CorD Magazine, November 2022, Issue No. 217

By Zoran Panović

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Maja Vidaković m.vidakovic@aim.rs

DIRECTOR: Ana Novčić a.novcic@aim.rs a.novcic@cordmagazine.com

PUBLISHER: Ivan Novčić i.novcic@aim.rs

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Thenew government doesn’t have symbolically important ministers who personify the country’s foreign policy orientations. The Russophilia of Dačić’s pre-election campaign should be taken extremely conditionally. The Socialist Party of Serbia leader is returning to the posi tion of foreign minister, and that is likely the most acceptable pro-Russian personnel solu tion in the government from the perspective of the West. That’s because in Serbia – as we shouldn’t forget – Dačić was declared the “Most European of 2009”, and that he was praised by Brussels (while serving as interior minister) for his contribution to the introducing of Serbia’s visa-free regime with the EU.

Politically, Dačić is the most prominent figure in this government. He is a flexible politician who’s returning to his old ministry.

The entire context of the prolonged interim government ordained by Vučić for two winters (which automatically makes it provisional), actually shows that the government isn’t so important in this kind of governance system. This will certainly also be a government tasked with actively waiting (buying time). Serbia has informally introduced a strong presidential system that’s beyond the scope of the constitution. The government is more of a transmitter and some kind of executive council (to borrow a term from communism) of Vučić’s political will and commands.

The biggest surprise among the ministers is Tanja Miščević, as she headed the EU ac

BY ZORAN PANOVIĆ

Actively Waiting

The third government of Ana Brnabić isn’t irritating, in terms of personnel, for either the West or Russia. It does still have a ministry for European integration, while there’s no ministry for Eurasian integration. The government is, realistically, sufficiently pro-European in a situation where, according to a Demostat survey, nine out of every ten supporters of the Serbian Progressive Party opposes the imposing of sanctions on Russia

cession negotiation team back in 2013, during the phase of progressive Euro-enthusiasm. If we observe the situation with good intentions, a logical question to suggest is whether this means the restoration of some measure of Euroenthusiasm, and thus the de-lobotomising of public opinion to the extent rationality required to maintain the regime’s vitality.

Okay, even now we’re not exactly starting from scratch either, but Serbia’s EU accession process has since died a death, and it appears as though it could only be revived by harmonising it with the process of unravelling the knot that is Kosovo

Speaking in Brussels back in 2013, Miščević said that she felt like she was “behind the wheel of a Ferrari with the engine running that was just about to start moving”. She said that in the presence of almost forgotten EU Enlargement Commissioner Štefan Füle. And really, some of Miščević’s words uttered in Brussels during that festive December day in 2013, when Serbia was firing up the engines of EU accession, now sound a little romanticised. For example, the stance that EU accession negotiation processes and the normalisation of relations between Belgrade

and Pristina should be mutually bolstered, rather than being allowed to stumble. It was acceptable back then for Vučić to be the logical successor of the pro-EU efforts of Đinđić, Koštunica and Tadić. That’s because Miščević also noted in 2013 that “we are not starting from scratch”; that Serbia started harmonising its regulations with European standards well before the signing of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (2008). And it was precisely his support for the SAA that prompted Tomislav Nikolić to separate his ‘Progressive’ faction from Šešelj’s Serbian Radical Party.

Okay, even now we’re not exactly starting from scratch either, but Serbia’s EU accession process has since died a death, and it appears as though it could only be revived by harmo nising it with the process of unravelling the knot that is Kosovo.

The government will no longer contain Zorana Mihajlović, who was considered a proWestern SNS politician, and she confirmed that with her own statements. Although her successor as energy and mining minister, Du bravka Nègre, also seems to have pro-Western sensibilities, judging by her CV.

On the day Vučić dictated the members of the government, nobody on the inside even considered that Zorana could become the new head of BIA [Security Intelligence Agency] instead of Bratislav Gašić, but many considered Interior Minister Vulin (in rotation with Gašić). And that says a lot.

BØRGE BRENDE, PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM

Biotech For A Brighter Future

Biotechnology is rapidly expanding as it modernises industries and transforms sectors—supporting growth and creating hundreds of thousands of jobs, both directly and indirectly. Further biotechnology will have a profound impact on our health, productivity and the environment. It is catapulting advancements in many industries, particularly in the medical, agricultural and industrial sectors

SERBIA

For a country like Serbia, there is a great opportunity to establish itself as a leading nation for biotechnology research, development, commercialisation and medical treatments

Inpartnership with the World Eco nomic Forum, the Government of Serbia hosted the first Biotech Future Forum conference in Belgrade this October.

The conference was opened jointly by Serbian PM Ana Brnabić and WEF President Børge Brende, who speaks exclusively for CorD Magazine about the importance of the biotechnology market and its development, but also ways that smaller countries like Serbia can find their place and perspective in that market, and where can they find their role in global trends.

The global biotechnology market had an estimated value of $1,023.92 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.9% from 2022 to 2030. Where does biotechnology stand compared to some other technologies when it comes to shaping future GDP growth?

Biotechnology is rapidly expanding as it modernises industries and transforms sectors— supporting growth and creating hundreds of thousands of jobs, both directly and indirectly. Further biotechnology will have a profound impact on our health, productivity and the environment. It is catapulting advancements in many industries, particularly in the medical, agricultural and industrial sectors.

The unique aspect of biotechnology is that a whole ‘economy’ is being developed around the technology and its applications. The ‘bioec onomy’ is enabling the generation of products and materials that both transform traditional goods and services and create new ones. It’s difficult, and potentially misleading, to compare biotechnology to other emerging technologies. These technologies are complimentary. For example, artificial intelligence is important for digesting and interpreting the large amount of genetic and biodata that is being generated by biotechnologies. It will be the combination of frontier technologies that will generate the largest benefits for economic growth.

 Breakthroughs in biotechnology were for many years reserved for large companies and advanced economies. How can smaller countries like Serbia

BIOTECH BENEFITS

It will be the combination of frontier technologies that will generate the largest benefits for economic growth

fit into that perspective and where can they find their role in global trends?

The cost of biotechnological development and research has reduced drastically over past decades. For example, the cost of sequencing the human genome has decreased from bil lions of dollars to less than $1,000. This has opened up significant opportunities for smaller economies and companies to start innovating and experimenting with biotechnology.

For a country like Serbia, there is a great opportunity to establish itself as a leading nation for biotechnology research, develop ment, commercialisation and treatments. Serbia can indeed be more agile than larger countries in its policies and systems. This will

DAVOS

More than 2,500 leaders will this year gather for the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos under the theme ‘Cooperation in a Fragmented World’

supercomputer, and be able to experiment and learn in a flexible, ethical and internationallyconnected environment.

 The Biotech Future Forum is the first of its kind in Serbia. What are your expectations of the event and how was WEF involved in the Forum?

The Biotech Future Forum marks the official launch of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Serbia (C4IR Serbia), a collaboration between the Government of Serbia and the World Economic Forum. This Centre is leading, within a network of 16 Centres, when it comes to establishing critical policies and collaborations for the advancement of biotechnology and artificial intelligence for healthcare.

Foundational to the Centre’s mission is being a platform for public-private partner ship—bringing together stakeholders from government, business and academia to acceler ate the deployment of emerging technologies. There are experts from over 20 countries at the Biotech Future Forum, including repre sentatives of several other Fourth Industrial Revolution Centres, as well as business figures and experts from the World Economic Forum’s communities. The Biotech Future Forum is a great opportunity to show C4IR Serbia’s power in bringing together experts from across the world to advance the transformative potential that biotechnology offers society.

help Serbia better support local biotechnology activities, while remaining responsive to any risks that emerge.

Serbia can differentiate itself from other nations by building a stable, integrated and advanced environment. This will instil bio technology experts with long-term confidence that they will be able to develop and test biotechnology applications within the country, have access to international research and lead ing infrastructure, such as Serbia’s NVIDIA

The Biotech Future Forum covers many topics, including bioinformatics, bioengineer ing, the use of data in the development of healthcare and biotechnological development, the promotion of public policies and scientific achievements and the possibility of their ap plication. We hope that those attending will deepen their knowledge and collaboration in their current area of expertise, while gaining a better appreciation of how this expertise interacts with innovation, governance, policies and investment for biotechnology.

How does this conference fit into the broader perspective of your engage ment in Serbia, and in general?

The Fourth Industrial Revolution Centre in Serbia is the primary vehicle through which

The unique aspect of biotechnology is that a whole ‘economy’ is being developed around the technology and its applications. The ‘bioeconomy’ is enabling the generation of products and materials that both transform traditional goods and services and create new ones

the World Economic Forum supports Serbia’s advancing frontier and emerging technologies. The aim is to help the country establish itself as a nation of new technologies, knowledge and innovation. The Biotech Future Forum is an opportunity for the Government of Serbia and the World Economic Forum to catalyse this process and build a strong, internationally connected biotech community in Serbia.

As you may know, the Forum has deeprooted relations with Serbia and the Western Balkans. We have a structured and ongoing Strategic Dialogue on the Western Balkans, where we bring leaders together with their key allies and CEOs to progress on a future-oriented agenda, upholding stability and economic transformation.

As in previous years, we look forward to welcoming President Vučić at our Annual Meet ing in Davos in January, to further strengthen our collaboration.

 The conference aims to bring to gether the public and private sectors and the academic community in order to encourage cooperation and ex change of knowledge and experiences. This cooperation between triple helix partners remains at a relatively low level in Serbia. Could you share some good practices pertaining to how this cooperation might be improved?

What we see time and time again is that when business, government and academia coordinate efforts, progress follows. But when self-interest is pursued, our global challenges accumulate. The World Economic Forum has over 50 years’ experience bringing together public-private communities for fruitful col

laboration. As I shared as part of our recent Sustainable Development Impact Meeting, this collaboration tends to be characterised by three factors: the need is urgent; the area for collaboration is specific; and the benefits are clear. Climate change is just such an area where, despite geopolitical tensions, diverse groups can work to advance an area of mu tual interest. Frontier technologies represents another area in which the unlocking of the benefits of new technology at scale can bolster the global economy.

A common difficulty with cooperation, which the Biotech Future Forum helps ad dress, is that multistakeholder partnerships often work in isolation. This can create small examples of impactful collaboration that often struggle to find relevance and scale beyond their immediate environment. The World Economic Forum takes a systemic approach to building its communities and initiatives, as opposed to targeting a single problem area without consideration of its broader context.

Initiatives like the EDISON alliance, Future of the Connected World and the First Movers Coalition bring together a range of actors and actions to ensure shared learnings, synergies, and scale.

COVID-19 itself was a crisis, but also provided inspiration for innovation in this field. We are now dealing with a new crisis, on one side fuelled by the war in Ukraine and on the other side complicated by rising fuel prices and supply change disruptions. How do these events shape the pace, focus and timing of innovation?

With adversity, there is always opportunity to influence positive change. The response to COVID-19 was a testament to how col laboration between business and government can rapidly deliver crisis support through innovation. The context of current disrup tions may be different, but the principle of cooperation for innovation remains true. In order to manage the outlined crises, we will need cross-sector, cross-country cooperation on an unprecedented scale.

With the economic downturn, we would expect to see cuts to investment that could impact the capacity of business and government to drive innovation in several fields. At the same time, there is increased awareness of the value of biotechnology to manage our current economic and environmental disruptions. We must continue to invest in innovation through technologies, including biotechnology, that can transform industry productivity, improve social health and increase sustainability.

This will instil biotechnology experts with long-term confidence that they will be able to develop and test biotechnology applications within the country, have access to international research and leading infrastructure, such as Serbia’s NVIDIA supercomputer, and be able to experiment and learn in a flexible, ethical and internationally-connected environment



Biotechnology will play an increasingly prominent and transformative role in our lives. Healthcare, agriculture, industry and the en vironment are already experiencing shifts that are driven by biotechnology. The generation of new materials through synthetic biology, such as chemicals, fuels, alternative proteins and packaging, support the transition away from materials that harm the planet, like fossil fuels and plastics. Scientists are producing new treatments through stem cell therapy, designing new medicines to treat infectious diseases and even manufacturing organs for transplants.

Biotechnology will play a cross-cutting role, enhancing other scientific fields rather than competing with them. Climate change, energy security, food security, disease and ageing societies will all benefit from increased investment in biotechnology. In combination with other technologies, such as artificial intelligence—which enhances data capture, analysis and prediction—biotechnology will help us manage many growing issues. At the same time, there are potential risks from the development of biotechnology, such as misuse, ethical considerations and biosecurity. A major role of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, both here in Serbia and globally, is to ensure that the opportunities of these emerging technologies are realised and the potentially harmful impacts mitigated.

The World Economic Forum is increas ingly positioning itself as the impact-driven International Organisation for Public-Private Cooperation. We are bringing business, gov ernment, civil society, expert voices and young people together for purpose-driven dialogue – meaning dialogue that generates impact. This is increasingly important in a context where international cooperation is increas ingly under pressure. The World Economic Forum responded immediately and decisively following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We convened a special CEO dialogue to identify steps that business can take to address the humanitarian crisis, while we brought together leaders of global humanitarian agencies to share key priorities.

Through our coalitions and alliances, we generate momentum and commitments that advance effective, sustainable outcomes to societal and global priorities. For example, over 160 partner companies have commit ted to universally comparable ESG metrics and disclosure to align corporate values and strategies with the UN Sustainable Develop ment Goals. Our initiatives help business,

government and civil society navigate an increasingly complex environment in areas including regional and global cooperation, industry transformation, nature and climate, new economies and society, and the fourth industrial revolution.

Topics discussed at Davos over the last several years have all included something historic. Given the current developments, will one Davos meeting a year be enough?

The Annual Meetings in Davos provide an excellent opportunity for leaders from all walks of life to discuss and shape the agenda for the year ahead and reinforce a systemic observing of various issues. I believe it is more important for leaders to maintain this systemic view when being buffeted by current devel opments. This year, more than 2,500 leaders will gather for the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos under the theme ‘Cooperation in a Fragmented World’. This meeting will reaffirm the value and imperative of dialogue and public-private cooperation, not only to navigate the current cascading crises, but – more importantly – to drive tangible, system-positive change over the long term. Having said that, given that the Forum is an impact-oriented organisation, we continue our engagement with leaders and other high-level stakeholders throughout the year.

In that respect, could advancements in biotechnology resolve some of the issues we are facing today, for example in green transition, or will biotechnol ogy become less important at the expense of some other scientific field; which of them will be more sought after by governments and businesses?

How does the WEF address different challenges arising from the current juncture in which we live?

There are potential risks from the development of biotechnology, such as misuse, ethical considerations and biosecurity. A major role of the C4IR, both here in Serbia and globally, is to ensure that the opportunities of these emerging technologies are realised and the potentially harmful impacts mitigated

H.E. YAHEL VILAN AMBASSADOR OF ISRAEL TO SERBIA

I met with President Vučić a few weeks ago and was impressed and moved by his personal commitment for the commemoration of Staro Sajmište and the role Jews played in this country for centuries. This is the backbone of our two nations’ relations ~ Yahel Vilan

Israeli

Ambassador to Serbia Yahel Vi lan says that official relations between Israel and Serbia “have not been at their peak in the last two years,” but that he personally has good contacts with people in Serbia, where he says he “en counters special affection on a daily basis”. Commenting on Israel’s decision – taken two years ago – to recognise the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, ambassador Vilan says that “friends could also disagree

Friends Who Occasionally Disagree

WA ACHIEVEMENTS

Kosovo fulfilled its part of the agreement that concerned us and opened its embassy in our capital Jerusalem and we, in return, recognised it

INVESTMENTS

With more than two billion euros invested in completed and ongoing projects, Israel is a leading real estate investor in the country

AGREEMENT

Actually “as we speak”, our government has just confirmed the American led proposal for agreement on the maritime boundary between Israel and Lebanon

from time to time”, noting that Serbia has long since recognised Palestine.

 Your Excellency, this year marks the 30 th anniversary of the restoring of diplomatic relations between Israel and Serbia. Could you explain the metaphor “Neighbours at heart”, which you recently used to describe relations between our two countries?

Well, I think that if there is one element/as pect of our relations that hardly needs further clarification, it is this one, born of the deep connection and the courageous and long-lasting friendship between our two peoples. A friend ship that is based, first and foremost, on the enduring relationship between the Serbs and their Jewish neighbours here in Serbia, which actually stood throughout the years at the root of the relationship between the two countries. And that includes all those years during which official diplomatic ties were severed, and that is why I’ve also mentioned more than once that this year we mark 30 years only of the renewal of official diplomatic relations between the countries, because those friendly ties between the people were never severed.

I met with President Vučić a few weeks ago and was impressed and moved by his personal commitment for the commemoration of Staro Sajmište [WWII concentration camp site] and the role Jews played in this country for centuries. This is the backbone of our two nations’ relations. I can also share with you my very positive personal experience: I encounter this special affection on a daily basis, despite the fact that official relations between our countries have not been at their peak in the last two years.

However, let me give you an even better and more recent example: see how Novak Đoković was received in Israel about two weeks ago. I have no doubt that he will himself testify that there are few places in the world where he felt as at home as he did in Tel Aviv.

 It has also been two years since you came to Serbia, with your arrival having coincided with Israel’s unex pected decision to recognise Kosovo’s unilaterally declared independence. That recognition, coupled with the opening of an embassy of Kosovo in Jerusalem, represents practically the only points of the so-called Washing ton Agreement to have been fulfilled. From today’s perspective, are you satisfied with what’s been achieved? Honestly, I don’t think there’s much I can add or update on this issue, especially in light of

those agreements on the ground between Serbia and Kosovo.

Having said all that, if you ask me what was achieved from our point of view, Kosovo fulfilled its part of the agreement that concerned us and opened its embassy in our capital Jerusalem and we, in return, recognised it.

 Serbia opted, like the majority of countries, for its embassy to remain in Tel Aviv. To what extent have these moves influenced the quality of our bilateral relations?

Jerusalem is the official capital of the State of Israel and, as such, our expectation is that the same rules of diplomatic protocol all over the world will apply also in our case, and all embassies will be in our capital city. Especially from a friendly country like Serbia. We were therefore very happy that this promise to move the embassy to Jerusalem on the part of Serbia was included in the Washington agreements, and if this had indeed happened, I have no doubt that it would have led to a considerable improvement in relations at the most practical and everyday level.

We presume that you wouldn’t re spond positively to Serbia’s calls to overturn your country’s decision to recognise Kosovo’s independence?

the fact that the immediate consequence for me of the recognition of Kosovo was that it is no longer under my diplomatic jurisdiction. I just want to remind us all, once again, that Israel was not a party to the Washington agreements, which were signed separately between Serbia and the U.S.A. and between Kosovo and the U.S.A. I am therefore probably not the right interlocutor for the question of what has or hasn’t been implemented from

Serbia is an important partner and we attach high significance to its concerns and sensitivi ties. This was the case during the 12 years when we did not recognise Kosovo despite substantial pressure from our best allies, and that friend ship with Serbia had a lot to do with that too. And this is still the case now. Friends could also disagree from time to time. Serbia has right here in Belgrade a Palestinian Embassy, after it recognised that entity a long time ago.

The bottom line in my mind is that it would be much better for both of us to concentrate on what we do agree upon and not on what

We were very happy that the promise to relocate the embassy to Jerusalem on the part of Serbia was included in the Washington agreements, and if this had indeed happened, I have no doubt that it would have led to a considerable improvement in relations at the most practical and everyday level

we don’t. The potential for our relations in all aspects of life is so much greater and I want to believe we should focus on that for the mutual benefit of both of us. You’ve asked me about this “Neighbours at heart”, and I strongly believe that this is far stronger than any political disagreement and I see my main task as being in finding how to translate this special friendship into tangible achievements that will improve the lives of every Serb and every Israeli. That is my goal.

Turning to the economic aspects of our bilateral cooperation, it’s worth noting investments in the real estate sector to date have been dubbed the trademark of Israeli investment. Do you see possibilities for cooperation in other areas?

Real estate investments are the flagship of Israeli investments in Serbia. With more than two billion euros invested in completed and ongoing projects, such as office parks, retail parks, shopping malls and residential and mixed-use premises, Israel is a leading real estate investor in the country. Our companies have been pioneers in launching the concepts of office parks, retail parks and condominium residences, thus levelling up the quality of life for the people of Belgrade and Serbia. And they are here to stay and invest more, because they believe strongly in the economic future of this country.

Israeli companies did invest in other sectors as well, such as precise castings for turbojets, coffee production and packaging, transporta tion, renewable energy, IT services and others.

There are more and more Israeli IT com panies opening their offices in Belgrade. Last month alone, I personally attended three open ings of such offices. Existing IT companies are expanding by opening offices in Niš, Novi Sad and Čačak, alongside Belgrade.

Other sectors of cooperation that we are promoting and where we are exerting efforts are: wastewater treatment, renewable energy and cyber.

Out of necessity and due to water scarcity, Israel treats 90% of wastewater to different levels of reuse: to the one in agriculture and as potable water. As part of its EU accession, but also as an ongoing environmental chal

lenge, Serbia has a huge need to develop numerous wastewater treatment facilities across the country.

Our companies have all the necessary expertise and technology in this regard and are ready to assist and engage with municipalities and public utilities to develop efficient water treatment facilities.

Other issue of high interest for us, but also of strategic importance to every country, include the cyber security of critical infrastruc ture, state institutions and agencies, as well as companies. With some 47 multinational cybersecurity-related operations in Israel, and one in every three cyber security unicorn in the world being Israeli, we proudly hold

the title of a cyber-nation. We are focused and tasked with introducing the Israeli cyber industry to Serbian government institutions and the private sector in order to build lasting partnerships and cooperation.

 The energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine has led to the alreadyimportant issue of renewable energy becoming even more of an impera tive. What are Israeli companies that operate in Serbia planning in the RES sector?

Cooperation in the field of energy is on the rise, especially over the last two to three years. We signed an MoU on Cooperation in Green Energy. Even before the current energy crisis, Serbia defined the ambitious goal of generating 40% of its energy from renewable sources by 2040. The relevant ministry also set the new regulations (laws and bylaws) that make the environment for investments in renewable sources favourable.

The Kovačica Wind Farm, with a capacity of 104.5 MW, is an investment of Israeli company Enlight and is the most valuable Israeli green investment in Serbia, worth 189 million euros. The same company has also developed the Pupin Wind Farm, with 95MW of installed capacity,

We are focused and tasked with introducing the Israeli cyber industry to Serbian government institutions and the private sector, in order to build lasting partnerships and cooperation

which is ready for construction. The Kovačica Wind Farm, under the operational management of New Energy Solutions, Enlight’s Serbian partner, just achieved its first million MWh since it launched commercial operations, thus supporting the energy transition of Serbia!

Israeli companies are eager to contribute to Serbia’s green agenda by investing in wind and solar energy primarily. In this regard, the embassy has noted increased interest among companies that are ready and looking for investments in solar energy in Serbia.

When it comes to the energy crisis in Europe, can Israel really make up for 10 per cent of the gas that Europeans previously sourced from Russia, as was announced recently by Prime Minister Yair Lapid? Which routes would that gas take to reach the EU?

There can be no doubt about Europe’s urgent need to diversify its gas supply in the wake of the war in Ukraine and the global energy crisis. In this context, Israel, Egypt, and the EU signed a Memorandum of Un derstanding last June, capturing the parties’ interest in increased collaboration on trade, transportation and the export of natural gas to EU countries. In addition to the existing

infrastructure already supporting exports to Egypt and Jordan, the Government of Israel is evaluating a few other pipelines that will allow increased exports to these two markets and to new markets. One of the options is an offshore pipeline to Egypt, where the gas would be liquified and shipped to Europe. Another option is the ambitious “East-Med” offshore pipeline, currently pending a final investment decision, which is intended to transport gas from Israel and Cyprus’ offshore gas fields to Europe.

As for the exact numbers, once gas extrac tion from the Karish gas field starts, which is set for the coming days, Israel will have a gas surplus enabling it to export around 10 billion cubic metres of this fuel to European Union states every year. Additional surplus may emerge once gas extraction from the Leviathan gas field increases from the present 12 bcm to 21 bcm annually. To the best of my knowledge, the EU purchased 155 bcm of gas from Russia, which means the combined capacity of both the Karish and Leviathan gas fields should be able to do just what our PM mentioned.

However, I think that in the field of energy, the big picture is way more important than the exact numbers and it can really put our relations – not only of Israel, but of the entire Eastern Mediterranean countries and Europe – into a totally new dimension.

In response to the war in Ukraine, we are seeing states increasingly be ing called upon to choose the “right side”. How would you respond to the question of which side Israel is on; and to what extent could the current geopolitical situation have a negative impact on the stability of the region closest to you, i.e., on the Middle East?

As for the exact numbers, once gas extraction from the Karish gas field starts, which is set for the coming days, Israel will have a gas surplus enabling it to export around 10 billion cubic metres of this fuel to European Union states every year

Israel, in many ways, like Serbia, had quite a lot of variables in this equation: the large numbers of Jews in both Russia and Ukraine and the situation along our northern border, to cite just a few of them. Jerusalem, like Belgrade, is not recognising the results of Russian-held referendums in Rus sian occupied territories in eastern and southern Ukraine. Following our Prime Minister’s recent statements, one should have no doubts about which side Israel is on at the moment. Most importantly, I wholeheartedly hope this war will be over at the earliest opportunity, first and foremost for the people of Ukraine.

Early October saw positive, optimis tic media reports on the possibility of agreement being reached between Israel and Lebanon on the demarcation of the maritime border that extends over an area that’s rich in natural gas. However, the most recent reports sug gest that fresh sharpening of relations will come instead of the agreement that was proposed by the U.S. What lies at the heart of this disagreement?

Actually “as we speak”, our government has just confirmed the American led proposal for agreement on the maritime boundary between Israel and Lebanon. This agreement on the maritime line between Israel and Lebanon brings security, political, economic and energetic achievements for Israel, but also for Lebanon. Reaching an agreement is in the clear interest of Israel, while at the same time is a Lebanese interest. Moreover, a Lebanon that is a stable and prosperous neighbour that is not a platform for the terrorism of Hezbollah, and not a servant of Iran, is definitely Israel’s interest. The establish ment of a rig and activity to produce natural gas also on the Lebanese side of the maritime line will contribute to strategic regional stability.

This is a window of opportunity, after more than 10 years of negotiations, due to the fragile political and economic situation in Lebanon, and I strongly believe this agreement will provide a great contribution to the stability and prosperity of all parties in both the short and long term.

A high-level meeting was recently held between representatives of the EU and Israel, following a break of a full decade. How does your country

The Kovačica Wind Farm, with a capacity of 104.5 MW, is an investment of Israeli company Enlight and is the most valuable Israeli green investment in Serbia, worth 189 million euros. The same company has also developed the Pupin Wind Farm, with 95MW of installed capacity, which is ready for construction

view the European impulse to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict by way of a “two-state solution”?

The EU-Israel Association Council, recon vened for the first time in a decade, between Prime Minister Yair Lapid on our side and High Representative Josep Borrell on the EU side, was indeed a very significant one. PM Lapid reiterated the commitment to the two-state solution that he made in his address

to the United Nations General Assembly a few days earlier, but he also clarified to his European counterparts that “the Palestinians need to put an end to terrorism and incitement. Israel wants peace that will lead to security, not peace that will destabilise the Middle East”.

If you ask me about the way I interpret it, I don’t think there’s really a big gap between us and the EU on this solution as a long-term vision, but, at the same time, we all have to be realistic and, in reality, the situation on the ground is unfortunately not ripe for such a solution. On the contrary, Hamas-controlled Gaza is definitely not a partner and even the recent situation in the West Bank is just deteriorating with more and more terrorist attacks on a daily basis.

And yet, it should be noted that this was not the main point of the meeting, but rather this is the forum for Israel and the EU to discuss ways to develop and upgrade relations in the fields of science, economics, energy and environmental issues, which are of the highest importance to both sides. The EU is our main partner in all of these topics, also on the political front and in the Palestinian issue in particular. As the Prime Minister noted: “Israel is attentive to its friends, much more than to those who go against it, and this is a dialogue between friends, even if there are disagreements”.

GLOBAL

TERRITORY

TENS OF THOUSANDS MARCH IN PARIS TO PROTEST INFLATION

Tens of thousands of protesters marched in Paris on 16th October to demonstrate against rising inflation, with the march organised by a coalition of left-wing parties seeking to pressurise the government of French President Emmanuel Macron.

XI JINPING SECURES THIRD TERM IN POWER

China’s ruling Communist Party ended its Congress with several amendments to the party constitu tion that will embolden President Xi Jinping’s status as China’s leader. The week-long Congress was attended by 2,300 delegates, all Party stalwarts. The Congress paved the way for Xi to have an unprecedented third term by cementing his “core position” at the head of China’s leadership. The official announcement of his third term will come during the annual legislative sessions next March. Delegates also voted to enshrine opposition to Taiwan’s independence in the constitution.

THE SHORTEST-SERVING PRIME MINISTER IN UK HISTORY

After just 44 days leading the country, Liz Truss has assumed the title of the shortest-serving prime minister in the history of the United Kingdom.

Rishi Sunak has now become Britain’s third prime minister in under two months, at a time when the U.K. faces what he has termed a “profound eco nomic challenge” and as his Conservatives struggle to heal divisive wounds from months of infighting.

In his first speech as PM, Sunak promised to unite the nation “facing a profound economic crisis” and acknowledged “mistakes were made” by his prede cessors. Sunday Times crowned Sunak the 222nd richest person in the UK.

The protest comes ahead of a mo bilisation across France that’s been called for by unions following recent strikes at oil refineries in the country by workers seeking higher wages, news agency EFE reported. About a third of all petrol stations in France have run out of fuel since the strikes began on 27th September. Prices have risen in France by more than 6% this year.

“We will never allow anyone, any organisation or political party, at any time or in any form, to separate any part of Chinese territory from China” ~ XI JINPING, GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY

KING CHARLES APPOINTS THE NEW PRIME MINISTER AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE

WEALTH

“I think, in our country, we judge people not by their bank account, we judge them by their character and their actions. And, yes, I’m really fortunate to be in the situation I’m in now, but I wasn’t born like this” ~ RISHI SUNAK, UK PRIME MINISTER

ANA BRNABIĆ TO SERVE THIRD TERM AS PRIME MINISTER

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has nominated Ana Brnabić to serve a third term as prime minister and to lead a new government through a time of war in Europe, global energy and inflation crises and tensions with Kosovo. The nomination came more than five months after the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) won the most votes in the recent national election. The formal announcement of results was delayed by voting irregularities at one polling station, prevent ing parliament from being convened.

Vučić, who leads SNS and wields considerable influence over government policies, said he had “limitless trust” in Brnabić, 46, who became Serbia’s first female premier in 2020.

“It is important that she remains prime minister so we can continue to work diligently and solve problems for autumn and winter,” Vučić told reporters.

MUSK BEGINS HIS TWITTER OWNERSHIP WITH FIRINGS

Elon Musk has taken ownership of Twitter Inc with brutal efficiency, firing top executives but providing little clarity over how he will achieve the ambitions he has outlined for the influential social media platform.

The CEO of electric car maker Tesla Inc and self-described free speech absolutist has said

IN MONTENEGRO

Montenegrin President Milo Đukanović, who has dominated the tiny country’s domestic politics for three decades, suffered a shock defeat late last month, when his party lost a parliamentary election. Đukanović has steered his country along a broadly pro-Western course in terms of foreign policy: Montenegro joined NATO in 2017 and is in EU membership talks. However, he has been widely ac cused of failing to uphold democratic standards by presiding over cronyism, corruption and organised crime. Đukanović’s Demo cratic Party of Socialists won around 35 per cent of the vote, which translates to 30 members of parliament — well short of the 41 required to form a majority in the 81-seat legislature. The rival For the Future of Montenegro bloc won around 32 per cent of the vote or 27 seats, while the other main opposition coalition, Peace is Our Nation, received around 12 per cent of the vote, or 10 seats.

FUTURE INVESTMENT INITIATIVE

he wants to prevent the platform from becoming an echo chamber for hate and division. Other goals include wanting to “defeat” spam bots on Twitter and make the algorithms that determine how content is presented to its users publicly available. Musk fired Twitter Chief Executive Parag Agrawal, Chief Financial Officer Ned Segal and legal affairs and policy chief Vijaya Gadde, accusing them of misleading him and Twitter investors over the number of fake ac counts on the platform.

For the sixth consecutive year, Riyadh is hosting the Future Investment Initia tive forum, which brings together participants from more than 50 nations to discuss, listen and connect, through a diverse series of sessions on business, tech and shared challenges facing humanity. About 6,000 of the world’s top business leaders, policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs and tech experts gathered in the Saudi capital to explore a fundamental question: how will the new global order look?

The theme of this year’s forum, “Investing in humanity: Enabling a new global order”, invited participants to delve into topics as diverse as education, artificial intelligence and robotics, health, and sustainability.

By Harold James, Professor of History and International Affairs at Princeton University

What Really Brought Down Truss?

of GDP, which included a small cut in the basic rate and the removal of the higher income band. The originators of the scheme believed, probably erroneously, that it would stimulate initiative, in vestment, and thus growth. There was also a more expensive package to subsidise energy consumers, at the time the most generous such programme in Europe, amounting to some £200 billion, or 9% of GDP.

Theresignation of Liz Truss, the United Kingdom’s shortest-serving prime minister, completes a powerful case study of how not to make fiscal policy. But the lesson goes deeper than the idea that British politics was torn apart by a traumatic struggle pitting the government and the Treasury against the Bank of England. The real failure was overlooking major risks built long ago into the plumbing of the financial system.

The fiscal-policy lesson is powerful because it is so easily personalised. Truss will go down in his tory alongside Lady Jane Grey, the nine-day queen who died (by execution) in the religious turmoil of 16th-century England. In fact, the modern UK is facing the equivalent of a sectarian clash of its own.

The mistake – on the face of it – was the government’s announcement of a £45 billion ($50 billion) unfunded tax reduction, amounting to 2%

These are large figures, of course, but the UK’s public debt level was well below that of the United States, not to mention Italy or the even more extreme case of Japan. The new expenditures and income shortfalls should not, by themselves, turn the UK into a new Greece or Argentina.

Truss’s real mistake may have been to take seriously loose talk about how the era of cheap money and effectively negative interest rates made any kind of public spending a free lunch, since the debt would not have to be paid off, and the cost of servicing it was falling. For a while, Modern Mon etary Theory (MMT), which used a balance-sheet approach to show that government debt was really an asset of citizens, captivated markets. But then rising inflation – owing to pandemic fiscal pack ages, supply-chain disruptions, and soaring food and energy prices – obliged central banks with a legal price-stability mandate to tighten monetary policy and consequently to increase the cost of government funding.That cost brought Truss down.

In the interwar period, the central banks in Britain and France pressed left-wing governments running relatively small deficits, generating a widely believed story about a Bankers’ Ramp – what the French called the wall of money. The term was used by the centre-left coalition of Édouard Herriot in 1924, when it was shaken by financial instability and eventually collapsed. Ramsay MacDonald’s Labour government met a similar fate in 1931, in the middle of the world depression.

The equivalent story for today is already circulating: action by the central bank, as well as

Liz Truss’s swift fall from power appears to have resulted from a clash between what economists call fiscal dominance (the government’s spending promises) and monetary dominance (the central bank’s price-stability mandate). But thinking about what happened to Truss in these terms misses an important and surprising part of the story

Truss’s real mistake may have been to take seriously loose talk about how the era of cheap money and effectively negative interest rates made any kind of public spending a free lunch, since the debt would not have to be paid off, and the cost of servicing it was falling

the advice of international financial institutions, destroyed a Conservative government that prom ised to revive growth by fiscal stimulus.The Bankers’ Ramp and international finance now brings down the right, not the left. The countdown to disaster for the Truss government was given when the Bank of England announced that it would end the support scheme for government debt (gilts) on 14th October. It was entirely predictable that this would be the day when the government had to promise to rethink its fiscal stance, which Truss did by sacking her chancellor.

Truss’s fall thus appears to have resulted from a clash between what economists call fiscal dominance (the government’s spending promises) and monetary dominance (the central bank’s price-stability mandate). And this time monetary dominance won out, because a new narrative about government profligacy and political responsibil ity has gripped financial markets, replacing the MMT-infused narrative about the beneficence of public spending and deficits.

But thinking about what happened to Truss in terms of clashing fiscal and monetary policies misses an important and surprising part of the story: the vulnerability of a key part of the UK financial sector to rising interest rates and falling bond prices. The pension-funds industry, commit ted to paying out on defined-benefits policies, had

leveraged its holdings of government debt in order to chase higher returns. If the price of public debt fell because of a rise in interest rates, the funds faced collateral calls. And now, UK pension funds, holding some £1.5 trillion in this kind of scheme, faced a shortage of bonds that could be easily sold. The BOE’s intervention explains the odd shift in government debt prices, with prices for indexlinked or inflation-proofed securities falling more

than those for regular securities simply because pension funds held so many indexers. Rather than fiscal or monetary dominance, this was financial dominance, with pension obligations paralysing policy choices.

This trap had been set a generation ago, by the UK Pensions Act of 2004, which was intended to provide greater security or protection for pensionholders by making it harder for pension funds to hold equities. The funds thus had to move into bonds – and into the leveraging strategies, which depended on the bond markets always being liquid.

The risk and policy constraints that this created are a much more compelling rebuke to central bankers and financial regulators than the idea of a politicised intervention in October 2022. The fact that the BOE was not directly responsible for financial regulation back in 2004 is a rather feeble excuse.

There was a clear failure by regulators and the broader policy community to identify a mechanism that laid a trap for governments. Truss triggered a peculiarly British mine that might have detonated at any point over the past decade. There may well be other mines out there, in other financial systems.

Truss’s failure means that fiscal populism, shared by her predecessor, Boris Johnson, is now ruled out in Britain. But it is also now more dangerous elsewhere. Politicians are no longer free to make big gambles on the future.

But then rising inflation – owing to pandemic fiscal packages, supplychain disruptions, and soaring food and energy prices – obliged central banks with a legal pricestability mandate to tighten monetary policy and consequently increase the cost of government funding. That cost brought Truss down

elections

Right, Right, Frontal

Among the many consequences of the pandemic, economic crisis and war in Ukraine for Europe is the rise of right-wing movements that challenge the sustaining of political centrism and traditional left-leaning parties. Do such changes serve to additionally complicate the managing of the European Union and push the Western Balkans into a neglected corner, where there is also the basis for the rise of the right?

Whatcould far-right parties’ recent victories in Europe mean for the EU and the region? Are election results in Italy and Sweden an anomaly or a symptom of the rise of the far right across Europe – marking the re surgence of far-right parties running on platforms of anti-immigration and nationalism? These are questions being asked by intellectuals and

the general public around the world. In this issue’s Focus, we asked our interlocutors to add their own concerns to these universal ones. Specif ically, we asked them to ponder the potential repercussions that the rise of the extreme right in Europe could have on the EU itself, but also on our region. Here are the responses of experienced diplomats, political scientists and experts most familiar with political situations in Europe.

DUŠKO LOPANDIĆ

SHOOTING STARS

The recent victory of Giorgia Meloni, leader of the right-wing Brothers of Italy party, like the rise of the extreme right in Sweden, serves to illustrate several trends that have been evident in Western democracies over recent decades. The basic trend relates to the falling influence of traditional parties and the increasingly common appearance of so-called “instant movements” that achieve success at lightning speed, which nonetheless doesn’t guarantee their longevity in power. This is typical of Italy in particular, where traditional party structures have long since vanished from the political scene (Christian Democrats, Communists etc.) and been replaced by various newer movements (such as the Five Star Movement, Northern League). However, a similar thing is happening in other European countries, from France (Macron and the “quasi-disappearance” of the socialist party and traditional adherents) to Slovenia, which has, so-to-say, ‘specialised’ in the frequent selecting of completely new people to head the government. Giorgia Meloni’s party won only four per cent of the vote in elections just four years ago, only to win the most votes this time around.

Another trend that’s linked to the previous one relates to the rise of populism – largely right-wing or far-right populism, based on topics of identity, historical nationalist resentment and anti-immigration policies - which has become one of the constants of political life in many countries, including the U.S. However, observing the European Union as a whole, the “centre” continues to hold on, as shown by the European Parliament election of 2019, as well as recent elections in France, Germany and elsewhere.

THE DEPARTURE OF PRIME MINISTER DRAGHI AND THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE SO-CALLED MACRON-SCHOLZ-DRAGHI “TROIKA” WILL MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO REACH POSSIBLE AGREEMENT ON ESSENTIAL REFORMS TO THE UNION, AND THUS ALSO TO POSSIBLY IMPACT POSITIVELY ON EU ENLARGEMENT POLICY

The political changes in Italy will undoubtedly impact the political “ship” of the European Union universally and cause it to list more markedly to the right, though not to the extent that this will have a fundamental impact on current European policies, which are primarily dominated by the issues of the war in Ukraine and its ramifications on the energy market and economies, as well as discussions of the possible reform of the EU, internal disputes over the rule of law (Poland, Hungary) and the like. The character (generally unstable) of the Italian coalition, Italy’s dependence on financial support from the EU, but also the pro-NATO orientation of PM Meloni, are all ele ments that will contribute to the new Italian government acting relatively more moderately in Brussels.

On the flip side, the departure of Prime Minister Draghi and the disappearance of the so-called Macron-Scholz-Draghi “troika” will make it difficult to reach possible agreement on essential reforms to the Union, and thus also to possibly im pact positively on EU enlargement policy. Although Italy traditionally supports EU enlargement and the integration of the Western Balkan countries into the EU, it has long been predominantly burdened by internal political issues. Its influence on EU enlargement policy is therefore extremely limited and indirect, which will probably also be the case with the new Italian government.

DIPLOMAT AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN MOVEMENT IN SERBIA

ALTHOUGH “THE CENTRE IS STILL HOLDING ON” IN EUROPE, WE ARE INCREASINGLY SEEING THE APPEARANCE ON THE POLITICAL SCENE OF INSTANT RIGHT-WING OR FAR-RIGHT MOVEMENTS, WHICH HAVE IDEOLOGIES BASED ON THE TOPICS OF IDENTITY, HISTORICAL NATIONALIST RESENTMENT AND ANTI-IMMIGRATION POLICIES

MILAN BLAGOJEVIĆ

RESEARCHER AT THE INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Iwouldn’t

say that the election success of the far right in these two states comes as a surprise. Sweden’s Sver igedemokraterna party entered the national parliament back in 2010, with 5.7% of the vote, and has been growing constantly since then, while the right has never ceased to remain relevant in Italy. The agenda of the election in Sweden, instead of socio-democratic themes of the environment and social justice, was dominated by the issues of crime and the energy crisis, which is precisely what the right owes its rise to. Anti-immigration sentiment has also long been present in Italy, where voters didn’t so much choose between left and right as between rival right-wing options. What is nonetheless interesting is how the far right successfully “rebranded” itself in both cases. Realising that its extreme stances would forever condemn it to the political margins, the far right has de-radicalised itself and moved closer to the political mainstream. Voting for such parties became less taboo as they became ever-more desirable coalition partners. Sweden’s Sverigedemokraterna party, which in 2006 changed its party logo to a more harmless flower symbol, won 20.5% of the vote, while the Brothers of Italy party, which distanced itself (at least nominally) from the neo-fascist Italian Social Movement that represents its roots, will – with 26% of votes – be the largest party in the parliament.

The rise of the right could certainly complicate decision-making processes at the EU level, and we can assume that the conservative Hungarian-Polish bloc will now be less isolated on some issues.

Giorgia Meloni, for example, has allies in Spain’s Vox party, while the leader of Romania’s AUR openly expresses admiration for her. Importantly, as in the case of the 2016 U.S. elections, the success of the right can be interpreted as the revenge of the “little man” and a signal to European bureaucrats and liberal elites that ignoring him will create a vindictive and bitter electorate that will benefit populist parties.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE WESTERN BALKANS, I WOULD DARE TO CLAIM THAT IT’S IRRELEVANT WHETHER THE EU IS DOMINATED BY EUROOPTIMISTIC OR EUROSCEPTIC FORCES… THE ONLY DIFFERENCE I SEE IS THAT EUROSCEPTIC GOVERNMENTS WOULD BE MORE HONEST AND OPEN ABOUT THEIR UNWILLINGNESS TO EXPAND FURTHER

When it comes to the Western Balkans, I would dare to claim that it’s irrelevant whether the EU is dominated by Eurooptimistic or Eurosceptic forces. With further expansion, the EU becomes increasingly difficult to manage, and individual experts point out that this has troubled the Union since 2004. Best testifying to enlargement fatigue is the statement of French President Macron – “if it isn’t functional with 28 members, how do you think it will function with 33 or 34 members?” European politicians simply don’t know what to do with this region, and it seems that their best strategy for now is to post pone the decision until some unspecified future juncture. The only difference I see is that Eurosceptic governments would be more honest and open about their unwillingness to expand further.

THE RISE OF THE RIGHT COULD CERTAINLY COMPLICATE DECISION-MAKING PROCESSES AT THE EU LEVEL, AND WE CAN ASSUME THAT THE CONSERVATIVE HUNGARIAN-POLISH BLOC WILL NOW BE LESS ISOLATED ON SOME ISSUES

THE RIGHT HAS DE-RADICALISED AND MOVED CLOSER TO THE POLITICAL MAINSTREAM

ZORAN MILIVOJEVIĆ

CAREER DIPLOMAT AND ASSOCIATE OF THE CENTRE FOR STRATEGIC ALTERNATIVES

END OF THE LEFT’S DOMINANCE IN EUROPE

The most recent major success of the left in Europe was achieved a year ago, with the victory in Germany of the socalled “Traffic light coalition” of the Social Democratic Party, the Greens and the Free Democratic Party. After that, in the first half of this year, the right-wing Fidesz – Hungarian Civic Alliance won Hungarian elections convincingly. Poland’s ruling Law and Justice [Prawo i Sprawiedliwość] Party consolidated its ruling position, while in early autumn Sweden’s rightwing Sverigedemokraterna ‘democrats’, followed by Italy’s right-wing coalition, achieved victories and created the conditions to snatch power from the previously ruling left in those countries. This year’s breakthrough of the right marked, in a certain way in a political sense, the end of the left’s dominance in Europe. The reasons for the rise of the right in Europe are multidimensional in every sense. However, there are predominantly four reasons that, in my opinion, encouraged this breakthrough significantly and made it possible.

First and foremost, the pandemic – with its economic and socio-psychological effects and consequences – raised the role of state and parastate mechanisms significantly, and – alongside the important absence of solidarity – created a favourable environment for ideologically right-wing political trends on Europe’s political scene. This applies in particular to sovereignty movements, which are opposed to neoliberal left tendencies in the European political milieu. That process has not yet ended, while the shadow of the pandemic, with its consequences and possible effects, continues to hover over everything.

Furthermore, the socioeconomic consequences of the 2008-2009 Eurozone crisis have not yet been fully alleviated. Greece has only just emerged from the fiscal control regime. This situation, combined with the effects of the pandemic, continues to have effects in that area, impacting on the strengthening of sovereignty tendencies.

THE WAR IN UKRAINE PRODUCED ANOTHER CRISIS: THE CRISIS OF THE ROLE AND IDENTITY OF THE EU IN THE EUROPEAN AND GLOBAL CONTEXT. SPECIFICALLY, FULL DEFERENCE TO THE U.S. AND THE ABSENCE OF THE CREDIBLE POSITIONING OF BRUSSELS/ EU ON A TOPIC OF PAN-EUROPEAN INTEREST, AND WITH CONSEQUENCES THAT EUROPE IS ALREADY FEELING DIRECTLY IN TERMS OF THE GENERAL ECONOMY, ENERGY, STANDARDS, SOCIAL SITUATION ETC., HAS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT ALONG THE ROUTE BETWEEN THE CENTRE/BRUSSELS AND MEMBER COUNTRIES

Subsequently, there is the migrant crisis, the consequences of which – dating back to 2015 - have still not been overcome in the political and socioeconomic sense, and a consistent policy at the EU level has not been fully defined, let alone implemented. On the contrary – there are threats of a new wave, the political climate is sharpening, and radical tendencies, among them rightwing ones – including negative tendencies like xenophobia - are objectively growing. They include national tendencies in the positive understanding, but also nationalist ones in the negative understanding of the state of growth, which favours the right. If this new wave comes to life, which is more realistic than uncertain, it will strengthen right-wing tendencies and political move ments at the level of the EU and Europe as a whole. It will further deepen the problem of immigration policy and the functioning of the EU, as well as social animosity across the continent. In this context, movements based on the model of the Swedish and Italian experience are assured.

THE SHADOW OF UKRAINE, WITH ALL THE ALREADY-EVIDENT RAMIFICATIONS ON THE SITUATION AND EFFECTS IN EUROPE, CERTAINLY PROVIDES NEW MOTIVATION FOR THE RIGHT, WHICH IN THE PERIOD AHEAD WILL BE TANGIBLY EXPRESSED IN VARIOUS SPHERES, FROM GEOPOLITICS TO CULTURE

To conclude, with the tectonic changes on the European geopolitical scene following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24th February, extremely realistic conditions for this trend of the rise of the right to continue were created, for the simple reason that the national theme and interest in the sharpened international situation, such as the current war in Ukraine, undoubt edly favour them coming to fruition as a matter of priority. Among other things, if there is a direct cause-and-effect relation ship between the war in Ukraine, i.e., on the territory of Europe itself, and the strengthening of the right, then this is confirmed unequivocally by the victories of the right in Sweden and Italy. Quite simply, a crisis of this type in the neighbourhood, as a rule, mobilises national corps and favours right-wing sovereignty op tions. The war in Ukraine produced, among other things, another crisis: the crisis of the role and identity of the EU in the European and global context. Specifically, full deference to the U.S. and the absence of the credible positioning of Brussels/EU on a topic of pan-European interest, and with consequences that Europe is already feeling directly in terms of the general economy, energy, standards, social situation etc., has a significant impact on the political environment along the route between the centre/Brussels and member countries. There is an obvious increase in resist ance to the centre/Brussels, due to the policy regarding the war and its consequences, which objectively strengthens the sovereignty tendencies at the foundations of the EU. The shadow of Ukraine, with all the already-evident ramifications on the situation and effects in Europe, certainly provides new motivation for the right, which in the period ahead will be tangibly expressed in various spheres, from geopolitics to culture, education and those domains that touch the very social roots and national interests of individual players on European soil.

The Western Balkans are already suffering all the consequences of current events, due primarily to the region’s dominant interdependence with the EU, in a political, socioeconomic, security and every other sense. In that context, the rise of the right seems inevitable to me. To what extent and with what connotations will also depend to a large extent on the effects of the aforementioned interdependence, but also on the pace and scope of development and the consequences of the cur rent crises. It is already indisputable that national and sovereignty tendencies are growing visibly, and it should be noted in conclusion, to provide an objective picture, that the left in our region isn’t immune to this either.

THE WESTERN BALKANS ARE ALREADY SUF FERING ALL THE CONSEQUENCES OF CURRENT EVENTS, DUE PRIMARILY TO THE REGION’S DOMINANT INTERDEPENDENCE WITH THE EU, IN A POLITICAL, SOCIOECONOMIC, SECURITY AND EVERY OTHER SENSE. IN THAT CONTEXT, THE RISE OF THE RIGHT SEEMS INEVITABLE TO ME

MARKET OF

Precious Metals: Guardians of Capital

The world’s precious metals include iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, platinum, silver and gold. Among these eight precious metals, platinum is considered as being the most abundant and gold is the most widely available and acceptable, while over recent years we’ve seen a rapid rise in the popularity of osmium, the rarest precious metal

Investment gold and investment osmium are being increasingly discussed in today’s world, as they enable capital to be preserved in the right way, because – as history has shown – all currencies lose their value at some point. Over the past two years, individual gov ernments have been considering adding osmium to their state reserves, because this precious metal is a long-term material investment.

Precious metals, particularly gold, silver, platinum and palladium, have had a high eco nomic value since time immemorial, particularly during times of economic crisis. They are valu able precisely because they are not abundant in nature and are commonly used to produce high-end jewellery, in industrial processes and as investment vehicles. Precious metals offer unique protection against inflation. They have an intrinsic value, don’t carry credit risk and their value cannot be artificially “pumped”, i.e., they cannot be multiplied, printed or easily found in nature. They are also valuable because they provide a high degree of security against financial shocks and political upheavals.

THE WORLD POSSESSES 190,000 TONS OF GOLD

Gold was first discovered by ancient Egyptians in Nubia around 2450 BC, while the etymology of its name is derived either from the Indo-Eu ropean word “ghel” of the Anglo-Saxon word “geolo”, both of which mean yellow. The Kingdom of Lydia, which was located on the territory of Anatolia that now forms part of western Turkey, was the first nation to use gold and its alloys for trade, only to later be used as a currency, a store of value and to make valuable jewellery.

Estimates suggest that the amount of gold extracted worldwide totals almost 163,000 tons. If all that gold were melted down and poured into one block, it would form a 20x20x20-metre cube. More than half of this amount has been processed to create jewellery or used in industry. The rest is retained, in the form of coins and ingots, for investment purposes by institutional investors, central banks and private individuals. Investment gold is being increasingly discussed in today’s world, as it enables capital to be pre served in the right way, because – as history has shown – all currencies lose their value at some point. Investment gold is currently among the best ways to preserve capital on the market, because investing in gold offers, among other things, the possibility of complete anonymity during transactions.

Investing in gold successfully protects capital against shocks on the world financial scene, while it can also yield additional profit in the case of global economic crises. The recent financial crisis has caused the price of gold to experience a constant upward trajectory.

The price of gold has risen constantly throughout history. Thus, for example, in 1977 an ounce cost approximately 130/140 dollars, while by 2017 and 2018, 40 years later, that price had risen to around 1,300 dollars and today hovers at around 1,600 dollars. This trend has also continued throughout the last decade. The price of gold is currently up as much as 45% and there is no hint of this rise stopping, particularly considering that the value of money continues to fall.

POPULARITY OF THE “ELEMENT OF THE SUN” ON THE RISE

Due to shortages of investment gold, the market crisis and increasing difficulties linked to supplies, trade in osmium has emerged as a new option with the same function. This precious metal has been present on the world market for less than eight years, with sales in Europe having leapt by 500% during that time. Osmium is the rarest of precious metals when it comes to quantity and the most precious in terms of value. This is a precious metal of exceptional purity that has the highest durability among all such metals. The production of osmium is also dependent on the production of platinum, with 10,000 tons of platinum containing only around 30 grams of osmium. In terms of quantities, osmium is 1,500 times rarer than gold, 1,000 times rarer than diamonds and 2,500 times rarer than silver.

Osmium is available to investors in its crystallised form. Crystallisation implies high laboratory safety measures due to its special ised chemistry and requires great time and energy. It is known as the “Element of the Sun” due to its exceptional beauty. Osmium is used to produce extremely exclusive jewellery and as an investment metal for long-term capital investments.

Osmium is characterised by its unique blue-silver and blue-white lustre, which becomes

fluctuations. Thanks to it not being correlated with stocks, the euro and interest rates, osmium serves as an anchor of stability, particularly in diversified portfolios, reducing the overall risk to which they are exposed. Osmium also has certain market advantages and unique selling points. As a limited resource that it is impossible to falsify, it is characterised by its extraordinary beauty and elegance. It can also be bought using cryptocurrencies and can be exchanged for other precious metals.

It makes more sense than ever to buy osmium today. Even individual governments are considering the inclusion of osmium in their state reserves, as this precious metal is a long-term material investment that is easily transported and can be stored in safes for many years without the need for any special conditions.

particularly prominent when it is illuminated by sunlight. It also glistens exceptionally when illuminated by the light emitted by LED bulbs.

INVESTING IN OSMIUM INCREASINGLY PAYING OFF

As an irreplaceable and incredibly rare metal, osmium will prove even more valuable during future times of crisis, given that ever more investors are discovering it as a new investment opportunity. Osmium has only been present on the precious metals market since 2014. Due to its crystalline lustre and other unique qualities, it has quickly taken a leadership position on this market segment and found itself in high demand in 2020, primarily as a way of protecting capital against crisis, inflation and property price

Testifying to just how much it pays off to invest in osmium is the fact that, over the course of nine years, the price of gold has increased by 96%, at an average of 12% annually, while during the same period the price of osmium increased threefold, giving it a value almost 300% higher. One gram of osmium costs around 1,800 euros, i.e., 30 times more than the same amount of gold, while just five years ago, in 2017, the price was around 800 euros, meaning that its value is today more than 100 per cent higher. In comparison, a gram of gold on the world market is priced at around 55 euros. This has all resulted in ever more people realising that money is losing value and that they should convert their savings to precious metals, as opposed to paper currencies. It currently pays off the most to save in osmium, the value of which is constantly on the rise, unlike the value of gold or cryptocurrencies.

Osmium is impervious to counterfeiting. It is extremely stable; prices are constantly on the rise and the rate of growth is higher than among other precious metals

Osmium Is A Game Changer

By Ingo Wolf, Director of the German Osmium Institute, and Ljuba Jakić, Director Insigntitus Gold

So,if you have lost faith in cash and want to bequeath a tangible asset with a high value density, want to hold values in transportable tangible assets or want to get out of gold or BTC investments, osmium is the right choice - advise our interlocutors Ingo Wolf and Ljuba Jakić.

There are eight precious metals in the periodic table. Seven have been introduced to the market and are already known in Serbia. The eighth precious metal is called osmium and has some really special characteristics. So, it is probably time to talk about this last precious metal, because it has the special quality of being absolutely unfalsifiable. And this fact makes even long-time investors in gold or silver sit up and take notice. In the

context of further escalations of security is sues across Europe, osmium is now becoming a game changer, because it has the highest value density of all metals for transporting values: 30 times higher than gold.

THE LAST, MOST FASCINATING AND SE CURE PRECIOUS METAL.

Osmium is the eighth and last of the precious metals. It is available to investors in kind in its crystalline form. Crystallisation involves high safety measures in the laboratory, due to its specialised chemistry, and is extremely time and energy consuming. Thanks to its extraor dinary beauty, it is known as the “Sunshine Element”. Osmium is used for the production of exclusive jewellery and as an investment metal for long-term capital investments.

The new Serbian Osmium Institute for the marketing and certification of osmium receives certified and crystalline osmium from the manufacturing country, Switzerland, and the analysing country, Germany, and exclusively introduces this chemical element to the regional market. This institute is tasked with informing interested parties and the press, as well as answering questions from investors in kind

Trade in the world’s rarest and most ex pensive precious metal is now also offered in Serbia. The Osmium Institutes have held the exclusive rights to sell crystalline osmium since 2014 and have been systematically introducing the metal to the market since then. Crystalline osmium has been certified for purchase for several years now and is increasingly in demand as a tangible asset. It is for this reason that the success story is now being repeated in other countries, including Serbia.

WHY OSMIUM?

There are many reasons why osmium is the perfect product for manufacturing jewellery, but also for investing in tangible assets. The market is currently divided between

3% in the jewellery segment and 97% in the tangible assets segment. Only about 22 tons of osmium, i.e., one cubic metre, are available for mining and crystallisation. These reserves are supplemented by rarely accessible resources of about 16m³ in the 7 km thick crust of the planet. At the current price, the total market size is about 35 to 40 billion euros. With expected price increases over the next few years, the size of the market could expand to 200 billion euros. Sales are now guaranteed through 1,200 international dealers. In Serbia, the phase of expanding the distribution network is now getting underway. Interested investment advisors or brokers are very welcome to join the team and can apply for one of the coveted positions as trading partners of the

rarest metal in the world under the number: 98387484623987482.

Each piece of osmium is registered in a worldwide database. This procedure is also in the interest of the customer for the possible resale of osmium. Only registered customers can easily resell to another private customer by disclosing the Osmi um-Identification-Code and entering the Owner-Change-Code.

The promotion of multi-client online shops and physical outlets takes place vi rally, simultaneously around the globe. In each country, a team at the local institute works with financial magazines and lifestyle publications to increase awareness. This is now also the case in Serbia, though negoti ating the customs guidelines for the metal proved complex.

The work that now awaits the team of the Serbian Institute is essentially to disseminate information, implement good marketing and implement administrative activities and communication work.

Security for the investor in kind arises because the Osmium-Identification-Code is only issued by the German Osmium Institute and the customs agreements of the countries

Osmium, the eighth and last of the precious metals, is available to investors in kind in its crystalline form

are based on this database. One could call it a “political monopoly” that protects the customer. With the introduction of the OwnerChange-Code in 2020, the osmium database has also reached the status of a property register. On this basis, absolute control over every piece of osmium is assured. Money laundering and resale after a hypothetical theft are thus prevented. Owners of crystalline osmium usually keep it at home.

Osmium, as the rarest metal in its crystal line form, thus has the potential to become a kind of barter currency that can gain special significance in the real asset investor sector. In the case of osmium, we are not actually talking about a shortage or the search for new deposits and mines, but rather the probable unavailability that has never occurred with any other element.

In 2020, osmium was in demand primarily in its crisis, inflation and asset protection function. The pandemic proved to be a cat alyst and trend booster, driving sales and demand significantly higher. Thanks to its non-existent correlation to equities, the euro and interest rates, osmium serves as an

anchor of stability, especially in diversified portfolios, and reduces their overall risks. Even when, as at present, the price of gold is falling and the price of diamonds is crash ing, with sales plummeting by 90 per cent, osmium has proved stable, unimpressed by the downturn. Buying osmium makes more sense than ever in the face of exploding debt. And even states are considering the inclusion of osmium in their state reserves.

It should be noted that the establishment of an institute structure generates a high level of trust. European science institutes have a very good international reputation and enjoy trust in cooperation. Since this trust has never been disappointed over previous years, the Osmium Institutes have become an authority

on osmium-related questions for private individuals, journalists and state leaders, as well as opinion leaders. Osmium is an exotic metal that most people have never previously had any contact with. The absolute openness in dealing with corporate governance, ethical sourcing, ethical sales, pricing, FAQs and structures of distribution and trade have earned the Osmium Institutes the trust of the media, the market and customers.

Osmium is valued and acquired by tangi ble asset investors primarily because of its high value density and absolute resistance to falsifiability. This precious metal is a long-term tangible investment that is easily transportable and usually disappears into a safe for many years.

FIELDS OF ACTIVITY OF THE OSMIUM INSTITUTES:

Distribution of osmium

Providing information about osmium

Research into osmium

Drafting of publications presenting osmium

Certification of osmium

Osmium is used for the production of highly exclusive jewellery and as an investment metal for longterm capital investments

Introducing osmium to markets Commissioning the cutting of osmium for jewellery applications

Supporting wholesale partners

Selling osmium in is crystalline form Enabling the running of retail outlets for partners Operating online shops Conducting quality checks for process ing and distribution-ready products Finding new sales partners and tipsters Training players on the osmium market

When osmium trading began, the typical buyer was an ambitious private individual who wanted to be there at the start of a genuine new investment opportunity. That buyer type has today changed.

Osmium is now of interest to everyone, because it is available to those with both limited and large budgets. You can get Os mium-Squares for a few hundred euros or purchase family office boxes with values exceeding 10 million euros.

So, if you have lost faith in cash and want to bequeath a tangible asset with a high value density, want to hold values in transportable tangible assets or want to get out of gold or BTC investments, osmium is the right choice for you.

OSMIUM’S SIGNIFICANT MARKET ADVANTAGES AND UNIQUE SELLING POINTS: A limited resource The last precious metal to be introduced to the market

Absolutely unfalsifiable Beauty and elegance as product fea tures

Perfect display and packaging Purchase also possible via cryptocur rencies Exchange for other precious metals possible Made in Switzerland and Germany Security through electronic certificates Not traded on a stock exchange, no “paper osmium” on the market

If you want to find out more about os mium, just contact the Osmium Institute in Serbia. It is worth your while and you will receive exciting insights. You are also welcome to meet a local dealer in Serbia

and hold osmium in your hand and watch it sparkle in the sunlight.

As for jewellers, manufacturers and goldsmiths, there is now also an opportunity to produce the first jewellery items and take

Only about 22 tons of osmium are available for mining and crystallisation. These reserves are supplemented by rarely accessible resources of about 16m³ in the earth’s 7 km thick crust

advantage of the extraordinary attention that osmium jewellery also enjoys on the specialised jewellery world stage. Manu facturers like Ulysse Nardin, Hublot, UNE and many other timepiece specialists are already working with this very unique metal. Here, too, there are great opportunities for collectors and investors to take advantage of early market entry before osmium runs out, which will happen one day soon.

Americans have dubbed this juncture the Osmium Big Bang. This refers to the point at which demand for crystalline osmium will massively exceed the outgoing supply. The price of osmium will then probably experience strong shifts.

“The desire of gold is not for gold. It is for the means of freedom and benefit”

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Reputation Is Crucial For Survival

With the full support of the state and the Israeli parent company, Bet Shemesh Engines Ltd, which includes assistance in reaching standards and mastering special processes, and with major investment, the Precision Casting Foundry has taken an important place in the exclusive club of the world aviation industry

Director Aleksandar Mišković of LPO reveals to CorD Magazine how this factory in Ada saw their castings and machined parts installed in engines that cover the entire commercial aviation market, includ ing business aviation PW800, PW1500, LEAP, T1000, TXWB, V2500...

Why is LPO considered a leader in the produc tion of commercial turbojet aircraft parts? Has the pandemic affected your business? Conquering and keeping the market is a long-term, difficult and very demanding job. Staying in this exclusive aviation in dustry club is probably even more compli cated, especially when you know that the quality requirements for new generations of engines are increasingly complex, and the competition is increasingly fierce. I would say that in the aviation industry more than in any other, the reputation you build over the years is crucial for the company’s survival on the market, but also for creating new opportunities for future development.

And you can add the pandemic to all the difficulties we have overcome over the years. After a record-breaking 2019, we experienced an incredible 55% drop in sales in 2021, but that’s behind us now. I would like to emphasize that the management of the group made an im portant strategic decision not to reduce the number of staff at LPO despite the drastic drop in sales. Thanks to this decision, LPO is able to respond to all our customers’ requests.

How much does the support of your Israeli parent company, Bet Shemesh Engines Ltd, mean to you in business, expanding your production programme and capacity, investing in new technologies and tools?

Of course, the positioning of an unknown foundry from Serbia on the aviation industry market must be accompanied by appreciable investment and compre hensive support from the parent group.

LPO has benefitted from funds from the provincial Development Fund, then on two

occasions from grants from the Govern ment of the Republic of Serbia, through its agencies. All of this would not have been possible if the potential of our company had not been recognized, but nor would it have been possible without the full support of our Israeli parent company Bet Shemesh Engines Ltd.

Although financial support is the most visible and crucial for development, the marketing efforts of our parent company should not be neglected. Getting to the level of being trusted by companies like Pratt & Whitney, GE or Rolls-Royce is truly an admirable result. Not to forget the know-how, help in reaching standards, in mastering special processes, literally every business segment relies on the support of the parent company.

LPO takes care of its staff, their development and training both in Serbia and abroad, but it also takes care of the local community. For you, is investing in people the best investment?

LPO started its journey in the aviation industry with a staff of 75, and today it has more than 250. Our staff are the key to success, their motivation, training, sat isfaction, and the care they feel from the company. We are located far from a city environment, it is not easy to find suitable personnel, but we have been successful in this so far, which means that the location is important, but by no means crucial. Our investment in people and opportunities for improvement have been recognised and LPO will continue to take care of the reputation we have built so far.

Our staff are the key to LPO’s success, their motivation, training, satisfaction and care they feel from the company

New Ideas Nominated For European Awards

Last year, Gecić Law became the firstever Law firm of the year: Southeast Europe and the Balkans laureate in a market of 150 million people. In 2020, the firm was named Law firm of the year: Eastern Europe and the Balkans. We spoke to Bogdan Gecić, Founding Partner about this year’s good news.

Gecić Law was this year nominated for The Lawyer European Awards in several categories. Could you explain the importance of these awards? Established by prestigious London-based magazine The Lawyer, The Lawyer European Awards have been the gold standard in the legal profession for more than a decade. They annually award the most outstanding achievements in the European legal industry. Top law firms across the continent compete in different categories for regional awards and to be proclaimed teams of the year in several areas of legal practice. The Lawyer’s elite panel of judges comprises more than 60 global legal experts and business lead ers from renowned enterprises, such as Pfizer, Unilever, Nestlé, Citi, Mitsubishi etc.

This isn’t the first time you’ve been nominated and won this award. How is this year different?

Last year we became the first ever Law firm of the year: Southeast Europe and the Balkans laureate in a market of 150 million people. In 2020, we were named Law firm of the year: Eastern Europe and the Balkans. This year is different because Gecić Law has entered the finals to claim the regional accolade, but also made the shortlist in three other areas of practice. Our competition law, corporate law, and litigation teams are now competing with the crème de la crème of the entire continent. This year we also stand shoulder-to-shoulder

with global powerhouses like Latham & Watkins, with the most nominations among this year’s contenders, representing an un precedented achievement of any law firm in Central and Eastern Europe in a single year - say founding partner Bogdan Gecić with pride. The team of Gecić Law has gone from strength to strength over the last few years in corporate law and litigation and we are proud to receive our first nominations in these categories.

What sets you apart from the competition? What provides the basis for these achievements? These nominations alone give us an objective perspective of how far we’ve come. We are excited and even more motivated by this news. We believe that our core values – meritocracy, innovation, integrity, and philanthropy – explain much of our growth and successes.

It is new ideas that create value in business. We anticipate market trends in order to always stay close to what matters most to our clients. That’s why innovation is at the heart of our work. Innovation is about continuous learning and discovery. We explore new practice areas and services and add value to our clients by providing a fresh perspective and meaningful solutions to their business challenges. Our added value comes from the commitment to offer clients a new perspective and solutions to their business needs. This approach builds trust and long-term relationships.

Founded in 2015, Gecić Law has achieved much over the last seven years. What would you say has been the most important for your development to date? We founded our business recognising that EU law would bring a legal revolution to our region, and we were among the pioneers in this field. We recognised that there are many opportuni ties for entrepreneurship and growth, unlike on developed markets that are saturated and mostly static. We’ve changed the traditional understand ing of law firms and developed numerous other practice areas where we are now leaders. We created a multidisciplinary and tailored approach to the needs of each client. We are pleased that the international legal community continues to recognise the value of our approach. In ad dition to the awards, our firm and lawyers are highly rated by elite directories, including The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, which also makes us tremendously proud.

Gecić Law continues to reach new heights year after year, receiving even greater recognition for its innovation, consistent growth and excellence in the legal profession with four nominations for this year’s prestigious The Lawyer European Awards

We believe that our core values – meritocracy, innovation, integrity, and philanthropy –explain much of our growth and successes

SPLET TECH CONFERENCE 2022

SPLET Tech, the largest regional conference on innovation and innovative entrepreneurship was held on 12th October 2022 at the MTS Dvorana in Belgrade. The Conference was organised by two projects supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) - “Venture an idea”, implemented by the Digital Serbia Initiative, and “Serbia Innovates”, implemented by the ICT HUB. The participants had the opportunity to learn about all current topics in the field of gaming, virtual reality, blockchain, biotechnology, artificial intelligence and medicine, and to find out how good ideas become successful entrepreneurial ventures. Among more than 70 speakers were some of the best-known national and international names in the field of the innovation system. Serbian public had the opportunity to find answers to all questions in the field of innovation and innovative entrepreneur ship and be part of a new tradition of innovation. You can find all additional information on the official website: www.splet.rs

SEVEN CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES FROM SERBIA RECEIVE FAVOURABLE BUSINESS CERTIFICATES

GERMAN COMPANIES SEEK SUPPLIERS FROM SERBIA & OTHER WESTERN BALKAN COUNTRIES

The German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (AHK Serbia), representatives of the German economy in the countries of the Western Balkans, the Chamber of Commerce of Serbia and the German Association for Materials Manage ment, Import and Logistics invite companies from Serbia and the countries of the Western Balkans to be part of the regional B2B project. The project “German initiative for finding suppliers in the countries of the Western Bal kans” has been going on for eight years, and this year the central meeting is being held on 6 December in Stuttgart. As announced by AHK Serbia, companies that want to participate can apply until 24th October. The goal of the project is for German companies to find suppliers from sought-after industrial areas in Serbia and the countries of the Western Balkans, and the concept is based on the “B2B – matchmaking” mechanism, with the participation of more than 50 German companies.

Novi Sad, Čačak, Leskovac, Ruma, Bor, Stara Pazova and Pećinci have successfully passed the Certification Programme of Municipalities with a Favourable Business Environment in Southeast Europe (BFC SEE) and have earned a certificate that, as a seal of quality, confirms that they provide services to citizens and the economy at the highest international standards. The awards were presented at the three-day regional conference Core Days 2022: Partnership for a more competitive region, which was held in Dubrovnik. These certificates are awarded by the Regional Network for a Favourable Business Environment in Southeast Europe, which gathers more than 20 partner organisations from Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, while the continued expansion of this platform was also made official at the event.

“Japan is a stable investment and economic partner of Serbia, with great opportunities in the sector of the food industry, new technologies, the production of electric vehicles and the development of IT services” ~ MIHAILO VESOVIĆ, SERBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BIO4 CAMPUS TO OPEN IN 2025

The new bioeconomy hub in Europe, the BIO4 campus, will start construction in the third quarter of 2023 and will be opened in 2025, said Nenad Paunović, director of the IT and entrepre neurship team at the prime minister’s office. Speaking at the Palace of Serbia, at the presentation of the project as part of the first international conference “The Future of Biotechnology”, he said that activities on the construction of the campus had already begun and that the state had approved that project last year. According to him, it will be a platform for communication and joint cooperation and will have 15 “tenants”. The campus will be home to multidisciplinary research and will have nine institutes, a business park, a conference centre, a minglarium, a hotel and other facilities.

MTU AERO ENGINES OPENS NEW FACILITY

MTU Maintenance Serbia officially opened a new facility in Nova Pazova, near Belgrade. The ceremony was held in the presence of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, German Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Anke Konrad, as well as representatives of the aviation industry.

MTU Maintenance Serbia d.o.o. is a wholly owned subsidiary of MTU, a leading engine manufacturer and one of the largest global providers of aircraft engine maintenance services. The Nova Pazova facility will become a vital part of MTU’s global main tenance network and will carry out repairs of engine parts. The principle “repair is always better than replacement” forms the basis of MTU’s maintenance philosophy.

FIRESTARTER 22 CONFERENCE: CUSTOMER AND EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE IN BUSINESS FOCUS

The first regional conference FIRESTARTER 22, covering the topics of Customer Experience and Employee Experience, will be held in Belgrade on 15th-16th November and brings us global experts on the subject. Why are Customer Experience and Employee Experience at the top of priorities of modern business and a prerequisite for the sustainable growth of the company, regardless of the industry?

Because market conditions are constantly changing, and the changes have never been faster. In today’s competitive market, it is not enough to “just” offer a great product or service, but to ensure that your employees and customers have a continuous, positive experience interacting with the company. That is what sets you apart and directly affects your success and growth, as well as the retention rate of satisfied employees and satisfied customers.

FIRESTARTER 22 brings together leading world experts to exchange ideas and experiences on innovative and transformative CX and EX strategies. Conference participants are managers of various corporate sectors (marketing and sales, corporate communications and PR, human resources, analytics and develop ment). The conference is organised by CEXAS - Customer & Employee Experience Association of Serbia, whose founders are certified consultants with many years of experience, including representatives of the company Skills Innovative Learning Experience, which focuses on people development for 26 years.

“Serbia expects a real revolution in medicine, agriculture, energy and other sectors thanks to the development of biotechnologies” ~ NENAD PAUNOVIĆ, DIRECTOR OF THE IT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP, PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE

LARGEST SOLAR POWER FARM IN NORTH MACEDONIA OPENS

The Slovenian company GEN-I launched a 17 MW solar power farm in North Macedonia, the largest in the region. It is expected to produce 25,000 MWh of electricity per year, which is enough to power more than 5,500 homes. The solar farm is located near the village of Azambegovo, municipality of Sveti Nikola, in the central part of the country, 25 km from the town of Štip. The power plant has 31,772 solar panels and occupies an area of 300,000 square meters, according to the announcement of the Government of North Macedonia.

“The latest data and forecasts indicate that, in the period from 1989 to 2050, the largest emigration and population decline will be recorded in the Western Balkans - BiH as much as 29%, Serbia as much as 24%, Croatia as much as 22%, and Albania as much as 18%” ~ FRANC BOGOVIČ, MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

SLOVENIA ACQUIRES NEW TRAINS

In the first half of this year, the number of pas sengers on the trains of Railways of Slovenia is 36 per cent higher than in 2021. Up until now, 52 new Stadler trains have been running on the rail ways of this Slovenia and the region. Passengers have 21 single-deckers, 10 electric double-decker trains and 21 single-decker diesel trains at their disposal. The procurement was announced at the beginning of the year and realized recently. During the delivery of models that reach speeds of up to 160 km per hour, representatives of the state-owned company announced that a tender for the purchase of another 20 sets, from the same manufacturer, is underway.

CROATIA AIRLINES PLANS COASTAL NETWORK EXPANSION IN 2023

Croatia Airlines plans to expand its network from the country’s coast during the 2023 summer season after launching a number of new routes from Split this year. Speaking to EX-YU Aviation News, the carrier said, “This summer season, Croatia Airlines launched new routes from Split to Amsterdam, Bucharest, Dublin, Milan, and Stock holm. All these new routes achieved the expected results. However, the company sees room for improvement and innovative steps in strategic positioning”. It added, “The company is also planning new routes from Croatia’s other coastal airports in the summer of 2023, but this plan still depends on different factors, both internal and external and will definitely not be ready for publication before the end of the Slot Conference [in Melbourne] in November.

“In 2023, we will publish the first regional report that will accurately measure economic and political stability and rank the region’s economies according to quality of life and business conditions” ~ VIOLETA JOVANOVIĆ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NALED

MONTENEGRO TELEKOM AND ERICSSON NIKOLA TESLA SIGN 5-YEAR AGREEMENT

Crnogorski Telekom and Ericsson Nikola Tesla signed a five-year agreement worth EUR 12.5 million, which will continue the multi-decade cooperation on the maintenance, improvement and modernization of Telekom’s mobile network. The agreement was signed by the executive director of Crnogorski Telekom, Stjepan Udovicic, and the president of Ericsson Nikola Tesla, Gordana Kovačević. Udovicic announced that cooperation with Ericsson Nikola Tesla is very important for Telekom, saying that they will continue to jointly direct resources to strengthen the mobile infrastructure, PR Center reports. “Ericsson Nikola Tesla is a reliable partner with whom we will build a network whose quality will be at the European level.” We are sure that we will continue to work successfully and on the basis of the right values, in order to very quickly modernize the entire network and provide users with the best possible experiences”, said Udovicic.

PEPSICO INVESTING 100M EUROS IN ROMANIAN FACILITY

PepsiCo, Inc. is investing $100 million into its facility in Popesti-Leordeni, Romania. The expan sion project will improve three production lines and add an automated warehouse, in addition to other automation capabilities. Construction on the Popesti-Leordeni facility is expected to be completed in 2024 and will double the plant’s current production capacity. The company’s investment comes just after it finished a 5-year, $40-million development plan at its Dragomiresti factory, bringing PepsiCo’s investment total in Romania to over $320 million.

AZERBAIJAN TO INCREASE GAS DELIVERIES TO BULGARIA

Azerbaijan’s president said that his coun try is a reliable partner and will stick to an agreement to double gas exports to the European Union by 2027. Speak ing to reporters in Bulgaria’s capital, President Ilhan Aliyev called a new gas interconnector with Greece “a historic achievement and an opportunity for Azeri gas to reach Europe in larger quantities.” Aliyev was in Sofia for the official launch of a new pipeline that will supply natural gas from Azerbaijan to Bulgaria, whose vital supply of Russian gas was cut off in April amid the fallout from Russia’s inva sion of Ukraine. At the event, he will join heads of state and governments from the region, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The Battle For Talented Workers

While one part of the workforce that belongs to the category that we refer to as ’talents’ abandons Serbia and the region for better working and living conditions elsewhere, thus reducing unemployment levels, successful major companies have long since treated every employee as a talent

Although Serbia is recording ever-lower unemployment rates, that isn’t necessarily good news. That’s because it is partly the result of a constant wave of well-trained people heading abroad and the creation of many jobs that have poor quality working conditions. Along side these trends that characterise our labour market, there is also digitalisa tion and automation and the applying of artificial intelligence that isn’t always neutral in decision-making, explains Ivana Kovačević, associate professor of the Department of Human Resource Management at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Organisational Sciences.

We are witnessing increasing discussion of the future of labour, which is determined to a great extent by technological advances. What issues do these changes raise when it comes to the management of human resources?

Job descriptions are changing as a func tion of the digital transformation process, with some jobs becoming redundant and automated, in parallel with the appear ance of new ones, while new skills are being sought from employees. Employ ees are expected to be highly digitally competent and to engage in continuous training that should keep pace with the dynamics of the development of tech nological progress. Considering that software is being constantly upgraded, the training of employees can no longer

be directed only towards specific tools, but rather must be generally directed towards work in technology-mediated environments. That creates additional stress among the majority of employees, and the concept of technostress, which is linked precisely to the inability to adapt to “cooperation” with technologies, has recently become a domestic issue.

We were confronted during the course of last year by the new global phenomenon of mass resignations as a result of the dissatisfaction of employees with the conditions provided by employers. How widespread is this trend really, and is it present in Serbia?

Existing data support the claim that we have a high turnover of employees, par ticularly in certain industries. However, as is always the case with statistical data,

deeper analysis is required in order to re ally draw conclusions. Our labour market also isn’t immune to global changes, but it should be considered that a large number of employees in Serbia work for low wages and that there aren’t re ally many options. Employer-employee negotiations on working conditions are reserved for the category of employees with vocations that are in higher demand and who possess skills that are in short supply on the labour market.

We are witnessing a relatively low un employment rate and a lack of workers in Serbia and the region for the first time in many years. How do such trends impact on the pursuit and retention of talented workers?

The battle to entice talented individuals is certainly intensifying and has long since had global dimensions. However, the issue of which criteria are used to calculate the employed and unemployed remains unresolved in Serbia. Similarly, following on from the previous answer, a certain percentage of the workforce that belongs to the category we refer to as talents is abandoning Serbia and the region for better working and living conditions elsewhere, thus reducing unemployment levels. We then come to the fact that successful major companies have long implemented the practise of treating every employee as a talent and placing an emphasis on the positive qualities of each individual.

IVANA KOVAČEVIĆ, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE FACULTY OF ORGANISATIONAL SCIENCES, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Synergy Of Experience, Knowledge And Energy

We are simultaneously seeing the Government of Serbia implement active measures to entice labour from other countries to our market. Are we prepared institutionally and organisationally to adapt to such labour market changes?

Outsourcing labour from underdeveloped countries is gaining momentum when it comes to difficult and high-risk jobs. We are clearly not prepared systemically for some of the challenges that brings, as there are numerous examples of illegal actions that have remained without an epilogue. The standout examples among them include foreign workers employed in Serbia who have reported physical violence, the confiscating of their travel documents and inhumane working conditions. And I daresay there is still no adequate legal regulation for that. It would be bad if the reason for that is a lack of will to sanction such examples.

What kind of expectations do employees have of employers in Serbia today, and vice versa; and how much have they changed since the emergence of the work from home phenomenon?

The pandemic caused the mass expansion of certain pre-existing labour models, such as remote work. Employees expect the organisation they work for to provide them with greater flexibility in choosing the way they work, while the employer is interested in organising work in ways that have the lowest costs. One possible way to make savings, in terms of both time and money (due to spatial requirements), is working from home, which is the desired working model for some employees, while it was a necessary evil for others. One solution is a hybrid approach to organising work, with agreement reached on which tasks can be performed remotely and which require the worker to be present on the organisation’s premises.

HR, which has experienced significant changes with the advance of technology, represents one of the first areas subjected to the application of artificial intelligence. What are the advantages

Employer-employee negotiations on working conditions are reserved for the category of employees with vocations that are in higher demand and who possess skills that are in short supply on the labour market

and disadvantages of applying AI in this area?

The automating of certain HR activities saves time and eases routine decision making, thereby reducing employees’ workload. For now, the application of software solutions is most commonplace in the field of candidate selection and in monitoring employee performance. One idea is that the development of artificial intelligence will enable greater impartial ity during candidate selection and the equal treatment of all employees and job candidates. However, there are examples of “programmed” bias in artificial intel ligence, such as the case of a software solution for selecting job candidates that prioritised men and thus created a gender imbalance in the structure of the workforce. Furthermore, the elec tronic monitoring of employees, which digitalisation has advanced to the level

of monitoring the work of employees via computer, can be ethically problematic and raises a series of issues related to workplace privacy, as well as its direct effects on performance.

To what extent do these kinds of changes impact on the importance of protecting employees’ personal data as part of Human Resource Management and how widespread is awareness of compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act in the HRM approach in Serbia?

The issue of protecting personal records has always been important. Given that employee data are now mainly stored in digital form, a new regulatory framework has been applied in our country and around the world since 2018 that places new requirements on employers and HR employees that should prevent data from being accessible to unauthorised individuals. The topic most commonly only arises when some abuse or misap plication occurs, and the fact that it is a new regulation makes it necessary to familiarise the professional public with it systematically. With the aim of familiarising future HR managers with this law and training them in its appli cation, among other things, a course related to the management of personal data protection has been included in the Master’s degree programme in Human Resources Management at the Faculty of Organisational Sciences.

Team Strength Brings Greatness

TINDE LAKANOVIĆ, HR MANAGER FOR THE CENTRAL BALKAN REGION AT WIENERBERGER

Wienerberger is composed of 17,000 employees gathered around a common vision oriented towards the company’s results, growth and development. They adjust their working conditions not only to Serbian standards, but also to those of EU countries

Thanks to the strength of its team, this Kanjiža-based company has become a stable and sustainable system that serves as an example for others to learn from, a partner that is trusted and a pillar of support that can be relied upon. Here the company’s HR man ager, Tinde Lakanović, reveals how.

You often point out with pride that your employ ees are among the crucial factors of your suc cess. But how is Wienerberger as an employer?

At Wienerberger, we consider the opinions of our colleagues as being crucially impor tance, which is why we conduct employee surveys. And based on the feedback provided by those surveys, we devise plans for improve ment project. The results of last year’s survey show that satisfaction is at a high level. We have a very challenging geographical posi tion, as our factory is close to Hungary, so our colleagues have the option of securing work in that country, where wages are significantly higher than they are in our country.

When seeking new colleagues, you look for self-motivated and dedicated people, those who are capable of thinking and acting like entrepreneurs; people who are focused on solutions and personal responsibility. Why do you value those qualities?

Our team is unified by the synergy of its experience, knowledge, youth and energy. We are proud of our large number of de velopment programmes for future experts, through which we endeavour to provide each team member with the knowhow principle of our operations. It is thanks precisely to the strength of the team that Wienerberger is today a stable and sustainable system that serves as an example for others to learn from, a partner that is trusted and a

At Wienerberger, we together celebrate all holidays, try traditional cuisines of different cultures and socialise while listening to different types of music

pillar of support that can be relied upon.

Regardless of current labour market trends, Wienerberger has spent years grow ing beyond its limits, together with its employees, through constant advances, innovations and intelligent decisions, and has proven that the loyalty and dedication of employees are built over the course of many years. Alongside the priceless expe rience of working in a multinational and multicultural environment that provides opportunities for personal advancement, learning and contribution, both in Serbia and abroad, I would single out in particular the

numerous benefits for employees, such as private health insurance, sporting activities and anti-stress team building exercises.

How challenging is it to work in a multicultural environment; what is your company like as a workplace and what are its advantages?

The Wienerberger team in Serbia is di verse, just like the area where our factory is located in northern Vojvodina and Kanjiža. Our products reach markets throughout the region, so our sales team adds to the diversity of the organisation of Wiener berger Central Balkan. This is something that makes us extremely proud, because it proves that we are a company where everyone is considered equal and has the same rights. The advantages of such an environment are learning and developing on a daily basis, because in our workplace we encounter different habits, customs and cultures, which functions wonderfully thanks to good leadership. At Wienerberger, we to gether celebrate all holidays, try traditional cuisines of different cultures and socialise while listening to different types of music.

What do you consider as being your greatest personal success at Wienerberger?

In a company and industry that is pre dominantly analogue and traditional, I’ve managed to implement positive practises and procedures, as well as digital tools that have helped improve the work of many col leagues in the organisation. The positive at mosphere within the team, which comprises people with over 30 years of experience and colleagues just embarking on their career journeys, is one of the successes that gives me a particular sense of pride. We really are an environment where everyone is welcome and everyone can advance.

Synergy

10 Years Of Creative Mentoring In Serbia

Creative Mentoring, a programme intended for people who shift the boundaries of culture, the arts, the creative industries and the media scene in Serbia and the region, is celebrating its first great jubilee: the completion of the first ten years of its work

Since it was founded back in 2012, Creative Mentoring has matured into a unique regional programme headquartered in Belgrade, which has to date brought together more than 300 participants who today comprise a cultural, creative and artistic network of our country and region.

The main celebration event was held on 22nd October at Belgrade’s Museum of Science and Technology, which is also where it all began, and the celebra tion brought together all participants to date, members of the Advisory and Honorary Council, sponsors and friends of the programme, as well as media representatives.

“In Serbia, the mentoring concept was for many years associated with academic studies and formal education, while - in the context of modern professional train ing - mentoring has become accessible to everyone, depending on their professional objectives. Participants in the Creative Mentoring programme recognised their own need – on their career develop ment path as artists, cultural workers, journalists or cultural creatives – to ac quire certain knowledge that they cannot gain in the spheres of formal education in Serbia, but rather must acquire this knowhow from those who have already traversed the same career path. Through participation in the programme, all men tees receive the opportunity to spend a year working continuously with mentors, experts and professionals from the field in which they want to perfect their skills, which is the reason this programme is so special,” noted programme director Dragana Jevtić.

The mission of this programme, which is completely free of charge for all participants, is to spread the idea of mentoring, to empower individuals to master new knowledge through mentoring discussions, and to support and contribute to the development of the sectors of culture, the arts, the creative industries and the media scene in the country and around the region

The mission of this programme, which is completely free of charge for all partici pants, is to spread the idea of mentoring,

to empower individuals to master new knowledge through mentoring discus sions, and to support and contribute to the development of the sectors of culture, the arts, the creative industries and the media scene in the country and around the region.

The current 6th cycle is also being implemented within regional frameworks, so alongside Serbia there are also partici pants from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro. A large number of the participants represent big names of the local and regional culture, science, busi ness, arts and media scenes.

The work of the Creative Mentoring team is additionally recognised in a broader context, as evidenced through the numerous invitations to provide sup port to the launching and implementing of other mentoring programmes in the region and across Europe.

SEPTEMBER INFLATION IN THE EUROZONE HITS RECORD 9.9 %

Inflation in the Eurozone rose from 9.1 per cent in August to a record 9.9 per cent in September, announced Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. Last month, consumer prices in the EU accelerated their annual growth to 10.9 per cent, compared to 10.1 per cent in August. In September, the lowest annual inflation rates were registered in France (6.2 per cent), Malta (7.4) and Finland (8.4), while the highest rates were recorded in Estonia (24.1), Lithuania (22.5) and Latvia (22). Compared to August, year-on-year inflation fell in six EU member states, remained unchanged in one country, and increased in 20 member states.

FORBES LIST: MUSK THE RICHEST MAN IN AMERICA

The pandemic, the financial crisis and the fall of the market have also affected the richest people in the United States of America, so the 400 richest Americans from the latest Forbes list have a total of 500 billion dollars less than a year ago. Their total net worth is four trillion dollars, which is 11 per cent less than last year. The minimum net worth required to be on the list of the 400 richest Americans also dropped by $200 million to $2.7 bil lion. It’s the first time since the Great Recession that America’s ultra-wealthy are no richer than they were a year ago when net worth is calculated using stock prices as of 2 September 2022. Tesla founder Elon Musk tops the Forbes 400 list for the first time with a net worth of $251 billion. Despite all the turmoil in his professional and personal life, Musk is $60.5 billion richer this year, thanks primarily to an 11 per cent jump in Tesla stock. In this way, he displaced Jeff Bezos from the top position.

WIND AND SUN SAVED THE EUROPEAN UNION 11 BILLION EUROS

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, a record quarter of the total electricity has been produced in the European Union using solar and wind energy, according to a study by the Ember and E3G organizations, noting that the EU saved 11 billion euros that it would have spent on natural gas. From March to September, 24 per cent of all electricity in the EU was pro duced from solar and wind energy, according to the published analysis of non-governmental organizations, and the most electricity was produced in this way by Spain (35 per cent) and Italy (20 per cent).

The amount of electricity produced from these renewable sources was, it is specified, 345 Terawatt hours, with an increase of 39 Terawatt hours compared to the same period last year. In percentage terms, the share of renewable sources in that period in 2021 was 21 per cent.

“When things feel like they are falling apart, they may just be falling into place.” ~ SARA BLAKELY, FOUNDER OF SPANX

ASIA’S ENERGY SUPPLY LOOKS SECURE

As Europe struggles with a power shortage, Asia-Pacific’s power supply remains secure mainly because the region still uses a lot of coal, data has shown. With liquified natural gas supplies in the region redirected to Europe, power generators in Asia not only have less access to LNG but have had to opt out of buying more expensive LNG driven by strong demand in Europe. Europe is struggling with a gas shortage as Russia cuts its supplies, forcing many countries into an energy crisis in the lead-up to winter. The U.K.’s National Grid has warned of possible power cuts. the EU steered away from a proposed price cap on Russian gas as it laid out new measures to tackle high energy prices. Russia had previously said it would halt all fuel supplies to the EU if the bloc imposed these caps, which suppress Russian revenues and the price of commodities.

DIGITAL BANK NUBANK TO LAUNCH ITS OWN CRYPTOCURRENCY IN BRAZIL

The Brazilian digital banking startup Nubank will launch its own crypto currency in the country next year, marking the latest move into digital assets by a large financial institution. Nubank said it will launch the token, called Nucoin, in the first half of 2023. In a press release, the company touts Nucoin as “a new way to recognize customer loyalty and encour age engagement with Nubank products.” Nubank said it plans to offer discounts and other perks to holders of the token. Nubank said it would invite 2,000 customers to take part in a forum group for guiding the development of Nucoin, “adhering to common practices in blockchain projects,” according to the firm. “In this phase, more than feedback, the proposal is to explore a decentralized process of product creation, characteristic of Web3,” Nubank said.

HYUNDAI SAYS U.S.’S NEW EV TAX CREDIT RULES DEAL ‘HUGE’ BLOW TO BUSINESS

Joe Biden administration’s elimination of tax credits for imported electric vehicles deals a massive blow to Hyundai Motor’s business, an executive for the automaker said. Jose Munoz, global president and chief operating officer, declined to disclose a specific financial impact associated with the requirements of the Inflation Reduction Act but described it as a huge blow to the automaker’s bottom line. Hyundai and others are lobbying for some of those requirements to be reversed. Hyundai and other nondomestic automakers have been vocal opponents of the new electric vehicle tax credit regulations under the Inflation Reduction Act. The law, passed by Congress in August, immediately eliminated a tax credit of up to $7,500 for plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles that are imported and sold in the U.S.

“On the distribution of outcomes, there’s a good chance that we have a recession in the United States ” ~ DAVID SOLOMON, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF GOLDMAN SACHS

Against Cancel Culture Rumblings On Rumble’s Battle

The latest news from popular video-sharing platform Rumble is the launch of its new online store dedicated to official Rumble merchandise, Rumble.Store, which is being launched just a month after the platform went public on the Nasdaq Stock Market, under the stock symbol RUM. Here Founder and CEO Chris Pavlovski discusses why he created Rumble and what he believes the future has in store for the platform

Founded

in 2013 as a neutral video platform that strives to create the independent infrastructure intended to render it immune to cancel culture, with the mission of restoring the internet’s roots of free access and openness, Rumble’s popularity initially grew slowly, but in recent years it has become a high-growth platform. This booming popularity prompted it to go public in September, after shareholders of special purpose acquisition company Cantor Fitzgerald Acquisition Corp. VI voted in favour of the move.

Created as an alternative to the globally popular YouTube, Rumble hosts channels for influencers and video content creators who have found themselves censored or kicked off the Google-owned platform, among others.

With a purported 78 million global monthly viewers, Rumble recently announced the launch of exclusive shows from British actor and activist Rus sell Brand and renowned American journalist Glenn Greenwald, though Pavlovski’s personal invitation and offer of $100 million in February this year to Joe Rogan, the world’s number one podcaster, failed to bear fruit. Nonetheless, his free-speech-centric platform does also manage advertising sales for former U.S. President Donald Trump’s platform Truth Social, which Trump founded following his shocking and highly controversial banning from social network company Twitter.

As Pavlovski wrote in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, “Rumble is creating the rails to a new infrastructure that will not be bullied by cancel culture… We are a movement that does not stifle, censor, or punish creativity and freedom of expression.”

As he personally Tweeted in December 2021, “Now more than ever, it’s time to lean in and restore the internet to its roots by making it free and open once again. I am personally committed to this.”

According to The Wall Street Journal, the platform has also gained private financing from conservative venture capitalist Peter Thiel, as well as author and U.S. Senate candidate and “Hillbilly Elegy” author J.D. Vance.

Pavlovski, a Canadian entrepreneur who is also a founder and partner of IT consulting firm Cosmic Development and a former marketing director of space exploration company Next Gi

ant Leap, says that he launched the platform in response to the increasing censoring of free speech on the internet. As he explains, “Rumble is based on a deceptively simple concept: the internet should remain free and open. People should be free to produce and view online content without worrying about censorship or algorithmic manipulation. If someone makes a video that people like, they should have the opportunity to monetise it and build a following. Rumble isn’t in the business of picking which videos succeed and which fail; we simply provide a platform for creators and their audiences. This is how all platforms should work.”

Google’s acquisition of YouTube, back in 2006, shifted the playing field for good. The move led to the rapid, successive collapse of YouTube’s main competitors, including Daily motion and Break.com, which were unable to

cope with the combined might of YouTube and Google, as the world’s dominant search engine.

“I knew then that I wanted to go toe-to-toe against YouTube and inject competition into a monopolistic marketplace,” explains Pavlovski. “That’s why, in 2013, I started Rumble and began building the infrastructure we needed to compete with Big-Tech giants. This wasn’t an easy task, because Big-Tech companies have a huge size and reach advantage. We designed Rumble to focus on a group we thought YouTube and other platforms often overlooked: small creators. We wanted to be a place where creators knew that an algorithm wouldn’t determine the success or failure of their videos.”

The Rumble founder and CEO insists that his platform has no hidden agenda. “We exist to ensure creators have a platform to disseminate their message to those who are interested. Since our founding, we have struck back against Big Tech whenever possible.” The company even sued Google for prioritising YouTube videos in its search algorithm.

“Over the last two years, many creators and users have realised that Rumble is a refuge against cancel culture. We have grown rapidly in size, as media superstars including Dan Bongino and Governor Ron DeSantis have taken Rumble by storm,” says Pavlovski. “Whenever YouTube cancels someone like Dr Rand Paul for com mitting a so-called “thought crime,” we gain momentum and subscribers. We now routinely

People from all walks of life are flocking to Rumble, because it provides them with a place to express their ideas free from arbitrary discrimination or manipulation

set video production and consumption records as we continue expanding.”

Rumble has also been building up its re sources, with German-American billionaire entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and politi cal activist Peter Thiel and American venture capitalist, lawyer and author J.D. Vance having invested substantially in Rumble. The platform also recently acquired subscription-based online platform Locals, which allows users to interact directly with creators. As Pavlovski explains, “our growth has also been physical, as we recently announced our U.S. headquarters in Florida and plan to expand there in the coming months.”

More recently, Rumble entered into a busi ness combination agreement with CF Acquisi tion Corp. VI, with the transactions anticipated by the business agreement closing in the second quarter of 2022, subject to customary closing conditions. This move allowed members of the public to join Rumble in pursuing its mission, while September’s public launch provided the opportunity to access the resources and support required for Rumble to continue building a new economy for, as Pavlovski puts it, “creators and

viewers that emphatically reject Big-Tech’s policies and further our goal of creating a complete cloud infrastructure that protects Rumble and our creators from any retaliation from outside companies.”

And Rumble isn’t stopping there. The company has been generating momentum over the last nine years and the results are now visible for the world to see.

“People from all walks of life are flocking to Rumble, because it provides them with a place to express their ideas free from arbitrary dis crimination or manipulation,” insists Pavlovski.

The latest development is the new Rumble Store. Initially offering a small collection of U.S.-made Rumble t-shirts and hats, in future the store will draw inspiration from creative artists and creators to expand the collection with Rumble-branded essential merchandise and ‘drops’, or limited time offers.

“We are excited to offer our community official Rumble merchandise,” says Pavlovski. “We wanted to design merchandise that our community can wear with pride in support of our collective mission to protect a free and open internet. What you see today is just the beginning of what we envisage as being a col lection of creative pieces inspired by professional designers and creators.”

With no end in sight for the censoring and de-platforming of alternative voices on the largest Big Tech platforms, Rumble has a huge mission ahead in its struggle to make the internet free and open once and for all.

We designed Rumble to focus on a group we thought YouTube and other platforms often overlooked: small creators. We wanted to be a place where creators knew that an algorithm wouldn’t determine the success or failure of their videos

Iarrived at the Cultural Centre of Belgrade immediately after passing the exam for my master’s studies at the University of Arts. I volunteered on a programme that had the goal of improving permanent intercultural dialogue and cooperation at different levels across the Danube Region. We discussed the culture of peace and the peaceful resolution of problems, although in 1990s Yugoslavia they had been resolved in a manner contrary to this idea. That was back in 2003 at the II International Danube Conference, which focused on presenting culture and art as being crucial for a society. So, whether by coincidence or not, this proj ect laid the foundations of my enthusiasm and provided a kind of methodology that I “applied” moving forward.

After volunteering on this project, I spent many years working at the Cultural Centre of Belgrade as an external associate, i.e., as someone engaged under a fixed-term con tract. I collaborated mostly on international

Peaceful Anarchist

I’m a kind of peaceful anarchist and I’m inclined towards the anarchism of Kropotkin, which does not find its moral foundations in holding power over others, in fear of God or masters, but rather in the freedom of the individual and in the understanding of the importance of the well-being of society

programmes, due to my knowledge of differ ent languages, primarily French. In parallel with this, I developed my knowledge through then alternative schools, where one could hear different perspectives of overviewing certain topics and problems compared to the basic education system - in my case, those were cultural studies (Alternative Academic Educational Network (AAOM)) and peace studies, while there were of course more.

I still think that, in a milieu and time in which the producing of feelings of fear and greed is significantly more powerful compared to individual social or cultural values, we mustn’t stop thinking about how each of us can contribute to the wellbeing of the society in which we live and work, with awareness that this sometimes implies an enduring struggle

It’s always interesting when you return to your first works and realise that’s something you’re still doing today, that it marked your life and that there no longer exists the free dom to start from scratch. One must-read, if you haven’t read it already, is the preface written on this topic by Calvino for his book The Path to the Nest of Spiders. And you should naturally also read that book.

My working environment has often been composed of paradoxical constructs, anach ronisms, dualities and inconsistencies that have arisen as a consequence of systems, social changes that we/I and/or institutions found it easier or more difficult to follow, and sometimes couldn’t follow at all. The challenge is to be able to perceive an is sue from perspectives and domains that are relevant to that issue at any moment. I also employed just such an approach when considering the concept of this year’s 59th October Salon, striving to view the exhibition from all areas and perspectives relevant to it and enabling or opening a public space for as many possible voices of artists, po ets, philosophers, theorists, filmmakers, art critics, self-organised groups etc. This would, of course, not have been possible without the collective of the Cultural Centre of Belgrade and those directly included in working on the Salon.

I still think that, in a milieu and time in which the producing of feelings of fear and greed is significantly more powerful com pared to individual social or cultural values, we mustn’t stop thinking about how each of us can contribute to the well-being of the society in which we live and work, with awareness that this sometimes implies an enduring struggle.

An important project that I’m working on in parallel with all my other jobs is related to the collecting and forming of a private library of books and drawings that I’m cre ating together with my children. Reading is important, but conversation is perhaps even more vital, which is why I always like to work with someone.

ZORANA ĐAKOVIĆ MINNITI, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE 59TH OCTOBER SALON AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING AT THE CULTURAL CENTRE OF BELGRADE

For Architecture Lovers The World’s 20 Best Cities

A city can be shaped by many things—its food scene, for example, or abundance of shopping options. But perhaps nothing can define a place quite as distinctly as its architecture. Whether it’s through thoughtful urban planning or adapting to cultural movements, the visual design of a city can transport you through time, while planting you firmly in a very specific place. Need convincing? These are the world’s 20 best cities for architecture, from Brasília to Budapest. This gallery was originally published in 2013. It has been updated with new information.

ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA: ROCOCO

ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA: ROCOCO

The Rococo movement came about in the 18th century in France as a way to fight against the strict, symmetrical Baroque style that came before it. While both movements are known for their richly decorated architecture styles, Rococo has elements all of its own: think curves, pale colors, and secular, light-hearted themes. The style made its way across Europe, where it found favor with the female rulers in St. Petersburg. The Cath erine Palace (commissioned by Catherine I and expanded by her daughter, Empress Elizabeth) is by far the most famous example in the area.

BRASÍLIA, BRAZIL: FUTURISM

When Juscelino Kubitschek became President of Brazil in 1956, he set forth a plan to build a new capital city in the barren center of the country-and thus, Brasília was born. He commissioned architect Oscar Niemeyer to help with the project; within

a matter months, Niemeyer designed residential, commercial, and government buildings for the new town. Chief among them were the National Congress of Brazil, the Cathedral of Brasília, the residence of the President, and the Attorney General’s office (pictured). The buildings-defined by the dynamic lines, use of materials like concrete and glass, and sharp contrasts typical of Futurism (a branch of Modernism)-give Brazil’s capital a true sense of aesthetic unity.

ATHENS, GREECE: CLASSICAL

Visiting the architecture and world-renowned ruins in Athens is like taking a step back in time to ancient Greece, where stonework dates back to 400 BC, temples are held up by centuries-old columns, and sculptures of deities are a common sighting. For perfect examples of Classical architecture, turn to the Temple of Hephaestus, Temple of Olympian Zeus, or the iconic Parthenon (pictured).

Art Nouveau came into fashion in Budapest in the late 19th century to the early 20th century, and the city remains one of the best places to see the architectural style today. One can find curving forms, organic shapes, use of iron and glass, and colorful flourishes all over this stretch of the Danube, including the Gresham Palace, Hotel Gellért and spas (pictured), Museum of Applied Arts, and Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden.

ROME, ITALY: BAROQUE

The Romans were known for being great in novators, so it should come as no surprise that the city of Rome has exemplified and adapted to pretty much every architectural style since the ancient Classical movement (Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance-you name it). Today, the city is one of the biggest centers of 17th-century Baroque architecture, known for its grandiosity,

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY: ART NOUVEAU

BRASÍLIA, BRAZIL: FUTURISM

ATHENS, GREECE: CLASSICAL

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY: ART NOUVEAU

ROME, ITALY: BAROQUE

opulence, and contrast between light and shadow. Visit Rome’s St. Peter’s Square, Santi Luca e Martina, or Trevi Fountain (pictured) to see the dramatic style in person.

HANOI, VIETNAM: FRENCH COLONIAL

As the name suggests, French Colonial is a style of architecture used by the French during colonization. The style is especially prominent in Southeast Asia, as exemplified by the early 20th century buildings in Hanoi. Notable examples include the Presidential Palace (completed in 1906) and the Hanoi Opera House (pictured, completed in 1911), two bright yellow, ornate reminders of French rule in Vietnam.

MIAMI, FLORIDA: ART DECO

Perhaps the most iconic on this list, Miami Beach’s Historic District comprises the largest collection of Art Deco architecture in the world. To transform Miami into an ultramodern and luxury tourist destination during the 1920s and 1930s, architects turned to Deco’s symmetrical and geometrical patterns, floral and animal motifs, and pastel colors to invoke fluidity and move ment, which are synonymous with the city today.

MASON CITY, IOWA: FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT’S PRAIRIE SCHOOL

Inspired by the flat terrain and open sky of the Midwest, Wright’s Prairie School was defined by bold, horizontal lines, low profiles, natural lighting, and an uninterrupted flow within and between interior and exterior spaces. He used this style when designing the Park Inn Hotel

HANOI, VIETNAM: FRENCH COLONIAL

MIAMI, FLORIDA: ART DECO

MASON CITY, IOWA: FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT’S PRAIRIE SCHOOL

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL: BAUHAUS

(pictured here) in 1910 and G.C. Stockman’s house in 1908; neighbors (and some copycat architects) followed suit, which is why this small Iowa town has one of the largest collections of Prairie-style homes in the world.

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL: BAUHAUS

Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Tel Aviv’s “White City” contains 4,000 Inter national Style buildings, many of which were built in the 1930s and ‘40s. To accommodate the influx of Jewish immigrants fleeing Europe, German Bauhaus-trained architects integrated the modern style’s affordable and functional building techniques with curved lines and a colour wellsuited for the Mediterranean climate to create a habitable city by the sea.

BARCELONA, SPAIN: CATALAN MODERNISM

Taking cues from modern Gothic and oriental techniques, the early-19th-century Catalan ar chitect Antoni Gaudí wanted to create organic, urban spaces in the city he loved. A walk around Barcelona leads you through the largest concen tration of his signature ceramic and stained-glass mosaics, as well as his undulating stonework and ironwork, which include Park Güell and culmi nate in his unfinished masterpiece La Sagrada Família (pictured).

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: AMERICAN ARTS & CRAFTS

The early-20th-century American Arts & Crafts movement, whose ideals rest on hardwoods and artisanal handcrafting, found a natural home in the timber country of the Pacific Northwest. No where are Craftsman bungalows more prominent than in West Seattle, home to the landmarked Bloss House (pictured here), and in Seattle’s Queen Anne district, where the movement’s simple construction, balanced proportions, and matching gardens provided a sweet departure from the ornate Victorians of that era.

CHANDIGARH, INDIA: MID-CENTURY MODERNISM

Shortly after India’s 1947 partition, Prime Minister J. Nehru tasked Swiss modernist architect Le Corbusier with designing an organized, progressive city: one that would break from past traditions from the ground up. Its planned supergrid, ex posed masonry and concrete, and the eccentric sculpture-work that peppers Chandigarh has

made the city a study for planning and design students around the world. Pictured here is the Punjab and Haryana High Court by Le Corbusier.

FLORENCE, ITALY: RENAISSANCE

It’s hard to escape Renaissance aesthetics in Florence, the birthplace of the late-14th-century movement. The era’s embellished but symmetrical and geometrical structures-columns and domesand emphasis on realism and the human form departed from the irregular and severe lines of the Medieval period. They’re most visible at Florence’s Duomo and Basilica of Santa Maria Novella.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY: BYZANTINE/OTTOMAN

A historic crossroads of culture and design, Is tanbul’s landscape provides a prominent display of its two conquering empires. Travelers needn’t look farther than the Hagia Sophia mosque for the aesthetics central to both: the Byzantine dome and coloured mosaics, and the Ottoman minarets and Islamic calligraphy.

BARCELONA, SPAIN: CATALAN MODERNISM

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: AMERICAN ARTS & CRAFTS

CHANDIGARH, INDIA: MID-CENTURY MODERNISM

FLORENCE, ITALY: RENAISSANCE

COLUMBUS, INDIANA: MODERNISM AND POST-MODERNISM

Columbus, Indiana has a population of only 44,000, but it’s a surprising trove of Modern ism: The town claims more than 70 buildings designed by star architects, including I.M. Pei, Eero Saarinen, and Richard Meier. Credit for this belongs to philanthropist and architecture lover J. Irwin Miller, who, in the 1950s through 1960s, commissioned a revamping of the local

churches, public buildings, and his own estate, leading the American Institute of Architects to rank Columbus sixth in the nation in architec tural innovation and design. (Pictured here is the North Christian Church.)

DITMAS PARK, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: VICTORIAN

The hundreds of free-standing 1900s Victorian single-family mansions transport visitors to an other time and city, when developer Lewis Pounds

helped create an ornate, middle-class pocket south of Prospect Park (on farmland previously owned by the Van Ditmarsen family), replete with wraparound porches and manicured lawns.

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: CONTEMPORARY

Over the course of ten years, Dubai’s landscape has transformed. Home to the world’s tallest building, a seven-star hotel (the Burj al Arab), and the only man-made archipelago modeled after the seven

ISTANBUL, TURKEY: BYZANTINE/OTTOMAN

DITMAS PARK, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: VICTORIAN

COLUMBUS, INDIANA: MODERNISM AND POST-MODERNISM

continents, Dubai’s development has lured top contemporary architects like Zaha Hadid and Rem Koolhaas to feed into its outdoor design frenzy.

MARRAKECH, MOROCCO: MOORISH ARCHITECTURE

The presence of riads, palaces with interior court yards and gardens and open skylights, are specific to Morocco and essential to Islamic design be cause of their emphasis on privacy. The lack of street-level windows and the use of clay walls also lends to the feeling of intimacy and grace. The density of Marrakech’s riads-combined with the city’s mosques, minarets, and mosaics-makes it an exceptional place to view the Moorish architecture of the 12th to 17th centuries.

OXFORD, ENGLAND: GOTHIC REVIVAL

Poet Matthew Arnold once called Oxford the “city of the dreaming spires.” Taking notes from earlier Medieval stonework, the towers of Oxford’s

mid-19th-century Gothic Revival skyline define the city, embedding it with a sense of gravity and academic prowess-just like its namesake university.

PORTLAND, OREGON: GREEN ARCHITECTURE

Although Chicago has the most LEED-accredited buildings in the U.S., Portland, Oregon, whose population is a quarter of the size, has the sixth highest number, making it the city with the high est concentration of green buildings. In addition, zoning regulations that preserve urban agricultural spaces, a bike-friendly layout, and energy-efficient homes whose designs take on organic shapes and materials make Portland-along with the design firms it is home to-a leader in sustainable architecture. www.cntraveler.com

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: CONTEMPORARY

MARRAKECH, MOROCCO: MOORISH ARCHITECTURE

PORTLAND, OREGON: GREEN ARCHITECTURE

OXFORD, ENGLAND: GOTHIC REVIVAL

General of Europa Nostra

Europa Nosta will next year celebrate the 60th anniversary of our joint action for a common cause. Over the years, the voice of Europa Nostra has become very influential and very well respected. Most people and authorities seek to be praised and applauded by Europa Nostra rather than criticised over erroneous policies and actions that are detrimental to our cultural or natural heritage ~ Sneška QuaedvliegMihailović

By decree of French President Em manuel Macron, the medal of the National Order of the Legion of Honour in the rank of knight was re cently pinned on the chest of Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović. She thus received recogni tion for her many decades of commitment “in the service of European integration through culture”.

“With you, dear Sneška, the Seine has never been so close to the Sava and the Danube. Your life’s path is the path of a convinced European,” said French Ambassador Pierre Cochard when presenting this great accolade to her.

A native Belgrader, Mrs Quaedvlieg-Mihailović says that she grew up listening to lullabies that her mother Radmila (née Petronijević) would sing to her in French. The relationship between the Mihailovićs and France dates back to 1914,

TOGETHER WE CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS

when the grandfather of CorD’s interlocutor was a teenager evacuated from the war-torn Serbia to France, only to return years later as a lawyer. Sneška Mihailović herself arrived in France many years later, where – after having completed her studies at the Faculty of Law in Belgrade – she enrolled in specialist studies in European law and politics in the city of Nancy. A fateful encounter with a Dutchman would take her to The Hague, where she would devote herself passionately not only to her family – her son and daughter – but also to her work at Europa Nostra, a pan-European Federation for Cultural Heritage. She says that this civil society organisation is a “wonderful European multi-cultural space without frontiers which - in a certain way - has taken the place of Yugoslavia in her soul”.

Sneška recalls that her first task at Europa Nostra was to write a resolution condemning the bombing of Dubrovnik. Four years ago, at the invitation of French President Macron, she participated in a working group tasked with defining the cultural dimension of the European project. Three years ago, on behalf of Europa Nostra, she raised her voice against the threats to the integrity and authenticity of the Belgrade Fortress, while last year this organisation placed the Kosovo’s Visoki Dečani Monastery in Kosovo on the list of Europe’s seven most endangered cultural monuments.

In late October you were presented with the medal of the Legion of Honor, a major French distinction, in recognition of your dedication to European values and the nurturing of culture as a fundamental value. What does this accolade mean to you?

Of course, it is a source of pride and a great honour, but also it gives me a huge sense of respon sibility. I am particularly proud that I received the Legion d’Honneur from President Macron, a leader I appreciate greatly and have also had the honour and great pleasure of meeting in person several times. President Macron is a strong advocate of culture and cultural heritage, both in France and across Europe. His first major speech on Europe was given in September 2017 in Athens, when he spoke very inspirationally, with the Acropolis as the backdrop, about our common cultural heritage as something that represents the foundation of the entire European integration process. Five years on, the slogan of this year’s French Presidency

By Ljubica Gojgić

of the EU was “relance, puissance, appartenance” (revival, power, belonging). The term “belonging”

actually implies a significantly greater investment in culture, cultural heritage and education, as the most important levers for strengthening links between citizens across the wider European community.

I perceive this Legion d’Honneur as a rec ognition of my life-long engagement for cultural heritage and for Europe, and this in the framework of a leading European civil society organisation, Europa Nostra, in close collaboration with French organisations, both public and private, that are active in the field of cultural heritage. It confirms that France, as a leading EU country, attaches great importance to these values. Given my love for the French language and culture, dating back to the earliest days of my youth, receiving such a high distinction from France means a lot to me.

You’ve spent more than 30 years dedicated to your work at the Europa Nostra organisation, which is said to be “the European voice of civil society committed to cultural heritage”, and have served as its secretary general for more than two decades. Do you generally believe in the power of the voice of citizens? How powerful is Europa Nostra?

I believe passionately in the power of citizens and civil society organisations to move mountains and successfully defend common causes and the public interest. We are always stronger and better together. That is why I have dedicated my whole life to building bridges between people, organisa tions, cultures, communities, countries. If we are fragmented, we are weak, but if we join forces,

Photo: FelixQMedia

WITH HUSBAND WINAND QUAEDVLIEG

FRENCH AMBASSADOR PIERRE COCHARD PRESENTS THE NATIONAL ORDER OF THE LEGION OF HONOUR TO SNEŠKA, IN THE PRESENCE OF EU DELEGATION HEAD EMANUELE GIAUFRET

I believe in the beauty and richness of multiple identities. I am a proud native of the city of Belgrade, one of Europe’s great, historic cities. I was brought up in a country that no longer exists – Yugoslavia, but the good memory of my Yugoslav youth will always be part of me

we become more impactful and influential. All over Europe, I have seen so many examples of successful campaigns led by visionary and gener ous personalities, supported by imaginative and effective civil society organisations: associations or foundations. The greatest achievements with regard to the safeguarding of cultural heritage have been initiated by civil society organisations, and subsequently embraced and supported by public authorities at all levels of governance. The power of Europa Nostra lies precisely in the “power of example” of our members, partners and supporters. We will next year celebrate the 60th anniversary of our joint action for a common cause. Over the years, the voice of Europa Nostra has become very influential and very well respected. Most people and authorities seek to be praised and applauded by Europa Nostra rather than criticised over er roneous policies and actions that are detrimental to our cultural or natural heritage.

We live at a time that is often described as a period in which the interests of the individual have precedence over those of the collective, when people live for the present moment with out attaching value to our past. In this context, from the perspective of Europa Nostra, how strong is the awareness of the importance of preserving Europe’s cultural heritage? In which countries is it imperilled and where is it most carefully preserved; and on whom does that depend decisively?

Over the last 60 years, public awareness of the importance of cultural heritage - not only for experts, but for citizens and their communities in particular - has increased immensely across Europe. And Europa Nostra has contributed to this vital process. During the last 30 years, together with other European networks that have joined forces to form a European Heritage Alliance, itself founded in 2011, we have been successful in placing cultural heritage higher on the political agenda of the European Union and other European and international organisations. The European Year of Cultural Heritage in 2018 was a particularly important milestone that cul minated with the adoption of a very ambitious European Framework for Action for Cultural Heritage, which promotes a holistic approach to cultural heritage; a future-oriented approach that recognises cultural heritage not as a burden or merely a cost, but rather as a vital resource for

enhancing quality of life and living for citizens of Europe, while promoting truly sustainable forms of development of our society and economy. Of course, so much more needs to be done, especially today – when Europe and the world are facing so many threats and emergencies: from the sanitary barrier caused by the pandemic to the climate emergency. The threats to democracies and the rule of law are also posing a significant threat to the protection of cultural heritage. Last but not least, the brutal Russian aggression in Ukraine

is also targeting cultural heritage sites; this has triggered a large solidarity movement from our members and the European Union.

A delegation of Europa Nostra went to Ko sovo this summer, where you visited the Visoki Dečani Monastery complex, which features on Europa Nostra’s list - for 2021 - as one of the seven most endangered sites of Europe’s cultural heritage. Following this visit, your delegation concluded that all the reasons that led you to consider Dečani as being endangered are still valid. What contributed the most to such a conclusion being drawn?

Europa Nostra decided to include Visoki Dečani Monastery on our 2021 List of the seven most endangered monuments and sites in Eu rope. In addition to security issues and the legal problem regarding the failure to implement the Constitutional Court Decision on the return of 24 hectars of land to the monastery, the trigger for this inclusion was the increasing pressure on the monastery with regard to the planned construc tion of an International road that would inevitably increase (heavy) traffic that passes very close to its walls. According to the usual procedure, following the inclusion of any site on our 7 ME list, experts of Europa Nostra and EIBI visited Dečani and are currently preparing a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations. During this

We are extremely proud that such world-renowned opera stars have accepted to place their fame and reputation at the service of promoting the mission and action of Europa Nostra. For us, both Plácido Domingo and Cecilia Bartoli are true personifications of the spirit of Europa Nostra

Photo: Marco Borrelli

PLÁCIDO DOMINGO, OUTGOING PRESIDENT OF EUROPA NOSTRA AND CECILIA BARTOLI, INCOMING PRESIDENT OF EUROPA NOSTRA, WITH HERMANN PARZINGER, EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT OF EUROPA, AND SNEŠKA QUAEDVLIEG-MIHAILOVIĆ, SECRETARY GENERAL OF EUROPA NOSTRA, IN SALZBURG ON 6 JUNE 2022

PLÁCIDO DOMINGO, OUTGOING PRESIDENT OF EUROPA NOSTRA, QUAEDVLIEG-MIHAILOVIĆ, SECRETARY GENERAL OF EUROPA NOSTRA, IN SALZBURG ON 6TH JUNE 2022

visit, we held many talks with representatives of the international community, including the Com mander of KFOR, representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Mayor of the Municipality of Dečani, the Kosovo Minister responsible for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure and the Kosovo Minister for Culture, Youth and Sport. Following these talks, we confirmed that, the reasons for the inclusion of Visoki Dečani Monastery on our List remained valid.

From the moment your concerns over Visoki Dečani Monastery were first announced, your organisation has been the target of criticism from the government in Pristina. You also visited Pristina this summer, but it seems that there was no rapprochement of stances on the issue of relations towards this monastery complex of the Serbian Orthodox Church?

Indeed, the Kosovo authorities criticised our decision to include Visoki Dečani Monastery on our 7 Most Endangered List. We have listened to their arguments and shall refer to them in our report, but we could not accept their appeal to remove the monastery from our list without prior substantial improvement of the situation. We shall continue to deal with this case as long as we believe that this site is endangered. We, of course, retain hope that open issues will be solved in the foreseeable future. If there is good political

will, these issues can be resolved easily.

Did you manage, either as an organisation or personally, to establish cooperation with someone responsible for the protection of cultural heritage in Serbia, with the government, the Ministry of Cul ture, the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts?

We have established a fruitful dialogue with the National Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments and its director and experts. We have heard their views and shall also refer to them in our report. We look forward to continuing this dialogue,

and also to expanding it to other relevant bodies, from the government to the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts.

Given your familiarity with European in stitutions, where you worked at one time, do you think the EU can help when it comes to protecting Visoki Dečani Monastery?

All international and European players, includ ing the European Union, are fully aware of the fact that, for many years already, Visoki Dečani Monastery has been held hostage by the ongoing political tensions and the unresolved status of Ko sovo. They would all like to see a breakthrough in the current deadlock. Concerning the EU, we had good and open talks with the EU Ambassador in Pristina and also with Miroslav Lajčak in Brussels. They are keen to read our recommendations. We firmly believe that the EU could, and should, do more as a mediator and key international player in the region to broker some encouraging progress in the much-needed constructive dialogue between all parties concerned, including the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Kosovo authorities.

This is an opportunity to note that major names in European culture also participate in the work of Europa Nostra.The current president is Italian opera diva Cecilia Bartoli. Could you tell us something about your cooperation and

(MAY 2019) PRESENTATION OF THE EUROPA NOSTRA MAGAZINE (EUROPE SPECIAL ISSUE) TO PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON AT ELYSÉE PALACE IN PARIS, TOGETHER WITH JORGE CHAMINÉ (RIGHT) AND LAURENT LÉVI-STRAUSS (LEFT)

(JANUARY 2016) PRESENTATION OF THE EU/EUROPA NOSTRA AWARD TO HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES - NOW HM KING CHARLES III - FOR THE EXEMPLARY REVITALISATION OF THE MIDDLEPORT POTTERY (STOKE-ON-TRENT) BY THE PRINCE’S REGENERATION TRUST

It is a source of pride and a great honour, but also it gives me a huge sense of responsibility.

I am particularly proud that I received the Legion d’Honneur from President Macron, a leader I appreciate greatly and have also had the honour and great pleasure of meeting in person several times

friendship with famous tenor Plácido Domingo, who is today your honorary president?

We are extremely proud that such worldrenowned opera stars have accepted to place their fame and reputation at the service of promoting the mission and action of Europa Nostra. For us, both Plácido Domingo and Cecilia Bartoli are true personifications of the spirit of Europa Nostra. They sing our cultural heritage in extraor dinary, historic, opera theatres, concert halls or heritage sites. I have had the great honour and joy of working with Maestro Plácido Domingo as President of Europa Nostra during a ten-year period. He is a great artist, a living legend, a force of nature, but he is also a wonderful and generous human being. His annual attendance at our European Heritage Awards Ceremonies across Europe has left a mark on us all. As soon as he comes on stage, you feel very special vibes of a true giant and genius of European opera. I was very happy that, during these 10 years, I was able to hear my president singing in my native Belgrade twice, in 2014 and also last year. After two mandates as president, Plácido Domingo decided to pass the torch to a worthy younger

successor. We could not have found a better person than the fabulous Cecilia Bartoli to become our new president. She was appointed last May and we organised a memorable inauguration event on

of Europa Nostra

6th June in Salzburg, following a fantastic concert at which Bartoli invited Domingo to perform as her special guest. We now look forward to promoting the cause of Europa Nostra under her inspiring leadership.

Displayed beside your name and surnames on the website of Europa Nostra stand markings of two countries: Serbia and the Netherlands. You come from Serbia and your family lives in the Netherlands. How important is it for you that they both be known?

I believe in the beauty and richness of mul tiple identities. I am a proud native of the city of Belgrade, one of Europe’s great, historic cities. I was brought up in a country that no longer exists – Yugoslavia, but the good memories of my Yugoslav youth will always be part of me. I am a convinced and passionate European who has dedicated my life to the cause of Europa Nostra, a wonderful European multicultural space and family without boundaries. In my soul and in my spirit it is Europa Nostra that has taken the place of my country of origin, Yugoslavia. Today I hold two nationalities, Dutch and Serbian, and I am an equally proud citizen of these two European countries. I always insist on indicating these two allegiances in any public communication. How I wish I could be equally proud of the level of respect of fundamental values and the rule of law, as well as the quality of care for cultural and natural heritage both in the Netherlands and in Serbia today…

Visiting Kalemegdan this summer, you gave support to activists who are drawing attention to the fact that announced urban projects fail to respect the specificities and importance of preserving the Belgrade Fortress as a historic ensemble. And Europa Nostra has also spoken out, calling for the abandoning of the plan to instal a cable car connecting Kalemegdan and the Ušće confluence of the rivers Sava and Danube.

As you know, Europa Nostra published a thorough report back in July 2019 clearly stating that the proposed cable car project was incom patible with the law and also incompatible with the aspiration of the inscription of the Belgrade Fortress on the World Heritage List, as part of the large transnational nomination related to the Roman Limes. We have communicated

Indeed, the Kosovo authorities criticised our decision to include Visoki Dečani Monastery on our 7 Most Endangered List for 2021. We have listened to their arguments and shall refer to them in our report, but we could not accept their appeal to remove the monastery from our list without prior substantial improvement of the situation

EUROPA NOSTRA DELEGATION DURING THE VISIT TO DEČANI MONASTERY IN JULY 2022

this report to all relevant authorities, including the Prime Minister of Serbia. Since we have not received any response, we have included the Belgrade Fortress on our 2020 List of the 7 Most Endangered Sites. Time is passing and we have not yet received any clear sign from the authori ties that this harmful and meaningless project has been abandoned. On the contrary, the new Mayor of Belgrade still does not rule out that the cable car will be constructed. Fortunately, very recently, the Anti-corruption Council published a very serious and detailed report demonstrating a series of irregularities related to this controversial project and clearly concluding that it has to be cancelled. The report duly refers to the campaign against the cable car project led by Europa Nostra, through the decisive leadership of our country representation in Serbia. The current director of the National Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments also shares our view that giving the permission to build the cable car on the Belgrade Fortress would be a mistake. In light of all the aforementioned, I remain strongly convinced that the cable car project will not be constructed. However, our “battle” to defend the Belgrade Fortress cannot stop there. We are facing other serious threats to the integrity and authenticity of the unique built and natural heritage ensemble of the Belgrade Fortress, together with the Kalemegdan Park. As you know, while we were campaigning against the cable car project, behind our back the K-District was built in the protective zone of the Belgrade Fortress. The construction of the K-District on that location is simply a crime. Permission should never have been given to construct such a large and invasive real-estate development in such a prominent location, between the fortress and the Danube. No one serious and honest can claim the contrary. The K-District will be remembered as a “monument” of the negative consequences of the so-called “investitorski urbanizam” and of the deplorable lack of respect for the rule of law in Serbia today. We must therefore exert further efforts in advocating for the need for a holistic and integrated plan for the revitalisation of the Belgrade Fortress, to be implemented on the bases of high-quality principles, hopefully with the invaluable help of EU funds, with the aim of enhancing the priceless cultural heritage of Belgrade Fortress and safeguarding its histori cal memory, as well as its outstanding natural

location. All this is in the interest of present and future generations of all citizens and visitors

of Belgrade, and also of all citizens of Serbia and Europe as a whole. No further sacrifice or compromise can be made on that front. Any further real-estate development, including sports terrains, should find another appropriate loca tion. Our love for sport, and especially tennis, cannot prevail over such an important public interest and common good as the safeguard of the Belgrade Fortress. Let us never forget and be inspired by the legendary words pronounced by Major Dragutin Gavrilović, 100 years ago, when he spoke to the defenders of Belgrade: “Obraz Beograda, naše prestonice, ima da bude svetao!” (The honour of Belgrade, our capital city must not be stained!) I hope to have the opportunity to meet the new Mayor of Belgrade in the near future, in order to convey this vital message to him. Call me an idealist and an optimist, but I am strongly convinced that if we join local, national and European voices and forces to save the integrity of Belgrade Fortress and revitalise it, we will soon also be able to together celebrate an important victory of citizens for citizens: the proud inscription of the Belgrade Fortress on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Call me an idealist and an optimist, but I am strongly convinced that if we join local, national and European voices and forces to save the integrity of Belgrade Fortress and revitalise it, we will soon also be able to together celebrate an important victory of citizens for citizens: the proud inscription of the Belgrade Fortress on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

THE BELGRADE FORTRESS WAS INCLUDED ON EUROPA NOSTRA’S 7 MOST ENDANGERED LIST FOR 2020

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National Day of Spain was celebrated in Belgrade, hosted by the Embassy of Spain in Serbia. The Embassy of Spain, led by Ambassador H.E. Raul Bartolome Molina hosted the event at the Hyatt Hotel. The Spanish ambassador, in his speech, said that the Ukrainian people can count on complete support and solidarity. “We will organize a SpanishSerbian economic forum in November in Belgrade that will connect business men and entrepreneurs from our two countries,” said Ambassador.

IWC Charity Bazaar 2022

25 embassies participated in this year’s Charity Bazaar and offered products characteristic of the countries they come from. All proceeds from the sale of tickets and raffle tickets will be paid to the IWC charity account and donated to the vulnerable population in Serbia, which is still suffering from the harmful consequences of the pandemic. The Charity Bazaar was officially opened by Mrs Eun Hai Kim, president of IWC Belgrade, and minister Darija Kisic Tepavcevic.

The Embassy Of Morocco Organized An Exhibition Marking an Important Anniversary

Marking the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Kingdom of Morocco, the Embassy of Morocco in Serbia organized an exhibition at the premises of the Archives of Yugoslavia. The exhibition of documents and photographs entitled “Belgrade – Rabat 65 years of diplomatic relations 1957-2022” was organized in the light of the celebration of the “Year of Morocco in Serbia”.

Borge Brende, Ana Brnabic Open “The Future of Biotechnology” Conference

“The Future of Biotechnology” conference was held today at the Palace of Serbia in Belgrade, and it was officially opened by the President of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, Ana Brnabić and the President of the World Economic Forum, Borge Brende. The conference was organized by the Government of the Republic of Serbia in cooperation with the World Economic Forum and with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

Embassy Of Japan Honored Prof. Dr Ljiljana Marković

Ambassador of Japan in Ser bia H.E. Katsumata Takahiko ceremoniously presented the Order of the Rising Sun to Prof. Dr Ljiljana Marković. Professor Ljiljana Marković received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, as a foreign citizen “For exceptional con tribution in establishing and improving friendly relations with Japan.”

Sneška Kvadvlih –Mihailović Awarded Order Of The Légion d’Honneur

At a reception in the French Embassy, the Ambassador of France to Serbia, Pierre Cochard, presented the highest French decoration - the national order of the Legion of Honor, in the rank of knight, to Sneška Kvaedvlieg - Mihailović, the general secre tary of Europa Nostra. Sneška QuaedvliegMihailović dedicated her life to promoting and defending common European values and common cultural heritage.

21/10/2022

The 77th Anniversary Of The UN In Serbia Marked

On the occasion of the 77th anniversary of the United Nations, the UN in Serbia, together with the Government of the Republic of Serbia, organized the Music for Peace concert, in order to show together that it is necessary to advocate for peace, respect for diversity and solidarity among citizens, communi ties and nations. This unique event brought together more than 15 talented artists, from different cultural, social and national backgrounds, from 10 countries of the Balkans and the world for a unique performance in Belgrade, calling for peace throughout the world.

National Day Of Austria

The Embassy of Austria in Serbia cel ebrated the national day of this country, marking the country’s declaration of permanent neutrality after World War II and its regained status as an independ ent and sovereign nation on 26 October 1955. The reception was attended by members of the Serbian government, the diplomatic community and other friends and partners of the Embassy.

Ambassador of Austria H.E. Christian Ebner in his speech said that strong friendship unites Austria and Serbia.

26/10/2022

National Day Of The Czech Republic

The Embassy of the Czech Re public hosted a reception marking the national day of this country.

Ambassador H.E. Tomáš Kuchta greeted guests in his speech, not ing the strong ties between our two countries. The event was held at the Embassy’s premises and at tended by many members of the diplomatic community.

Can Europe Become Climate Neutral By 2050?

The European Commission plays an important role in promoting European interests that extend beyond the national interests of individual member states. The climate change challenge represents one of the most pressing contemporary global crises. Agenda 2050 on sustainable development is a bold and ambitious vision set forth by the European Commission for a climate neutral Europe that may also serve as a normative model globally

Based on the international debate on climate change dating back to the early 1990s and moving for ward, the European Union and its member states have sought to pursue the role of international leader on sustainable development. The international political process of the 1992 UN Framework Con vention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement (COP21) and the 2015 special United Nations Summit resulted in the EU declaring a climate neutral Europe by 2050. The European Commission Communication A Clean Planet for all—A European strategic long-term vision for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate neutral economy, was endorsed by the European Council in 2019 (Finnish Government, 2019).

The EU’s ambitions on climate change and sustainable development have been contextualised by numerous challenges. The power politics of China and Russia on security and economy, the global rise of emerging economic powers, the economic and financial recession, migration, Brexit and right-wing populism have all led to po larisation within and between EU member states, bringing into question the overall international power of the EU.

The European Commission plays a unique and important formal role within the EU as an embedded driving force to promote Europe an norms and values beyond the interests of individual member states. The Commission’s role is to act as the promoter of the European common good and to transform challenges into a window of opportunity during times of crises. In this context, Agenda 2050 is a bold and ambitious vision of the European Commission for a climate neutral Europe, but it may also serve as a normative model for the rest of the world.

One point that’s often missing in the climate change debate is the role of gov ernance institutions in promoting sustain able development. In Europe, the European Commission pursues the role of promoting the overall interests of the EU in relation to its member states by proposing European laws, safeguarding EU treaties by ensuring that member states follow EU legislation, acting as an executive body to handle policies and the annual budget, and by representing the EU in external relations to third party

states. The European Commission is also in an institutional relation to a large group of EU member states that pursue a high level of capabilities. The role of the European Commission, as an engine driving devel opment within the EU, could therefore be very influential provided member states are convinced to act together to tackle climate change.

The European Commission has the formal role of acting as a policy entrepreneur within EU structures and with the duty to represent European norms and values beyond individual member states’ interests. The European Commissions’ track-record of the 1990s and early 2000s shows how the Commission has also managed to place democratic, market-oriented and social issues on the official agenda, compelling some scholars to argue for an EU normative power. More recently, the European Commission has also begun to push for sustainable development within EU member states. The EU began to push for sustainable development in the

to humankind, but also how such global and European challenge could become a window of opportunity for European transformation and progress (European Commission, 2019). The Commission declared Agenda 2050 as the roadmap to making Europe a climate neutral continent. Again, the Commission called on all European actors in the politi cal, economic and civil society domains to commit to such a European path and come together to transform into a prosperous and cleaner Europe. Agenda 2050 included several crucial strategic areas in energy efficiency, the deployment of renewables, clean and safe mobility to achieve a climate neutral Europe.

Agenda 2050 addressed the nexus be tween the contemporary challenges of climate change and socioeconomic growth by highlighting the strategic importance of innovations and technological solutions to become a dynamic and greener economy. The Commission specifically urged the re-directing of private capital to sustainable investments, setting up one classification system on sustainable economic activities, regulating and legislating on low-carbon benchmarks, establishing a carbon pricing system, taxing environmental impacts and increasing levels of investment in research and innovation to promote zero-carbon solutions for a greener economy.

Treaty of Amsterdam, with the objective of promoting a European socioeconomic model of economic growth, price stability, full employment and social inclusiveness, along with protection of the environment. Since then, sustainable development has been mainstreamed into EU policies, legisla tions, norms and values, while the European Commission has stressed its ambition to become a frontrunner on promoting and protecting sustainable development.

On 11th December 2019, the European Com mission presented the Communication ‘The European Green Deal’ as a guiding roadmap to further promote sustainable development. The Commission highlighted the ambition to become the leading actor in the world and for Europe to become the first climate neutral continent by 2050. The Commission stressed climate change and related climate and envi ronmental challenges as being fundamental

Agenda 2050 also set out how a greener economy will create new jobs and employ ment opportunities, but how such sustain able development in the economic sector will, in the short run, provide challenges and changes in societies that have been dependent on coal- and carbon-intensive growth. Europe’s industrialised regions will see fundamental structural changes, with such a transformation set to impact societies and citizens. It is therefore crucial for the EU to be ready to mitigate possible negative effects on citizens and societies when developing into a green economy. Such mitigation should include increased support to social protection systems, education, training and lifelong learning.

Agenda 2050 sheds light on the impor tance of including and empowering European citizens in the transformation to a greener economy. The European Commission stresses that citizens are consumers and therefore powerful actors in the process of sustaina

A genda 2050 is a bold and ambitious vision of the European Commission for a climate neutral Europe, but it may also serve as a normative model for the rest of the world

ble development to a net-zero greenhouse gas economy. Consumers could, through the purchasing of sustainable products and services, exert strategic pressure on companies and industries to be part of the climate-adjusted changes.

Sustainable development is an important norm within the EU-system of governance and is pushed for by the Commission in all recent strategic Communications, such as Europe 2020 and Agenda 2050. Europe 2020—A Strategy for Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth represented a strategic response to the global recession of 2008 and moving forward, calling for a European partnership between EU institutions, mem ber states, regional and local authorities and the private sector to address the economic and social crisis. It represents the European partnership aimed at promoting smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Almost every objective set out in the Europe 2020 strategy had been fulfilled by 2020. This required serious transformative reforms within EU member states.

The EU now faces further reforms to meet the objectives set out in Agenda 2050. The role of the European Commission must remain the same as in previous work under taken for Europe 2020. The EU Commission plays a crucial role within the EU if the EU is to become a normative, sustainable power in 2050. There are, however, both economic and political hindrances that are addressed in numerous academic studies. One economic challenge is the long-term economic reces sion that hit Europe in 2008 and beyond. This crisis challenged the EU, together with its individual member states, regions and communities, and the socioeconomic damage is still troublesome across Europe, in the form of high unemployment rates and social marginalisation in many EU countries. The economic crisis required immediate political and financial assistance to EU member states from other EU member states, the European Central Bank (ECB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The crisis also high lighted the challenge of Europe’s economic structural weakness in a low average growth rate, low levels of investments in research and development, limited digitalisation and a weak business environment with serious obstacles in finding risk capital. The economic crisis shed light on the challenge of moving

Sustainable development has been mainstreamed into EU policies, legislations, norms and values, while the European Commission has stressed its ambition to become a frontrunner on promoting and protecting sustainable development

away from the narrow focus on development in terms of growth and jobs by addressing rising public concerns over clean energy, climate change and the sustainable use of resources that allow Europe to transform into a sustainable carbon-free economy. In times of economic dire straits, rising nationalism is also a major concern for the European Commission. A decade of economic recession has led to increased economic nationalism and reduced interest in helping out among member states. This is a concern for the Commission, which seeks solutions

that extend beyond the individual interests of member states.

Another challenge that’s often cited in the literature is political in the complex system of EU governance. The Commission has continued to call for stronger cohesiveness within the Union to act as a unified social and economic actor with improved steering and coordination of member states’ policies and reforms. It has also been argued that the EU member states must implement essential policies to promote sustainable develop ment, but that requires the overcoming of member-states’ differences in political cultures and disparities regarding socioec onomic resources, knowhow, productivity and growth levels. There have also been discussions on the capacity of the EU to implement coherent actions to avoid mem ber states’ safeguarding their own national interest to the detriment of others. These economic and political hindrances are real and must be overcome by the Commission if it is to realise its role as provider of the European common good in a sustainable continent by 2050.

We Have Chosen The Path Of Excellence

In the wave of globalisation and technological development, it is becoming clear that the public sector is not enough to solve the challenges of social sustainability, so in addition to its traditional focus on profitability, the corporate sector is devoting itself to business sustainability. Business sustainability strategies are becoming the gold standard of responsible corporations and investors, and PPF Telco Group is no exception

According to HR direc tor Nada Rajčić, CETIN strives to invest efforts and resources in those fields where it can make the greatest difference: sustainable technology, employee well-being, environmental protection, transparent behaviour and business integrity.

In a new Report on sustainable business at PPF Telco Group, there is a major focus on the CETIN Group, which owns critical communication infrastructure - an optical network, radio base stations and data centres, from the Czechia through Hungary and Serbia to Bulgaria. How have you defined your priorities and what goals did you set for yourself?

Working on a report on sustainable business means that we learn about our business and the environment from a new angle, we establish a management and monitoring sys tem based on real data, so that we set ourselves achievable goals and continuously improve ourselves along the way.

An accessible and reliable net work for everyone is our imperative. Over 96% of the population is al ready covered by 4G technology. We are facing modernization of the network, construction of 5G tech nology and regular recertification of standards of information securi ty, data privacy and business resil

Our business sustainability strategy brings new obligations to our daily work, but it motivates us to contribute to the development and preservation of society, to take care of ourselves and others

ience. This year, we have ensured that all our network equipment and infrastructure use only electricity from renewable sources. Next year we will install solar systems on base stations to further reduce our carbon footprint.

The inclusive development and well-being of our 300 employeesis the key to our success. We have 40% female managers, and the representation of women in the company is 36%, which is a satis

factory initial indicator when 35% of girls study STEM subjects in Serbia.

The implementation of such a strategic plan brings changes in daily op erations and corporate culture. What do your employeesthink about the goals and activities of your strategy?

The strategy brings new obligations to our daily work, but it motivates us to contribute to the development and preservation of society, to take care of ourselves and others. We develop

these values through engagement, education and communication. We are a member of several associations and we share our values, experience and knowledge through engage ment to improve the environment in which we live and do business. We cooperate with the best technical faculties in the country. In this way, students have the opportunity to get to know their future job, and our ex perienced experts to keep up with the latest trends. Our employeeswant to contribute to the community and they initiate donations to scientific institutions, schools and sensitive groups in society. Instead of New Year’s gifts for partners, we plant ed 300 white ash trees as a sign of gratitude for cooperation. Through the company’s Wellbeing program, we are more dedicated to our health and team spirit - together we hike, run, practice yoga, learn new skills.

You operate in a very competitive sector, with a struggle for users and the best experts. How does the business sustainability strategy affect CETIN’s position on the market?

We have chosen the path of excel lence and our mission is for respon sible suppliers, clients and experts to be part of the same ecosystem. Sustainable business is a long-dis tance race and the more participants there are, the better the individual result. We run with the best.

DIRECTOR,

Yettel: Committed To The Green Agenda

Asof January 2022, all the electricity that our network uses comes from renewable sources. Our network has always been a synonym for a stable, fast and secure network, winning UMLAUT’s prestigious Best in Test four years in a row. By becoming 100% green, we are once again push ing the market forward ~ says Yettel CEO Mike Michel, speaking in this CorD Magazine interview.

You recently presented a new network position and a proposal for customers. Can you tell us about the idea behind this proposal?

Our brand is focused on bringing balance to customers and society as a whole. Balance is a personal thing, with a different meaning for everyone. Talking with customers, we realised that topics like environmental issues, climate change, air pollution, or simply spending time in nature, are highly important to them. I think that Serbian society is recognising that a healthy, green planet means a sustainable life for future generations.

That is why our strong focus is on the promise of being in balance with nature. We want to min imise any negative impact on the environment and help customers to do the same. We do so by setting an example and striving to inspire others.

As you said, a few weeks ago we presented our two green initiatives. Yettel became the first 100% green mobile network in Serbia. We also presented Eco Bonus, a new digital service that customers can activate and can, easily and simply, take part in the recycling process.

Your recycling programme has achieved significant results, but you mentioned a new proposal for customers. Does this mean that device recycling is finished?

Absolutely not. Quite the opposite, it’s like an upgrade of our existing recycling programme, by introducing an option for paper and plastic waste. The recycling programme has been very

successful, as you said. We have recycled almost 350,000 devices or 27 tons of e-waste, with the goal of increasing this to a million devices by 2025. What we have learnt from this is that customers are very willing to join in when you offer them a concrete solution. ‘Too complicated’ is one of the clichés we hear all the time when it comes to recycling in Serbia. That’s why we are offering Eco Bonus. By simply activating this digital service, customers can choose to have 4.6 kg of plastic and 2.2 kg of paper waste recycled on their behalf

each month, which is the estimated amount that an average Serbian citizen generates per month. I would like to point out that the amount of waste recycled in this way adds up at the national level. This means that Yettel customers lead to recy cling almost seven kilos paper and plastic waste monthly, which will really improve the situation in Serbia. Every rainfall begins with one drop. And once you begin and realise how easy it is to make an impact, the rain starts to fall.

Why are green initiatives so important to you?

Our recycling programmes are not our first green steps: it was ten years ago that we introduced paper instead of plastic bags in our shops; 63% of our customers use e-billing, while our employees participate through primary waste selection in the workplace. Globally, more than 1.2 billion jobs depend on the earth’s ecosystems (according to ILO and WWF). Environmental protection is the right direction to take, it is responsible and smart. Those who value nature show that they have understood its importance to our future.

Yettel has become the first 100% green mobile network in Serbia, which exclusively uses energy produced from renewable sources

MIKE MICHEL, CEO ,YETTEL SRBIJA

B y simply activating the new Eco Bonus digital service, customers can choose to have 4.6 kg of plastic and 2.2 kg of paper waste recycled on their behalf each month, which is the estimated amount that an average Serbian citizen generates per month

Zero Carbon Emissions

2040

The Carlsberg Group has launched its new programme for environmental protection, social responsibility and conscientious corporate governance (ESG - Environmental, Social and Governance) under the name Together Towards Zero and Beyond. This programme represents the advancement of Carlsberg’s existing strategy, the new edition of which contains updated targets and new focus areas

The new strategy defines a roadmap to achieve net zero carbon emis sions by 2040 across the Carlsberg Group’s entire value chain, from bar ley in the fields to beer in the hand. The pre vious Together Towards ZERO programme has already brought significant advances, such as in the reducing of carbon emissions by 40% and reducing water consumption per hectolitre of beer by 21% since 2015.

By launching the new programme, Carls berg has also mapped out other important topics on its road to 2030, or 2040, thus rais ing the level of ambition and strengthening company targets related to water use, the responsible consumption of alcohol, diver sity, inclusion, equality and human rights.

““TTZAB is an integral part of delivering on our purpose of brewing for a better today and tomorrow. Whilst we remain committed to the focus areas that we established in 2017, we have expanded the programme to include a wider array of ESG topics and to address the societal challenges impacting people and communities where we operate.

With our new programme, we are building on our existing progress and reaffirming our commitment to the collective action needed to stop the excessive increases in emissions the world is facing. We want to enable consumers to enjoy a great beer while leaving the smallest carbon footprint possible. To do this, we leave no stone unturned, from the grain and water that we brew with, to the recycling of empty bottles and cans once you’ve enjoyed your beer. This is the right thing to do, for our business and society,” said Carlsberg Group CEO Cees ‘t Hart.

Thanks to this new programme, Carlsberg will retain its focus on areas where the

company operates the most. However, we will also go further as a group, bolstering initiatives linked to responsible sourcing, promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, while at the same time protecting human rights and ensuring compliance through the Living By Our Compass programme. Besides achieving net zero carbon emissions across the entire value chain, the Carlsberg

company also wants to direct its ambitions towards responsible alcohol consumption and responsible use of water. The goal is for the company’s share of alcohol-free and low-alcohol beverages to represent 35% of Carlsberg’s total global portfolio by 2030, as well as the replenishment of 100% of water consumed at breweries located in areas of high water risk.

With this new programme, the Carlsberg Group has also set new targets to achieve a ZERO agricultural footprint and ZERO packaging waste. The carbon footprint currently associated with agriculture and the processing of raw materials, as well as with the production and disposal of packaging, amounts to more than 65% of total emissions in the complete life cycle of beer.

The implementation of regenerative agricultural practises – which have a positive impact on biodiversity, soil health and natural carbon sequestration on farmland – alongside the imple mentation of circular packaging solutions, will enable dramatic carbon reduction, from growing barley to recycling bottles and cans.

The company’s activities in pursuit of its new ambitions are additionally supported by scientific findings that are aligned with the target of preventing the warming of the planet from exceeding 1.5°C, as outlined by the Paris Agreement on climate change, as well as by the company’s inclusion in the RE100, the We Mean Business Coalition, the Race To Zero, the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders and the WFA’s Planet Pledge

EE Is Treated As A New Source Of Energy

The projects of company Smart Energy Investment, which relate to the reconstruction of public lighting, secure energy savings of approximately 70% and financial savings for local self-governments, while also protecting the environment. Over previous years, this company has invested around 25 million euros of private capital in its 18 projects

Speaking about the importance of energy efficiency, Smart Energy Investment

CEO Obrad Tadić has called on everyone who is able to reduce consumption, particularly the public sector, to do so as soon as possible, regardless of whether they do so via public-private partnerships or in some other way that’s independent of the energy crisis itself.

How do you see the current energy situation?

Never before, energy hadn’t had greater im portance, primarily due to the development of industry and society. The current crisis in Ukraine has heightened that importance. Energy is one of the most important elements with which the parties in conflict and other interested parties condition each other. Unfortunately, the public is more occupied with loss of energy than the loss of human lives. Even if we know that developed European countries are establishing energy sources that are independent of fossil fuels, technological advances have not yet enabled Europe to become energy independent. Although supply autonomy in certain regions of Europe, in the case of blackouts, achieves independence and sustainability for a period of 7 to 10 days, it cannot be said that energy security has been achieved.

Why is energy efficiency so important today?

The best source of energy is energy that we have not consumed. All energy sources, including the cleanest ones, leave some negative traces. That’s why European legislation, including ours, treats energy efficiency (EE) as a new source of energy. Appeals for energy savings cannot be considered as purely financial savings, but rather appeals to achieve energy autonomy and create a better envi ronment. When it comes to discussing the dynamics of the implementation of EE projects, we can say that their effects are realised faster than those that we gain from any form of energy production.

E nergy efficiency is today essential. EE is not enough, but it is a measure that should be given importance that’s equal to energy production

In which ways does your company contribute to energy efficiency?

Our predictions on the rising price of ener gy from six years ago, when we first started developing these projects, have come true, so the public partners who had the vision to realise the projects have handled these changes better. Energy efficiency is today essential. EE is not enough, but it is a measure that should be given importance that’s equal to energy production. That’s why we, have directed our focus to resolve EE issues in the public sector.

Over previous years, approximately 25 million euros of private capital has been invested in our 18 projects. They achieve annual savings in local self-government budgets of around four million

euros, calculated according to electricity prices that are controlled by the national government. If we consider the fact that the energy saved could have been sold on the free market at much higher prices, the indirect financial effect of our projects on the entire budget is at least double. From the perspective of energy independence, these projects realise savings equivalent to the production of the Potpeć and Elektromorava hydroelectric power plants together.

What are the environmental effects of these projects?

Although environmental protection has dropped out of focus due to the crisis, it is important to note that these saved MWh reduce emissions of CO2 and harmful substances by around 19.5 tons annually. Our projects have a significant impact on reducing light pollution, thanks to LED technol ogy that provides light only where it is required, reducing light scattering to an insignificant level. All our projects use light from the most adequate spectrum of around 3000K.

“We act as a conductor of this orchestra in which companies and cities work together.”

- Shelton Mercer, Chief Innovation Officer, 1776

Sustainable Packaging For A Green Future

The Umka Carboard Mill, a Belgrade-based factory producing recycled cardboard, has been using waste paper as a raw material for more than half a century. By using waste paper instead of virgin pulp, it helps preserve forests and makes saving on the energy and water usually required to produce virgin pulp, thus further reducing CO2 emissions

Sincethe KappaStar Group’s take over of the Umka mill almost two decades ago, cardboard production capacity has increased from 40,000 to 200,000 tons annually, through investments worth 100 million euros, while waste paper pro cessing has grown to 250,000 tons per year.

During 2021, the KappaStar Group invested around 40 million euros to improve production processes at the Umka Cardboard Factory, which operates within the framework the group. What did this investment enable you to do?

This investment, which represents just one in a series of investments in cardboard pro duction made by KappaStar Group, enabled the greatest modernisation of production processes at the Umka Cardboard Mill since 1978. The investment was aimed, among other things, at replacing the “core” of cardboard production, which provided an increase in product quality and enabled a significant increase in the capacity for recycling waste paper. Given the fact that 17 trees are required to produce just one ton of paper, with the newly achieved recycling capacity, we save almost 3.5 million trees annually.

The investment also made it possible to further reduce the specific consumption of wastewater, which has been reduced by around 30%. With the use of recycled fibres instead of virgin pulp, energy consumption has been reduced by 75%, water pollution by 35% and air pollution by a whopping 75%.

The Umka cardboard mill has a long and rich history that it is proud of, but a new era

undoubtedly began at the plant in 2003, when it was taken over by the KappaStar Group. What has changed since then?

Since the KappaStar Group acquired the factory in 2003, numerous improvements to production have been achieved through various investments worth 100 million euros.

A significant part of the investments that have been implemented aimed at improving the sustainability of production; that is to say, in addition to increasing the volume of recycling, these investments had a positive impact on improving energy efficiency and generally reducing the consumption of raw materials, through reductions in the specific consumption of resources, heating energy and electricity, as well as the consumption of fresh water. In accordance with capacity

increases, 2022 also saw the obtaining of a new permit for the storage and treatment of waste, i.e., old paper.

When it comes to history, the truth is that we have reason to be proud, because the Umka Cardboard Mill was founded way back in 1939, as a factory for the production of cardboard with a cardboard sheet speed of just 20 metres a minute, compared to today’s 600m/min. Production was located on the territory of today’s factory complex, in a building that is now used for warehousing and administration purposes. New facilities were constructed in 1967, while a major re construction was carried out in 1978, when the product process took on its present form. This factory has been using waste paper as a raw material for more than half a century. And by using waste paper instead of virgin pulp, it helps preserve forests and makes saving on the energy and water usually required to produce virgin pulp, thus further reducing CO 2 emissions.

Our country still lacks adequate sorting/ separating of waste at the point of origin. Does this lead to large amounts of paper being unusable?

The cardboard produced by Umka is mostly used – apart from in the pharmaceuticals and automotive industries, and in other branches of the economy – for food packaging. The old paper we use must therefore be of good quality, which means that it mustn’t contain impurities or additional moisture. It is for this reason that it’s particularly important for waste paper to be properly separated at the point of origin. Old paper mustn’t be

DANIJELA OŠAP, QA, R&D, ECOLOGY AND CI DIRECTOR AT THE UMKA CARDBOARD MILL/KAPPASTAR GROUP

mixed with other types of waste, because mixing can result in it being contaminated with leftover food, beverages or other waste, with which it loses its quality.

If the paper is moist or wet, the decom position process begins also during storage. This prevents the further processing of this raw material through recycling with the objective of obtaining a new product. Instead of being recycled, paper that has been degraded in such a way can only be incinerated or disposed of in landfill sites, and thus additionally contributes to in creasing CO2 emissions as a product of its decomposition.

European standard EN 643:2014 stipu lates the classifying of waste paper within five basic groups - from packaging paper to various forms of paper with special prop erties. The Umka Cardboard Mill mostly uses corrugated cardboard packaging to make the middle layer of cardboard, and since 2005 – instead of virgin pulp– the upper layer for printing has been produced predominantly from office waste. Additional investments in 2017 enabled the extracting of printing ink from white paper, it has thus been possible for the last five years to use waste paper from printing houses, i.e., to use paper containing multiple prints for the production of the white top layer.

The modernisation of production programmes has a marked impact on increasing capacities, but also on improving environmental protection. Is that also the case with your factory?

Over the past 20 years, the Umka Card board Mill has significantly improved its production and reduced the specific consumption of resources. The reuse of water and fibres has been enabled with the installing of additional wastewater treatment devices, and in this way the specific consumption of fresh water has been reduced more than fivefold. Fibres that are separated from process water in the internal circle are reused in the produc tion process, while fibres from the external wastewater circle are also returned to the production process to a significant extent. Part of the fibres that nonetheless cannot be reused in production are submitted to the operator, which uses that raw material to make a new product.

In the case that it is not recycled, paper, i.e., our product, is fully biodegradable and therefore does not remain as waste in nature

Work is currently underway on a project to use this type of waste at brickyards to improve the insulation properties of bricks and tiles. Non-paper waste that is separated from old paper is incinerated at cement plants, and cardboard production waste

is completely disposed of in this way, thus avoiding its dumping at landfill sites.

A trend that’s been increasingly com monplace in recent years is the replacing of plastic packaging with paper packaging, due to its reduced environmental impact. In the case that it is not recycled, paper, i.e., our product, is fully biodegradable and therefore does not remain as waste in nature.

It is for this reason that we strongly believe that paper packaging is the future and that it represents sustainable packaging for a green future.

BUAČA,

FOR

USERS,

Sustainability Through Digitalisation & Decarbonisation

The world has been focused on solutions that will help create a sustainable future for generations to come. This topic is increasingly attracting the attention of scientists, as well as the public and private sectors

SchneiderElectric is a company that has been committed to sustainable business operations for decades. We discussed this topic with Sch neider Electric Sales Director for End Users Dragan Buača.

Climate change and energy efficiency have been the focus of your business for a long time. Can these challenges be overcome?

The sooner we start down the path of energy transition, the sooner we will be on the path to energy security and climate change miti gation. It comes down to three key actions: saving energy, changing the way we use energy and, finally, ensuring the mix of energy sources is much greener and contains more electricity, because that is the only path to decarbonisation.

Fortune magazine recently surveyed the 500 largest companies and found that only 8% of them are fulfilling their sustainabil ity plans. How would you comment on this?

Schneider Electric surveyed more than 500 senior executives from companies on the same list, in order to determine what makes these goals so difficult to achieve. The prob lem is the unavailability of data, but also the alignment of sustainability goals with those related to business strategies, appropriate supply chains and technologies. For that, we took two elements: digitali sation is a major disrupter, because when everything is connected you know what is happening, where you spent and where and how you can save. By implementing our EcoStruxure platform in plants or building

B y implementing our EcoStruxure platform in plants or building sites, we are targeting 30% to 50% energy savings thanks to digitalisation. The other element is decarbonisation: energy must be more electric, because electricity is the only passport to decarbonisation

sites, we are targeting 30% to 50% energy savings thanks to digitalisation. The other

element is decarbonisation: energy must be more electric, because electricity is the only passport to decarbonisation.

Considering the significant impact that Schneider Electric has, you are expected to continuously create new green solutions? One of our latest solutions is the revolution ary AirSeT – an innovative and sustainable switchgear that uses purified air as an in sulator, combined with Schneider’s new vacuum-based circuit breaker technology. This is a significant step in the direction of decarbonising electricity and obtaining truly green energy plants.

Pledge Of Sustainability For Years to Come

Improved management of water resources in the brewing industry, the design of a more sustainable business model and development of innovative, circular economy-based solutions are only some of the initiatives launched by Apatin Brewery last year

Allthe results achieved by Apatin Brewery in the segment of sustainability were presented in the 2021 Sustainability Re port, entitled “We Gave Our Sustainable Word”. An event organised to mark the occasion saw guests addressed by Apatin Brewery General Manager Igor Vukašinović.

“I am proud that sustainability has been an integral part of our operations for decades and that we are a company with a very important strategic focus – to initiate, and maintain for many years, initiatives aimed at making the community where we operate better, with our responsible and sustainable business operations. And we will not stop there: we’ve set ambitious goals that we wish to accomplish and we will strive to be the best partner for business sustainability on that road. Our company will continue to give its sustainable word in the years to come as well!” said Vukašinović.

As a responsible company, Apatin Brewery participates in numerous initiatives aimed at en suring the better management of water resources in the brewing industry. Climate change is one of the biggest global challenges of our times, and the company’s priorities include carbon emission reduction in operations and the design of a more

Last year, together with GIZ, NALED and Sekopak, the project “Glass Packaging Management in the Western Balkans” was implemented. Worth 150,000 euros, it enables the procurement of required infrastructure in the form of as many as 600 large waste receptacles for collecting glass packaging

sustainable business model. Aiming to minimise the disposal of packaging waste at landfill sites, innovative, circular economy-based solutions are developed in order to reduce the company’s environmental impact.

Last year, together with GIZ, NALED and Se kopak, the project “Glass Packaging Management in the Western Balkans” was implemented. Worth 150,000 euros, it enables the procurement of required infrastructure in the form of as many as 600 large waste receptacles for collecting glass packaging. This was all executed with the aim of increasing the rate of glass packaging collected by 20 per cent, in order to establish a cost-effective

system of glass waste treatment and reuse, in both Serbia and across the region, all within the scope of improvements of the existing extended producer responsibility system.

Responsible alcohol consumption is an impor tant topic that Apatin Brewery, together with the Interior Ministry, Traffic Police Administration and Traffic Safety Agency, launches publicly and warns of driving under the influence of alcohol. Within the “Don’t Drink and Drive” campaign, the brewery has focused on educating consumers over the last 16 years, in order to raise awareness of all negative consequences of alcohol consumption when driving. By 2021 alone, around 130,000 euros had been invested in procuring 135 latest-generation alcometers and 50,000 alcometer mouthpieces.

Over the course of 2021 as well, Apatin Brewery, Jelen beer and SEKOPAK, the national operator of the packaging waste management system, continued the “Recycle, Enjoy, Protect the River Drina from Waste” campaign, within which they enabled attendees of this water carnival to properly dispose of packaging waste. In collaboration with public utility company “12 septembar”, up to 230 kg of aluminium cans and 600 kg of glass packaging were collected.

BY NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA, DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION, FORMER MANAGING DIRECTOR AT THE WORLD BANK

Fixing The Food Trade

In addition to getting food from where it is abundant to where it is needed, trade supports jobs, livelihoods, and incomes. But too often, international markets for food and agriculture function poorly, owing to tradedistorting subsidies and high levels of protection – two problems that have worsened in recent years

Between rising hunger and the pros pect of still more supply shortages, dark clouds are hovering over the global food system. Not only has the war in Ukraine limited access to, and raised prices for, food and fertiliser, but extreme weather events are disrupting production, and economic downturns have

diminished people’s ability to afford ade quate and nutritious diets. Climate change is fuelling droughts and exacerbating water scarcity, adding to the list of threats facing agricultural production.

Progress in tackling hunger and malnutri tion was already stalling before the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the World Food Programme

estimates that the number of people facing, or at risk of, acute food insecurity (defined as those who “lack regular access to enough safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development and an active and healthy life”) has increased by more than 200 million since 2019. Key global objectives like the second United Nations Sustainable Devel

opment Goal – which commits countries to end hunger by 2030, and to improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture – are significantly off track.

Trade is vital for achieving food securi ty, as the World Trade Organization’s 164 members emphasized at our 12th ministerial conference (MC12) this past June. Apart from its basic role as a conveyor belt for getting food from where it is abundant to where it is needed, trade supports jobs, livelihoods, and incomes. It is a key factor in the sustainable and efficient use of scarce global resources.

But all too often, international markets for food and agriculture function poorly, owing to problems like trade-distorting subsidies and high levels of protection. In many regions, persistent underinvestment in research, extension services, and market-linking in frastructure has led to low and stagnating agricultural productivity. Crop yields across much of Africa are particularly small, and have not matched the increases achieved in other developing regions.

WTO members have taken some impor tant steps to address these problems. In 2015, they agreed to eliminate agricultural export subsidies – payments that cover the difference between domestic costs and international market prices – which are widely seen to distort production and harm farmers in other countries. The use of such subsidies has fallen dramatically, from almost $7 billion in 1999 to under $12 million in 2020. But OECD data show that total public support to the farm sector in 54 advanced economies and 11 major emerging markets reached $817 billion in 2019-21. And only $207 billion of that was for general services such as research, training, or payments to consumers.

Other support programs frequently in centivise unsustainable production and consumption patterns and undermine fair competition in global markets. While average tariffs on agricultural products were around 6% in 2020, many countries maintained prohibitively high tariffs on certain products, with peaks reaching 1,000%.

At the beginning of this year, food prices had already reached high levels compared to recent years, and international agencies had begun to warn of growing hunger. Then the war in Ukraine made the situation much worse. Prices spiked to record highs, and WTO

monitoring found that many governments responded by restricting food exports, potentially easing strains at home but exac erbating shortages elsewhere in the world.

Against this backdrop, the multilateral cooperation that we saw at MC12 in June was most welcome. WTO members collectively committed to exempt World Food Programme humanitarian purchases from export restric tions – saving the agency time and money in providing relief to millions of vulnerable people. They pledged to keep agri-food trade open, and to minimise the trade distortions resulting from emergency measures. And they agreed on a binding accord to curtail $22 billion in annual public spending on harmful fisheries subsidies, which will contribute to food security and livelihoods by improving the health of marine habitats.

At the beginning of this year, food prices had already reached high levels compared to recent years, and international agencies had begun to warn of growing hunger. Then the war in Ukraine made the situation much worse

But over the past month, export restric tions on food, feed, and fertilisers have ticked back up, reversing the earlier downward trend. The total number of such measures introduced since February – and still in force – is now up to 52. The WTO is working hard through monitoring, transparency, and jawboning to bring this number down, but it remains a cause of global concern.

Ensuring that trade contributes to a more sustainable and equitable global food system will require greater efforts to align trade, environmental, and food policies. A holistic approach to managing how food is produced, distributed, and consumed is necessary to maintain sufficient supply, address climate and other environmental risks, ensure sus tainable land use, and manage scarce water resources. A long-overdue update of the WTO rulebook for agricultural trade is needed more urgently than ever, because we need to create a better incentive framework for investment in the sector.

To find solutions to growing food insecuri ty, we must expand the dialogue and explore the systemic drivers of the problem. With a stronger evidence base, WTO members will have a better understanding of how trade can be used to the fullest possible extent to enhance access to food for everyone.

Solid Relations In Turbulent Times

Relations between Serbia and Austria are on the rise and this trend is expected to continue. Expanded collaboration in many fields, as well as Austria’s stance that the European integration of the countries of the region is of essential and geostrategic importance to the EU, make our mutual ties even stronger

Austria and Serbia enjoy excellent bilateral rela tions, yet both countries are exerting every possible effort to further deepen their politi cal, cultural, business and commer cial relations. Furthermore, Austria continuously supports Serbia on its path to EU accession. Austrian dip lomats often note that Serbia is one of Austria’s most important partners in the region, which is also reflected in its foreign policy even during these times when the political landscape is complex and Serbia’s EU acces sion seems to be going through par ticularly challenging times. Austria remains firm in its stance that the European integration of the coun tries of the region is of essential and geostrategic importance to the EU.

As it was recently put by Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schal lenberg, Austria’s proposal is that the EU starts to behave step-by-step towards the countries of the Western Balkans as if they were already mem ber states, adding that this proposal has nothing to do with Russia’s attack on Ukraine, but rather the need for the EU accession process to already show concrete results.

Apart from EU-related topics, the two countries have been collaborat ing successfully in the combatting of human trafficking and managing migration, but also on many other topics that demand cooperation on a daily basis, spanning from police and judicial affairs, via the environ ment, agriculture and education, to economic matters, of course.

The improvement of economic co operation between the two countries is in the focus of both partners. New sectors are opening up for cooperation, such as the infrastructure sector, i.e., transport networks, logistics, energy transition and industrial construction, as well as IT.

Although there are increasing global economic challenges, such as disruptions to value chains, the energy crisis, inflation and possible reces sions across the EU, trade relations between Serbia and Austria, as well as the inflow of Austrian investments,

so far remain steady, making Austria one of Serbia’s top three partners. Indeed, in 2021, economic and trade exchange between the two countries stood at €1.36 billion, representing growth of 36 per cent over the past four years. Austria is among the three largest foreign investors in Serbia and Austrian companies show constant interest in increasing their investments in the country.

The field of dual education has been a particularly important part of this cooperation for several years. Serbia has proven to be the most successful country in the region when it comes to introducing a dual education system that offers young people unhindered access to the Serbian labour market and attracts Austrian and other foreign companies. This cooperation is now set to be further improved, with the short age of qualified labour hampering the further growth of the economy.

The Serbian diaspora in Austria, as well as Serbian students studying in Austria, also help to establish and reinforce links between the two nations

Serving In The Balkans Is A Dream Job

Noting that Serbia is at the centre of Austrian foreign policy, as one of its most im portant Balkan partners, Vienna’s new ambassador to Serbia says that coming to Belgrade is “a dream come true for any Austrian diplomat”. Ambassador Ebner says that his aim is to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries, and to do so in new fields like transport networks, logistics, energy transition etc. CorD’s interlocutor is convinced that Serbia’s future is in the EU, because – in terms

of citizens’ connectedness with the EU and economic cooperation – “Serbia has already been a member of our European political community for a long time”.

Your excellency, what will be the key objectives of your term as ambassador to Serbia?

As Austrian ambassador, I will work to further deepen our bilateral friend ship, improving our already excellent business and commercial relations and wholeheartedly supporting Serbia’s path towards the EU.

You arrived in Serbia from Madrid. However, given that you were an adviser to Sebastian Kurz, who devel oped close relations with the Serbian government - initially in his role as foreign minister and subsequently as chancellor, it could be said that you are very well acquainted with the situation in Serbia.

It is true that Serbia is one of the most important partners of Austria in the region and is situated at the very heart of our foreign policy. So, every Austrian diplomat will always

I am convinced that Serbia will be a member of the European Union, which is our common goal. To re alise this goal, we - both the EU and Serbia - need to show our full commitment ~ Christian Ebner

EU

I am convinced that Serbia will be a member of the European Union, which is our common goal

follow its development, challenges and successes very closely. I very much remember how we were celebrating 21st January 2014, the first meeting of the Accession Conference with Serbia at the ministerial level, opening the accession negotiations.

You noted when submitting your diplomatic credentials to the Presi dent of Serbia that you will work to improve economic cooperation be tween our two countries. In which areas do you see the greatest poten tial for advancement?

The need for modernisation of the infrastructure sector, i.e., transport networks, logistics, energy transition and industrial construction, offers new opportunities for Austrian companies.

SANCTIONS

I consider it essential for Serbia to leave absolutely no doubt about its full rejection of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which is causing human suffering and destruction

Austria is among Serbia´s most important economic partners. Do you think that the economic difficulties

CONFLICT CONTAINMENT

We have to be careful and will work together to ensure the danger of the conflict spreading doesn’t materialise

two recent crises: the COVID-19 pan demic and the Russian war of aggres sion against Ukraine. Border closures, disrupted supply chains and energy shortages create challenges, but also offer new possibilities if we are creative and open to new partnerships.

resulting from the war in Ukraine could have an impact at the level of cooperation between our two countries?

We all have to adapt to the new eco nomic challenges we are facing due to

The recent trilateral summit of Austria, Hungary and Serbia in cluded discussions of joint efforts to combat crime and human traf ficking. Dramatic warnings are emerging from the Austrian side with regard to the growing number of asylum seekers in the country. What specifically is expected from Serbia in that context?

The situation is really dramatic and we need to address this challenge to

As Austrian ambassador, I will work to further deepen our bilateral friendship, improving our already excellent business and commercial relations and wholeheartedly supporting Serbia’s path towards the EU

gether. Austria appreciates Serbia’s cooperation in combatting human traf ficking along its borders, but also by aligning its visa regime to EU stand ards. We will increase our police coop eration with Serbia and our support for a modern border management. We need to act jointly to be successful.

You emphasise Austria’s unwa vering support for Serbia’s EU in tegration, while many people here are disappointed over the slowness of the accession process. What do you consider more realistic: that Serbia will become a member of the EU; or that it will be a partner in the “European political community”, which is the new proposal?

I am convinced that Serbia will be a member of the European Union, which is our common goal. In order to achieve this goal, we need to show our full com mitment, as both the EU and Serbia. I see how important the economic outreach of the EU in Serbia is and how intense people-to-people contacts have grown. So, in that sense Serbia, has already

been a member of our European political community for a long time.

Do you consider it essential for Serbia to impose sanctions against Russia if it wants to remain on the road to EU accession?

I consider it essential for Serbia to leave absolutely no doubt about its full

sanctions. I cannot imagine Serbia not sharing these values.

Some analytical reports on the Western Balkans include the thesis that this region of Europe could be come the next crisis hotspot, as a kind of extension of the existing conflicts between the West and Russia. Do you believe such a danger exists?

We have to be careful and will work together to ensure this danger doesn’t materialise.

Media reports suggest that you were initially scheduled to become Austria’s ambassador to Germany, only for it to be subsequently decided that you would come to Belgrade. Will serving in the Balkans prove to be an easier or tougher job for a diplomat?

rejection of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which is causing hu man suffering and destruction. This is contrary to our values and convictions and what the EU stands for. Therefore,

Serving in the Balkans, especially as ambassador in Belgrade, is a dream come true for any Austrian diplomat. My family and I feel very welcome here, although the most difficult decision we as a family have to make is still outstanding: should we go for Red Star or Partizan.

Austria appreciates Serbia’s cooperation in combatting human trafficking along its borders, but also by aligning its visa regime to EU standards. We will increase our police cooperation with Serbia and our support for a modern border management

Dual Education Needs A Makeover

With direct investments totalling 2.83 billion euros, Austria is among the top foreign investor countries in Serbia. For Austrian companies, the availability of a qualified workforce is an important and decisive factor when it comes to choosing where to base new hubs for foreign operations, which is why continuous support for dual education is a focal point of the work of ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA

It is my pleasure that, at the start of September, after seven years as commercial counsellor of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce in Hungary, I have also taken on the same function for Serbia, North Mac edonia and Montenegro - says Jürgen

Schreder, Commercial Counsellor at ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA, speaking at the beginning of our interview. He adds that, just like his predecessors, he would also like to contribute to further developing the already ex cellent economic relations between

Serbia and Austria, in order for this extremely successful cooperation to continue.

When it comes to foreign trade ex change and FDI volume statistics for Serbia, Austria ranks among the top three countries. Austrian companies

COOPERATION

I would like to contribute to further developing the already excellent economic relations between Serbia and Austria, in order for this extremely successful cooperation to continue

also occupy a particularly strong posi tion in Serbia’s service sector.

Schreder says it’s very important for him to continue bilateral cooperation in the area of dual education.

O ver the course of the past six years, thanks in part to Austrian support, Serbia has introduced an already very successful dual educa tion system, and thereby developed a crucial instrument in offering young people a pathway to the Serbian labour market.

Some 14 professional profiles have been developed within the scope of this project, including commercial trader

For Austrian investors in Serbia, it is equally of central importance that the workforce be shaped according to the dual model, thus securing a constant number of professional workers, on the one hand, while, on the other, enabling young people in Serbia to have better prospects for a future in their homeland

and freight forwarder, which served as models to shape many other edu cational profiles. During the 2022/23 academic year, approximately 70 educational profiles will be available at around 150 Serbian schools. More than 8,000 schoolchildren have already received opportunities to engage in dual education, including at least 200 individuals representing disad vantaged sections of the population.

With state-approved education and learning through both work placements within companies and at schools, they are prepared to launch a successful professional career. The project simul taneously provides Serbian companies

FOCUS

We are currently working on the introduction of new educational profiles that the economy requires urgently and that will provide young people with attractive occupations in their home country

SUPPORT

We want to continue providing capacity building support to the relevant institutions in Serbia, in order to provide the best possible conditions to institutions for dual education

with an opportunity to secure qualified workers tailored to their needs.

Why is the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO / ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA) included in introduc ing dual education to Serbia?

the availability of qualified labour is an important factor when deciding on a new location for doing business abroad.

Professional work-based training is among the most sought-after qualifi cations among companies in Austria, which is why companies invest a lot

With direct investments amounting to 2.83 billion euros, Austria is one of the largest foreign investors in Serbia. These investments have also provided jobs for around 22,000 people.

Serbia is very highly valued as a busi ness partner. For Austrian companies,

in professional training to prepare their future professional personnel.

For Austrian investors in Serbia, it is equally of central importance that the workforce be shaped accord ing to the dual model, thus securing a constant number of professional

workers, on the one hand, while, on the other, enabling young people in Serbia to have better prospects for a future in their homeland.

How can ADVANTAGE AUS TRIA support Serbian partners? What is the Austrian Chamber’s role in this cooperation?

Education systems cannot, and must not, be simply copied. Our Ser bian partners are moulding their own Serbian model of dual education in an impressive way.

We (ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA), as the institution responsible for imple menting the entire administration of dual secondary-vocational education in Austria, and which simultaneously also has a significant influence over the development of new educational profiles, are happy to make our kno whow and experience available to our partners in Serbia.

Our objective is quite clear: to bring to life the legal framework that has

When it comes to foreign trade exchange and FDI volume statistics for Serbia, Austria ranks among the top three countries. Austrian companies also occupy a particularly strong position in Serbia’s service sector

now been created, but also to draw on the experience of what we’ve learned and improve the conditions of the framework. This implies the continuation of capacity building support to the relevant institutions in Serbia, in order to provide the best possible conditions to institutions for dual education.

We are currently working on the in troduction of new educational profiles that the economy requires urgently and that will provide young people with attractive occupations in their home country (e.g., plastics processor).

What topics will you engage in during the period ahead?

ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA will con tinue to engage in ways that benefit the economy. Dual education must be made even more attractive, both for companies and schoolchildren. It is essential to improve the pro fessional skills of schoolchildren in order for them to be visible on the labour market. We will continue advocating for dual education to be as attractive as possible for everyone involved.

Chambers of Commerce – like ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA and the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia – speak on behalf of all of their member companies and rep resent everyone’s interests. Branch associations of chambers of com merce, within their own structures, harmonise the development of new educational profiles in accordance with the latest business trends and the needs of the economy.

20 Years Of Successful Operations

As the first company to introduce the concept of a multifunctional petrol station to the Serbian market, by constantly investing in the development of the network, OMV achieved numerous business partnerships and created many jobs... 20 years in Serbia were followed by OMV being part of many charity and relevant projects for the society and the environment

The first OMV petrol station in Serbia, Lapovo Sever, was opened in March

2002. Over the course of two decades of doing business in the country, OMV has opened 63 petrol stations in Serbia and achieved a market share of around 10%.

“Twenty years ago, we brought a new business con cept and a new vision of the petrol station to the Serbian market, and for two decades we have been dedicated to de velopment and innovation in order to provide the highest quality products and services. I am very proud to be part of the history and development of OMV Serbia, and I can point out with great pleasure that OMV in Serbia continues to raise standards in all busi ness segments. Our priority is quick adaptation and suc cessful responses to customer needs, which are constantly changing and growing,” says Decebal Sorin Tudor, General Manager of OMV Serbia.

OMV is more than a filling station

OMV petrol stations are multi functional service centres – fill ing stations for both people and vehicles. Our customers can get fuel and lubricants and use the car wash service. There are 58 VIVA stores and restaurants ideal for a travel break, offer

ing refreshments, meals and a wide range of high-quality cof fees. We are particularly proud of the expansion of the coffee range to Single Origin - coffee of unique geographical origin, 100% Arabica, the quality of which is recognised even by those with the most refined taste. In addition, OMV has been a “Fair Trade” partner since 2012 and has introduced the “Fair Trade” standard at all of its stations. Each of our cof fees has the “Fair Trade” label.

The OMV company set new trends on the fuel market in Serbia 20 years ago and has continued to improve its offer ever since. OMV was the first in Serbia to import and offer fuel with 100 octanes from its refinery in Austria. Even today, OMV MaxxMotion Performance

Diesel is the only diesel on the Serbian market that’s reliable down to -38°C, and OMV Maxx Motion Super 100Plus meets the highest quality requirements of the Worldwide Fuel Char ter, category 6, which enables maximum engine efficiency and minimum exhaust emissions.

OMV offers its customers comfort, a wide range and qual ity, whether that relates to us ing car washes, buying tickets for concerts and sports events, TAG devices and refills... In order to expand its services by monitoring the needs and trends of consumers, during 2022 OMV Serbia, in coopera

tion with partners, secured a larger number of chargers for electric vehicles for chargers for electric vehicles. Moreover, a solar power plant has been installed on the roof of the OMV Ražanj petrol station and has started operating, and will produce 72,000 kWh of clean electricity every year, compensating for 23% of the facility’s total consumption.

Care for society and the environment in which we operate “Energy for a better life” is the motto that guides OMV when it comes to all business segments, including social responsibility and sustainable business. OMV Serbia supports a number of charitable organisations and participates in a large num ber of humanitarian actions. Climate protection and the re duction of CO2 emissions are at the top of the agenda of OMV

in Serbia. Accordingly, OMV Serbia has for many years been an active participant in various campaigns to preserve green areas and afforestation. Support to the local community is an important part of the activities and engagement of resources.

The power of teamwork and good business cooperation A significant segment of the company’s business is repre sented by numerous associates, partners and clients. OMV successfully cooperates with small, medium-sized and large companies, and that is how we contribute to the general pic ture of the economy in Serbia.

We are grateful to everyone who trusted and supported us over the past 20 years. We hope that, in the next 20 years, your travels will continue to start at our OMV petrol stations,” says OMV Serbia General Manager Decebal Sorin Tudor.

Knowledge Knows No Bounds

WIFI International has been providing education and training for adults worldwide for 30 years. Together with its partner network, it supports Austrian companies operating in more than 10 countries of Central and Southeast Europe, including the states of the Western Balkans, Czechia, Hungary, Slovakia and Bulgaria

local markets and local conditions, but also to the type and size of company receiving assistance.

Could it be said that the exist ence and activity of WIFI Inter national is based on the idea that knowhow, good educational pro grammes and educational stand ards should be shared and dis seminated? Is this also a way to strengthen the economy?

and supports Austrian companies with its international partner network in the training and further education of their subsidiaries abroad.

At the same time, project-related training solutions are offered within the framework of training alliances in the focus countries, above all in CEE and SEE, but also beyond the borders of Europe in Asia and Central America, wherever Austrian companies have their branches.

Modernising

vocational edu cation and training, while promoting the acquisition of sector-specific skills for future professionals, will drive economic development and innovation at local, regional and international levels and increase the competitiveness of the sectors concerned. That is our future.

We spoke to WIFI International regional manager Svetlana Stojšić to find out, among other things, how far WIFI International’s influence extends and in which countries it is active, what it offers and how its pro grammes are designed and adapted to

The Economic Promotion Institute is a department of the Austrian Fed eral Economic Chamber (WKÖ), the legal representative of the Austrian economy, to which 551,826 compa nies from the fields of crafts, trade, industry, banking and insurance, information and consulting, tourism and the leisure industry, transport and communications belong. WIFI means Economic Development Institute, and the name is to be taken literally. The economy is provided by WIFI with knowhow that is relevant in practice. Companies benefit because:

• WIFI serves as a platform and knowledge broker - in the fields of advertising, public relations, internet, new educational products, technologies and innovation;

• WIFI works as an international interface - for knowledge transfer, international programmes and new training concepts.

WIFI International is a department of the business development institute WIFI, which is active in EU projects

WIFI, for example, serves an es timated market potential of about 470 million inhabitants in Central, Eastern and SouthEast Europe alone. The scope and extent of the offer has expanded greatly over the decadesand continues to grow.

Through the qualitative educa tion offered in all sectors (courses, seminars, training courses), WIFI International promotes the standard of education locally and thus covers the economic demand for qualified workers. The higher qualification of employees contributes significantly to competitiveness. The professional development measures, trainings, are tailored to the needs of the customers

WIFI International also aims to develop innovative training programmes that follow the trends of the time and the needs of the economy

and are implemented in the respec tive national languages - considering the national culture - based on our scientifically founded WIFI learning model LENA = living and sustainable.

The offer ranges from tailored semi nars and courses to industry-specific training in the white collar and bluecollar segments. Together with Aus trian companies with branches in the target countries, WIFI is also involved in exporting the successful Austrian system of dual training.

The constant changes the world is facing require lifelong learning, improvement and adaptation. What kind of knowledge, skills and abil ities are valued today? What is essential for progress?

Modernising vocational education and training, and promoting the acqui sition of sector-specific skills for future professionals, is absolutely central. This will drive economic development and innovation at local, regional and international levels, as well as increas ing the competitiveness of the sectors concerned. In this context, “Lifelong Learning” is very important. WIFI International also aims to develop innovative training programmes that follow the trends of the time and the needs of the economy. Digitalisation, innovation, sustainability, values and ethics are important topics.

Through the formation of knowl edge alliances between international educational institutions, institutions and companies, entrepreneurship, creativity, employability, knowledge exchange and practice-oriented teach ing and learning are promoted.

More than 40% of jobs in Europe will change dramatically due to digitalisation. In order to be able to meet these current events, also with regard to COVID-19, the vocational education and training (VET) of all companies should be adapted to the needs of the labour market: accord ingly, Continuing Vocational Education and Training (CVET) will be crucial to meet the new challenges.

There is a shortage of highly qualified personnel and skilled labour in Western Europe. Can

this problem be alleviated through further adult education, retraining, courses, specialised training etc.?

To quote Tatjana Baborek, Director of the Austrian Institute for Economic Development, “well-trained profession als are the engine of economic growth. WIFI International is the #firstpartner for lifelong learning and customised

of skilled workers is to step up train ing and further education measures. Through qualitative education and training offers, educational stand ards are promoted and thus cover the economic demand for qualified workers, in order to counteract the shortage of skilled workers, not only in the medium term, but also in the long term.

educational offers in vocational edu cation and training”. The shortage of skilled workers is a burden on the economy, and companies are already suffering greatly. There is now not only a shortage of skilled workers, but of workers in general. The consequences are serious, companies are reporting turnover losses and the effort required to find personnel is becoming ever greater and more difficult.

In my view, one of the most effective measures to counteract the shortage

Another important lever against the shortage of skilled labour is continu ing education within the framework of in-company human resources de velopment. For a company, the first chance to counteract the shortage of skilled workers lies in its own staff. Find potential skilled workers within the company and give them the op portunity for further development (re training, further training offers etc.).

The measure of securing skilled labour related to both employees who already work at the company and those who will join in the future. Investing in one’s own resources creates a work ing atmosphere and quality of work that is appreciated by both existing and new employees.

One of the most effective measures to counteract the shortage of skilled workers is to step up training and further education measures

MARKO STOJANOVIĆ

PRESIDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD, MERKUR OSIGURANJE SRBIJA

Proud Of GreenLife

You presented a new product this year: Green Life. Could you tell us more about it?

We launched GreenLife in March 2022 and are very proud of it. It is a new type of product, a so-called unitlinked product that is linked to units of investment funds, in this case three funds specifi cally, which follow the cycle and risk appetite for invest ing during life’s dynamics. It has an implied life insurance component, as well as supple mentary insurance for surgi cal interventions and the like.

Alongside direct contacts with private clients, I believe this can also be an additional op portunity for the HR services of major organisations, which also have an awareness of ESG regulations.

You were recently ap pointed executive board president. What were your initial plans and ambitions in taking on this important position?

Weset our ambi tions and goals pretty high.

Merkur this year decided to fortify its cor porate governance, continue strengthening its market po sition, and provide its clients with high-quality products and services - announces Marko Stojanović, new president of the executive board of insur ance company Merkur osigu ranje in Serbia.

How would you assess the previous 15 years that your company has been operating in Serbia? Have those been more than suc cessful years?

Merkur is the oldest insur ance company in Austria, which next year commemo

rates its 225th anniversary. That is a tradition worthy of respect, because we insure the individual person and the values that mean the most to them: life and health! The fo cus has been on the individual and their needs for more than two centuries. We strive to have our own niche and recog nisability in the life insurance sector. All processes are today being digitalised, financial institutions are transforming themselves, and we want to be part of those changes. The organisation has rebranded and rejuvenated itself, and we are particularly proud of our new logo “Srećko” [Slavic form of the Latin name Fe lix, meaning happy or lucky], whose spirit permeates our organisation on a daily basis.

We are proud to highlight the fact that it’s a unique product on the market. The “Green” in the name indicates that it invests exclusively in “green funds”, i.e., funds aligned with ESG and sus tainable business standards. Awareness of ESG (Environ ment, Social, and Governance) initiatives is extremely high around the world, to some extent also in our country, and we are currently striv ing to be the first company to provide the market with a product that unifies long-term investment, life insurance and supplemental insurance.

In parallel with that, we’ve also implemented an E2E solution with which we’re endeavouring to end our use of paper, as we are an environmentally-friendly and cost-conscious company.

A rotation of positions oc curred in the administration, so the previous president, Ti jana Ristić, was appointed as a member of the executive board for finance and the regulatory framework, while I was appointed president of the executive board with a focus on sales and links with business partners and market associates. I think an excellent balance was created, both at the top and within our teams, while synergy and new energy could be felt from the day I first arrived at Merkur osiguranje.

I advocate for the utilising of organisational knowledge and experience, but also for it to be refined with more modern and innovative solutions. We call that #onemerkur and I’m very proud that this spirit is felt not only with us, but also throughout our entire group. Given that we will have several anniversaries next year, I ex pect us to show more significant changes and results by then.

Merkur doesn’t aspire to be the biggest player on the markets where it operates, but it does always want to be an innovator, with new ideas and products. Alongside tradition and experience, it also successfully transfers and implements original services and products, while taking the specifics of the local market into consideration

ADRIEN FEIX, DIRECTOR OF THE AUSTRIAN CULTURAL FORUM IN BELGRADE AND CULTURAL ATTACHÉ OF THE AUSTRIAN EMBASSY TO SERBIA

Culture Is The Precondition For Dialogue

Fostering broad and deep cultural ties is particularly relevant for a close partner and EU candidate country like Serbia, and I do feel a lot of current interest in engaging with Austria on many topics

While some of the great moments of this year’s cultural programme provided by the Aus trian Cultural Forum in Belgrade are already behind us, October and November are months when the music-loving Serbian public seeks out new feasts. This was just one of the many topics that we discussed with Adrien Feix, director of the

Austrian Cultural Forum in Belgrade and Cultural Attaché of the Austrian Embassy to Serbia.

The cultural and artistic pro grammes that you run very often serve to remind us of certain important historical periods during which we shared a common destiny. In this period of hyper history, how easy or difficult is it to use culture

as a medium to discuss the topics today occupying our minds?

Culture, as we at the Austrian Cul tural understand it, is a very broad term that encompasses not just the arts, but the entire system of customs, values and social conventions in which we live. Culture is the precondition for dialogue related to ecological, social and international topics. This is why Austrian Cultural Fora worldwide

FOCUS

We are focused increasingly on ecology and sustainable development, as well as on strategically developing partnerships in this field

PARTNERSHIPS

We are often approached by new partners with ideas to cooperate directly, and we try to respond positively if the idea suits our mission of making connections with contemporary Austrian culture

PHILOSOPHY

Culture, as we at the Austrian Cultural For a understand it, is a very broad term that encompasses not just the arts, but the entire system of customs, values and social conventions in which we live

include sciences, human rights. Fos tering these broad and deep cultural ties is particularly relevant for a close partner and EU candidate country like Serbia, and I do feel a lot of interest in engaging with Austria on all of these topics at the moment.

What would you highlight from the programme prepared by the Austrian Cultural Forum for this autumn and the coming winter period?

A few highlights are already behind us, such as the Austrian Film Festival in Belgrade, Niš and Novi Sad, which featured two exceptional guests and a great film selection prepared together with Professor Janković from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts. October and November are generally strong months for music, and the public will enjoy a strong Austrian presence at the Belgrade and Pančevo jazz festivals and at NOMUS, but also Austrian DJs performing at Novi Sad’s Club Tunnel.

Novi Sad, as European capital of culture, is still very much in the focus of our programme, with Ger hard Flekatsch’s Cabinet of Wonders exhibition appearing at different cultural stations, Austrian participa tion in the Art Brut exhibition of the Capital of Culture and the exhibition of Lower Austria at the Museum of Vojvodina, which will remain on display throughout November.

Your early October programme included a notable opera workshop for children and a poetry festival. In this age of digital art and various digital contents, how open are today’s young people to content based around these classical arts?

The feedback we received from Sonja Šarić‘s opera workshops is

overwhelmingly positive. Children are open to all kinds of art forms, provided they are shown why such forms are interesting and relevant. The same goes for poetry: the Inter national Poetry Festival Belgrade shows how lively poetry remains and

is no difference between “popular” and “classical” arts for us. Arts in general should be valued, nurtured and updated continuously.

We have just entered a new school year. To what extent do

this year again attracted a great pro portion of young people. There really

Serbia students take advantage of opportunities to study in Austria?

Serbian students are very attracted by the proximity, quality and afford ability of studying in Austria, with around 1,000 of them currently en rolled in higher education in Austria. This is, in some sense, the continu ation of a tradition that dates back to the 19 th century, when Serbian artists, scientists and engineers

Most of the language courses for adults are available online, while experience has taught us that children need the experience of a classroom

studied in Graz or Vienna, but it also shows the vitality and openness of contemporary Austrian higher education institutions, which offer numerous stipends specifically to students from the region.

This also leads us neatly on to the issue of language studies. How many students pass through your German language courses each year and are those courses available online?

Austrian language courses are offered by the Austrian Institute Belgrade, a state institution with the highest standards of quality for teachers. Around 600 students enrol every year, about 1,200 internation ally recognised exams (ÖSD) passed. Most of the courses intended for adults are available online, while ex perience has taught us that children need the experience of a classroom.

How widespread are your study courses among young peo ple and how often do they attract businesspeople seeking to de velop ties with Austria, or workers wanting to continue their careers in Austria?

The courses at the Austrian Insti tute are very popular among both children and young adults wanting to learn German as part of their general education, and with professionals who are looking to work in Austria. The Austrian Institute offers highly

effective intensive “Sprint” courses for professionals who need to learn basic German in just a few months.

You have a permanent call for cooperation with the Forum that remains open throughout the year. How often do you gain new partners from Serbia?

We are often approached by new partners with ideas to cooperate directly, and we try to respond posi tively if the idea suits our mission of connections with contemporary Austrian culture. Additionally, we are also extending and updating our network proactively, meeting with cultural professionals and artists throughout the country, new con nections and developing projects. We are also on ecology and sustainable development, as well as on strate gically developing partnerships in this field.

Serbian students are very attracted by the proximity, quality and affordability of studying in Austria, with around 1,000 of them currently enrolled in higher education in Austria

Austria - The Green Heart Of Europe

Vienna filed a legal challenge against the EU’s inclu sion of the energy sources on a list of climatefriendly investments, which exposed deep rifts between countries over which energy sources to use to meet climate change goals.

Luxembourg confirmed it would join Austria’s action. Austrian Environment Min ister Leonore Gewessler said others may follow, without naming the countries.

Austria, Germany, Luxem bourg, Portugal and Denmark jointly called for nuclear to be excluded from the rules last November, when the EU was

still drafting them. Ireland and Spain had also warned Brussels against labelling investments in gas as “green”.

A German environment ministry spokesperson said the country would not join the legal action, but added that

ing which investments can be labelled climate friendly, designed to guide investors towards green projects that will help achieve the bloc’s emissions-cutting targets.

fossil fuel, as a green energy investment.

“it is good that the objections to the taxonomy regulation will now be reviewed by the courts.”

The EU’s so-called tax onomy is a rulebook defin

Austria’s legal action, sub mitted to the EU’s general court, makes 16 arguments for why Brussels should an nul the rules - including that nuclear energy cannot meet a requirement to “do no sig nificant harm” to the environ ment, due to concerns over radioactive waste.

Austrians widely oppose nuclear power and the country has never had an atomic plant.

Gewessler said it was “misleading” to label gas, a

The European Commis sion proposed the law in February, after more than a year of intense lobbying. Some central and eastern EU countries had argued gas investments should be incen tivised to help them quit more carbon-intensive coal, while states including France see low-carbon nuclear energy as key to cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Environmental campaign ers including Greenpeace launched separate legal chal lenges last month against the rules, which they said violated the EU’s own climate laws.

Austria has been seeking to enlist other European Union countries to support its legal action against Brussels for labelling investment in gas and nuclear power as “green”

Austrians widely oppose nuclear power and the country has never had an atomic plant

Fighting For Peace

Herlikeness was featured on banknotes, but also on stamps in Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia. You will still find her name given to many city streets across Europe, and you will come across her quotes about peace on social media. And when you enter the Peace Palace in The Hague, you will come across a copper bust of the ‘spiritual mother of the Peace Palace’, who witnessed the work on laying the foundations of the Peace Palace as one of the guests of honour.

Austrian feminist and peace activist Baroness Bertha von Suttner was an unorthodox and colourful person and a woman who was far ahead of her time. A contemporary of Tobias Asser (1838-

1913), the legal scholar after whom the Asser Institute is named, Von Suttner and Asser worked tirelessly - each in their own way - to establish the Hague Confer ences in 1899 and 1907. They would both receive the Nobel Peace Prize for their help in developing an international order aimed at peace rather than based on war.

However, as with many other women in the history of international (legal) thought, Von Suttner and her think ing on international law have been largely ignored in international legal history, considered as not befitting of traditional understandings of what counts as international thought and of who counts as an international thinker.

In 1889, when she was 46, Von Suttner published ‘Lay down your

Arms!’ (‘Die Waffen nieder!’), an antiwar novel that would propel her to worldwide fame. In order to depict the horrors of war, Von Suttner chose to write a novel rather than a nonfiction work, because she realised that novels would reach a wider audience. Her strategy worked. Die Waffen nieder! would be published in 37 editions and translated into 15 languages, catapult ing Von Suttner to the position of a leading figure in the emerging inter national peace movement. The book shows that Von Suttner held a ‘rather well-developed - and at times fairly sceptical - outlook on international law.’

In Die Waffen Nieder!, Von Suttner describes the horrors of war from the perspective of a suffering woman,

Bertha von Suttner, the best-selling author of the anti-war novel Die Waffen Nieder! [Lay Down Your Arms] stood at the foundations of The Hague’s international legal institutions and was the first woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize

Martha (Bertha’s alter ego). Die Waffen Nieder! is a first-person novel that tells the life story of Martha von Tilling amid four European wars - 1859, 1864, 1866 and 1870/71. It describes in very realistic terms the suffering war brings to both men and women. While this largely explains its worldwide popular ity, it is also a novel of international (law) ideas. Martha examines con temporary issues of international law, such as the problem of secret treaties, the right to self-determination of the people of Schleswig-Holstein, ‘historic rights’ claimed by Denmark as a ‘right cause’, or other causa belli claimed by European states to justify war. She passionately attacks the conservative perspectives on state, war and interna tional order that was so all-pervasive in the German-language world.

Von Suttner attacked the international right to go to war and argued for the abolition of standing armies - as nations with armies would become armed nations

Von Suttner, who worked as a jour nalist and teacher, together with her partner Arthur Von Suttner, had wit nessed the impact of war. Von Suttner was a harsh critic of the old social and political order of end-of-century Vienna and the disintegrating AustroHungarian Empire. She advocated social justice and a transformation of the old international order: ‘Gestern: Gewalt als Recht. Morgen: Recht als Gewalt’. She argued that it was possible to practice pacifism and solve disputes by talking rather than use of force. For protagonist Martha, war is the negation of ‘civilisation’ and she derided the sense of superiority among European ‘civilised nations’. She mocked the ‘barbarism’ of self-acclaimed ‘civilised nations’ and called for ‘the triumph of the intellect’ over the irrationality of war. Through her eyes, the reader learns how society maintains this ‘savagery’: by social conventions that define a woman’s role by her (breeding) function to the military, by a culture of patriotism and militarism, and by a Roman Catholic clergy that treats warfare as a product of the will of God.”

Von Suttner was more radical than her contemporaries who argued for the development of international humani tarian law. Von Suttner attacked the international right to go to war and argued for the abolition of standing armies - as nations with armies would become armed nations. Protesting against the arms race and the indus trialisation of weaponry, protagonist Martha presciently calls for a confed eration or ‘union’ of states, a ‘league of peace’ in Europe, and calls for the peaceful settlement of international disputes by an international ‘court of law’. At the end of the novel, Martha explicates the agenda of the peace movement and pleads one last time: ‘to move the Governments to submit their differences in future to an Arbitration Court, appointed by themselves, and thus once and for all enthrone justice in place of brute force.’

The success of Die Waffen Nieder! propelled Von Suttner to worldwide fame. She used her influence to es tablish peace societies in Austria and Germany, then travelled Europe as peace and social justice activist. With her high standing as a leading peace

activist, Von Suttner would become ‘the only woman permitted’ at the opening ceremony of the 1899 (Hague) confer ence at Dutch Queen Wilhelmine’s Huis ten Bosch’.

Denied access to the formal sessions of the 1899 Hague conference, Von Suttner instead used her position to contribute to peace through a law project, through the typical female practice of influencing intellectual and political debates: salon diplomacy.

The salon, a conversational gathering in an intimate setting, was an impor tant social institution in the circles of Bertha and her alter ego Martha. From the 17th and 18th centuries in France, and later elsewhere in Europe as well, aristocratic ladies would host salons

that influenced the cultural and social changes of their times. Salonnières held power. Under their influence, political plots were hatched, new literary trends started, scientific discoveries publicised and new ideas launched.

Von Suttner took her agenda of arbitration, disarmament and the abolishment of the laws of war to The Hague to work them through her sa lon in 1899 and 1907. As salonnière - first at the Grand Central Hotel in The Hague and later in the Kurhaus Hotel at Scheveningen beach - Von Suttner created an informal social space for frank conversations among the small cosmopolitan elite of diplomats, journalists and international legal experts. People would meet there and discuss the latest developments that were at issue in the formal sessions of the Peace Conference. Her salon was always full of callers and, from early in the morning, with interviewers for international newspapers. As the most prominent woman of the inter national peace movement, and as a salonnière, she could authoritatively lead the exchange of progressive (legal) pacifist ideas in a private setting, thus

Denied access to the formal sessions of the 1899 Hague conference, Von Suttner instead used her position to contribute to peace through a law project, through the typical female practice of influencing intellectual and political debates: salon diplomacy

contributing to the creation of an inter national public sphere avant-la-lettre. Journalists were not admitted to the [Conference] deliberations, but at her Salon they informed themselves, spoke with delegates and consulted interna tional lawyers and peace activists. The latter in turn hoped to mobilise ‘public opinion’ through the press and to influ ence the representatives.”

Von Suttner was important to the development of international law, as she changed the minds and perceptions of people with her book, and through her relentless campaigning for peace. With her novel and other writings, she contributed to what Lassa Oppenheim in 1908 claimed to be one of the main tasks of the science of international law: ‘popularisation of international law’.

Although Von Suttner would in her own way help lay the foundations of today’s international legal institutions, she would, throughout her life, remain ambivalent with regard to international law. In 1912, she wrote to a friend about international lawyers: ‘Das sogenannte >Völkerrecht< - trockene Juristerei –past nicht in die Friedensbewegung, ungefähr wie das Rote Kreuz .‘ (‘The so-called >international law< - dry ju

As salonnière - first at the Grand Central Hotel in The Hague and later in the Kurhaus Hotel at Scheveningen beach - Von Suttner created an informal social space for frank conversations among the small cosmopolitan elite of diplomats, journalists and international legal experts

risprudence - does not fit into the peace movement, much like the Red Cross.’) And four weeks before her death: ‘Die Völkerrechtslehrer werden den Pazi fismus erdrosseln.’ (‘The teachers of international law will strangle pacifism’).

In her view, only a ban on war, dis armament, and the pacifist settlement of international disputes by an inter national court of arbitration would do. She would fight for that until the end of her life.

A few days after her death, the First World War broke out.

The White Dancing Horses of Vienna

In Austria, the window to another era is provided by the Spanish Riding School. It is a living form of Renaissance art, an institution that has survived for centuries unmodernised and unaltered

Founded

in 1572, the Spanish Riding School is the embodi ment of Austrian tradition. It pays homage to a 2,000-yearold art of classical riding and sits alongside Mozart, Strauss and Freud on the calling card of Vienna. Its rid ers are revered and, once accepted through a rigorous application process in their teens, have a job for life. The hierarchy is so strict that it takes 12 years to graduate from a pupil to a fully-fledged rider.

The riders’ demeanour is a cross between army officer and detached film star, but the horses are the true stars of the show. Pure-bred grey Lipizzaners, they float above the ground of the Winter Riding School, white manes and tails flowing, like mythical creatures with wings.

So much of our received imagery of horses involves Lipizzaners. Think of the Stubbs painting of a horse be ing attacked by a lion, the Van Dyck portrait of Charles I, or of Rubens’s portraits of Hapsburg emperors on regal-looking steeds - the horses are Lipizzaners. They are everywhere: as rearing marble statues, on the walls of art galleries and in the palaces of Europe’s ruling families.

In Vienna they perform once a week, on Sunday mornings in an 18th-century Baroque palace in the city centre. The performances are sold out months in advance and the tickets are snapped up for the daily training sessions, which are open to the public.

The riders make imperceptible commands as the Lippizaners move smoothly from walk into piaffe (trot ting on the spot) or passage (a highstepping trot during which the legs seem suspended in the air). It takes each horse between five and six years to master the more difficult moves, so they are brought along slowly, never over-faced.

The younger horses are less pol ished in their movement and spook when the crowd claps at the end of their 10-minute appearance, but the more experienced stallions pirouette or canter on the spot, turning circles that would collapse if their balance

were not perfect. In a move called a capriole, they jump in the air, with forelegs and hind legs kicking out, like a ballet dancer performing a grand jete. They raise their forelegs, hovering above the ground with their hind legs taking all of the pressure, in a controlled rear that is held for as long as possible (the levade). They rear high, front legs drawn tightly in, and hop forward on their hind legs

VI on a grey Lipizzaner hangs at one end. Paintings in the gallery show crowds in the 18th century leaning over the low walls, craning their necks round the marble pillars, straining for a better view.

The Spanish Riding School proudly claims to be the only riding school in the world at which the classical art of riding is practised in its purest form. This ‘classical art’ dates back

(the courbette). Even in canter, the pace is so controlled the rider can still walk behind.

The Winter Riding School arena is a vast ballroom with sawdust as its dancefloor. It was completed in 1735 as part of the palace of Hofburg and it is lit by three enormous crystal chandeliers - it also has two flagpoles in the centre. A portrait of Charles

to a Greek soldier named Xenophon, a disciple of Socrates, who led his army on a 1,000-mile march home to Greece across enemy territory. During the march, Xenophon contemplated the skill of training a horse in war fare and the best way to ensure it remained healthy and fit to survive many years on the road. He wrote down his observations in a book called The Art of Horsemanship, which was first ‘published’ in 360BC. Xenophon espoused patience as the only way in which to get the best from a horse, a significant departure from the some times violent mastery of horses that is still prevalent elsewhere.

The European Renaissance saw a revival of Xenophon’s theories, as riding schools were established to train horses to perform at the royal courts. When Spanish-bred horses were found to display the best tem perament and appearance, they were

The riders’ demeanour is a cross between army officer and detached film star, but the horses are the true stars of the show. Pure-bred grey Lipizzaners, they float above the ground of the Winter Riding School, white manes and tails flowing, like mythical creatures with wings

transported to the village of Lipizza in Slovenia where the first royal stud was founded in 1580 and the Lipizzaner breed was established. In 1920, the stud was moved to Piber in Styria, about three hours southwest of Vienna.

It is here, surrounded by trees, hills and grass, that I get close to Lipizzaner foals for the first time. Born between January and June, they are weaned from their moth

ers at six months and then split by gender to establish their own peck ing order. As yearlings, they are moved to the Alps to improve their

muscles and balance (every summer, the performance horses are also put out to pasture in the mountains to enjoy the Alpine herbs and grasses and the purity of the air).

At three years old, the stallions with the best configuration and tem perament will start training and the finest mares will be selected for the continuation of the breed. Those not selected are available for sale and are in great demand.

This ‘classical art’ dates back to a Greek soldier named Xenophon, a disciple of Socrates, who led his army on a 1,000-mile march home to Greece across enemy territory

When they are born, Lipizzaners are brown or dark grey. Their colour lightens as they grow older to a bright white, but a few stay brown. Most of these are sold but one brown horse is always included in the performance as a mascot.

During the Second World War, the Lipizzaner stallions were evacuated to safer territory in the mountains so as to escape the Allied bombing. When the area was then occupied by

American forces, word was sent to the commanding officer, General George S Patton, that the horses were there. Patton himself had competed in the modern pentathlon at the Olympic Games in Stockholm in 1912, and when he learnt that Colonel Alois Podhajsky, the head of the Spanish Riding School, was a fellow Olympian and that his stallions were under threat, he agreed with Podhajsky that they should become wards of the

The riding school has perfected a synergy between man and horse that is based on patience, kindness, mutual trust and honesty. Its beauty is in its simplicity and in the obvious enjoyment of the real heroes, the gleaming grey stallions

U.S. Army. It was an episode later celebrated in Disney’s Miracle of the White Stallions (1963).

At the conclusion of the war, Patton ensured the stallions and the mares and foals (who had been transported to Czechoslovakia) were returned to Vienna and so safeguarded the continuation of the Spanish Riding School.

These are modern-day knights, protecting an art that would other wise be extinct. The riding school has perfected a synergy between man and horse that is based on patience, kindness, mutual trust and honesty. Its beauty is in its simplicity and in the obvious enjoyment of the real heroes, the gleaming grey stallions.

BY VALERIYA SAFRONOVA

An Empress Ahead Of Her Time

The 19th century’s Empress Elisabeth of Austria is ubiquitous in Vienna: on chocolate boxes, on bot tles of rosé wine, on posters around the city. The Greek antiques that she collected are on display at Hermesvilla palace, on the outskirts of the city; her hearse is at Schönbrunn Palace, the Hapsburg family’s former summer residence; and her gym equipment is on display at the Hofburg, which was the monarchy’s central Vienna home

Thesetraces paint an entic ing, yet incomplete, picture of an empress who receded from public life not long after entering it, and spent most of her time travelling the world. She had a tattoo on her shoulder, drank wine with breakfast, and exercised two to three times a day on wall bars and rings in her rooms. These eccen tricities, combined with her refusal to have her picture taken after her early 30s, fuelled the air of mystery that surrounded her.

Today, nearly 125 years after the then 60-year-old Elisabeth was as sassinated, two new productions — a new Netflix series called The Empress and a film called Corsage, which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in May and will hit American cinemas on 23rd December — offer their own ideas.

“Growing up in Austria, she was the main tourist magnet, aside from Mozart,” said Marie Kreutzer, who wrote and directed Corsage. Never theless, she added, Elisabeth, who was married to Emperor Franz Josef I, remains largely a mystery. “Her image is one you can reimagine and reinterpret and fill with your own imagination, because we have a lot of stories about her, but you don’t know if they’re true,” explained Kreutzer.

The moody, intellectual and beautyobsessed empress has had many revivals.

During her lifetime, Elisabeth, who also went by the nickname Sisi, travelled constantly, often visiting Hungary, Greece and England, and was rarely seen by the Viennese public. In private, she wrote poetry, rode horses and hunted, hiked in the high Alps, read Shakespeare, studied classical and modern Greek, took warm baths in olive oil and wore leather masks filled with raw veal as part of her skincare routine.

“She was such a recluse,” said Wien Museum curator Michaela Lindinger, who has spent more than two decades studying Elisabeth and authored the book My Heart Is Made of Stone: The Dark Side of the Empress Elisabeth, which inspired the film Corsage. “People didn’t see her, and she didn’t want to be seen,” said Lindinger.

She was nevertheless empress of Austria, and later also queen of Hun gary, so she was widely discussed. “No matter how much she fled the attention and scrutiny and the court, she was always pursued,” said Allison Pataki, who has authored two histori cal novels about Elisabeth – The Ac cidental Empress and Sisi: Empress on Her Own. “She was thrust into the spotlight as this young girl who was chosen by the emperor, in large part because of her physical beauty.”

After Elisabeth was killed by an anarchist in Switzerland, in 1898, she became an object of fascination throughout the Hapsburg Empire, and her image appeared on com memorative coins and in memorial pictures. In the 1920s, a series of novels about her were published, focusing on her love life.

During the 1950s, the Sissi film trilogy, starring Romy Schneider, revived Elisabeth as a happy-go-lucky Disney princess come to life, clad in bouncy pastel dresses and beloved by animals and people alike. The syrupy films, which appear on Ger man and Austrian TV screens every Christmas, are part of the Heimatfilm genre, which emerged in the Germanspeaking world after World War II and feature beautiful scenes of the countryside, clear-cut morals and a world untouched by conflict.

“I grew up watching the Romy Sch neider movies in a campy way,” said Katharina Eyssen, show runner and head author of The Empress, who hails from Bavaria. As interpreted by Schneider, Elisabeth is “just a good-hearted girl that has no inner conflicts,” she said.

Eyssen’s take on Elisabeth, played by Devrim Lingnau in The Empress, is feistier, wilder and edgier than Schneider’s. The series opens shortly before Elisabeth meets her future husband (and cousin), during his birthday celebrations in Bad Ischl. As the story goes, Franz Josef was expected to propose to Elisabeth’s elder sister, Duchess Helene in Ba varia, but he changed his mind when he set eyes on Elisabeth.

Today, nearly 125 years after the then 60-year-old Elisabeth was assassinated, two new productions — a new Netflix series called The Empress and a film called Corsage, which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in May and will hit American cinemas on 23rd December — offer their own ideas

Where Schneider’s eyes sparkle with joy and excitement, Lingnau’s are heavier and signal a darker in ner world.

In the biographies that Eyssen read while developing the show, she said that Elisabeth’s character is portrayed as “difficult, fragile, almost

bipolar, melancholic”, but Eyssen didn’t fully buy into this perspective.

“There has to be a creative and pas sionate force, otherwise she wouldn’t have survived that long,” she said.

Much of what is known about the empress’s personal life comes from her poems, as well as letters and written recollections from her chil dren, her ladies-in-waiting and her Greek tutor. “She’s a myth in so many ways,” explained Kreutzer. “It was a different time, there was no media as there is today. There are so few photographs of her.”

Elisabeth refused to have her pic ture taken after her early 30s, while she last sat for a portrait at the age of 42. Photos and paintings of her that are dated later are either retouched or composites. “She wanted to re main in the memory of the people as the eternally young queen,” said Lindinger.

Corsage goes further down the dark pathways of Elisabeth’s character than The Empress, offering a punk-

gothic portrait of the empress at 40, as a deeply troubled soul who grasps for levity and freedom in the stifling atmosphere of the Hapsburg court.

She smokes, is obsessed with exercise and the sea, and weighs herself daily (all true, according to historians).

The German title of the film trans lates as “corset”. Elisabeth famously maintained a 50-centimetre waistline throughout her life.

Kreutzer and Vicky Krieps, who portrays Elisabeth, decided that –for the sake of authenticity – Krieps would wear a corset like the Em press’s during filming.

“It’s a real torture instrument,” admitted Krieps. “You can’t breathe, you can’t feel. The ties are on your solar plexus, not on your waist.” She said she almost gave up on filming because of how miserable the corset made her feel.

The final years of Elisabeth’s life have remained largely unexplored in popular culture (Corsage takes ar tistic liberties with the portrayal of her death.) After Elisabeth’s only son, Crown Prince Rudolf, killed himself in 1889, her longstanding depression became deeper and more permanent. While sailing on her yacht, Miramar, she would sit on the deck even during bad weather, her ever-present black lace parasol representing her only defence against the rain and breaking waves, according to the Katrin Unterreiner book Sisi: Myth and Truth. Once, dur ing a heavy storm, she had herself tied to a chair above deck. According to her Greek tutor, Constantin Christomanos, she said: “I am acting like Odysseus because the waves lure me.”

According to novelist Allison Pa taki, Elisabeth fought against the constricting role of being an empress throughout her life. From her poems, intellectual pursuits and travels, it appears as though Elisabeth was always looking outward, imagining herself as being anywhere but where she was. In one poem from 1880, she gave a hint of what she might have been thinking during all the time she spent on the deck of the Miramar: “I am a seagull from no land/I do not call any one beach my home/I am not tied by any one place/I fly from wave to wave.”

In some ways, Pataki said, she might have felt more comfortable in today’s society than in 19th-century Vienna. “Her primary role and the expectation put on her was to have sons, produce heirs,” Pataki said. “But Sisi was far ahead of her time in wanting more for herself as a woman, an individual, a wife and a leader.”

In some ways, Pataki said, she might have felt more comfortable in today’s society than in 19th-century Vienna. “Her primary role and the expectation put on her was to have sons, produce heirs,” Pataki said. “But Sisi was far ahead of her time in wanting more for herself as a woman, an individual, a wife and a leader.”

VICKY KRIEPS AS THE EMPRESS IN CORSAGE_FELIX VRATNYIFC FILMS