning into a clear illustration of the Macedonian identity-problem. The Republic of Macedonia’s past is closely bound with Bulgarian history in a way that today obviously poses a problem for Macedonian nationalism and determines the ill-intentious tonality in the attitude toward Bulgaria. Hence the bilateral issue stems from Skopje’s political interpretation of the past, which leads to unfounded claims and senseless tension.

Bulgaria, however, does not wish to block the Republic of Macedonia’s European orientation. My country categorically supports our young neighbour’s European and EuroAtlantic integration, and that is why we look forward to cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 21

the necessary corrections in Macedonian politics. We have initiated regular high-level political meetings and the creation of special working groups between the two ministries of foreign affairs that are already holding talks to overcome the problems. We are also offering to sign a Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Good-Neighbourly relations. I hope that it will be understood in Skopje that the country’s future should not be and cannot be hostage to the myths of a historically and politically refuted past.

■ Apart from geographic proximity, Bulgaria and Serbia

are very similar in many ways – from historic heritage, the country and population size and economic potential to culture and similar language. How would you rate today’s political and economic relations between the two countries?

Nikolic, in Sofia and we expect also further contacts between highest officials of two countries in the near future. I hope that these contacts at the highest level will provide an impetus for further reaching and more intensive communication in all areas. I trust that very soon we will also sign a Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Good-Neighbourly Relations, and that a joint session of our two governments will take place.

As far as the economy goes, there are positive facts in that field as well. The bilateral trade volume exceeds US $870 million, which is nearly 10% more than in 2011. My opinion, however, is that the possibilities are much bigger and that an improvement of transport routes between the two states, the improvement of trans-border communications, will exert a swift stimulating effect.

■ After a somewhat more pronounced interest that the

Bulgarian investors showed for Serbia in 2007 and 2008, today’s investments are significantly reduced. Do you think that the reason for that is the economic crisis or Bulgaria’s turning to other markets?

The bilateral trade volume exceeds US $870 million, which is nearly 10% more than in 2011. My opinion, however, is that the possibilities are much bigger and that an improvement of transport routes between the two states

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- Relations between Bulgaria and Serbia, particularly against the backdrop of the contradictory 20th century, are genuinely good. But they are still far from what is both desirable and possible, as perfectionist as my wish may sound. I mention it because our people are very close indeed, and getting to know one another better would demonstrate how unfounded many of the stereotypes that exist about the image of “the other” really are. I am quite knowledgeable about the contradictory nature of our centuries-old relations, shaped by rivalries and frequent outside interventions, and that is why I am convinced that the present moment is giving a chance to all that is positive and for the establishment of closeness along the common European path.

Toward the end of last year, the Bulgarian minister of foreign affairs, Nickolay Mladenov, visited Belgrade. President Plevneliev is awaiting his Serbian counterpart, President

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- The core reasons are economic, and they really are influenced by the global crisis. I should point out, however, that Bulgarian investors have the feeling that they are not treated on equal terms with investors from big Western states, and perhaps from Eastern ones as well. Sometimes the reasons for that feeling are subjective and have to do with the quality of the managerial teams, but more often they are a consequence of the heavy administrative system and certain bureaucratic hurdles put up by biased representatives of the administration.

Along with the positive examples, there are unsuccessful investments as well, but until now I am not aware of Bulgarian investors having broken Serbian laws. That is why, when your colleagues are covering such cases, I expect them to be concrete rather than to come up with negative generalizations about Bulgarian businesses.

■ Prime Ministers Borisov and Dačić have recently

signed an agreement in Brussels on the construction of the South Stream gas pipeline which is a project that is very important for both countries. In what stages and on what project activities are Bulgaria and Serbia going to cooperate?

- In Brussels, the two prime ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding to construct an inter-system gas connection between the two countries. The Balkans are a strategically important part of the trans-European energy infrastructure, and therefore the development of the gas transmission network is among both Bulgaria and the EU’s priorities. By 2015, Bulgaria will construct inter-system gas links to all its neighbours, which will contribute to the creation of a common liberalized and competitive gas market, while the whole region will get good opportunities to diversify its gas supply. The actual connection of Serbia and Bulgaria’s gas pipelines will take place in 2015, and the minimal

capacity will be 2 billion cubic meters per year. The gas connection’s route will “enter” Serbian territory near Kalotina and will continue in the direction of Nis. The Bulgarian segment will be entirely funded by EU financing, while the Serbian part will be funded with unused money from the preaccession funds and an unused loan from EBRD to Srbijagas.

As far as the Southern Stream goes, the predictions are that it will pass through north Bulgaria and will enter Serbia in the vicinity of Zaječar.

■ During your recent visit to Niš, you said that Niš might be included in the activities of the Danube and the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative of regional towns. Could you elaborate?

- It seems like I was not fully understood. The European region linking Sofia, Skopje and Nis was established in the European spirit of more balanced socio-economic development. Naturally, Nis could use Sofia’s communication potential, which through Corridor 4 will be connected to the second bridge on the Danube River. It could also get involved in projects implemented through the EU’s Danube Strategy.

If the Republic of Macedonia also finalizes work on Corridor 8, started a long time ago, then Nis would also have a direct route to the Adriatic. In fact, cooperation among the municipalities has an important place in the work of various international organizations, as well as within the framework of trans-border communication between Bulgaria and Serbia.

A number of Bulgarian towns have joint projects, financed by the EU, not only with Nis but also with other towns in the eastern part of Serbia. My visits there have convinced me that trans-border cooperation is mutually beneficial and that there are good perspectives for its development.

■ What support does Bulgaria give Serbia on its way to the EU membership? Have the two countries been in contact and exchanged experiences in that respect?

- Bulgaria’s support for Serbia’s EU membership is principled and consistent. Your country has the necessary potential to pass successfully along the path to EU integration, with which we are quite familiar. We are prepared to share our experience – our problems were quite similar – and I am convinced that it will help make your efforts more effective.

In fact, since 2007 when a Memorandum for Cooperation in the field of European integration was signed, several rounds of consultations were carried out in Bulgaria on subjects of interest to our Serbian partners. The Diplomatic Institute with the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has carried out training sessions for diplomats and representatives of different administrative organizations and is willing to organize an appropriate seminar in Belgrade. I can also mention the visit of Serbian parliamentarians to Sofia to get acquainted with Bulgaria’s reform experience. That took place toward the end of 2012. They had meetings within the National Assembly, at the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Interior, and I hope they found them useful.

■ Are there any unsettled issues between Bulgaria and Serbia in regard to national minorities?

- There is no Serbian minority in Bulgaria, and concerning the Bulgarians in Serbia, I would like to highlight that they have always been loyal citizens who contributed to the country’s economic and cultural development. Unfortunately, a large part of them live in municipalities along the border, part of Serbia’s underdeveloped regions. That is why the Bulgarian public is keenly interested in the measures that the Serbian authorities are taking to improve the lot of the Bulgarian national minority. The Bulgarian public also expects a comprehensive practical realization of the Bulgarian national minority’s constitutional rights in the fields of education, culture, religious profession, the availability of media in their native language, the usage of their native language within the local administration, as well as the right to equal participation in the country’s socio-political life.

Bulgaria’s support for Serbia’s EU membership is principled and consistent. Your country has the necessary potential to pass successfully along the path to EU integration, with which we are quite familiar ■ Last year, Bulgarian Prime Minister Borisov said that it was his dream “for all Balkan countries to be in the European Union”. Could you tell us, from the Bulgarian perspective, how do you see the accession dynamics of the Balkan countries?

- Prime Minister Borisov’s statement is an expression of the Bulgarian belief that without the countries in the Western Balkans, the idea of a European whole will remain incomplete.

We are convinced that the region’s European integration will strongly boost its economic advancement and will serve as a stepping stone toward Europe’s security and stability. The accession dynamics, however, will depend on the efforts of the applicant countries, and their capacities are different. I would like to think that Serbia will discover the appropriate speed which will allow it to achieve its desired goal faster. ■ cordeditorial@cma.rs |

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interview

■ By Jovana GLIGORIJEVIć ■ Photos: Zoran Petrović

William Infante, UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia

New Goals for the Next

Millennium

Serbia is one of 56 countries in the world that is shaping a new, global development agenda for the period after 2015. The country-wide consultation process, implemented under the initiative called “The Serbia We Want”, offers an opportunity to all people living in Serbia to give their opinions, and to define a set of global sustainable development goals that will guide development activities worldwide in the period after 2015

globe, and questions regarding the impact and sustainability of development efforts have emerged in recent years. The issues, such as climate change, technology processes, growing pollution, equality, peace and security, good governance, just to name a few, emerged after the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2000 and forced us to address these additional interests. This doesn’t mean that the great work achieved with the MDGs is going to be abandoned in the future – on the contrary: fighting poverty and fighting for human development pecial emphasis is put on the voices of marginalwill continue to be priorities, and will gain new vigor. ized groups in Serbia which are often unheard. We The United Nations is leading this process that will define took the opportunity to talk to Mr. William Infante, “The World We Want”, and UN Resident CoorIf we want to achieve sustainable a post-2015 development dinator in Serbia about new millennium goals, development and make real changes agenda in unprecedented worldwide consultations. the amazing feedback from in people’s lives, then we need to The lessons learned from the People in Serbia about the include the voices of ordinary people previous process of establishfuture, and ways that we can make it better for everyone. in the core process of defining future ing the development framework for MDGs has taught development priorities us that, if we want to achieve ■ The United Nations are sustainable development and make real changes in people’s co-hosting an extensive campaign and consultations called lives, then we need to include the voices of ordinary people “The World We Want 2015”. Could you tell us what is at the in the core process of defining future development priorities. project’s core?

This is an essential and provides substance and legitimacy to - Our world has been going through major changes. Many imthe process, and it ensures that the identification of Sustainable portant issues hinder the everyday life of people around the

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Initiative

The whole initiative was actually kickedoff by Prime Minister Dacic when we celebrated UN Week.

Results

We are eager to share the results from Serbia with people in the country as well as with the rest of the world.

Development Goals matches people’s true needs and interests.

This consultation reaches out to people, asking them about the challenges they face, and enabling them to freely express their opinions on the development of our world in the future.

Goals

Serbia will help define global goals, but in this process will also identify the priorities that will influence national development strategy.

take in the project consultations in Serbia. How many people will take part and, in terms of organization, how this extensively is project going to be realized?

- We will engage as many people and stakeholders as we can.

The consultation process is being conducted on two paral■ Serbia is one of the 56 countries that have been selected lel fronts: one is direct consultations, face to face, with more than 35 groups of stakeholders. We are collecting their voices to take part in this great “dialogue” about the future of the through workshops, public debates, field visits, focus and disworld. What criteria were used in the selection and why was cussion groups and town hall meetings. More than 10,000 quesSerbia selected?

- The countries from South Eastern Europe and the Balkan retionnaires have been distributed among different stakeholder groups. UN staff and partners are traveling to small towns in gion were under-represented in the previous process. It was different parts of Serbia to interview workers, rural women, recognized that the voices of many countries that fit a specific the elderly, unemployed, people with disabilities, Roma, farmprofile - being middle income countries, those having just undergone democratic transition, that are in transition to a marers, and youth. We have engaged students, policy-makers, jourket economy or in the process of EU accession - were missing. nalists, trade unions, experts, academia who have participated Serbia was selected as one of the best examples of such a counin debates and shared their views and ideas.

We also have web portal, www.srbijakakvuzelim.rs, which try. Serbia also plays a pivotal role in the regional processes of is open to all who are willing to dedicooperation and development. This is a unique opportunity for this councate five minutes of their time to fill out a short survey. So far, over 1,300 try and its people to be a part of such online surveys have been completed. an important endeavor.

On top of that, a lively outreach has been activated through UNCT Face■ In Serbia, the project will be imbook and Twitter pages, where displemented under the title “The cussions are being held on a daily baSerbia We Want 2015”. When is the sis on different topics. The UNCT FB project going to start in Serbia and page has reached more than 160,000 how long is it going to last? people - most are from Serbia, but - The initiative “Srbija kakvu zelim” others are in the USA, Canada, Aushas been going full speed since midJanuary. We have made every The initiative “Srbija kakvu zelim” is tralia and Europe. We have also effort to achieve the widest organized an online children’s’ possible outreach, and to hear particularly committed to including drawing and photography conas many voices as possible. test that has attracted a lot of marginalized and vulnerable The initiative is particularly people, who are often left out of positive buzz. committed to including marAll UN agencies in Serbia mainstream decision-making strongly support the initiative ginalized and vulnerable peoand are actively helping in promotion, outreach and sharing ple, who are often left out of mainstream decision-making. of their contacts, information networks and materials. Our naMany of them actually thanked us and said that “no one had ever asked [them] for their opinion before”. So, if it means that tional partner, SeConS Development Group, is helping to realize we will have to visit people’s homes and villages to talk to them, this extensive process. that is exactly what we’ll do. The initiative will last until midMarch, but it doesn’t stop there. Afterwards, consultations will ■ When are the results of consultations going to be revealed, continue in different forms - presentation and consolidation of and how are they going to be presented to the public? country reports will be prepared, consolidated and presented - We are looking forward to the results of this process, since at the High Level Panel meeting, and at a Conference of the Seca tremendous amount of high quality input has been received from around the country. We will continue to gather material, retary General in September 2013. input, ideas and hopes which we will compile, analyze and send to UN headquarters in New York at the end of March. We are ea■ Many citizens, private, public and civil sector, politicians, ger to share the results from Serbia with people in the country the media, various organizations and institutions will parcordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 25

as well as with the rest of the world. I believe that Serbia will help define Sustainable Development Goals that will shape our world.

As for the global consultations, each of the countries participating in the process will submit reports on the findings and results. Those reports will be consolidated into one final report that will be submitted to the UN Secretary General.

■ Your office in Serbia will organize and finance the project consultations. Have Serbian officials expressed interest in supporting the campaign in Serbia, bearing in mind that the responses are certainly going to be interesting and useful?

- Our partners in the government have been engaged, informed and updated about the progress of the consultations. The whole initiative was actually kicked-off by Prime Minister Dacic when we celebrated UN Week. Both central and local government, organizations and individuals have also participated through questionnaires, in workshops and in direct discussions. Some government institutions have supported and promoted the initiative, such as the Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction Unit (SIPRU).

■ What concrete benefits does

the UN expect to get from the project results on the global level, and what could be the benefits in Serbia?

have focused on the burning issues as seen from their individual perspective, such as poverty, unemployment, corruption and security. From my own experience, people share common wants and opinions: responsible government, employment, access to social, health and education services. People in Serbia also articulated a desire to restore core values such as solidarity, personal responsibility and integrity. This is a profound and reassuring sentiment: Serbia has strongly embraced values that will consolidate democracy and protect rights, which will position the country for membership in diverse constituencies, including the EU. ■ Special attention will be paid to the ‘marginalized groups’

in the population and in the national minorities. What are the most vulnerable population groups in the world and in Serbia?

- We are witnessing an increase in social and economic inequality worldwide. A precondition for sustainable development is the inclusion of all people, including the vulnerable and marginalized in vital processes in their communities and in our global community. Even though significant decreases in poverty have been achieved under the MDGs, growing income inequality multiplies problems of exclusion, marginalization, and inability to access basic services. That is why the new agenda will maintain the focus on human development and poverty alleviation.

- It is not a question of how Some young people in Serbia are the UN will benefit from the results, but how these results leaving to search for opportunities are going to be translated into elsewhere. This is sad because tangible goals that change peo■ How much is this project goSerbia is a country with strong ple’s lives for better. The particing to deal with young people development potential ipatory outreach that defines and the serious problems they the entire process represents have been facing not only in the most expansive global consultation ever. It gives people Serbia but in the rest of the world too? voice and ownership of the outcomes, and empowers them to - Young people in Serbia and across the globe face numerous hold their leaders accountable for delivering sustainable develchallenges, given the political shifts, reform processes, recesopment. sion, economic crisis and lack of new jobs. Some young peoSerbia will help define global goals, but in this process will ple in Serbia are leaving to search for opportunities elsewhere. also identify the priorities that will influence national developThis is sad because Serbia is a country with strong development strategy. Serbia will be heard outside the country’s borment potential and well-skilled human resources. Youth will drive growth, and must be included as much as possible in ders which will help to build a positive image of a proactive, policy-making processes. resourceful partner in global dialogue.

This consultation is giving an opportunity to young people in Serbia to shape their future by asking them want they want, and ■ Serbia is still considered a transition country undergoing how they see the path towards for their country and the world. frequent changes. In your opinion, to what extent do the expectations that the people in Serbia have of the far-off 2015 hinge on, for instance, being given the date of the beginning of the accession negotiations or an early election?

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■ The UN office in Serbia is very active in many different

segments. Which of last year’s projects would you like to especially single out?

‘zero-tolerance’ policy. Clearly a lot remains to be done, but the - I am particularly proud of all our joint programmes, which ally signs that Serbia is on the right path are becoming even clearer. multiple UN agencies around a single goal. Joint programming taps expertise and specialized assets, and last year the UN Country Team delivered US $37 million of development aid through ■ Apart from “The Serbia We Want 2015,” in what other projoint programmes. These programmes addressed cross-sector jects is your office going to participate in 2013? issues requiring the coordination of UN Agencies in Serbia and - In line with its strategic framework for Serbia (UNDAF 2011Ministries. The Youth Employment and Management of Migra2015), the UNCT’s activities will strengthen good governance, promote sustainable development tion project, Peace Building and In line with its strategic and social inclusion, and increase Inclusive Development in South Serbia, Sustainable Work Initiaframework for Serbia (UNDAF regional stability and cooperation. security will be promoted tive for Healthier Tomorrow and 2011-2015), the UNCT’s activities Human at the local level throughout the others, have advanced social and will strengthen good governance, country, with particular attention development goals. on South West Serbia. UNCT has a I am also very proud of the promote sustainable portfolio of different programmes/ encouraging progress that the development and social projects (some are ongoing and government has made in the inclusion, and increase regional some are in the pipeline) that will fight against corruption over the be implemented by over 20 UN depast year. The UNDP’s most restability and cooperation cent Corruption Benchmarking velopment Agencies.

Survey recorded the most positive results so far: citizens are inAnd every one of these projects will be informed and influcreasingly aware of the severity of corruption and they are openced by the post 2015 dialogue of which Serbia is a part. This nationwide consultation will drive the UN’s future strategy in timistic that future efforts to combat corruption will succeed. the country, and I am very confident that Serbia’s voice will be The international community gathered in the Informal Donor heard in defining the sustainable development goals that will Sub-Group on Anti-corruption, co-chaired by the EU and UNDP, shape the “World We Want”. ■ applaud the many voices in government that have called for a

International B2B Trade Fair for renewable energy

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The aim of the fair is to promote the use of renewable energy sources for thermal power generation purposes, pointing to the possibility of economic development, the utilization of renewable power in Serbia, with an emphasis on the positive environmental impact of using renewable energy.

Due to the high market potential and proximity to neighboring markets of Central and Eastern Europe, the fair will bring together manufacturers and distributors of products and equipment in the fields of solar technology, photovoltaics, geothermal energy, heaters, boilers, machinery and equipment for biomass, air conditioning and heating. The exhibitors will present their latest products, innovations and trends, as well as services and solutions for business audiences and consumers.

Educational, Business Forum and B2B Matchmaking meetings will be held at the same as Trade Fair.

Participation is free of charge, and registration can be done on the website: http://solartherm.talkb2b.net ICM International d.o.o Gandijeva 5/lok.9, SR – 11070 Beograd; T: +381 (0)11 41 40 447; F: +381 (0)11 41 40 448; Mob: +381 (0)60 66 88 611; e-mail: sandra@icm.si , web: www.icm.si cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 27

interview Ivan Tasovac, pianist and director of the Belgrade Philharmonic

Leading by

Example

■ By Radmila Stanković

Ivan Tasovac has been the director of the Belgrade Philharmonic for over 11 years. He was the youngest person ever to be at the helm of this orchestra in its 90-year history. Today, we can say that Tasovac is also the most successful director ever. He was a pianist who started his career at the tender age of 6. He was 12 when he first performed with the Belgrade Philharmonic, and, at the age of 15, he was admitted to Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow from which he graduated

S

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everal years ago, Ivan Tasovac, who is one of the 400 best university graduates in Russia and the former Soviet Union from 1917 until today, was invited to attend a celebration in Moscow at the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s initiative. He left the piano to other younger pianists to play while making sure that they play in a good environment and with good instruments.

Ivan Tasovac (47) comes from a good and celebrated family. His father is an oustanding actor Predrag Tasovac, his mother, Marija, is a piano teacher, while his younger brother Toma graduated from Harvard. The family tree, that the Nobel Prize laureate and writer Ivo Andrić found in the Dubrovnik Archives, tells the story of a Spanish no-

bleman who came with his armada to Boka Kotorska in the 15th century and fell in love with a beauty from the Tasovac tribe. In order for the young couple to be allowed to marry, the entire family was made into Spanish peers.

Tasovac said once, almost in an apologetic voice, that he “grew up in a time and an environment where kids from good families were either enrolled into music schools or French speaking nurseries.”

Thanks to Ivan Tasovac, and (according to him) to his team and the musicians, the Belgrade Philharmonic has become a successful institution of culture in Serbia, as well as a Serbian brand which success transcends regional boundaries. Because of his excellent business acumen, in 2009, Tasovac was chosen “Marketing Person of the Year,” while, in 2012, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce named him “Manager of the Year.”

Facebook followers and their encouraging daily posts or well-meaning suggestions, I don’t feel like everyone is against me at all. Let me paraphrase Maurice Béjart who likened the job of an artist to that of a prostitute. So, the subjective feelings of an artist or a sex worker are not important for the quality of an event, but rather it is the enduser, customer or subscriber satisfaction that is important.

The same goes for management. If you constantly feel like everybody is against you, then your ideas are plain stupid or you are unable to implement them. In both cases, you are responsible.

■ What was the most difficult thing for you to implement?

- I don’t feel that there was anything so difficult to do that it is worth mentioning.

■ What did you wish ■ What are your best for 12 years ago and most valuable when you took over experiences in runthe Philharmonic? ning the orchestra?

What lessons did - At the very beginyou learn? ning, my wishes for the Belgrade Philhar- It is important to have both of your feet monic were quite simfirmly planted in air ple – getting the best and be patient. In othconductors and soloists possible to the orcheser words, not giving up on your vision, but tra and arousing the also being realistic and public’s interest in our Ivan Tasovac and Zubin Mehta that things don’t concerts. After that, Sometimes, people often forget that aware happen overnight. we wanted to obtain we – the musicians – and our families the best instruments out there, reconstruct still have to “indulge” in an awkward ■ The orchestra has the Philharmonic’s the status 501(c) bourgeoisie habit called eating building and the small (3) which basically concert hall which we use for rehearsals, and improve the means that it is a non-profit organization. In the US, financial and social status of our employees. Sometimes, for instance, if you donate money to a non-profit people often forget that we – the musicians – and our famiorganization, you are exempt from paying taxes in the same amount. That is one way in which the US lies still have to “indulge” in an awkward bourgeoisie habit funds non-commercial culture. Could you elaborate called eating. on that?

Still, our ambitions have been growing with our success. Following the formation and the activities of the Bel- I think that the way in which we have been developing a private-public partnership and international fundraising grade Philharmonic Foundation „Zubin Mehta“, which atare considered new in the entire region. We are currently tracts private donors from the country, we have started to the only institution in this part of the world that has estabrevive the Serbian tradition of philanthropy and setting up endowments. Through the Foundation, we have managed lished an American foundation based in New York called to collect substantial funds which go toward financing the “American Friends of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra” Philharmonic and its future projects. which was given the 501(c)(3) status late last summer. That means that all of our US donors enjoy substantial tax relief.

■ As you were devising plans and making decisions that propelled the Philharmonic to the very top in ■ The Philharmonic has already had good experiEurope, have you sometimes felt like everyone is ences with donations which proved to be quite sucagainst you? cessful. You prefer donations over sponsorships.

Why is that?

- You know what... Thanks to some 30,000 Twitter and cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 29

- The gist of donating is to promote the institution. Serious nations believe in institutions while we, unfortunately, believe in leaders. Our biggest problem is not trusting institutions and not investing in them. It is unacceptable that Boris Tadić or Tomislav Nikolić (or whoever) invites tycoons to build a bridge or a factory. They should call on institutions to do their job. We are going to find out in June when are we going to get a free date for our performance at Carnegie Hall after where we are going on an American tour.

The way the Philharmonic functions is the best way for health system and universities to function in the future. Speaking about healthcare, an ordinary man in Serbia doesn’t trust the institutions so he keeps on giving gifts and paying everybody, from doormen and doctors, from his own pocket. In our country, corruption is a validation of Serbia’s philanthropic potential.

Look at just how much money is spent on that instead on donating it to the institutions.

- I often talk in my lectures about the value of team work.

You know, just like royal cortege makes a king, so does the team make a successful manager. I am proud of the orchestra’s musicians and my production associates.

The friendly atmosphere and the talent of the Philharmonic’s musicians remind me a lot of the film called Montevideo, Bog te video. In our case, the post-war melodramatic plot looks like this – a young and poor orchestra from a country anesthetized by bad energy wants to use its work and talent toward going on its first American tour in its 90-year history. In the last scene, just after we received ovations at Carnegie Hall, we are running in slow motion down Wall Street with the music from Chariots of Fire playing in the background, waving with our instruments while people are throwing money and sweets at us from bank rooftops.

But, let’s be serious for a moment… In life you get only one chance to make a first impression, and you have to use that chance.

Our task is to write new pages in the history of the Belgrade Philharmonic and Serbian culture.

■ When was the first time that you felt proud about the work you did in the Philharmonic?

■ Why did you decline an offer to become a culture minister?

■ Many things speak in favour of the Belgrade Philharmonic enjoying a very high rating in ■ Which philharmonic orchestra the world. Could you tell us do you look up to and why? about the successes that have - In terms of budget, we can look led to such rating? up to any European or American philharmonic orchestra. The global - We have yet to achieve our bigmusic world cannot believe gest successes. Owing to the The global music world cannot just how small our budget is, international activities of especially if you consider the the Belgrade Philharmonic believe just how small our quality of our programme Foundation ‘Zubin Mehta’, budget is, especially if you which we have been presentwhich was formed seven consider the quality of our years ago, many doors have ing to the public. Let me use been opened to us. We have programme which we have been this opportunity to boast, two large-scale projects and I am doing this only out presenting to the public in the pipeline. The first is of creative despair, and say the American tour scheduled for autumn 2014, with the that the Belgrade Philharmonic is becoming an organizaorchestra set to perform in New York, Washington DC, tional role model for many institutions.

Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Chicago. The tour is also an official introduction into a second project which is raising ■ The current culture minister is the sixth culture funds for construction of the Philharmonic’s new concert minister with whom you’ve cooperated. Which of hall that will span across 12 hectares of land, stretching them you were on the same page with and which from the Federal Executive Council to Ušće Shopping Cenwere the most difficult to agree with? tre. The hall will be built through the private-public part- Just like you should say all the best about your past lovnership format. ers or deceased people, I should also say all the best about But, we’ll talk about that when it happens. The Ameriformer ministers. Everything I had to say to them, I said during their term in the office. can tour is our biggest challenge now.

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102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

- You can become a minister if you are a member of a political party.

harmonic. We have foreseen certain things and, through foundations, we have been developing new work formats.

We are like a cultural “Survivor” and we are not complaining about it.

■ You were the first person to publicly speak about the fact that the real problem was not lack of funds for culture, but the bad distribution and use of that ■ Could you also foresee that, after the change in money. Is that still going on? power in year 2000, the budget for culture would be continuously reduced with each new government?

- The Ministry of Culture, as well as many government committees, must be thor- I couldn’t assume that our The state does not differentiate country would continue to oughly reformed. The news shrink in size either. about the people who are between culture and show entitled to national pensions business. Also, it does not or the work done by the ■ How much are you bothunderstand the real importance ered by the fact that our Commission for Selection of the Institutions of National of the institutions compared to top political officials Importance are the best exwould rather go to a conprivate projects like festivals cert of folk singers like amples of just how deep the Miroslav Ilić or Ana Bekuta than step a foot in the problem is that we are experiencing. The state does not Philharmonic’s hall? differentiate between culture and show business. Also, it does not understand the real importance of the institu- Maybe that’s not so bad! Otherwise, they could come up with an idea of the Philharmonic being obligated to follow tions compared to private projects like festivals. their favourite show business stars.

If there were a list of financing priorities in the Ministry of Culture, the museums would not stay closed for over a decade nor would the national institutions look what they ■ Have you ever regretted leaving the career of a pialook like today. nist for becoming a successful manager?

I am not saying all of this just because of the Phil- No. ■

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feature

Match-fixing Scandal

■ By Drazen Remikovic

spreads to the Balkans

Most of the “suspicious” matches identified by Europol were played in Turkey -- 79 -- but some were also in the Balkans – 18 in Croatia, two in Montenegro and seven in BiH. Media reports and investigations over the past several years have also implicated Bulgarian, Greek, Albanian and Macedonian football

E

uropean football is facing its biggest challenge as a massive corruption and match-fixing scandal threatens the integrity of the sport.

Europol revealed early last month some 680 matches, including World Cup and European Championship qualifiers and two Champions League games, had been fixed.

The investigation found 380 suspicious matches in Europe and another 300 questionable games outside the continent, mainly in Africa, Asia, South and Central America.

Investigators said 425 match officials, club officials, players

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and criminals from at least 15 countries were involved in fixing football games dating back to 2008.

The extent of match-fixing may be greater than the numbers revealed by Europol, and local investigations are expected to shed light on more fixed-matches, especially in lower leagues.

In response to an inquiry by SETimes, Europol said, “The on-going cases are in the hands of the national prosecution authorities and are beyond Europol’s responsibility. For now, Europol has no further comments on the investigation or

the information to Albanian organised crime which would speculation about the games, players and officials involved.” have the contacts to facilitate the placing of bets of hundreds Match-fixing where the outcome of the match is predeterof thousands of euros in the Asian betting market.” mined allows international gambling rings and criminal netSylvia Schenk, the senior advisor for sport at Transparency works to net millions of euros a year, launder money and corInternational, told SETimes that there have been reports of rupt the sport of football. match-fixing in the Balkans, but it is hard to quantify the scale Most of bets are made in the East Asian market, where orof the region’s role. ganised criminal groups work closely with European facilita“But the Balkans are clearly involved,” she said. “That we tors to buy players, coaches, referees and club owners. do not have specific cases in all countries does not mean there By knowing the outcome of a game, criminal networks is no manipulation, just that there aren’t the investigations.” can make sophisticated bets to make illicit income. The One reason behind match-fixing is low wages and financial Europol investigation revealed a gambling operation that insecurity for footballers. A report published by SportAccord, generated more than €8 million in betting profits and inan umbrella of international sport federations, said that the volved more than €2 million in corrupt payments to those majority of footballers, especially in lower leagues, do not involved in the matches. earn as much money as is commonly thought and face late The advent of sophisticated online gambling over the payments and shortpast decade has creatMatch-fixing where the outcome of the term contracts. ed a multi-billion dolmatch is predetermined allows international “The lack of financial lar transnational insecurity among sportdustry that is difficult gambling rings and criminal networks to net speople should not be igto track and sometimes millions of euros a year, launder money and nored,” the report notillegal and unregulatcorrupt the sport of football ed, adding that in the ed. In an interview with Balkans salaries do The Associated Press, not allow players to Interpol chief Ronald live a “decent lifestyle, Noble said that let alone an extravaworldwide sports gant one.” gambling amounts to In Albania, for exhundreds of billions ample, the monthly of dollars a year, 90 salary of a star player percent of which is can reach €6,000 per bet on football. month, while young Most of the “suspiplayers earn about cious” matches identi€500 per month, fied by Europol were equivalent of the basic played in Turkey -salary of a civil serv79 -- but some were ant in the country. also in the Balkans – As the fallout over 18 in Croatia, two in Europol chief Rob Wainwright reveals Europol’s findings at a press conference in The Hague Europol’s investigaMontenegro and sevtion reverberates across football, responsibility to investien in BiH. Media reports and investigations over the past sevgate and prosecute falls on local authorities to combat coreral years have also implicated Bulgarian, Greek, Albanian ruption and save the integrity of the world’s most popuand Macedonian football. lar sport.

“It is clear that all recent cases of serious corruption in The outcome of the investigations and authorities’ refootball implicate organised crime from at least some part of sponse will have an impact on the public’s perception and the world but often from more than one region,” David Forest, confidence that competition on the field is genuine, Forest a professor at the University of Salford in the UK and author said. Pointing to Asian leagues, he said endemic corruption of several reports on corruption in sports, told SETimes. and betting scandals led to “the collapse” of football.

Highlighting the complex international and regional web “Modern football is vulnerable especially because sponof criminal organisations, Forest provides an example in the sorship and television rights income are such important revBalkans. enue streams. Sponsors and broadcasters will be liable to “For example, the case of Pobeda, the Macedonian club withdraw for fear of endorsing what looks like a criminal ensuspended from UEFA competitions after the chairman himterprise,” he said. “The threat to the sport from continued corself ordered the team to lose,” Forest said. “The club in this ruption is real.” case instigated the fix but its payoff was achieved by selling cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 33

problem together.”

In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), domestic authorities Europol’s findings added pressure on authorities to adconfirmed investigations are under way. dress the still unresolved match-fixing and betting scandal in “At this stage, the prosecution office can not reveal details Turkey. Last year, the largest ever match-fixing investigation of the investigation, but only that the investigation is on-going in the country, involving major professional clubs in about 30 and actions shall be undertaken in order to detect the possimatches, was uncovered by authorities. ble commission of a criminal offense,” Adisa Karacic, spokesRecent findings suggest that Europol’s probe will reveal woman for the BiH state prosecutors office, told SETimes. new match-fixing cases in Turkey, which were not investigatElvedin Begic, president of the Football Association of BiH, ed in the country. Most said that so far the assoof them are thought ciation hasn’t received to be related to lower any official confirmaleagues. tion about match-fixLast year’s probe in ing from Europol or othTurkey has been controer international instituversial. tions dealing with the Prosecutors in scandal.

Istanbul charged 93 “However, all this infootball club officials, formation will be taken players and coaches seriously. We shall pay with attempting to maattention to this probnipulate matches from lem and investigate all the top two Turkish cases which are suspectfootball leagues dured to be fixed. This will ing the 2010-2011 seabe done in co-operation son. Those charged inwith the investigative cluded Aziz Yıldırım, the institutions,” he said. chairman of Turkey’s “This will definiteleading football club ly affect poorly on the Fenerbahce. reputation of football, The extent of match-fixing may be greater In the judicial probut it must be said that than the numbers revealed by Europol, and cess, more than 40 peomatch-fixing is more local investigations are expected to shed ple were found guilty of than a local problem, match-fixing by a judge, because you can see light on more fixed-matches, especially in but the verdict is pendfor yourself that some lower leagues ing appeal.

European countries are In 2010, a court in Zagreb found 15 players, referees and vulnerable on that as well,” Begic told SETimes. a club owner guilty of match-fixing in the national league and Mirza Dautbegovic, director of SportSport web magazine, sentenced them to jail terms of up to 10 months. In the case, the most visited sport’s website in BiH, said that the Premier known locally as “Offside,” court documents showed that League in BiH was completely fixed when it was first founded. first-league games could be fixed for as little as US $25,600.

“There was a case in BiH a few years ago where the two Officials in Croatia now say that according to their sources clubs actually signed a match-fixing contract. It is tragic that there is currently no match-fixing in the country. our justice system does not address this but we have to wait “Even though there is fertile ground for match-fixing in for the German or some other prosecution to open an invesCroatia because players’ wages are late an average of six tigation. Conditions are now somewhat better … [but] this is months, according to our sources, after the scandal ‘Offside’ more than fertile ground for match-fixing,” Dautbegovic told there has been no match-fixing,” Mario Simic, president of the SETimes.

Croatian Football Union, told SETimes.

In Turkey, Turkish Football Federation chairman Yıldırım “We are in constant touch with the players and encourDemirören said that officials will receive a brief from FIFA on age them to report any irregularities,” he said, adding that the the vast Europol probe on match-fixing. union is organising an education programme where Mario “As far as we follow the reports, there are 79 matches Cizmek, one of the participants in a match-fixing, will speak monitored in Turkey,” Demirören told reporters at a press to the players about consequences of match-fixing, including conference on February 5th. “We have no details yet, but prison time and suspension from football. we will have them,” he said, adding that “whatever this is,

Source: Southeast European Times ■ we will co-operate with Interpol and FIFA and solve the

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mar 2013 business leader’s meeting point

Page 40

Page 44

Page 47

Georgios Papanastasiou

Milanko Bogosavljević

NATAŠA SAVIĆ

Contributing to Growth

Reimbursments Increased During the Crisis

Ticket to the World of Success

President of the Executive Board, Alpha Bank Serbia

Director of AOFI

Director of Rio Company from Kostolac

cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 35

corporate The Coca-Cola Company

Preserve the Planet by Changing Everyday Habits

Step Into the Future

The Coca-Cola System in Serbia and WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) organised the campaign with the “One planet. One home.

Preserve it together” slogan in February, aimed at raising public awareness on climate change and preservation of the plane.

Climate change is one of the most alarming challenges today and therefore it is important to find and apply practical solutions. The exhibition, which represented a home where visitors could get practical tips on reducing their impact on nature by saving resources (power, water, energy) on a daily basis, was presented in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Niš. Visitors had an opportunity to measure their environmental footprint and learn “how much of the planet they consume”, namely, how their lifestyle and habits affect the Earth’s potential to absorb negative effects of our activities.

Each of us spends natural resources of the planet every day, and the consumption depends on where we live, which means of transportation we use, which food items we consume, etc. In addition, all interested visitors could participate in an informative quiz and thus learn more about water footprint, which represents the total volume of water used to get a product or provide a specific service.

The exhibition was complemented by a photo exhibition, presenting natural beauties of our country we are to preserve for future generations, as well as a retrospective of activities through which the Coca-Cola System and WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), in cooperation with numerous partners, support environmental protection in Serbia.

The campaign was also joined by primary school pupils, who participated in the “My Green School” contest, where they presented in a creative manner how they imagined their school in harmony with nature. The most creative works will be chosen by a selection jury, and the winners will get a trip to the “Gornje podunavlje” Special Nature Reserve. For more information on the campaign and climate change, please visit www.artichome.rs/local.

F

rom May 13-17, 2013, the Belgrade Fair will host the 57th International Technology and Technological Inventions Fair during which exhibitors will be able to showcase contemporary technical solutions in industrial processes of future economic and technological development.

This is the oldest event that the Belgrade Fair has been organizing since its establishment in 1937. To this day, the fair has been the driving force behind the country’s industrial development, the most important economic and technological event and one of the most prestigious fairs in Serbia and Southeast Europe while contributing to the development and modernization of industry and, thereby, the entire economy.

The importance of this specialized fair has been validated by the presence of the most significant national and international exhibitors and by the interest shown by a huge number of business visitors from the country and the region.

Numerous technological achievements dominate the organizational and technological concept of this fair. The business spirit of this prestigious event permeates through the national and group exhibits of the participant countries with whom domestic exhibitors can exchange experiences and business practices, as well as have an opportunity to find new business associates through the products and technologies that cannot be found in Serbia.

By promoting manufacturers, designers, inventors, and the trade missions of the leading companies in the industry, the Belgrade Technology Fair is an event where you can see and learn, as well as make concrete business arrangements.

Step into the future at the Belgrade Fair from May 13 to 17. ■ INFO: www.beogradskisajamtehnike.rs

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A STEP INTO THE FUTURE May 13-17, 2013

local news

Business Dialogue 07

The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Efficient, Intelligent, Emotionally Appealing

Election I “Elections are irrelevant and I’ve had enough of that story. While we are defending the state interests abroad, somebody has constantly been referring to electins. They will happen when the ruling coalition decides so, or we will go to the polls in the regular term.” — Ivica Dačić, Serbian Prime Minister

With new, efficient engines, new assistance systems and a new design idiom, Mercedes-Benz has comprehensively modernised the E-Class and as such is extending its leading position in the luxury segment even further

In both the Saloon and Estate models, no less than eleven new or optimised assistance systems from the future S-Class celebrate their world premiere. They combine a host of comfort and safety features, all of which Mercedes-Benz refers to as “intelligent drive”. They include systems which for the first time can help to prevent accidents with crossing vehicles or pedestrians, active Lane Keeping Assist which can help to prevent accidents with oncoming traffic, or anti-glare permanent high-beam headlamps. As such Mercedes-Benz is underscoring its leading position as a safety pioneer. The new E-Class makes a significant step forward when it comes to efficiency and ecology too. This comes courtesy of new, powerful BlueDIRECT four-cylinder petrol engines featuring sophisticated direct injection technology. This powerful development boost is reflected to exciting effect in the design of the E-Class. Along with its new design, it encapsulates efficiency, intelligence and emotional appeal in a visually superior manner.

Mercedes-Benz has revised all of the model series of the E-Class more comprehensively than ever before to make the latest technical advances available in practice at an early stage. This is why it even makes advance use of developments from the future S-Class. In addition, the new E-Class offers a considerably sharpened design with a refined, sporty look, as well as significantly enhanced comfort, high-quality appointments, efficiency and driving pleasure. As a result, the E-Class is continuing to consolidate its leading position in the luxury class.

06

Verano Motors

Peugeot 301 - French Power at an Exceptional Price Just before the traditional Car Show, Verano Motors presents a new model of the most renowned French car maker - Peugeot 301 to its Belgrade fans. As a product of 120 years of experience, this French beauty has finally brought to the Serbian market a principle that incorporates aesthetics and functionality at the best price ever for a C-segment model.

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102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

02

real estate

Belgrade Remains Under-supplied in Grade A Property Jones Lang LaSalle Serbia last month published a special report on “Belgrade – undiscovered and underdeveloped” which demonstrates the potential to both domestic and foreign property developers, investors and occupiers While Central and East European (CEE) capitals have witnessed strong development over recent years, Belgrade’s poor supply of modern property rank it among the lowest in Europe in property development terms, despite its significant population of 1.6 million.

With only three modern shopping centres providing a total retail area of 98,000 m2 gross leasable area and a shopping centre density of 60 m2 per 1,000 residents, Belgrade is the lowest supplied city in the region.

Both foreign and local companies operating in Belgrade have a meager choice of only 610,000 m2 of modern A and B class office space. The best indicator of the lack of high quality office accommodation is made in comparison with the cities of similar population – Warsaw and Budapest that

05

have 3.7 million and 3.1 million m2 of class A and B office stock.

The industrial and logistics market is the least developed in Belgrade. With a scarce logistics stock of some 110,000 m2, Belgrade is the lowest ranked city in the CEE and SEE regions.

Andrew Peirson, managing director, Jones Lang LaSalle in Serbia, commented: “ Belgrade ranks at the bottom of the league tables of capital cities across Central and Eastern Europe when it comes to supply. With the levels of over-supply in many of those cities, and the tough years ahead as a result, the bottom is actually not a bad place to be. Belgrade has huge potential. Over the next few years it will be interesting to see how the city can respond to this and where developers can benefit.”

agriculture

Victoria Group Obtains a US $75 Million Loan The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, and Victoria Group signed a US $75 million loan contract in late February Zoran Mitrović, CEO of Victoria Group The loan will be spent on developing the domestic agricultural sector and is of essential importance for creating new jobs, improving overall economic development and increasing Serbian exports.

The leading agri-concern in Serbia, Victoria Group will use this sixyear credit arrangement towards short and mid-term refinancing, increasing the working capital and further advancement of its business operations and the agricultural sector in general. The loan money will be distributed among the four members of Victoria Group - Victoriaoil, Sojaprotein, Victoria Logistic and Fertil.

“Considering the strict IFC criteria, it gives us a great pleasure to receive the validation of our successful business operations”, says Zoran Mitrović, CEO of Victoria Group.

So far, the IFC has invested close to US $563 million in Serbia.

Supporting agricultural sector takes the central stage in the IFC investment strategy in Serbia.

Election II

01

trade

Placements & Postings

I am giving them (the Government) some advice – do not play until June because we are putting a great effort in an attempt to get a date for the beginning of the EU negotiations.”

— Tomislav Nikolić, Serbian President

appointments@cma.rs

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Mr. Majid HAMLAOUI was born in Testour, Tunisia, on 24th May 1956. After graduation from the “Ecole Nationale d’Administration” in 1980, he assumed several positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tunisia. He served at the permanent Delegation of Tunisia at UNESCO (1983) and as deputy Consul General at Paris (1987-1988).

He has also been appointed at the embassy of Tunisia in Spain (1992-1998) and at the embassy of Tunisia in Algeria (2005-2010) as Deputy Head of Mission. During his career, he participated at several regional meetings and international conferences while being assigned at the embassies of Tunisia to UNESCO, Spain and Algeria. Speaks Arabic, French, Spanish and English languages. He is married and has three children.

Trade Exchange With Germany Reaches €2.5 bln According to the German Federal Ministry of Economy and Technology, the trade exchange between Germany and Serbia amounted to €2.495 billion in 2012 which is a 6.5% increase compared to 2011

H.E. Mr. Majid HAMLAOUI

Michael Schmidt, Director of the German Business Delegation in Serbia

In 2012, Germany imported from Serbia €971.44 million worth of goods (a 10.9% increase in comparison to 2011), while it exported €1.523 billion worth of goods to Serbia (a 3.8% increase). Serbia’s current deficit in trading with Germany has been reduced by €39.43 million in 2012 and it stands at €552.54 million (€591.88 million in 2011).

Director of the German Business Delegation in Serbia, Michael Schmidt says that Serbian exports to Germany have been significantly going up thanks to, among other things, many German companies in Serbia which export their products to a number of buyers and partners on the German market.

“Apart from that, certain German large-scale investment projects are pending and, once they are completed, some companies will gain a full capacity for a new export cycle”, says Schmidt.

New Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to the Republic of Serbia

The professional path of Mr. Milan Petrovic started in the mid-1990s when he was sales director at the company that imported Heineken beer for the territory of the former Yugoslavia. He joined the British company Allied Domecq as sales director and, in that position, managed to accomplish impressive results.

Between 2002 and 2005, he was the sales director of Pepsi-Cola’s bottling plant.

In 2005, Mr. Petrovic became marketing and sales director at Strauss-Elite, where he was subsequently appointed director general in 2007.

In late 2010, he continued his career in Switzerland.

He came back to Serbia in early 2012 when he became the general manager of Štampa i Futura.

Milan PetroviĆ

Appointed President of the Serbian Association of Managers

The former general manager of Nestlé Serbia and the executive director of a regional division of Nestlé Ice Creams, Аnsgar Borneman, was appointed as new regional director of Nestlé Adriatic in January 2013. He will be based in Belgrade and will cover the offices in Belgrade and Zagreb.

Borneman has been the general manager of Nestlé Serbia since February 2012. He joined Nestlé in March, 2003, as the marketing director for Nestlé Ice Creams in Germany. Four years later, he became executive manager of the ice cream divison, which was the position he held until his appointment in Serbia. Before he joined Nestlé, Ansgar Borneman had gained an extensive work experience and professional know-how by working in other international food companies all over the world.

Аnsgar Borneman New regional Director at Nestlé Adriatic

JELENA PAVLOVIĆ Deputy General Manager of Philip Morris

Philip Morris Company has appointed Jelena Pavlović as deputy general manager for Serbia and Montenegro.

“As the crowning achievement of her very successful ten-year-long career at Philip Morris, Jelena is now stepping up to the leadership position,” the company’s general manager Paul Riley said.

Jelena Pavlović graduated from University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Law in 1998. She has an extensive work experience in the banking and business world. Since 2003, she has been working at different positions at Philip Morris in Serbia and abroad.

cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 39

Business Dialogue Interview

Action ‘Unless we take action on climate change, future generations will be roasted, toasted, fried and grilled.” — Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Georgios Papanastasiou, President of the Executive Board, Alpha Bank Serbia

Contributing to Growth As Greece continues the implementation of its structural reforms and witnesses the first signs of reversal from an unprecedented economic downturn, the newly enlarged group will aim to further contribute to the resumption of growth and restitution of a healthy banking sector in the country

A

lpha Bank is one of the strongest banks in Greece, and your market share in the financial and banking sector in Serbia and the region is quite substantial.

You have just acquired Emporiki Bank which had been part of the French Crédit Agricole Bank.

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already acquired some other banks? What do acquisitions mean for Alpha Bank?

- The consolidation of the Greek financial sector is seen as a necessity since it will allow enhanced coordination and focused approach to handling the current issues of the economy.

I would say that, quoting Alpha Group President, Mr. Costopoulos ‘ As Greece continues the implementation of its structural reforms and witnesses the first signs of reversal from an unprecedented economic downturn, the newly enlarged group will aim to further contribute to the resumption of growth and restitution of a healthy banking sector in the country. This acquisition represents an important milestone for Alpha Bank, before the envisaged recapitalization of the bank led by the support of its private shareholders.’

The acquisition of Emporiki is Alpha Bank’s first such move since the beginning of the global financial crisis. Whether there will be further transformations of this kind in the Greek banking sector depends on future developments as well as on improvements and results coming from ongoing M&A activities.

■ What significance does that have for Alpha Bank and its capital, as well as its future plans and its position on the Greek, Serbian and regional markets?

- The transaction represents a major step in the restructuring of the Greek banking sector and positions Alpha Bank as a market leader, with indicative market shares of about 20% in deposits and 24% in loans respectively. The strong focus of both Alpha Bank and Emporiki on corporate banking will make the enlarged group a focal point of the Greek banking sector.

With the acquisition of Emporiki, Alpha Bank strengthens its capital base, placing it in a leading position in the forthcoming recapitalization of the Greek financial sector. Following a EUR ■ The financial crisis has caused, and still causes, huge 2.9 billion capital increase by Crédit Agricole ahead of the transaction, the acquisition of Emporiki’s shares will contribute a net damage to the production sector, and banks are not too asset value of EUR 2.7 billion to keen to talk about the diffiThe strong focus of both Alpha Bank and culties they are experiencing Alpha Bank as of September 30, Emporiki on corporate banking will make which are certainly real. How 2012, before synergies and other is your bank dealing with the potential positive financial efthe enlarged group a focal point of the fects such as portfolio work out. difficult situation in Serbia and Greek banking sector The enlarged group, with are non-performing loans the the support of its private shareholders, will enjoy increased biggest problem that you are currently facing? confidence on the market, resulting in easier access to funding - The situation in Serbia with regards to the non-performing facilities, necessary for providing support to group entities in loans (NPLs) is unfortunately the worst in the region. However, the wider SEE region and Serbia, and maintaining its market recently it has shown marks of stabilization. position by offering a full spectrum of products and services to The main causes of such a bad NPL situation should be seen local economies, legal and private entities. with respect to the specific sectors which are leading in this very unpopular category of banking business. These are mainly ■ Bank mergers are widely advocated in Greece since the retail chains, real estate and commercial space investors, as overall opinion is that mergers are the only way to overwell as importing companies. It is actually the secondary and come the difficulties in the financial sector. Is the acquisitertiary economic sector that is causing the biggest effect. tion of Emporiki Bank your first acquisition or have you The decrease in demand and sales on one side and the de102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

Policy “Russia’s share of the global liquefied natural gas export market is only 3.6% at the moment. If we do not follow an active policy we will risk losing this market almost entirely to our competitors.” — Vladimir Putin, Russian President preciation of dinar on the other have pushed many companies into insolvency situations and, in some cases, into bankruptcy.

Also, the effect of reduced purchasing power has negatively impacted the performance of individuals.

As I see it, the solution is in a more personalized approach to each individual case, understanding the problem and its roots, removal of the particular cause and proper planning and reprogramming of clients’ obligations.

■ Alpha Bank has a whole range of favourable loans, particularly housing loans. Could you compare your bank’s credit activity in the first months of this year to last year?

- Alpha Bank continues its effort in the mentioned market segment, aiming to acquire the best quality clients while providing the most efficient services. Considering the overall financial environment, ABS decided to decrease new loan disbursements against last year, after becoming more selective in a very competitive market. The remaining product range, though, seems to be similar to last year’s performance so far.

for this status to continue, which is something that is beneficial both for the economy and the state?

- It is quite natural that financial services sector, the banking sector that is, should be the key driver of emerging economies which usually gasp for funding in order to proceed with necessary developments and this is why the banks are seen as main pillars of their transition.

However, the banking business is seriously correlated with the performance of the real sector. Since the latest issues we are witnessing in the Serbian economy are becoming more and more sophisticated, I believe that small banks will not be able to keep pace and therefore a consolidation of the banking sector might prove unavoidable.

■ In terms of housing loans, a year ago, the National Bank of Serbia set terms and conditions for loans indexed in Swiss francs, but the media are still not letting go of this issue and are accusing banks of causing the appreciation of the Swiss franc, and making housing loan instalments go up. How long is the Serbian banking sector going to keep on accepting responsibility for something for which no other bank anywhere else in the world is responsible?

- The terms and conditions set by the National Bank Alpha Bank Srbija has always insisted on educating its of Serbia for loans indexed in Swiss francs are actual- customers with regards to that hidden risk, providing them a ly referring to the constraints for granting new loans, thorough explanation of potential outcomes in case of changes which may be perceived as a prudent but positive reof exchange rates before contracting any such loan agreemen action, having in mind the appreciation of the Swiss Also, in order for the Serbian banking sector to continue franc and performance of these loans. However, the appreciation its role in the further development of the country, the developitself cannot be caused by individual banks or group of banks, ment of solid economic policy on the national level and alignand definitely Serbian banks are far too irrelevant worldwide to ment of all stakeholders are pre-conditions for moving forward affect a particular exchange rate. So speaking about the responsibility of local banks is rather unserious and populist. with regard to all market participants, including the banks and The blame one may place on the banks is that they have real economy. been selling quite risky products which are beyond the understanding of an average customer, using as a teaser a much lower ■ For years, foreign investors and banks have been complaining about the business environment and, in particular, interest rate at that point in time. The embedded foreign currency risk could not be easily perceived by customers. the predictability of doing business. What is Alpha Bank’s Alpha Bank Srbija has always insisted on educating its view of these problems and how much do they affect your customers with regards to that hidden risk, providing them a operations? thorough explanation of potential outcomes in case of changes - As I said before, good planning, the alignment of all parties of exchange rates before contracting any such loan agreement. involved and the creation of long term economic policy, as well After that, it was the client’s decision to proceed with the curas a commitment to this policy, would provide a solid guideline rency of his or her preference. to all foreign investors with regards to their plans and business in Serbia. Past experience has shown the low level of credibility ■ For years, the banking sector was the strongest sector in and realization and created a rather uncertain business environment. This must change as soon as possible. ■ Serbia. According to you, what needs to be done in order cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 41

regional news

Business Dialogue 01

Macedonia

Obstacles I “We (Slovenia and Croatia) have cleared all the obstacles on the expert level, and now we need to find a political solution from our governments.” — Karl Erjavec, Slovenian Foreign Minister

02

Successful Tobacco Harvest

Halal Items Production Leader

According to Macedonian farmers, quick sale, higher quality and government subsidies are behind the successful 2012-2013 tobacco harvest

Tobacco production in Macedonia has increased by 5,000 tonnes to date for the 2012-2013 season, which will end in March. According to tobacco farmers, favourable subsidies and good purchase prices for tobacco are behind the high production increase.

Tobacco is an important crop for the Macedonian economy since its quality is widely recognised. It attracts foreign capital and enhances privatisations. The country garners almost €80 million annually from tobacco exports. Tobacco production and trade make up 3.2 percent of the GDP in Macedonia. The tobacco industry equals 3.9 percent of total agricultural production, and 4.1 percent of the sector’s employment.

Though tobacco sales in Macedonia end March 15th, by the end of February 25,416 tonnes of tobacco has been purchased -nearly 98 percent of total annual production, and already almost double what was sold the previous season.

03

Hungary

Alstom Acquires License for Metro 4 Trains

French engineering giant Alstom has acquired the final license for trains it is delivering for Budapest’s new underground line, the mayor’s office said on Tuesday. The receipt of the license from the national transport authority NKA will allow Alstom to start production and delivery of the vehicles for the number four metro line, which is still under construction, the office said.

The driverless “Metropolis” trains each have four carriages. Alstom is also supplying trains for the capital’s number two metro line, replacing Soviet-made vehicles that are some 40 years old.

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Bosnia and Herzegovina

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With 47 certified companies, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has become a regional leader in production of halal-certified products In 2006, BiH opened the Agency for Halal Quality Certification to oversee production of items that are prepared in accordance with Islamic law.

“The global halal foods market is increasing annually and is valued at €472 billion, while the estimated value for the EU market is €51 billion,” said Valdet Peštalić, head of the department of education in the Agency for Halal Quality Certification in Sarajevo.

Halal tourism in the region is still in development. Steps have

Kosovo

Privatisation of the Brezovica Ski Resort The Kosovo government paid thousands of euros for advertisements in two British publications, The Economist and Financial Times, to attract investors for the privatisation of the Brezovica ski resort

Bernard Nikaj, political advisor for the Minister of Trade, said 15 companies have responded to the ads with interest in Brezovica.

After more than a decade of rows over the sale of Kosovo’s main ski centre, the government came forward in 2012 with the new plan proposing a new ski resort.

The total cost of the new lifts would be €25 million but the master plan does not detail the financial implications of the whole resort, including new homes, restaurants and hotels.

The plan also envisages a mountain restaurant at more than 2,000 metres up and 30km of summer walking trails and a manmade lake, to encourage year-long visits.

A bitter dispute between Belgrade and Pristina over ownership of the existing resort has thwarted a series of plans over the past decade to privatise Brezovica. In 2011, Kosovo’s Privatisation Agency put Brezovica’s assets for privatisation twice, only to withdraw them.

102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

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been taken in BiH, Croatia and Slovenia, where 15 hotels, restaurants and travel agencies are certified.

In Croatia, there are 35 certified companies, almost 2,000 halal products and a centre for certification. Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro have offices working under supervision of the Bosnian Agency for Halal Quality Certification in Tuzla. The Bosnian agency certified 110 companies in region.

Croatia

More Cruise Ships for Port of Split

The EBRD will finance the expansion of ferry and cruise passenger operations to support the growing tourism industry around Split in Croatia The €18.8 million sovereign guaranteed loan to the Port of Split Authority, which manages the infrastructure of the port will be used to extend and reconfigure the passenger wharves.

At present, Split is unable to benefit from growing cruise traffic due to its inadequate berthing infrastructure – the extension and rehabilitation of the wharves will increase capacity to enable handling of large and medium-sized ships and relieve congestion at the existing ferry berths. The project will also enable the Port of Split to become the first cruise port member of EcoPort in the Adriatic Sea and the first port to receive Port Environmental Review System (PERS) certification in the EBRD region. Donor funds were provided by the Netherlands for project preparation, including an environmental impact assessment.

Technical cooperation funds have been approved by the EBRD Shareholder Special Fund to support the Port of Split Authority’s institutional strengthening steps which will also be undertaken within the project.

Obstacles II

Placements & Postings

“I cannot say at this stage if we will withdraw lawsuits at our courts on the bank matter. We need a solution that isn’t harmful to any party and its acceptable for both sides.” — Vesna Pusić, Croatian Foreign Minister

06

appointments@cma.rs

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Albania

Albania Nationalizes Troubled Power Firm

Sokol Ramadani

The Albanian energy regularity agency, ERE stripped the local subsidiary of the Czech power giant CEZ of its operating license, effectively taking it back into state control

The decision, which outright nationalizes the utility company, CEZ Shprendarje, is the latest twist in a long-running dispute between Tirana and the Czech company over unpaid debts.

“CEZ failed to meet its legal obligation to secure part of the supply of electricity through imports,” the head of ERE, Sokol Ramadani, said.

ERE has appointed an administrator to run the company until the dispute with CEZ Group is resolved.

In 2009, the Albanian state sold off 76 per cent of its shares in Operatori i Sistemit te Shperndarjes, OSSH, a company

08

that managed the electricity distribution of up to 1 million consumers, with annual revenues of over €300 million.

CEZ bought the stake for €102 million and the World Bank helped smooth the sale with a $100 million partial risk guarantee in case the Czech company opted out.

But CEZ failed to cut losses and stem theft in the grid, forcing the government to subsidize costly imports for its state-owned power corporation, KESH. The company has been locked in a dispute with the Albanian government over unpaid electricity bills since the beginning of 2012.

Romania

OMV Petrom Posts Record Profit Again Romania’s oil and gas company OMV Petrom posted a record profit of €885.5 million last year, up 5 percent on the year before, while its sales went up by 16 percent, to some €5.9 billion

Its profit in 2012 was lower expressed in Romanian currency, but due to the exchange rate fluctuation, in EUR it was slightly higher at €886 million. The turnover however was lower in euros, €5.3 billion.

“After a recent period of volatile crude prices and macroeconomic uncertainty, 2012 was a year of relative stability, with strong operational and financial performance for Petrom. This was the result of the preceding years of high capital investments in our core business and a focus on operational excellence,” said Mariana Gheorghe, CEO of OMV Petrom.

The group’s net profit in the fourth quarter of 2012 was up compared to the third, reaching €237 million, an increase from €194 million in the third quarter.

OMV Petrom, which runs 798 gas stations in Romania considers an investment plan for 2013 of over €1 billion and intends to propose allocation of dividends for 2012 financial year.

IVAN SIMIČ Director of the Republic Tax Administration

07

As of February 1, Ivan Simič is the new head of the Serbian Tax Administration.

In mid-December last year, the Serbian Government appointed Simič as acting director of the Tax Administration.

Simič was born in Slovenia and, apart from having Slovenian citizenship, he also has Serbian citizenship, on his paternal side.

He graduated and got his Masters degree from the Faculty of Law in Slovenia in 1986 and 2008 respectively. His first job was in Iskra Komerc. From 2006 to 2008, he was the director of the Slovenian Tax Administration. He was also a member of the Slovenian Fiscal Council and, in 2009, became the president of the Football Association of Slovenia.

In August 2012, Simič was appointed advisor to Serbian Finance and Economy Minister Mlađan Dinkić.

Region

Greece, Italy, Albania Sign Pipeline Agreement The governments of Greece, Italy and Albania on Wednesday signed an agreement regarding a Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project that will deliver Caspian natural gas to the EU

The signing ceremony took Corrado Passera, Italian Development Minister (left), Dimitris Avramopoulos, Greek place at the Ministry of Foreign Minister and Edmond Haxhinasto, Foreign Affairs in Athens Albanian Finance and Energy Minister in the presence of Prime Minister Antonis Samaras. The gas pipeline is expected to transport natural gas from the Shah Deniz gas project in Azerbaijan to Europe and is expected to attract 1.5 billion euros worth of investment to Greece as well as lead to the creation of hundreds of jobs.

The deal was signed on Wednesday by Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, Albanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Trade and Energy Edmond Haxhinasto and Italy’s Economic Development Minister Corrado Passera.

TAP is being developed by Norway’s Statoil ASA, Switzerland’s EGL AG and Germany’s E.ON Ruhrgas AG.

09

Montenegro

Emirates Offer to Build Resort Montenegro is mulling an offer from Abu Dhabi’s Royal Group to develop a €180 million resort on the Adriatic coast Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of Abu Dhabi Dragan Simovic, head of sales in Montenegro’s Privatization Council, said that the Abu Dhabi Royal Group was the only bidder for the 423,700-square-metre site between the coastal towns of Budva and Bar. According to Simovic, the company is offering €21.2 million for the land and plans to complete the project in eight years.

A binding contract with Royal Group may be signed in May, pending the Council’s approval, Simovic said.

On February 5, the Deputy Prime Minister of Abu Dhabi, Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, met the Montenegrin Prime Minister, Milo Djukanovic.

Montenegro and the UAE have established warm relations as a basis for boosting cooperation in all areas of mutual interests, the two officials agreed. cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 43

Business Dialogue Interview

Choices “Economics is all about how people make choices. Sociology is all about why they don’t have any choices to make.” — James Stemble Duesenberry, American economist

Milanko Bogosavljević, director of AOFI

line with market demands. An exporter’s competitiveness is reflected in having a market-friendly product which is sold at an affordable price, as well as in the amount of available funds for business performance and granting favourable payment terms to the buyer. Due to ever increasing competition, exporters are forced to grant the most favourable payment terms to their buyers – Bogosavljević underlines.

The AOFI specializes in funding – granting short-term loans, buying non-matured receivables – factoring and insuring export from commercial risks.

Reimbursments Increased During the Crisis The AOFI specializes in funding – granting short-term loans, buying non-matured receivables – factoring and insuring export from commercial risks

T

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■ The initial funds that the AOFI had at its disposal were very small. Have they gone up in the meantime?

How many loans do you grant per annum?

- The AOFI’s share capital, which was intended to be spent on supporting export development and reducing the growing foreign trade deficit at the time, was €25.

Thanks to the Agency’s good work and the growing number of exporters it has been servicing, the Agency has proven its worth. The Serbian government has recapitalized AOFI on several occasions and the last payment balance showed that the AOFI’s principal capital amounted to €65.

Concomitant to the Agency’s growing principal capital, the number of loans that the AOFI has granted has also been going up. Out of almost EUR 500 million worth of short-term loans granted by the Agency for preparing goods for export and the over 300 exporters that the AOFI has supported so far, the amount of loans granted in 2012 stood at €77 million.

■ Factoring services are still developing here, and that is something that the AOFI has been offering since its foundation. What is the biggest amount of receivables that the Agency can buy, and do you expect that to change because of the overall economic crisis and illiquidity?

- We started rendering factoring services in late 2006 and, so far, we have bought over a quarter of a billion of euros in receivables from Serbian exporters. In our country, this product is still considered a novelty although it has been used in the EU countries for over fifty years. The popularity of factoring services has been growing constantly.

The demand for domestic and foreign factoring ser-

he AOFI (Serbian Export Credit and Insurance Agency) is the only state-funded institution that insures and funds export activities of domestic producers.

Without this Agency, many exporters would find selling to foreign buyers quite risky. This is the case because it often happens that, due to the unforseen difficulties, foreign buyers cannot pay for the goods on time and, by doing so, are putting our exporters in a difficult position too. AOFI Director Milanko Bogosavljević explains what concrete benefits the exporters can enjoy by collaborating with the AOFI and how can the exporters protect themselves from risk.

-Successful export entails securing enough funds for uninterrupted Since our very beginning we have managed to build up production, for regularly fulfilling our client portfolio to include over 300 of the biggest one’s obligations stemming from Serbian exporters and that we have reimbursed over EUR export contracts, conquering new 5 million worth of claims markets and developing products in

102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

Export “We sell more to North Rhine-Westphalia than to India, and more to France and Germany than to the whole of the Commonwealth added together. We export four times as much to Europe as to the US.” — Sir John Major, former UK prime minister vices in Serbia has also been growing year-on-year, particularly in the last few years, due to the overall illiquidity of companies and extended payment terms which are also the result of the high illiquidity brought on by the economic downturn.

■ How widespread is credit insurance on a global level and how much in Serbia?

- Globally speaking, close to 15% of all transactions are insured. In saying this, we should bear in mind that only those resources or goods that can be individually identified, like consumer goods, can be insured.

Trading in crude oil and chemical products is not covered by this insurance, which means that a good share of the global commerce cannot be the subject of credit insurance.

The credit insurance that the AOFI has been providing, up until US Steel left the country, was around 10% of the Serbian export annually.

Country risk: The OECD classification divides countries into 8 categories.

Payment terms: The policy can insure only shortterm receivables (up to 180 days).

Buyer quality: In accordance with the credit risk management policy, buyers are classified into categories which are determined by the quality of their business.

Buyer diversification: This is a number of buyers that make an insurance policy.

■ What companies in Serbia have you been cooperating with the most with and is there any awareness in our country about the necessity and the importance of your role in export insurance?

■ What role does the export credit insurance play in global economy?

- Export credit insurance boosts international trading. At any given moment, between five and six million creditinsured transactions have already expired which Through credit insurance, companies have a guarantee just underlines the basic role of credit insurance. that their claims will be settled in case their business Credit insurance organizations are actively monitorpartners, which bought their goods or services, fail to pay ing expired contracts so that they could identify the - During the development of credit insurance, most of our companies that are falling behind the payments. The gathered information is then forwarded to the users. For the clients were companies that were owned by foreign enterprises (MNC) which were familiar with the advantages and insured companies, information about companies that are the need for the credit insurance. These companies were not making or falling behind payments is invaluable for US Steel, Tarkett, Impol-Seval and others which insisted on making good business decisions. their daughter companies getting on board with their HQs demands for credit insurance. The number of our clients ■ What are the most common reasons for companies has been constantly growing ever since. After the said not paying? group of companies, mainly export companies from Serbia - Illiquidity, bankruptcy or company restructuring to become a new entity. Through credit insurance, companies took interest since, in order to expand their business operations as their comparative advantage, they had to offer have a guarantee that their claims will be settled in case longer payment terms to their clients, while not insisting their business partners, which bought their goods or services, fail to pay. The insurance can be cashed in within a on their clients providing any payment guarantees especially during the onset of the crisis in late 2008 when the certain deadline starting from the day the payment terms payment risks grew considerably. We should not forget expire (it is usually six months). the fact that since our very beginning we have managed to In such cases, the insurance company pays the claim, build up our client portfolio to include over 300 of the bigtakes over the receivables and tries to collect it. gest Serbian exporters, and that we have reimbursed over EUR 5 million worth of claims. The AOFI is a special state ■ On what factors and the criteria does the size of the institution that has been recording positive results for the insured value and export credit depend on? past eight consecutive years and whose cash transfers, - The credit insurance amount depends on several factors. from its generated profit, to its founder exceeded 20% of The main factors that affect the size of the potential and its share capital. ■ the value of the insurance premium are the following: cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 45

world news

Business Dialogue 01

UK

Relations “Boosting good relations between Turkey and Greece, we want to create a model network of relations for the region and for the eastern Mediterranean.”

— Dimitris Avramopoulos, Greek Foreign Minister

02

London Cab Maker Sold to Chinese Firm

Heinz Bought by Warren Buffett

Britain’s iconic black cabs have been rescued by Chinese car maker Geely which has bought Manganese Bronze, the Midlands-based manufacturer, but the cab will continue to be made in Coventry

“Manganese Bronze”, whose taxis have been on British streets since 1948, went into administration in October 2012, with about a third of its 300-strong workforce losing their jobs.

“Geely”, which already owned about a quarter of the company, said it had agreed an £11 million (€12.77 million) deal with administrator PricewaterhouseCoopers to buy “the business and principal assets” of the company.

“Geely’s priority will be to re-establish the manufacture, sale and servicing of new and current vehicles on broadly the same basis as existed before the business went into administration,” Geely chairman Li Shufu said.

Manganese Bronze has failed to turn a profit since 2007. Late last year the company said its financial position was unclear after the discovery of a safety defect in its new TX4 model that led to a recall of 400 taxis and a halt to sales.

04

Czech Republic

Solar Industry Faces Eclipse The Czech Republic's total solar power capacity has passed the 2-gigawatt mark, but the industry faces an uncertain future as producers lay off staff amid foreign competition and a shakeup in subsidies The latest figures from the Czech Energy Regulatory Office (ERÚ) show that photovoltaic (PV) unit installations at the end of 2012 pushed the country’s cumulative installed capacity to 2,085GW higher than the power capacity of Temelín, the country’s largest nuclear plant.

This growth comes at a time when many Czech producers and operators of PV units are experiencing financial woes, for which they are blaming cheaper Asian PV unit producers as well as changes in government policy at home.

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US

“Solar power production is not yet profitable without subsidies,” said energy industry analyst Petr Bártek from Erste Group Bank.”There is significant overcapacity in the solar panel industry at present, and it’s difficult for manufacturers in developed countries to compete with production from China,” said Bartek The Czech Republic experienced a boom in solar energy between 2009 and 2011, when the government sought to attract investors to the sector with generous incentives in line with European legislation.

102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

Warren Buffett, the world's most successful investor, has snapped up the famous food company Heinz in a deal worth $28bn – adding the ketchup giant to a portfolio that covers everything from insurance and underwear to stakes in Coca Cola and Walmart

H.J. Heinz Co. CEO Bill Johnson (left) and 3G Capital managing partner Alex Behring

Buffett, the second richest man in the US has a long history of investing in famous brands. He said he had been following Heinz’s fortunes for some time. “This is my kind of deal,” said Buffett. “I’ve got a file on Heinz that goes back to 1980.”

The chairman of the Berkshire

Hathaway fund was backed by 3G Capital, an investment firm with strong ties to Latin America. 3G’s most highprofile acquisition to date was Burger King, the second largest burger chain in which it retains a major stake.

The deal includes taking on $5 billion of debt.

03

Azerbaijan

Packaged Food Doubled Growth Double-digit current value growth rates are expected in packaged food in Azerbaijan during 2012 This is set to represent a considerable improvement on the growth recorded in the industry during 2011, according to a report of Euromonitor International. During 2012, Azerbaijan’s packaged food industry continued to benefit from significant financial support in the form of private credit business development loans from the Azeri government. This enabled many local packaged food producers to maintain production output and modernize their manufacturing facilities.

The higher growth rates projected for 2012 can also be attributed to rising average unit prices in almost all packaged food categories. More dynamic categories such as confectionery, packaged cakes and ice cream continued to experience a high level of premiumisation as well as the strong influence of health and wellness trend, which served to stimulate volume and value growth in the industry during 2012.

05

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia Enters in High Tech Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) will launch four new state-of-the-art technology and innovation facilities in 2013, two in Saudi Arabia and one each in India and China, bringing the total number of its research facilities around the world to 18.

The centres will enable Saudi

The SABIC Plastic Applications Development Centre (SPADC) in Riyadh

Arabia to enter advanced industrial fields, and support the National Industrial Clusters Development Program to develop industries such as packaging, automotive and machinery.

interview

Ticket to the World of Success We value standards very much, and they are an important element in our conquering today’s market since these standards are considered a measure of seriousness and responsibility NATAŠA SAVIĆ, DIRECTOR OF RIO COMPANY FROM KOSTOLAC

I

firmed by the certification body. However, we are not stopping at that. Our intention is to continue being one of the top companies and for our business partners to easily recognize our distinctiveness and the quality of our work.

jects that are bigger than the ones you’ve been implementing so far?

- Standards are important for contracting and market appearance. The 14001 Standard entails meeting demands of the environmental management system, while 18001 pertains to managing work safety and health. There are situations where the European Bank will invest only if their partners have been certified with the aforementioned standards. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be possible to participate in tenders. So, this is a ticket to the world of successful companies which also requires a lot of seriousness in further work since this is a game with “the best players from the best teams”.

n today’s day and age, the issue of ■ For many years now, you have been quality, deadlines and quantities is the leading company in environmental something that every company has recultivation and protection. To what to deal with if it wants to keep afloat. extent are the new certificates and the This is also something that is inherent to renewal of the old ones going to affect the RIO Company from Kostolac, which your business operations? has recently been certified with the en- We value standards very much, and they vironmental protection standard ISO 14 are an important element in our conquer001 and work safety and health standard ing today’s market since the standards are ISO 18 001. We talked to the director of considered a measure of seriousness and RIO Kostolac, Nataša Savić, about how important these certificates are for the company and its operations: Our business activity is such that we are ■ The key areas that RIO is en- Earlier, we were certified with constantly improving the environment, gaged in are environmental recultivation and protection.

ISO 9001 standard and have conall the more reason to continue with Could you tell us something tinued to successfully operate in obtaining new standards about your plans? line with all the procedures required - The roots of the company by this standard. The certification “Rekultivacija i ozelenjavanje“ (RIO) date responsibility. Our aim is for our clients to body has renewed the certificate which back to 1970 when the first activities recognize us by our quality and, with these is now valid until 2015. In order to conon reviving the natural environment at standards, we have significantly advanced tinue in bolstering our operations and imthe disposal pits of the Kostolac basin our operations. In terms of the procedures proving all aspects of our work, we had to started. In the meantime, RIO has develthat we have put in place, they are variable, concentrate on our workforce – the peooped into one of the leaders in this segand we have to adapt to the new ways. Our ple that make up RIO. Also, our business ment in Serbia. Recultivation and protecmost important partner is TE-KO Kostolac activity is such that we are constantly imtion of the environment are the key arewhich is undergoing the certification proproving the environment, all the more reaas of RIO’s activities. Over the last few cess. In order to satisfy the demands of son to continue with obtaining new standdecades, the company has specialized in its business partners, the company has to ards. We have started to work on harmocaring for green areas and is one of the work with associates that are up to their nizing our operations with the environvery few domestic companies that has standards and RIO definitely qualifies. mental protection standard 14001 and decades of experience in protecting the work safety and health standard 18001 in local eco-system and recultivating the ■ How competitive are you at this mo2011 and finalized all the procedures and environment that has been exposed to ment and do you plan to participate in training last year. We managed to apply industrial activities. ■ tenders with the aim of winning prothese quality standards, and that was conINFO: www.riokostolac.rs cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 47

Centre of the Regional Construction Industry

F

rom April 16 to 20, the Belgrade Fair will again be the meeting place of the construction professionals. The leading construction fair in Southeast Europe – the International Building Fair SEEBBE – will take place this year for the 39th consecutive time, while bringin together the most important construction stakeholders from the surrounding countries. Thanks to its successful organization, the SEEBBE has developed into the most important building fair in the region and one of the biggest driving forces behind the construction industry.

For the exhibitors, this fair is the most economical way to meet their potential buyers, while for the professionals and experts, it is the central meeting point for the construction industry where they can get the latest information on market trends and become acquainted with new products, procedures and processes. Another reason why the SEEBBE has become one of the most important fairs in the regional building industry is in the technological innovations which have a special place in the fair’s programme, as well as on the exhibitor stands and the accompanying specialized meetings.

It is expected that over 800 exhibitors from all construction segments – production and distribution companies, construction design companies, construction companies, companies involved in engineering, installation, and services, and publishers of specialized literature – will attend the fair. With over 25 participating countries and the biggest number of established professional business contacts, the SEEBBE is one of the events successfully contributing to the business success of construction companies. ■ INFO: www.seebbe.com 48 |

102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

corporate Interview

Dr. Robert Risch, Director of the International School of Belgrade

Developing

Young Minds

The combination of academic, athletic, artistic, service learning and leadership opportunities focuses on the education of the ‘whole child’ and through this approach we provide options for each student to discover and pursue their own passions

T

he International School of Belgrade has for years been offering its students not only top of the line education, but also the chance to develop into wellrounded individuals through a variety of different programmes, both inside the classroom and out. International School of Belgrade Director Dr. Robert Risch speaks to CorD about some of these aspects.

■ You are known for being an international school that provides top of the line education for its students starting with very small children all the way to high school students. What is the profile of your students and are

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they required to have previous knowledge before studying at your school?

- The students represent 42 nationalities and come to ISB with a wide range of knowledge, skills, understanding, and dispositions. They enter with different levels of English language ability, and come from national systems in their home countries, including Serbia, as well as from other international schools from around the globe. This dynamic and multi-cultural population of students is able to be successful at ISB because they learn to exemplify the traits of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Learner Profile. We want students to develop the attributes and dispositions to become: inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risk-takers, knowledgeable, principled, caring, open-minded, balanced and reflective.

■ In this day and age, it is very difficult to find teachers qualified for this type of education. What is your experience in that matter?

- I believe that the growth in the number of international schools throughout the world is paralleled – and made possible – by a corresponding growth in the number of qualified in-

ternational educators. Schools with a good reputation among the international community, such as ISB, are an attractive option for experienced and certified teachers. In my first year here at ISB, I have been very pleased with the quantity and quality of candidates who have applied for our open positions.

■ Cooperating with parents is important for educational facilities accomplishing good results. To what extent do you cooperate with the parents and on which learning programmes do you cooperate with the most with them?

- A successful home/school relationship is indeed vital in supporting students. To that extent, we provide as much information to parents as possible, and one way to do so is through our teacher web-pages. Parents and students have access to these on an ongoing basis, and often interact with their peers and teachers through online assignments and - All three IB programs: the Primary Years Program (PYP), discussions. Another effecMiddle Years Program (MYP) tive way of involving the parand Diploma Program (DP) ents is through the PYP Units of have components aimed at havInquiry. Units often culminate ing students take action and in a presentation to which parproviding service to their coments are invited. Parents benemunities. From the youngest to fit from learning about the curthe graduates, there is a comriculum and active methodolomon purpose aimed at helpgy we use throughout the learning to improve the world, no ing process. matter how small the steps to We also have a very supachieve this are. portive Parent-Teacher-Student In addition, we offer a Association (PTSA). The PTSA wide-range of athletic, artisarranges special events and actic, and leadership opportuniWe want students to develop the tivities to enhance the school’s ties through our extra-curricular program. ISB is an active mem- attributes and dispositions to become: sense of community. ber of the Central and Eastern inquirers, thinkers, communicators, European Schools Association ■ It is a well-known fact that (CEESA) and, through this organ- risk-takers, knowledgeable, principled, your students have no probisation, teams of students from lem enrolling in universities caring, open-minded, balanced grades 6-12 engage with stuall over the world. Do you and reflective dents from other CEESA schools use your experiences to adin both competitive and collabovise students about choosrative tournaments such as footing a university or do they ball/soccer, basketball, volleyusually make an independball, math competitions, knowlent choice? edge bowls, speech and debate, - The university admissions choir, drama and cultural events. counselling process at ISB Students at the Lower includes group and individSchool can choose from among ual student meetings, par25-30 choices of After School ent coffees and family meetActivities (ASAs) offered ings. Several university repthroughout the year. These inresentatives visit the school clude sports, arts and crafts, throughout the year and stumusic, drama, dance, gymnasdents at every grade level tics, computers, science club, martial arts, and much more. are invited to attend. The counsellor works closely with The combination of academic, athletic, artistic, service families and students to research possible university oplearning and leadership opportunities focuses on the educations, develop a list of schools that provide a “match” for tion of the ‘whole child’ and through this approach we prothe students, and submit their applications in a thorough vide options for each student to discover and pursue their and timely fashion. ■ own passions. ISB is not unique among international schools in this regard, but I have been particularly impressed with the The International School of Belgrade, Temisvarska 19 range of offerings and opportunities at our school.

Tel: 011 206 99 999; Web site: www.isb.rs ■ Your students can engage in many activities that are not all learning related. What is the general idea behind your curricula and in which way are you different to other similar schools?

cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 51

interview Nenad Tomašević, Co-Founder and Vice President Allakos US

Serbian Scientists

in the world

“For the last 11 years, I have been researching new drugs for various diseases including cancer, infectious and immunological illnesses. The experiments that my team of researchers has been carrying out are complex and require the knowledge of basic science, medicine and biotechnology”

N

enad Tomašević is a young American scientist of Serbian origin. He is engaged in biotechnology and the development of new drugs for asthma, sinusitis, cancer and various diseases of the immune system. He left Serbia in 1997 with his wife Anita when “the brain drain”, which is still going on to this day, reached its peak. His story is actually a brain drain paradigm. Contrary to popular belief, none of the young and educated people that left the country did so only because of the money. In his interview for CorD, Tomašević talks first about his desire for making headway. When you listen to him, it becomes very clear that he left the country in search of a chance and opportunity. Success and money came after that. For these young experts, the reason for leaving their country is the same reason for not returning to it. Serbia is still not the land of opportunity.

■ How did it come about that

■ What projects did you work on during those first few years?

- I spent four years completing postdoctoral training at National Institutes of Health, and I was mostly engaged in fundamental science which entailed discovering new proteins and genes. The working conditions were perfect, and being able to work with such distinguished scientists, including Nobel Prize laureates, was nothing short of inspiring. Although practicing the basic science and publishing papers at NIH was satisfying, I came to the realization that applied science is something that I wanted to do long-term. What swayed me towards applied science was Anita’s positive experiences from working on discovering new cancer drugs at the biotechnology comSerbian researchers pany, Entramed.

The number of at NIH was impressive and some of them, like Stanko Stojilković and Ivona Aksentijević, left an indelible mark

you and your wife Anita, who is also a scientist, decide to leave Serbia for America in 1997, despite having your parents, family and friends here?

- Anita and I had a strong desire for professional advancement and we were quite happy when, in 1997, we got several offers for additional training in the US. Despite our firm resolve to go abroad, leaving Serbia was very emotional. The support that we got from our parents, family and friends meant a lot to us.

■ What treatment did you get as a young scientist working

in American institutes during the first few years of your life in America, bearing in mind that you had come from a small 52 |

country, known only for its bad news at that time?

- The treatment that we got at NIH (National Institutes of Health) was fair and quite kind. The number of Serbian researchers at NIH was impressive and some of them, like Stanko Stojilković and Ivona Aksentijević, left an indelible mark. The Institute employs researchers from all continents so we had no problem with fitting in and making friends. Generally speaking, the Americans are not that interested in foreign politics.

102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

■ During the last fifteen years

of working in America, you have published a substantial number of scientific papers and one of them even came out in one of the most referenced and the most renowned scientific magazines in the world called ‘Nature,’ a dream come true for any scientist. Have you published any work in Serbia too?

- I worked over three years at a South San Francisco based company called Cytokinetics on a project whose results were published in Nature. I led the team of researchers which was focused on finding a drug that would inhibit the growth of metastases.

Our results were noticeable, and our crowning achievement was

being published in Nature magazine. In Serbia, I published my master’s and Ph.D. theses.

■ What have you been working on in the last few years?

- In the last 11 years, I have been researching new drugs for various diseases including cancer, infectious and immunological illnesses. The experiments that my team of researchers has been carrying out are complex and require knowledge of basic science, medicine and biotechnology. The road from an idea to a drug is very long one and, on average, it lasts between seven and 10 years. It would mean a lot to me if some drugs that we have been researching are actively used in treating patients one day.

■ The reason why we have decided to interview you was

you setting up your own new drug research company with a colleague from England which attracted a lot of attention from the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies. What drugs are you researching and what are they for?

■ We have read that some of the biggest global pharmaceutical companies and pharmaceutical investors like Roche, Novo Nordisk, Alta Partners and RiverVest were willing to invest over US $30 million in your research. What kind of contract are we talking about, and what do you plan to do with the research? When can we expect this research to be practically applied?

- At a time when it has become increasingly difficult to fund new ideas and establish a biotechnology company, we have accomplished a great success and have managed to secure US $32 million which will enable us to continue our research, production and clinical trials of this new drug on people. It is exceptionally important that we have such renowned investors like pharmaceutical giants Roche and Novo Nordisk, as well as financiers like Alta Partners and RiverVest Ventures pledge full support to Allakos.

As far as I know, this is one of the best Series A (the first round) financing in biotechnology industry in the US in 2012.

Allakos completed its financing on December 7, and the first round of research started in January 2013.

- Chris Bebbington and I have been working a number of years on finding ■ You have probably met therapeutic antibodies for treating serious diseassome former Serbian es. Our extensive experistudents in America who ence and the idea to rework in various scientific search new drugs for the areas today. What should treatment of patients with happen in Serbia so that serious cases of asthma they would want to come The experiments that my team of and chronic sinusitis led back? researchers has been carrying out are to us setting up a company - I have been in touch with called Allakos in 2012. We quite a few our experts in complex and require knowledge of basic have also established cothe US and Europe. Some science, medicine and biotechnology operation with two distinof them, including genetiguished experts from an academy that has been dealing with cist Miodrag Stojković, did come back to Serbia. Establishing this matter for decades. Bearing in mind its wide use, we exbiotechnology facilities like those in Hungary, the Czech Repubpect this antibody to become the most efficient drug for treatlic and Poland would prompt many of these experts to continue ing allergic and inflammatory diseases such as asthma, sinusitheir careers in Serbia. tis (patients with sinus polyps), inflammation of the digestive system, food allergies, and the like.

■ Have the Serbian science institutes been communicating

Anita Tomašević

Nenad’s wife, Anita Tomašević has also had world-class scientific achievements, one of which has been published a few months ago in the famous magazine Nature. Anita is a member of Genentech’s research team who has been researching proteomics.

In terms of the number of marketed drugs and drugs under research, Genentech’s research team is no. 1 in the world.

with you and your colleagues from Serbia? Do you follow their work or does it all boil down to having a coffee with them when you come to Serbia on your annual leave?

- The contact that I have with the scientists from my homeland is quite friendly. I have given an online (Skype) lecture to the students of the Belgrade Medical Faculty recently thanks to Professor Dr Ivanka Karadžić. It was a very pleasant experience.

Ivanka fights tooth and nail to make Serbian science more popular in the country and abroad. A couple of years ago, she received a Fulbright scholarship for additional training in the US. I am also in regular contact with my mentor from Belgrade – Professor Dr Vesna Niketić. ■ cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 53

faces & places 29.01.2013

The National Day of Australia The Australian Embassy in Belgrade celebrated the country’s national day at the Ušće Business centre. The Australian ambassador H.E. Dr Helena Studdert greeted many guests including the Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić and Culture Minister Branislav Petković.

An exhibition of photographs of Australian cities and a video clip of the country’s natural beauty were showcased in honour of the Australian national holiday. These events were accompanied by the music from the indigenous peoples of Australia – the Aborigines.

A choir sung Serbian and Australian national anthems.

02.02.2013

Days of Young Wine H.E. Mr. Semuel Samson, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Serbia, has attended the “Days of Young Wine” Festival at Gudurica, Vrsac. The event was officially opened by Major of Vrsac, Mr. Cedomir Zivkovic, and attended also by representatives from Vojvodina region. The “Days of Young Wine” Festival was held for the first time as part of economy promotion of the region.

06.02. 2013

New Car Seat Factory

Johnson Controls opened a new car seat factory which is a joint venture with Kragujevac-based Magneti Marelli company. Johnson Controls is the global leader in production car seats, and automotive interior and electronics. The company is producing seats for the new Fiat model – 500 L. Apart from the representatives of Johnson Controls, the opening was also attended by minister Mladjan Dinkić, the Italian ambassador to Serbia H.E. Mr. Armando Varricchio, the US ambassador to Serbia H.E. Mr. Michael Kirby and Antonio Cezare Ferara, General Director FIAT Serbia.

Mrs. and Mr. Tsunoyaki 07.02. 2013

Mr. Tsunoyaki and Aleksandar Vučić, first deputy Prime Minister

Farewell reception by H.E. Mr. Toshio Tsunoyaki

The Japanese ambassador to Serbia H.E. Mr. Toshio Tsunoyaki held a farewell reception at his Senjak residence. Apart from many members of the diplomatic corps, and the representatives of Serbia’s cultural and political world, the reception was also attended by the first deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić.

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102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

07.02. 2013

Dragoljub Mićunović receives the Legion of Honour One of the founders of the Democratic Party, and the chair of its Political Council, Dragoljub Mićunović received from the French ambassador to Serbia H.E. Mr. François-Xavier Deniau the highest French decoration – the National Order of the Legion of Honour, in officer rank.

The French ambassador called Mićunović “the builder of democracy”, a determined oppositionist and a person who symbolizes a long fight for freedom.

10.02.2013

Concert “Cherry Bud”

A concert called ‘Cherry Bud’ was held in honour of the Serbian – Japanese friendship at the Sava Centre. Violinist Etsuko Tsunoyaki, the wife of the Japanese ambassador to Serbia H.E. Mr Toshio Tsunoyaki, took the cen-

tre stage at the concert which was attended by many representatives of the diplomatic corps in Belgrade, cultural world and the friends of the Tsunoyaki family who are due to leave Serbia soon.

cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 55

faces & places 11.02. 2013

Iranian National Day

Tomislav Nikolić, Serbian President and H.E. Mr. Abolghasem Delfi

Apropos the Iranian National Day or the 34th anniversary of the Islamic revolution in Iran, the Iranian ambassador to Serbia H.E. Mr. Abolghasem Delfi held a reception at the new residence of the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Belgrade. The reception was attended by the Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić, the Serbian government and Parliament officials, the representatives of the diplomatic corps, religious communities and many other guests.

Mrs. and Mr. Nikolić 13.02.2013

Mrs. and Mr. Stokvis

Mrs. and Mr. Varricchio

H.E. Mr. Johannes Eigner, Austrian Ambassador to Serbia

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102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

The Anniversary of Giuseppe Verdi’s Birth

Apropos the 200th anniversary of the birth of the famous Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901), a concert called ‘In Honour of Verdi’ was held at the Grand Stage of the National Theatre in Belgrade. The concert was organized by the Italian Culture Institute and the National Theatre, under the auspices of the Italian Embassy in Belgrade and a contribution by Business Conucila Italo – Serbo.

12.02. 2013

The AmCham elected new members of the Board of Governors The American Chamber of Commerce member companies elected seven new officers to the Board of Governors of the business association at the AmCham 12th General Assembly.

Jugoslav Pirić from Microsoft was elected for the First VicePresident of the American Chamber of Commerce, while Vladan Živanović from Saga was elected as the Second-Vice-President of the association. Stephen Fish (Ernst&Young), Ivan Vujačić(Eurobank), Miša Lukić (Leo Burnett), David Banjai (Ball Packaging), Željko Tomić (OSARačunarski inženjering) were also elected as new members of the Board of Governors.

20.02.2013

Promotion of a book by professor dr Vladimir Gligorov

A new book written by the researcher at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (WIIW), professor dr Vladimir Gligorov called Neoclassicism in the Balkans and Other Essays has been promoted at the Belgrade Media Centre.

The promotion was attended by H.E. Dr Johannes Eigner, the Republic of Austria’s Ambassador to Serbia, Professor Dr Mihajlo Crnobrnja, and Miroslav Prokopijević, while the International Secretary General of Association CIVIS, Mirjana Prljević was the moderator.

21.02.2013

The Protector of the Motherland Day Russian Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Mr. Alexander Chepurin held a reception at the Russian Embassy in Belgrade to celebrate the Protector of the Motherland Day. The reception was attended by the Serbian Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dačić, Health Minister Slavica Đukić Dejanović, director of the Government Office for Kosovo and Metohija Aleksandar Vulin, the Serbian Army Chief of Staff General Ljubiša Diković and other representatives of the Serbian Army, as well as the members of the diplomatic corps, media editors and many public figures.

(Tanjug) cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 57

culture calendar CONCERTS Bojan Z Sextet Sava Centar 5 March @ 20.30 One of the most authentic European jazz artists, Bojan Zulfikarpašić, known on the international jazz scene as Bojan Z, will perform in Sava Center on March 5th.

Bojan Z, pianist and composer, was born in Belgrade, where he began studying piano at the age of five. As a teenager, he began playing in jazz bands, and Belgrade awarded his band with first prize for the best young jazz musician in Yugoslavia, 1989. After moving to Paris (1988), Bojan was associated with eminent musicians: Moel Akchote, Julien Lourau, Magic Malik, Henri Texier and other French jazz players. The first album, “Bojan Z Quartet,” released in the early nineties by the prestigious

label, Label Bleu, is followed by many other albums later. Among the many awards he has won during his career are: the French government prize and the title of Knight of Arts and literature (2002), the Django Reinhardt award for musicians of the French Academy, the Hans Koller European Jazz Prize for Europe’s best jazz artists (2005) and the French award “Les Victoires du jazz 2007” (translated: “The Victories of Jazz”) for best album of the year (2007) for the album “Xenophonia”.

At a concert in Sava Center, Bojan will have the support of his friends, excellent musicians: Julien Lourau - saxophone Thomas Bramerie - bass Martijn Vink - drums Nenad Gajin - Guitar Teodosi Spassov – kaval

Goran Karan Sava Centar March 7 @ 20.00

Goran Karan, one of the most respected Croatian pop singers will perform on March 7th at the Sava Centar. Audiences will be able to enjoy the performance of his best-known hits, such as “Ja sam samo vagabundo”, “Ostani”, “Kad zaspu andjeli” and the song “Prijatelju” which will appear on his new album.

He has recorded five solo albums, and they all reached the diamond and gold success. Goran also recorded numerous singles and duets with renowned artists from the region.

Frajle Sava Centar March 8 @ 20.30 Novi Sad’s popular quartet, “The Frajle,” will perform a thematic concert on March 8th at the Sava Centar in the spirit of their studio debut album “Our first album from the trip.” This will be their first concert to be held in Sava Centar.

Four singers - Maria, Natasha, Jelena and Nevena, known for their carefully prepared performances with attractive costumes, in addition to their hits such as “Ich Liebe Dich”, “Štiklice” and others - will perform some of their attractive

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Severina Kombank Arena March 30 @ 20.00 Severina’s concert on March 30th at the Kombank arena will be the first in a series in her tour that encompasses the entire region. Many fans of Severina anticipate and look forward to it, after a three year break.

Concha Buika Sava Centar March 16 @ 20.00

The Spanish singer will perform as a part of the 14th International Guitar Art Festival, which will run from March 12 to 17, and will host more than 180 artists from around the world, with concerts and competitions.

Concha Buika comes to the Belgrade concert especially for the festival dedicated to the guitar, mostly paying tribute to guitar music in the spirit of flamenco music, but the audience will have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of its specific soul and jazz tunes,

On the big stage of Sava Center, Frajle will perform in the true theatrical atmosphere that their fans are used to. In addition to the two guitars and four female singers, various musicians on acoustic instruments such as double bass, violin, guitar, drums and percussion will join them on stage.

Zeljko Samardzić Kombank Arena March 8 @ 20.00

Riblja Čorba Kombank Arena, 23 March @ 20.00 Riblja Čorba, one of the most popular Serbian rock bands, will hold a concert in Kombank Arena on March 13, marking 35 years since it was established. Riblja Čorba will perform their old hits as well as promote songs from their latest, and nineteenth, studio album, “Uzbuna”.

With this concert, the band will launch their concert tour.

As part of the tour, concerts are planned in all major cities in Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Slovenia, as well as concerts in Australia and America. For the band’s third concert in the Arena, Riblja Čorba has prepared many

and unusual world of popular songs .

The four ladies combined their talents in 2009 when they were held together by a passion for music and theatre, cabaret and the generally striking style of movement they seek in their unusual appearances.

The first song became the big hit on the local scene, “Ich Liebe Dich” released in 2010.

accompanied by guitar and percussion. Called the “Flamenco Queen,” and currently the most sought after “world music” star that has seen a major rise in the past seven years, mainly thanks to highly expressive and spontaneous concerts which display Buika’s impressive breadth of voice in an unusually attractive fusion of multiple genres sung in both Spanish and English.

Late last year, one of the biggest stars of the region released an album that quickly became the best-selling music album in Serbia and Croatia. The album gathers songs, led by the song ‘Italiana’, that quickly became top 10 hits on the territory of former Yugoslavia.

These singles have over 60 million hits on Youtube channel.

The concert will be spectacle dedicated to Severinas’ loyal fans.

CLASSICAL MUSIC Pianist Fiesta Kolarac March 5 @ 20.00 Piano Duo Sanja and Lidija Bizjak The evening of Igor Stravinsky – the Rite of Spring; Petrushka

surprises, and the concert will be enriched by special guests. Producer John McCoy, who produced some of the Riblja Čorba albums, will also be a guest at the concert, as well as the band Kontrast, and a young group from Novi Sad: Čika Joca i Zmajevi.

102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

Zeljko will hold his traditional concert on March 8th this year in Kombank Arena. As each year, he dedicates his March concert to the ladies, who are his biggest fans.

He will perform his older hits, as well as songs from the latest release. As always, Zeljko will make sure that his concert will be the night of good music and atmosphere.

RTS Big Band and Karlheinz Miklin Kolarac March 6 @ 20.00 Conductor: Ivan Ilić RTS Big Band and Karlheiny Milin, tenor sax (Austria)

culture news RTS Symphonic Orchestra Kolarac March 7 @ 20.00 Conductor: Bojan Sudjić Program: Ivan Brkljačić, D.Shostakovich Stefan Milenković Madlenianum March 8 @ 20.00 Internationally acclaimed Serbian violinist Stefan Milenković will hold a concert on March 8th in the Madlenianum Theatre & Opera.

Time Machine: 20th century trends Kolarac March 8 @ 20.00 Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Alexander Rahbari Program: I.Stravinsky The Agape Trio Kolarac 10 March @ 11.00 As part of the Kolaracs’Cycle of Chamber Music, the Agape Trio will perform on 10th March.

Danijela Bajić, flute Danijela Milutinović, cello Bojana Dimković, piano Admission free The Artis Quartett Kolarac March 10 @ 20.30 As part of the Piaist Fiesta, the Artis Quartett (Austria)will perform in Kolarac on March 10th.

Dejan Sinadinović, piano Peter Schuhmazer, violin Johannes Meissl, violin Herbert Kefer, viola

Othmar Muller, cello String quartet and Piano quintet Concert in memory of Zoran Djindjic Kolarac March 15 @ 20.00 Conductor: Uroš Lajović Academic Choir Collegium musicum Program: W.A.Mozart, G.Holst Denis Matsuev Kolarac March 16 @ 20.00 As a part of the Kolarac Cycle ‘Great Music Performers’ pianist Denis Matsuev will perform on March 16th at the Kolarac Concert Hall.

Program: Tchaikovsky, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky Guitar Art Festival Closing Kolarac March 17 @ 19.30 Ceremony of closing of the Guitar Art Festival and awards presentation. Performance by Edin Karamazov and No Borders Orchestra.

DANCE Art Center ‘Talija’ Sava Centar 8 March @ 18.00

Art Center Talija was founded in 1998 in Belgrade. Today it has over 300 members, who have very successfully represented our country on five continents, bringing the richness of our folklore to people in the United States, China, Taiwan, Dubai, Tunisia, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador and then in almost all countries in Europe.

Members of Talija performed over 400 concerts a year in the country and around the world.

For the ninth consecutive year, Balkankult and the Belgrade Cultural Centre, have organized the Nordic Panorama film festival, held from February 14 to 19.

This unique cultural event featured last year's selected short, documentary and animated films from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden was held at the Belgrade Cultural Centre hall (from February 14 to 18) and the Student City hall (February 15 to 19).

During the five days of the festival, Exhibition ‘Wine and Love’ Ethnographic Museum 14 February The Ethnographic Museum marked February 14th, St Valentines’ Day, with an exhibition entitled Wine and Love, which opened on February 8th.

The exhibition will last until March 7th, when visitors to the Ethnographic Museum can learn about beliefs regarding two saints: St Valentine and St Tryphon. Tryphon is celebrated as the patron saint of vineyards and agricultural crops and on this day touring vineyards is common, and St. Valentine who is very popular worldwide has been in recent decades increasingly celebrated in Serbia.

41st FEST Dom Omladine February 22 –March 3 Celebrated American actor Michael Madsen opened 41st International Film Festival FEST in Belgrade. He was the guest of honor at this year’s festival.

FEST, as is already a tradition, started with the film which won the Golden Palm - Love by Mahaela Haneke. The film is also a candidate for

Eddie Izzard – Force Majeure!

Dom Omladine, March 29 @ 20.00 With great pleasure Dom Omladine is announcing performance of Eddie Izzard, one of the greatest stand-up comedians of all time! This world stand-up comedy star will perform with a brand new show, and part of a tour that will last a year. Belgrade is especially privileged, because he will be here before New York, Sydney, London, and Berlin.

Eddie Izzard is known as one of the foremost stand up comedians of his generation. He turns everyday

Nordic Panorama Belgrade Cultural Centre February 14-19

ideas and situations into bizarre, absurd and surreal comic stories.

He often says that he is paid for talking complete nonsense. Eddies’ “nonsense” has earned him many awards, including two Emmy awards.

around thirty films of different genres were shown. Special parts of the festival programme consisted of Norwegian short films and animated films, including the Oscar-winner The Danish Poet and winner of the Palme d'Or Sniffer. The main sponsor of the festival was the company Actavis, while Nordic Panorama was also helped by the embassies of Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden.

the Oscars in several categories, among them best picture and best director. Goran Markovic’s new movie Forger closed the 41st Fest, which was also the film’s premiere.

The main program brought movies FEST favorite author’s audience. Les Miserables Tom Hopper, Master Paul, Thomas Anderson, From Rome with Love, Woody Allen, Promised Land, Gus Van Sant, Brian de Palma’s Passion, Angel of Ken Loach, Francois Ozon’s At home, On the Way Walter Salas, Hidden Beauty Brand Belokija, Hitchcock Sasha Gervazija , The Best Offer Giuseppe Tornatore.

After a ten-year break, we had have the opportunity to see a new creation by Bernardo Bertolucci, the film Me and You. Imperial Ice Stars Kombank Arena 23 February The award-winning Imperial Ice Stars performed the play Swan Lake on ice at Kombank Arena on February 23.

Imperial Ice Stars is a unique production that has built its reputation extending the boundaries in the genre of ice dancing with their skating skills, creative and powerful storytelling, lavish costumes and set designs and special effects that include flying, various visual projections, snow, heat and rain.

World, European and national champions in figure skating, which together have more than 250 medals from competitions, brought ice dancing to new heights with its bold choreography turns, some of which are very complex and breathtaking at the same time.

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interview

■ Photos: Zoran Petrović

Tony O’Brien, DIRECTOR WESTERN BALKANS, BRITISH COUNCIL

Importance of Building

understanding “We believe that cultural relations builds international trust and understanding, generates opportunities for individuals to fulfil their potential and fosters the cooperation that contributes to a stable world. Cultural relations is powerful”

T

he British Council is the UK’s leading international organization for educational and cultural relations.

Also, it is one of the very first international cultural centres active in Serbia. In more than seven decades of cultural cooperation, the British Council became a partner of many institutions, universities, governmental and non-governmental organizations in Serbia. Their projects in Serbia are very diverse and useful for many different groups of citizens: promoting science and successful scientists, strengthening civil society and activism, promoting British culture and language, cooperation with libraries and schools, learning opportunities in UK for Serbian students. We spoke to British Council’s Director for Western Balkans, Tony O’Brien about the future plans and importance of the role that British Council has in Serbia.

■ The British Council has been present in Serbia since 1940 in various forms. How has its role in strengthening this society’s capacity and developing trust and links to Great Britain changed and evolved over decades of cooperation?

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- In the early days we were mainly an information and cultural centre, providing information to people who did not know much about the United Kingdom and did not have many opportunities for direct contact. These days we see ourselves as a cultural relations partner, working together with people and organizations here and in the UK, focusing on education and culture. There are so many links now between Serbia and the UK – not just at the level of Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray!

■ The British Council is also one of the oldest cultural centres of its kind in Serbia. How important is an institution like the British Council?

- We believe passionately in the importance of building understanding and trust through people-to-people relations, which is what we have been doing here since 1940. We call this ‘cultural relations’ - the building of engagement and trust between people of different cultures through the exchange of knowledge and ideas.

We believe that cultural relations builds international trust and understanding, generates opportunities for individ-

uals to fulfil their potential and fosters the co-operation that contributes to a stable world. Cultural relations is powerful; it promotes co-existence, co-operation, mutual respect and understanding. Cultural relations works over the long term, protects diversity and individual identity and brings the people of the world closer together.

So how important is the British Council then? Well it won’t surprise you that I think it is really important because what I want for my children and grandchildren is more organisations like this which are building understanding and trust between peoples around the world.

■ What are the founding principles that guide the work of the British Council?

Company) to connect them with leading talent in the UK (e.g.

Jasmin Vardimon Dance Company) to develop their own capacity and raise their professional level so that they can put on a stunning new performance (e.g. of “Yesterday” in mid March) and take this round the region. We are also keen to help with the development of new audiences – which is essential for the future – and to extend the use of digital means of communication and delivery.

In education we focus on skills development and international connections – of which more below.

■ The British Council’s science projects – particularly FameLab and Cafe Scientifique – have been widely accepted by the Serbian public. What is the future of these projects and what plans are there for them?

- Our Royal Charter sets out these “objects for which we exist”: promote cultural relationships and the understanding of dif- We very much want to continue them and we are eagerferent cultures between peoly seeking partners who can ple and peoples of the United secure their future. We have Kingdom and other countries; an excellent creative and propromote a wider knowledge fessional partnership with of the United Kingdom; develRTS in Serbia and with the op a wider knowledge of the Cheltenham Science Festival English language; encourage in the UK. We also have good cultural, scientific, technologsupport from Erste Bank. We ical and other educational coare now helping RTS secure operation between the United strong partnerships which Kingdom and other countries; will secure the future of the or otherwise promote the adprogrammes – and their devancement of education.’ velopment. For some of your We focus strongly on crereaders this may represent an ating international opportuniexcellent opportunity to enties for the people of the UK gage with a wide audience of All societies benefit from the active creative and intelligent peoand other countries. We aim engagement of people who are to build trust between them ple who are interested in comworldwide. We believe strongcommitted to making a difference municating about key conly in working with and through cepts and issues. We have four partners. And in everything we do, we promote equal opporFameLab winners who are now co-presenters of the regular tunities and diversity. And we uphold our five values: creativscience programme on RTS called Café Scientifique. ity, integrity, mutuality, professionalism, valuing people.

■ The British Council’s projects in Serbia are focused on various areas – from science and reinforcing civil activism to ecology. Are you going to focus specially on some of these areas in 2013 as well?

- Globally we work in the areas of English and examinations, arts and culture, education and society. Here in Serbia we have four main areas of focus of our work in English. We support continuing professional development for teachers and education professionals. We help promote multilingualism through work in bilingual education. We encourage the use of learning technologies in the language classroom. And we help teachers work with differently abled students through our support of ‘Inclusive education’.

In arts we work with local partners (like BITEF Dance

■ Fifteen Serbian schools participate in the Connecting Classrooms project. The project idea is to create partnerships among schools in Serbia, Great Britain and around the world. The schools that are involved in the project provide their students with an international dimension of learning and are developing their knowledge of other cultures. Could you sum up the project results for us? What kind of feedback did you get from the pupils who have been participating in the project?

- We know that one of the most powerful motivators for learning for school students and teachers is when they have opportunities to connect with students and teachers in other countries and other regions. Participants from the 15 schools are meeting together in March to review this programme and its outcomes. They tell us that they have gained enormously cordeditorial@cma.rs |

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from their international connections, from working with students and teachers in the UK and other countries, and in developing fresh approaches to learning.

- We are fortunate to have so many good partners that it would be invidious to single out any one. But let me highlight a couple of examples which may be of particular interest to your readers – and indeed may encourage them to take action themselves.

■ On the subject of educational activities, the British First is the English for International Cooperation course Council offers Serbian students a chance to study in which we ran for more than 450 young people in youth officGreat Britain, as well as to experience home learning in es in 23 municipalities. We did this in partnership with the line with British curricula. There is also an opportunity to obtain scholarships. Are you satisfied with the response Ministry of Youth and Sport and the Association of Language from the Serbian students and have they managed to Schools. The participants appreciated this blend of face to fully utilize the opportuniface and online learning. And ties that the Council offers? they realized the potential benefits in terms of both fu- There are many Serbian stuture employment and possidents studying in the UK and ble involvement in internathey find many ways of gettional projects. We know that ting there and securing supthe Ministry would like to export. They find information tend this opportunity to the through the internet – includremaining 108 youth offices ing our website www.educaaround the country and that tionuk.org– and through fammany municipalities would ily and friends. They find out like to use the course. Perhaps all sorts of scholarships and some of your readers would bursaries. The UK offers a like to partner with them to wide range of these (rather make this possible. than centralized schemes as Second, selecting and in some other countries). So sending key civil and public for example there are currentHere in the British Council we servants from Serbia to anly 15 Serbian students in one are always ready to assist any other country for an internCambridge college all studying mathematics. And there are organization which wants to set up ship of between four and six weeks has the potential to Foundations in Serbia such as and run a scholarship scheme make a huge difference to Pexim Foundation which protheir awareness, knowledge and skills. Which can be of vide scholarships. Here in the British Council we are always enormous benefit in for example helping the process of inready to assist any organization which wants to set up and tegrating with Europe. run a scholarship scheme.

We sent 29 interns to five countries through the ‘Speak European’ project we ran on behalf of the European ■ It has been said that Serbian society needs civil activUnion. The internship element was so successful that we ism in order to get on board with contemporary lifestyle. were able to secure support from the British Embassy In which way do the British Council projects promote the and the Serbian European Integration Office (SEIO) for a idea of civil activism in Serbia? small follow on scheme through which we sent five more - All societies benefit from the active engagement of people to the UK and Brussels. The impact for these people is exwho are committed to making a difference and to improving traordinary. things in their communities, whether at the local level, the Their experience shows the value of intercultural relanational level or the international level. For us a project like tions. It is through this kind of contact that we can best build Active Citizens brings together some excellent partners, such understanding and trust between people. We love it when as the Centre for Youth Work in Novi Sad, with organizations our Serbian colleagues come back full of enthusiasm for what in the UK and together they work with young people who are they have learned, what they have shared and for the rich extraordinarily creative and committed – and bursting with professional and personal relationships they have developed untapped potential. This can be truly humbling. with citizens of the UK and other European countries who are so positive towards them.

■ The British Council in Serbia cooperates with a subIn closing I’d like to encourage your readers to find their stantial number of institutions and organizations. Which own ways to encourage this exchange of people and ideas and cooperation would you single out as being particularly to develop understanding and trust.

■ successful?

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sport WTA TOUR 2013 AT GLANCE

Victoria Azarenka (left) and Serena Williams

EAST CLASHES WEST Belarusian Azarenka and American Serena Williams to lead in a battle for trophies in a us $100 million world tennis caravan

has been turning over close to a billion euros annually. The participants of this spectacle will get a slice of a $100 million “cake”.

The WTA Tour is the global leader hen it comes to womday called the women’s tennis – the WTA in women’s professional sport with Tour – doesn’t mind this division into en tennis players, the over 2,500 players from 92 countries “blocks” and the organization has been sports conflict bewho, during the year, compete for over even endorsing such balance of power at tween the two opposUS $100 million in prize money at 54 a global level, because it is a great way ing sides of our planet tournamets and four Grand Slams in of promoting equality, beauty, strength, – the former Soviet Union and the United 33 states. Over 5.4 million spectators and other values that stand out in their States (together with Western Europe) – watched WTA matches in 2012 came somewhat naturally and The WTA Tour is the global leader live, while hundreds of millions spontaneously in the last few years. It was also the prodin women’s professional sport with of them watched the games on TV and via digital channels. uct of the best ‘white sport’ over 2,500 players from 92 countries On top of that, the WTA academies which, generation who, during the year, compete for Tour helps the most successafter generation, have been incessantly producing new over US $100 million in prize money ful competitors to fulfill “the talent from the former tomato American dream” and create advertising slogans. Of course, add to it plantations in Florida, now turned into something that they have always been a little bit of Chinese spice, a drop or two modern tennis academies, to reactivated dreaming about virtually out of nothfrom Mexico, Argentina and Australia, communist athletic centres in the Mosing. Thanks to a system that has been and exotic Balkan “flavours” and you’ll developing since 1970, 279 women tencow region. get a mix which is a people pleaser and The host and the creator of what is tonis players made over a million dollars

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each from tournaments alone (their uted so much to tennis, as well as on the line Wozniacki. sponsorship endorsements bring them foundation provided by other compaJust looking at the beginning of the ten times more money), while, in the last season will give you enough insight into nies, like Oriflame, Jetstar and Turkish 40 years, 26 of them cashed in over 10 who “the big guns” are. Azarenka won Airlines, which undertook to collaborate million thanks to the racket and yellow Australian Open and Doha, Li was the with the tour for a long time. ball alone. best in Shenzhen, Radwanska in OakStill, none of that would be feasible if The WTA Tour calendar has four it weren’t for the real tennis champions land and Serena in Brisbane. These are Grand Slams (which are managed by that draw in the masses. If they become the players that will battle it out for the the International Tennis trophies this year – says Federation [ITF]), WTA prebetting company “BetWin” which seldom makes mismier tournaments (divided into mandatory, premier takes in its precise mathfive and regular tournaematical calculations.

According to their ments), as well as WTA Inanalyses, 31-year-old Serternational Tournaments: the FED Cups plus the seaena Williams will win this year's Wimbledon by beatson-ending tournaments in Istanbul and Sofia. ing Victoria Azarenka in One of the most powerful the final who is her main women in the world, accordcompetitior in the battle for the no.1 spot on the ing to Forbes, and WTA’s WTA list. Before the LonCEO Stacey Allaster keeps everything under her watchdon grass courts, the same two players will take the ful eye. Her office is located Maria Sharapova centre stage at Roland Garin St. Petersburg, not the Russian town, but the one Today’s women’s tennis has only three ros with Maria Shaparova in Florida. At the same time, potentially upsetting the top players – Serena Williams from the WTA Tour is being manbalance. Li Na and Petra the US and the two from the “Eastern Kvitova could be the dark aged by its European HQ in London and the Asian-PacifBlock” – Belarusian Victoria Azarenka horses of this tournament.

A similar situation will ic branch in Bejing. and Russian Maria Sharapova happen at US Open.

Allaster is a favourite Vika (Victoria Azarenka) who has divided along the previously mentioned among players which is quite underrecently won the Qatar and Melbourne lines, the thrill of the game will be even standable considering that, since July Opens by beating Serena Williams in the greater. The truth is that what used 2009, she has bolstered the WTA Tour so finals, is still in the forefront. She started to be a sky full of tennis stars has now much that the new age digital challengthe year with a 14:0 winning streak afboiled down to only three of them and es and the global economic downturn an occasional shining “celestial” body didn’t even get close to marring women’s ter nine consecutive loses to the famous resembling a star. Making the best sales tennis. A calendar covering the next few American. The current score stands at product out of those materials is not an years has been put together which will 2:11 in Williams’ favour. easy task, but the heads of WTA Tour relenable the players to get some rest, keep If we are talking about our best womthemeselves injury-free and will proish the challenge and are jumping over en tennis players, it seems that, this year, hurdles. they are not going to play the main roles. vide the sponsors with enough events Today’s women’s tennis has only The former No. 1, Jelena Janković, curto promote their brands to the fullest. three top players – Serena Williams from Also, there are new WTA rules apropos rently ranked 24th, started the season the US and the two from the “Eastern on-court coaching, electronic line callby losing to Roberta Vinci in the secBlock” – Belarusian Victoria Azarenka ing, and revised doubles scoring format, ond round of Sydney Open. At Australand Russian Maria Sharapova. Other all with the aim of removing the current ian Open, she made it to the third round players are inferior in quality, popularity boundaries and making the sport more (lost to Ana), after which she had to reand potential for advancement, although acceptable, active and interesting for all. cover from the abdominal muscle injury. there are a few of them that could be It is no big secret that the entire sysThe constant injuries, not being able to considered a threat and win a tour or find a good coach and absence of the tem sits on the firm foundation of the two like Petra Kvitova, Li Na, Agnieszka high intensity matches and motivation Sony Ericsson Company which is the Radwanska, Angelique Kerber and Caroto train, which she had in her younger tour’s global sponsor and which contribcordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 65

Graf, Monika Seles, Martina Navratilova, Gabriela Sabatini and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario any longer. The Williams sisters and Maria Sharapova also belong to that group but they are slowly but surely leaving the tennis stage and are creating room for new talent which comes in the shape of buffed bodies, stern looks, and strong shots but without any depth of the character, line of thinking, and offcourt behaviour which could be the crucial factor in becoming successful.

Ana Ivanović

SERENA, THE OLDEST QUEEN Williams came to the throne mid February, thus becoming the oldest No.1 in WTA history. Here are all of those who have been No.1 in their 30s, along with their age the last date they were number one: Serena Williams: 31 years, 4 months, 24 days (February 18, 2013) Chris Evert: 30 years, 11 months, 3 days (November 24, 1985) Martina Navratilova: 30 years, 9 months, 29 days (August 16, 1987)

days, have led to Jelena contemplating land Garros in 2008, but she reached last about retiring and finishing her fantasyear's US Open quarter-finals - her best Grand Slam since the Paris victory. tic career during which she won 12 WTA - I feel a few years back when I was trophies, one Grand Slam in mixed doulosing in the second and third rounds bles, and made it to the FED Cup and US of Grand Slams, that was the level then.

Open finals.

WTA RANKING And yet I cannot sort of make that step, Ana Ivanović, who is three years WTA Ranking system is younger than Janković, is still Ana Ivanović, who is three years based on 52-week, cumulative keen on becoming a champion. system. A player's ranking is Unfortunately, nothing has younger than Janković, is still determined by her results at a come off that as yet since she keen on becoming a champion. maximum of 16 tournaments keeps on failing to reach the Unfortunately, nothing has come for singles and 11 for doubles. top spots. The last title she won was in Bali in 2011 with eight off that as yet since she keeps on The rankings are updated every Monday, with the exception of players participating in a “confailing to reach the top spots two-week events. solation” masters tournament. that sort of breakthrough. I guess someHowever, her 14th place in the world is IN NUMBERS deserving of respect, as is the fact that times results don't come as early as you - In 2013, 27 tournaments will be she hasn’t “forgotten” how to play tenexpect them. Sometimes it takes time for played at Hardcourt Outdoors, 15 at Red a few things to fall in place. I definitely nis. Her forehand is still deadly for her Clay Outdoors, 8 at Hardcourt Indoors, 5 feel my game is at a higher level than it rivals and she is in a good physical shape. at Grass Outdoors and one each at outwas over the last few years.

Her problem is mainly of psychological So, at first glance, it seems that this nature, in a sense that she needs to win door green clay courts, carpet courts and will be a rather dull season, without too against top players in order to regain her indoor clay courts. many colourful moments, variations, confidence, make it to the top 10 and, in THE INCREASE IN PRIZE MONEY (US $) surprises and new players. The same turn, get better tournament draws.

AT WTA TOURS goes for men’s tennis where Đoković, - My time will come again. That's 1971 309,100 (Virginia Slims) Federer, Murray and returning Nadal are what still drives me, to play and com1974 1,000,000 (Virginia Slims) the only players who call the shots, keeppete. I want to compete for big titles in 1983 10,200,000 (Virginia Slims) 1990 23,000,000 (Kraft Foods) big tournaments because I feel my game ing the whole system running smoothly.

1998 40,000,000 (Corel Corp.) is still there. You know, I have strength to Although, making a spectacle out of 2001 50,000,000 (Sanex) 2005 60,000,000 (Sony Ericsson) do so – said Ana after Melbourne tournathe game is sometimes quite a labou2012 100,000,000 (Sony Ericsson) ment. rious task, the impression is that there year, amount, main sponsor Her form has been patchy since Roare no charismatic champions like Steffi

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- 11 tournaments will be played in the US, the highest number of tournaments out of all countries. Four tournaments will be played in Australia and Great Britain, three in France and Spain, two in Austria, Canada, China, Italy, Japan and Mexico and one WTA tournament in Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Korea, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Morocco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan.

- 21 premier tournaments will be played this year, including the seasonending tournament in Istanbul. The prize money ranges from US $637,000 to US $4,828,050. There are four mandatory tournaments (Indian Wells, MiJelena Janković ami, Madrid and Bejing). Other premier NOVICES 1988 and, for the whole nine years, she tournaments or the premier 5 are: Paris The beginning of this year brought participated in the tennis “caravan” dur(indoors), Dubai, Charleston, Stuttgart, new talent to women's tennis. A little Stanford, Carlsbad; Premier 600: Brising which she won five singles trophies. known Spanish tennis players Garbine Her best result at the Grand Slams, as an bane, Sydney, Brussels, Eastbourne, New Muguruza and Maria Teresa Torro Flor individual competitor, was making it to Haven, and Moscow. conquered WTA Hobart in doubles, the quarter finals of US Open. In doubles, - Also, there are 30 international made it to their national team at the she was the 22nd and, in 2007, she was tournaments with the lowest prize monthe recipient of the WTA Newey starting at US $200,000, including the season-ending comer of the Year Award. The The former No. 1, Jelena Janković, Hungarian retired due to fre“consolation” masters tournacurrently ranked 24th, started the quent injuries that have been ment in Sofia. season by losing to Roberta Vinci in plaguing her since 2011.

THE BEST the second round of Sydney Open Victoria Azarenka from BeTHE WEALTHIEST Victoria Azarenka from Belarus and Agnieszka RadwanFED Cup and have been drawn for alska from Poland had the best start of the larus made the most money in 2013 – US season with each winning two singles $2,903,651, followed by Li Na from Chimost all WTA tournaments. Another titles. Vika defended her title at Australplayer to look out for is the winner of na US $1,365,879 and Serena Williams the Szenzhen tournament Chan Haowith US $627,216. ian Open while Mona Barthel, Serena WilChing (born in 1993) from Taipei.

However, the list is entirely different liams, Maria Kirilenko, Li Na and Elena Young American players Sloan Steif we look at the prize money won over Vesnina won singles trophies, and the two the course of a player's career. The Wilunbeatable Italian doubles players Sara phens and Madison Keys, dubbed as Errani and Roberta Vinci winning three heirs to the Williams sisters, are also liams sisters definitely take the No. 1 trophies each at the beginning of 2013. new hopes. 21-year-old Torro Flor place – Serena has won US $42,45,272 holds a record in 36 consecutive wins so far, and Venus US $28,599,243. With WTA RANKINGS on clay - the first Spanish women ten$23,760,515 Maria Sharapova is also at 1.

S. Williams (USA) 10.590 the very top while Azarenka needs to nis player to do that.

2.

Azarenka (Belarus) 10.325 win another US $250,000 to reach the 3.

Sharapova (Russia) 9.715 4.

Radwanska (Poland) 7.750 magic number of 20 million.

PENSIONERS 5.

Li Na (China) 6.130 Judging by the same criteria, JeOne of the best WTA Tour players 6.

Kerber (Germany) 5.400 who retired in 2013 is Agnes Szavay from lena Janković made more money than 7.

Errani (Italy) 4.820 8.

Kvitova (Czech Rep) 4.510 Hungary whose best result was the 13th Ana Ivanović during her career, US 9.

Stosur (Australia) 3.835 place on WTA list in 2008. Szavay was $13,403,582 and US $9,874,213 re10.

Wozniacki (Denmark) 3.570 born in Kiskunhalas on December 29, spectively. ■ cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 67

travel

Lakes and

Ponds of Serbia

O

ut of a desire to promote and present the most beautiful parts of Serbia, the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), Belgrade, Serbia has recently published its Atlas of Tourism Potential of Serbian Protected Areas, both in Serbian and the English language. This outstanding atlas depicts 36 locations in Serbia, and in its latest issue, CorD suggests out of that abundant selection which lakes and ponds in Serbia you may wish to visit with the first onset of spring.

1/8 Lake Ludaš

Photodocumentation: PE "Palić – Ludaš"

Lake Ludaš is the second biggest lake in North Bačka District and one of the oldest reserves in Serbia, as well as an area protected by the Ramsar Convention.

The lake has a high diversity of sand and steppe wetland ecosystem. It is the only shallow, semistatic lake in the steppe area in Serbia, as well as a gathering and resting point for all sorts of migratory birds.

CONTACT: Public enterprise “Palić – Ludaš“, 17a, Kanjiški Put , Palić; Tel: +381 (0)24 753 121; E-mail: office@ palic-ludas.rs; www.palic-ludas.rs

2/8 Gornje Podunavlje The Gornje Podunavlje is one of the last floodplains in Europe. It comprises two large fens – Monoštor and Apatin which cover an area of 19,605ha of forests, meadows, swamps and marshes, including the river Danube and its meanders. This reserve is home to 51 species of mammals, 248 bird species, 50 fish species, 11 amphibian species, 9 reptile species, a huge number of invertebrates, as well as 60 species of butterflies and over 1,000 different plant species.

CONTACT: Public enterprise “Vojvodinašume”, 2 Preradovićeva , Petrovaradin, Tel: +381 (0)25 463 111, E-mail: srpgp.sgsombor@gmail.com; www. gornjepodunavlje.info 68 |

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Photodocumentation: PE "Vojvodinašume"

(The Upper Danube Basin)

3/8 Slano Kopovo

Photodocumentation: Milan KNEŽEV

Slano Kopovo Special Nature Reserve is located in Vojvodina’s Central Banat District close to the town of Novi Bečej and the River Tisa.

The Reserve has one of the last preserved salt marsh lakes in Vojvodina and is one of the most important bird habitats in Serbia, with a total of 203 bird species (63% of all bird species registered in Vojvodina live here). The reserve is also home to birds that are not typical to the Pannonian Plain, but rather the Pontic-Caspian Steppe and sea shores. At peak time up to 17,000 cranes and several thousand ducks and geese can be spotted here. There are close to 20 species of mammals living in the reserve, including hare, roe deer, European ground squirrel, Pygmy shrew, northern water vole and others.

CONTACT: “Lovačko udruženje Novi Bečej”, 29, Sonje Marinković, Novi Bečej, Tel: +381 (0)23 771 076, E-mail: ludruzenje@yahoo.com

4/8 Carska Bara

(The Imperial Swamp)

Photodocumentation: Fish Farm "Ečka" a.d.

Carska Bara Nature Reserve is located in Central Banat District, in the municipality of Zrenjanin, between the Begej and Tisza rivers, with many swamps, lakes, natural waterways, boglands and salt marshes. The reserve has over 500 plant taxa, of which 30 are protected nationally and internationally. Marsh vegetation dominates. The reserve has 20 registered fish species, with two species being highly protected – the European Bitterling and the Weather Loach. Out of 239 birds species on the reserve, 207 are highly protected, with 15 of them considered endangered on globally. All ten species of the European Heron live there. The most important predator in the marsh is the White-tailed Eagle. The reserve is also an ideal environment for many protected species of insects, reptiles and amphibians.

There also are numerous mammals species, of which many are very rare and endangered.

CONTACT: Fish Farm “Ečka“ a.d., Beloblatski put (no number), Lukino Selo, Tel: +381 (0)23 884 645, E-mail: turizam@ carskabara.rs, www.carskabara.rs cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 69

5/8 Jegrička

Photodocumentation: PWME "Vode Vojvodine"

The Jegrička Nature Park is located in Vojvodina, between the Small Bačka Canal, near Despotovo in the west, and the confluence of the Jegrička River into the Tisza River, near Žabalj in the east. The nature park was named after Jegrička, the largest river in Bačka, which is 64km long. The nature park contains a water biotope made up of a canal, an untouched marsh ecosystem and an area that has been converted into a fishpond. It is the habitat for many plant and animal species, including some protected species that are included in Serbia’s ‘Red Book’. There are 76 different water and marsh plant species, such as white water lilies, marsh fern, water caltrop and bladderwort. The Jegrička small river is home to 20 fish species, including tench, pike, perch, catfish and carp. The wet areas are also a good habitat for amphibians and reptiles CONTACT: Public Water Management Enterprise “Vode Vojvodine”, 25, Bulevar Mihajla Pupina, Novi Sad, Tel: +381 (0)21 4881 427, E-mail: office@vodevojvodine. com, www.vodevojvodine.com

6/8 Kovilj -Petrovaradin Fen

Photodocumentation: PE "Vojvodinašume“

The Kovilj-Petrovaradin Fen (KoviljskoPetrovaradinski Rit) is located in the southeast of Vojvodina’s Bačka District, sprawled across both banks of the Danube near the towns of Kovilj and Petrovaradin. It is only 20km from Novi Sad and 60km from Belgrade. This complex spans an area of 5,895ha and is rich in wildlife that makes it an integral entity. Today’s fenland area, which stretches for a length of 20km, is a remnant of a former great, dense, lush and almost impassable fen. The main features making this area significant are its conserved and diverse wetlands (islets, river islands, backwaters, meanders and oxbow lakes), plant communities and diversity and abundance of fauna, especially waterfowl and fish. This fenland is home to 206 species of birds and 26 species of fish. The area is also a nursery for wild pike, carp and sturgeon. Rare animal species also live here, such as the wildcat and otter.

CONTACT: Public enterprise „Vojvodinašume“ 2 Preradovićeva, Petrovaradin Tel: +381 (0)21 542 713, E-mail: simvaliks@sbb.rs; www.vojvodinasume.rs 70 |

102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

7/8 Zasavica

Photodocumentation: Nature Conservation Movement of Sremska Mitrovica

The Zasavica Special Nature Reserve is 9km from Sremska Mitrovica, 12km from the Belgrade-Zagreb E70 motorway, 62km south of Novi Sad and 80km west of Belgrade. It is located east of the river Drina and south of the Sava, on the territory of the municipalities of Sremska Mitrovica and Bogatić. This area is dominated by a river biotope which is comprised of the Zasavica riverlet and its confluent Batar, as well as the Jovača and Prekopac canals. Zasavica is directly connected to the River Sava via the Modran Canal. The reserve is brimming with rare plant and animal species, some of which are so rare that they are almost extinct.

The area is home to over 600 plant, 198 bird, 27 amphibian/reptile and 23 fish species. The most valuable species is a fish called the European mud minnow, which lives in only one other location worldwide, and the waterwheel plant (Aldrovanda Vesiculosa), which grows exclusively at Zasavica. The Reserve is also the guardian of genetic resources of Serbia since a rare species of pig – the swallow-bellied Mangalica is bred here, as is the Balkan donkey and the Podolian cow.

CONTACT: Nature Conservation Movement of Sremska Mitrovica, 19, Svetog Save, Sremska Mitrovica Tel: +381 (0)22 614 300; E-mail: zasavica@zasavica.org.rs; www.zasavica.org.rs

Photodocumentation: PE "Vojvodinašume"

8/8 Obedska Bara (The Obed Swamp) The Obedska Bara (The Obed Swamp) is in the southeast of Vojvodina’s Srem District, 90km from Novi Sad, 56km from Belgrade and just 31 km away from Nikola Tesla Airport. This is the biggest floodplain in Serbia, as well as one of the oldest protected natural areas in the world, with the first administrative protective measures having been introduced in 1874.

Obedska Bara is actually an oxbow lake, a remnant of the meanders of the old Sava River, 13.5km long and with an average width of 750m. This is one of the most abundant and best preserved habitats of plant and animal species in the Pannonian Basin, which is home to over 500 plant species, many of them endemic. The area is filled with various reptiles and amphibians, as well as mammals likethe swamp bat, common vampire bat, fat dormouse, bank vole, harvest mouse, hedgehog, bicoloured shrew and others. There are a total of 222 bird species, 145 of which nest in the pond area. Obedska Bara is also home of 800 nesting pairs of grey, red, small white, yellow and great white heron, including the little pied cormorant and night heron.

CONTACT: Public enterprise “Vojvodinašume” 2, Parobrodska, Sremska Mitrovica Tel: +381 (0)22 600 510; E-mail: info@srpobedskabara.com; www.vojvodinasume.rs cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 71

chill out

World’s Smallest Car

Pelican Eats up Feathered Friend Photographer Paul Mansfield, 44, cap-

Born in a small factory on Britain’s tiny Isle of Man in 1962, this is officially the smallest street legal car in the world at just 135 centimeters long and 102 centimetres wide.

After a break of 40-odd years – the “Peel P50” is back in production. Weighing just 60 kg, with a top speed of 65 km/h and its rear wheel drive powered by a 2.5 kilogram rear-mounted engine – a street legal version will set you back €11,800

Whale Vomit Worth €120,000

tured this remarkable scene of a pelican eating a small bird while on a day trip to London with his family.

The pigeon had been pecking at crumbs in St James’ Park, Westminster, when he was targeted by the pelican.

Pelicans, who are carnivorous but tend to stick to fish, have been living in the London park for over 50 years but this is believed to be the first time one has chosen to eat one of its feathered friends.

It smells like horse manure and looks like a dirty beach rock but this lump of ‘floating gold’ could pocket one man over €120,000 The unusual ‘stone’ is believed to be a piece of rare and valuable whale vomit, or ambergris, an in-demand ingredient used in perfumes such as Chanel No.5.

Lancashire resident Ken Wilman discovered the 3kg lump while out walking his boxer dog on Morecambe beach.

Mr Wilman has already been offered €50,000 for his find by a French ambergris dealer, but experts believe it could be worth much more once it has been officially verified.

‘How much it’s worth will depend on how fresh it is, but it’s potentially € 135,000,’ said Chris Hill, curator at the Aquarium of the Lakes in Cumbria.

Kindergarten

Library Book Returned 55 Years Late A long overdue book has finally been returned to the New York Public Library — 55 years late.

The biography of a 16th-century priest called “Fire of Francis Xavier” was checked out of the Fort Washington branch in upper Manhattan on April 10, 1958.

Library manager Jennifer Zarr tells the newspaper the book arrived at the library beginning February wrapped in a plain brown envelope with a check for $100 to cover the dues inside.

She says library records don’t go back to 1958 and there’s no way to trace who borrowed the book. She won’t reveal the name on the check.

72 |

Children pour cold water on themselves on the instruction of fitness coach Margarita Filimonova at local kindergarten number 317, with the air temperature at about minus 23 degrees Celsius, in Russia’s Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk.

102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

Can Breakfast Make Kids Smarter?

New research from the University of Pennsylvania has found that children who regularly have breakfast on a near-daily basis had significantly higher full scale, verbal, and performance IQ test scores In one of the first studies to examine IQ and breakfast consumption, researchers examined data from 1,269 children six years old in China, where breakfast is highly valued, and concluded that children who did not eat breakfast regularly had 5.58 points lower verbal, 2.50 points lower performance, and 4.6 points low-

er total IQ scores than children who often or always ate breakfast after adjusting for seven socio-demographic confounders.

“Childhood is a critical period in which dietary and lifestyle patterns are initiated, and these habits can have important immediate and long-term implications,” said lead author Jianghong-Liu. “Breakfast habits appear to be no exception, and irregular breakfast eating has already been associated with a number of unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, frequent alcohol use, and infrequent exercise.”

Indian Rural Olympics Being run over by a tractor, balancing a bicycle on your teeth and watching horses dance are just a few of the events that took place at this year’s Indian Rural Olympics.

The offbeat annual contest in Kila Raipur, Punjab, is very different from what people saw during the London Games last summer.

Instead of watching athletes you could instead view a number of animals being manoeuvred, such as camels, dogs and bullocks.

The Rural Olympics have been held for over 60 years and regularly see more than 4,000 people competing in them, with an estimated one million fans coming to watch the fun.

The bullock cart race is the pinnacle event at the games and sees competitors racing the beasts in rugged terrain.

And what would a sports day be without the much loved tug-of-war contest, which is very much on show here.

Some of the more stranger challenges include people pulling cars with numerous body parts such as teeth and ears, and stunts like riding a bike with a burning tyre.

“Wall of Sand“ hits Australia These incredible photos show a huge dust storm off the coast of Australia, near the town of Onslow in north-western Australia .

It is believed the dust was whipped up by winds in the dry hot Australian deserts before heading out over the Indian Ocean This type of massive dust storm is known as a haboob by meteorologists. It is rare for them to be captured on camera.

America's Youngest Female Billionaire Lynsi Torres (30), the president and owner of the popular burger chain In-N-Out Burger is the nation’s youngest female billionaire She’s the owner and president of the California-based burger chain In-N-Out Burger, founded by her grandparents in 1948 and now worth about $1.1 billion.

Torres rose through the ranks of her grandparents’ lucrative business after her uncle died in a plane crash and father died of a drug overdose. After her mother’s death in 2006, the then 23-year-old Torres took over the chain through a trust. She received half ownership of the company when she turned 30. She will receive the other half at 35.

Torres has been married three times, for the first time at age 17. cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 73

techno talk CES - Consumer Electronics Show 2013

The Best of CES As another Consumer Electronics Show fades into the Las Vegas sunset. Over 3,000 exhibitors showcased a wide range of innovative products this year in the categories include 3D, Accesories, Audio, Automotive Electronics, Embedded Technology, Lifestyle Electronics, Wireless & Wireless Devices to name a few. We take a look back at the most attractive products unveiled at the show. There were a great number of eye-popping, jaw-dropping, innovative, exciting gadgets on display and here is our selection

Belkin Handheld Home Theater Price:

€145.oo

Designed to integrate seamlessly with the iPad, the Belkin Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theater connects directly through the iPad dock connector for a seamless, unified experience. The Belkin Thunderstorm Handheld Home Theater will be available for both 30-pin connectors and the new Lightning connector.

WX-GT90BT CD-receiver Price:

€145.oo

The new WX-GT90BT CD-receiver is used with Sony's App Remote app for USB-connected iPhones and Bluetooth connected Android phones.

Once downloaded drivers no longer have to go back-and-forth between the car audio system and smartphone to access a favourite tune. Music information such as album artwork is displayed on the smartphone screen, while incoming text messages can be read aloud on Android phones through the car's speakers for ultimate driving convenience.

IdeaCentre Horizon Table PC Price:

€1,245.oo

The IdeaCentre Horizon Table PC from Lenovo is a PC the size of a coffee table that works like a gigantic tablet and lets four people use it at once.

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102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

Bendable 'Youm' OLED display Price:

Samsung HW-F750 Soundbar

€720.oo

TBA

The bendable 'Youm' OLED display of Samsung uses thin plastic instead of glass, thereby making it unbreakable. This year will be probably the first year when the first real bendable device will be released and are more likely that Samsung will be the first company that makes this big step in mobile devices.

Samsung's Vacuum Tube Soundbar (model HW-F750) is the first soundbar to feature a built-in vacuum tube to maximize sound quality, and is the world's first soundbar that can wirelessly connect with a TV via Bluetooth.

Sony Xperia Z Price:

€610.oo

Xperia Z comes with a 5” Full HD 1080p Reality Display, Snapdragon™ S4 Pro quad-core processor, 13 megapixel fast-capture cameras and 4G LTE. Xperia Z also includes Battery STAMINA Mode that can improve the standby time by four times or more by automatically shutting down battery-draining apps whenever the screen is off.

The iM1836 Polaroid Camera Price:

€290.oo

The world's first Android-powered mirrorless interchangeable lens camera with an 18-megapixel censor. The Android 4.1 Jelly Bean-running camera comes standard with a 10-30mm optical zoom lens, and is capable of recording full-HD video. iM1836 Polaroid Camera is expected to be launched some time before the summer.

Basis band Price:

€145.oo

The Basis band is a heart-rate monitor that works without a chest strap so you can wear it all the time and get an accurate reading, no matter what you're doing. The band is also loaded with other detectors, such as a galvanic skin response sensor which monitors sweat levels and an accelerometer so you can see how changes in your heart rate correlate with your exercise habits. This device could give you a more accurate picture of your health than any other consumer gadget to date.

cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 75

techno talk

Sharp’s monster 85in 8K TV Price:

€18,300.00

Sharp is showing off its next-generation technology at CES, the world's biggest consumer electronics show – and it's brought a truly mind-boggling TV along.

The 85in prototype 8K TV has a resolution of 7680 x 4320, the equivalent of 16x the resolution of HD. The TV is "likely" to feature 3D and Sharp's Quattron colour tech. Pricing has yet to be accounted but don't expect it to come cheap. That said, if your living room is large enough to display this thing at an appropriate distance, we're guessing you can afford it.

LG 55-inch OLED Price:

FujiFilm SL100

€8,000.00

LG 55-inch OLED is 4 millimetres thin and weighs less than 10 kilograms. The company claims that its produces vivid and realistic pictures thanks to its superior WRGB technology.

tba The SL1000 boasts the highest optical zoom of all the cameras announced, with a 50x optical zoom lens (24mm-1200mm) with fast apertures of f/2.9 to f/6.5 and a 16 million pixels 1/2.3-inch BSI-CMOS sensor.

PaperTabs electronic paper tba

Price:

A revolutionary tablet screen as thin as a sheet of paper can be twisted and dropped without damage. PaperTabs are actually flexible computers powered by the latest Intel chips with 10.7-inch touch screens and the ability to interact with other pieces of electronic paper. But, consumers shouldn't expect to see PaperTabs in stores soon.

76 |

Philips Fidelio Soundbar HTL9100

102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

€580.oo

Philips has launched the "world's first sound bar with detachable speakers," in the form of the Fidelio HTL9100 soundbar. Philips claims 10-hours of battery life for the detachable speakers after which they can be reattached to the sound bar for charging automatically.

Samsung F9500 TV tba The F9500 television from Samsung is the first in the world that lets two people watch two different shows at the same time. The multi-view feature allows two people to watch completely different Full-HD content simultaneously on the same screen with corresponding audio and controls. Samsung aims to launch this TV during 2013, but haven't released any definitive plans or prices yet.

The ZTE Grand S Expected Price:

â‚Ź450.00 - 550.00

It is the Chinese company's first FHD smartphone and the world's thinnest within 5 inch FHD quadcore smartphones, enabled by the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor. The ZTE Grand S comes with Jelly Bean operating system, 13M AF camera with Flash and 2M FF 1080P video and 5 inch FHD screen capable of full-website display.

Huawei Ascend D2 tba Huawei Ascend D2 has a 5 inch 1080p display and 9.9 mm thick. This model has a 1.5 GHz quard core processor, 13 megapixel rear camera and a 3000 mAh battery.

Sony 4K XBR LED Price:

â‚Ź18,300.oo

Philips has launched the "world's first sound bar with detachable speakers," in the form of the Fidelio HTL9100 soundbar. Philips claims 10-hours of battery life for the detachable speakers after which they can be reattached to the sound bar for charging automatically.

The Philips Fidelio Soundbar HTL9100 is scheduled to be released in May.

cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 77

fashion

Watches Collection 2013

Roberto Cavalli Caracter - Dual-Time Chronograph Watch

We understand perfectly well that the phone in your pocket tells the time. But we still think you should strap on a watch.

Not only does it punctuate an outfit; it also says something about who you are-or, at least, who you aspire to be.

Watches still plays an integral role in what it means to be a man.As at the beginning of each year, Cordova, and this year offers a wide range of different styles, models, prices and brands of the exclusive men's watches collection for 2013

Tonino Lamborghini Regulateur Black Chronograph Watch

Trend meets sophistication in this dual time watch featuring chronograph displays of day, date minutes and seconds.

The Cavalli logo and black alligator wristband add to the sleek style of this elegant timepiece. Swiss made.

price:

€1480

This Limited edition watch is one of 50 produced in the Moon Phase model and features a silver ground guillochet dial and brown croco strap with stainless steel deployment buckle. Sapphire crystal.

42mm stainless steel 316L polished case. Swiss Made automatic movement Moon Phases Eta Valjoux 7751.

price:

€3740

Raymond Weil

Ferrari

W1 - White Stainless Steel Chronograph Watch w/ Tachymetre

Panerai Scuderia - Automatic Chronograph Watch

A sporty chronograph with tachymetre for active and stylish men. The white dial has orange hands, three subdials, a date window and is presented on a brushed stainless steel bracelet.

Swiss Made.

Sleek and stylish, this 37-jewel automatic movement watch with a 42-hour power reserve offers dual chronographs and tachymeter. It is water-resistant up to 100m, and the saphire crystal has been treated for scratchresistance and anti-reflection.

Swiss made.

78 |

price:

price:

€7840

€660

102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

Tonino Lamborghini

Lancaster Leather Strap Chrono Watch This handsome timepiece from Lancaster’s luxury line features chronograph displays for date, hour, minutes and seconds.

Roman numerals add an extra measure of sophistication. Eta Caliber Swiss movement. Water resistant up to 5 atm. Gift box included. Swiss made.

Spyder - Red Leather Chronograph Watch

price:

€665

Polished and satin finished stainless steel with PVD black details is perfectly complemented by a croco-stamped red leather strap and a bright blue face. Days of the weeks span from the 10 to the 2 with a date window at the 6. Sapphire crystal glass. Swiss Made movement.

€1430

Emporio Armani

Julius Legend

Gianni - Large Round Chronograph Watch

Sea Fortune - 18K Gold and Leather Watch

price:

A watch featuring automatic movement, a date window and a uni-directional bezel engraved and enameled by hand. Closes with a 18K gold buckle. Gift box included.

Italian Design. Swiss made.

€6100

price:

price:

€285

Brushed and polished stainless steel case give the oversized face of the Gianni watch a classic gleam, embellished with black chronographs and a dates window at the four. A black leather strap is in perfect step with the class and uncomplicated elegance of the look. Signature box included. Made in Italy.

Alviero Martini 1A Classe

Versace Sapho - Stainless Steel Oval Dial Watch This oval shaped dial and contrasts with the two-level steel bracelet that alternates brushed and polished surfaces(the upper level is 0.5”|1,3 cm wide). Featuring a quartz Swiss ETA movement.

Gift box included. Italian price: Design. Swiss made.

€1850

Geo Dial and Strap Chronograph Watch Alviero Martini’s chronograph watch offers refined style with a stainless steel case accented by Geo dial presented on a Geo design strap complete with logo buckle.

Designs are unique and vary slightly. Signature case included. Made in Europe.

price:

€310

cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 79

For Her

Watches’ fashion is less changeable, but it also has to follow the trends.

The collections of women's watches 2013 offer current models of a variety of styles and shapes that can satisfy the most tempted woman of fashion.

Raymond Weil

Forzieri

Emerald Green Croco Stamped Gold Plated Dress Watch

Ballet - Brown Croco Strap Dress Watch

Raymond Weil’s classic dress watch gets a dash of color with a fabulous emerald green croc-embossed leather band and retro round face in 18K gold-plated stainless steel.

The beaded gold rim and black Roman numerals evoke an old 40s glamour quality. Gift box included. Made in Italy.

Forzieri’s Ballet collection offers classic design with vintage inspiration. This women’s dress date watch features a polished gold-tone round case set on a crocembossed strap complete with buckle closure. Gift box included, Italian design.

price:

€620

price:

€120

John Galliano

Kenzo

L'Elu - Diamond Gold Plated Dress Watch

Pagadon - Black Dial Watch with Rose Gold Plated Case

In addition to an elegant rose-gold plated case and black spinel on the lugs and crown, this beautiful watch offers sapphire glass and a crocodile leather strap. Ten diamonds on the bezel total 0.024 ct. Swiss made.

A rectangular bezel plated in luxe rose gold encases a geometric signature black face, complemented by a black leather band. Signature box included. Italian design.

price:

price:

€1530

€400

Michael Kors Mid-Size Two Tone Stainless Steel Camille Chronograph Watch

price:

€258 80 |

102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

The menswear-inspired silhouette of the Camille watch exudes bold, on trend allure, easily paired with a starched dress shirt and/or your favorite pair of jeans. Chic whether at work or play, the golden Roman numeral dial against a crisp white face is timelessly elegant. Water resistant up to 5 ATM.

Maserati

price:

Locman

Tridente - Rose Golden Stainless Steel Women's Watch Sparkling crystals on a baby pink bezel add a sweet accent to your look, accentuated by a white leather croc embossed band and pink logo detail on the face. Date window at the three. Water resistant up to 10 ATM. Signature box included.

€1325

Mare Titanium and Carbon Case Red Chronograph Watch A masculine and innovative chronograph watch with an oversize titanium and carbon case, presented on a red cordura strap.

Gift box included, Made in Italy. price:

€324

Versace

Michael Kors

Madison - Black Round Dial Diamond Watch

Mid-Size Tribeca Chronograph Watch

This exclusive diamond ladies’ watch is a rare piece of extraordinary elegance adorned by diamonds on the dial and on the case. Logoed gift box included, Swiss Made, Designed in Italy.

Dark tortoiseshell links and bezel paired with goldtoned stainless steel exude warm extravagance and a rugged sense of luxury. A chronograph face face and date window at the six add sophistication the bold, oversize case.

price: price:

€3830

€278 Personal & Corporate gifts

Raymond Weil Blue Lizard Stamped Stainless Steel Dress Watch Spice up your timepiece with Raymond Weil’s exotic lizardembossed dress watch. The reptile print is nicely tamed with a classy navy blue hue while the stainless steel case highlights the deep blue face and silver numbers. Signature gift box included. price:

€580

Hand made & Hand paint

best choice

recommended by

since 1856

Brand shop „Galerija porcelana“ Braće Ribnikar 63, Novi Sad 021/540-507 063/535-982 www.galerijaporcelana.com cordeditorial@cma.rs |

102 March 2013 | 81

profile

Team Builds

Success In the last few years, marketing has drastically changed its face - from the way messages are conveyed to how those message look, while business friends and acquaintances have become an important link in the business chain

W

hen I add up all the years I’ve spent working in the car

Andrijana Đikanović Marketing and PR manager for brands Volkswagen and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Serbia and Montenegro

with today’s elite, but we also try to help the people who really

industry, I am under the impression that I have gone

need help. On many occasions, we have launched charity cam-

through all the stages of this segment. My first job was

paigns together with our company’s partners, and, without mod-

with Verano Motors, when Peugeot was one of the most sought-

esty, I can say that I have personally done a lot for many little steps

after brands in our country. It is very important that you start your

to be made in that direction.

career in a company that instills certain standards in you since,

Today, I am a mother of two beautiful little girls and my biggest

once you move on, you will continue to build on what you have and

personal success is for them not to suffer because of my dedica-

set high goals for yourself and the people around you.

tion to my work. Whenever I am in Belgrade, I try to leave the office

Today, in Porsche SCG, this standardization has been per-

on time and spend as much time possible with my husband and

fected to its maximum. Porsche SCG is the umbrella company for

children. When I put the girls to sleep, I often pull out my laptop and

brands like Volkswagen (passenger and commercial programme),

do a couple of remaining mails, orders, or approvals. The proof

Audi, Seat and Porsche. When you present a family like that, you

that I do a good balancing act can be found in my older daughter’s

don’t have the luxury to rely on luck, but only on work and new-

statement; she said that she would work for Volkswagen one day,

ly acquired skills. In the last few years, marketing has drastical-

since it looked very easy, just like playing computer games.

ly changed its face - from the way messages are conveyed to how

Of course, nobody builds on its success alone! The team that

those message look. Every single time I attend a new marketing

I work with has become more of a personal than a professional

meeting at Volkswagen HQ, I get the impression that the new for-

team. We often joke that we communicate telepathically, since we

mats are an introduction to the 22nd century, both in method and

are now way past communicating with our eyes only. We spend a

visualization.

lot of time together, and I really love the fact that when I leave for

Today, the position of a marketing executive is very differ-

work I feel like I am going to a friend’s house. In this day and age,

ent. Bearing in mind that I worked in a marketing agency for a few

the people you work with are both your support and shoulders to

years and saw the birth of ideas from “the other side,” it is easi-

lean on, they are also your consultants and financial advisors, the

er for me to adjust to new trends and apply them in my environ-

people you trust.

ment. Of course, working with limited budgets is a whole different story, but that is something that requires managerial wisdom and experience. When you do this job long enough,

In this day and age, people you work with are both your support and the shoulder to lean on, they are also your consultants and financial advisors, the people you trust. We spend a lot of time together and I really love the fact that when I leave for work I feel like I am going to my friend’s house

and you love it, you acquire many business friends and acquaintances. These people are im-

Volkswagen’s drivers occupy the most special position of all.

portant links in the business chain, especially in Serbia, where we

Most of them are practically in love with the brand, and the mes-

all always try to invest less and gain more through fostering good

sages that we convey to them are very carefully selected. The big-

relations and cooperation.

gest recognition of our work comes from them – when they send e-

There are many wonderful sides to this job that I do, much trav-

mails and praise a campaign that has been tailored exactly to their

el, many new people and contacts. I have an opportunity to meet

needs, or when women drivers say that they go on about with their

not only the designers of Volkswagen cars, but also the young tal-

morning routine with a smile, eagerly awaiting new Volkswagen

ents that are looking for a boost in the job they do. We spend time

messages on billboards. ■

82 |

102 March 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

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