CorD magazine 68 by CorD Magazine

CorD, FEBRUARY 2010

POLITICS & DIPLOMACY

SERBIA & NATO

Comment by Dragan Šutanovac, Serbian Defense Minister

THE EARTHQUAKE

SOCIETY

BILATERAL AND REGIONAL COOPERATION

“How would you rate Serbia’s relations with the countries in the region?”

LIFESTYLE & LEISURE

B2B

Ratel gives license to telenor

FOOTBALL FEAWER

8 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: HOW THE WORLD WORKS 34 LEADERS 10 36 A MAN OF DIALOGUE EUROPE WOULD 16 NOT LEAVE GREECE TO

COMPETITION IS DESIRABLE

CULTURE CALENDAR

Haiti

The story of the Brics

PROGRESS ENCOURAGING - HE Iñigo de Palacio España, Spanish Ambassador in Serbia

Projection of the dinar value in 2010

The new Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church

Branko Radujko, C.E.O. of Telekom Srbija

INTERNET SURPASSING TV

BLEED

39 40

Milan Kovačević, foreign investments expert

WE HAVE A GOOD FUTURE

H.E. Georgi Dimitrov, Bulgarian Ambassador to Serbia

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Ivan Novcic, i.novcic@cma.rs ASISTANT EDITOR & EDITOR OF SPECIAL EDITIONS Tatjana Ostojic, t.ostojic@cma.rs ART DIRECTOR Tamara Ivljanin, t.ivljanin@cma.rs LECTOR Pat Andjelkovic EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Jelena Mickic, Jelena Jovanovic, Sonja

4 CorD 68 / February 2010

Mećavnik - Mokra Gora

Annual Events, Classical Music, Art, Film…

Edited by Jelena Jovanović

TOB AND CORD RECOMMEND

Testing the government

Dayton Accord still in force

Ciric, Ilija Despotovic, Petar Djoric, Dejan Jeremic PHOTO Marko Rupena, Slobodan Jotic, FOnet, CorD Archive TRANSLATION: Snezana Bjelotomic EDITORIAL MANAGER Tanja Banković, t.bankovic@cma.rs PROJECT MANAGER Vesna Vukajlovic, Marija Savic FINANCIAL DIRECTOR Ana Besedic, a.besedic@cma.rs

Lunch for two, please.

FESTIVAL OF FUTURE FILMS

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

CULTURE NEWS

Politician of a new caliber

MONTENEGRO

EXPEDITE REFORMS

RESTAURANT OPERA

CROATIA

23 IT IS VITAL TO Online advertising

Comment by Joseph Stiglitz

The road to the world cup 2010

VALENTINE’S SHOPPING GUIDE 2010

77 GENERAL MANAGER Ivan Novcic, i.novcic@cma.rs PRINTING Rotografika d.o.o. CorD is published by: alliance intrenational media Kneginje Zorke 11b, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Phone: +(381 11) 308 99 77, 308 99 88 Fax: +(381 11) 244 81 27

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CorD 68 / February 2010 5

comment

Serbia & NATO

erbia is undergoing rapid changes and they are visible everywhere. There isn’t an area of the country and social life that is not experiencing reforms to a certain extent, all in the aim of building a functional and responsible state in line with the wishes of its citizens. Regardless of the fact that we virtually lost the entire decade of the last century while the world kept moving forward and developing at an exceptional speed, we should not be impatient in waiting for Serbia to join the EU, since the EU is where Serbia naturally belongs. We shouldn’t also dispute the headway that we have already made. We had two great successes – the cancellation of the so-called Schengen visas and application for EU membership. This is a very promising start to a decade during which we not only want to make up for lost time, but keep our eyes firmly fixed on the future. The European integrations process has become irreversible for Serbia. The EU is also changing. Following the adoption of the Lisbon Agreement, the Union has embarked on building its own security identity, while remaining ‘snuggled’ under the NATO umbrella. There are no indications that this might change in the near future, and this is something that every country that aspires to become a NATO member needs to consider. NATO is also changing. Although originally formed as a defense alliance, today its political, security, and economic components are becoming more apparent. NATO is diligently working on its new Strategic Concept which entails much wider security aspects like climate changes, energy safety, cyber crime, and others. What used to be unthinkable in the past is quite normal today. Most countries of the former Warsaw Pact are now NATO members. Still, relations with Russia remain highly sensitive, reflecting the desire and interest of both sides for improvement. Relations between Serbia and NATO are also changing. Things that were inconceivable only a decade ago have become reality today. KFOR and the Serbian Army, the two warring sides in the past, have become partners, gradually building trust in the field. Today, their collaboration is one of the safety pillars in the region. Serbia is a participant in NATO’s Partnership for Peace and would like to be granted a status of advanced partner. This year, the Republic of Serbia will have its mission in NATO. We have adopted the second Individual Partnership Programme (IPP) for 2010

Joining NATO will help us with the transition from an emotional bond that we have from the past to rational discussions focused on the country’s future and we are planning to continue working with NATO on reforming the defense system. Serbia and NATO are no longer enemies, but partners who seek to find the best modalities of cooperation. Still, the most important change in relations between Serbia and NATO is a change of conscience and the way we look at each other. The fact remains that certain NATO structures still have a ‘frozen image’ of Serbia, viewing it as Milošević’s Serbia from the 1990’s, as the culprit behind every single problem in the region. On the other hand, some people in Serbia think of NATO as being anti-Serb for bombing the country in 1999

and taking away Kosovo and Metohija. Unfortunately, this is a case of covering up for the inability and incompetence of politicians that haven’t accomplished notable results. NATO is a favorite topic among such politicians, because by constantly regressing to the past they are trying to conceal the fact that they don’t have anything to offer for the future. Serbia facing up to what the country really stands for is not easy or pleasant, and the current generation of politicians certainly doesn’t have it easy. Although NATO air raids were a really traumatic event for Serbia that could not and should not be forgotten, this country is quite capable of handling its own responsibility in this case and judge those politicians who, in the name of Serbia and patriotic duty, were only actually concerned with their own well-being. Real patriotism has nothing to do with empty words and constantly pointing out what we wouldn’t and shouldn’t do. Real patriotism is all about building infrastructure, schools, hospitals, increasing export, reducing the foreign trade deficit... In short, creating a better life right now, since life cannot wait. In the defense sector that I am managing, patriotism can only be measured by what extent have we managed to regain our reputation and increase civil trust in the army, as well as by building an efficient and economically sustainable defense system that will apply the best safety standards compatible with the conditions that surround us. This is where NATO standards come in. Serbian Defense Minister Last year, Serbia exported a total of $300-million worth of defense products and concluded new contracts worth $500 million. In the upcoming period, factories will have to hire more people to carry out the contracted activities, which is certainly a step in the right direction not only for these factories but also for the entire economy and cities in which the factories are located. A politician who speaks the truth has seldom been popular in Serbia. But it is not a politician’s job to be popular, but to work in the best interest of his country and its citizens. Under the present circumstances, that means working towards Serbia’s becoming an EU member as soon as possible, as well as helping Serbia, as an EU candidate, to position itself with respect to NATO while bearing in mind the national, economic, political, and security aspects. In order to do that, we need to do a rational analysis on which we are going to base our future decisions. Hence, I think it is really good that we, in Serbia, are starting to talk about joining NATO, since that will help us with the transition from an emotional bond that we have from the past to rational discussions focused on the country’s future. Of course, all of this should be done in accordance with the Constitution and official state policy. To conclude, Serbia is definitely going to collaborate with NATO even without being its member. The form of this collaboration will be ultimately decided by Serbian citizens.

Dragan Šutanovac,

CorD 68 / February 2010 7

8 CorD 68 / February 2010

THE EARTHQUAKE On January 12, a catastrophic 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti. Its epicenter was near Léogâne, approximately 25 km west of Port-au-Prince, the country’s capital. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time at a depth of 13 km. As many as 200,000 people are feared dead following devastation to an already impoverished nation. Joint recovery efforts are being mobilized around the world to assist earthquake victims. The United Nations is appealing for $562m to alleviate destruction wrought by the earthquake. UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, said that the Haitian emergency was the “most serious humanitarian crisis faced by the United Nations” in decades.

You can send your donation via internet (http://www.unicef.rs/pomoc-za-decu-haitija. html) or make the payment to the bank account 908-20501-70, with reference number of 400702-0070200003240. The purpose of payment: “111 - Pomoc ugrozenoj deci Haitija “ CorD 68 / February 2010 9

INTERVIEW |

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: HE IÑIGO DE PALACIO ESPAÑA, SPANISH AMBASSADOR IN SERBIA

ENCOURAGING PROGRESS

Spain will hold the six-month rotating Presidency of the EU and here in Serbia the EU Delegation will exercise external representation of the Union. One of the goals that the Spanish Presidency has set is to give impetus to the integration of the Western Balkans into the European Union under the renewed consensus as deﬁned by the European Council in December 2006 10 CorD 68 / February 2010

By CorD Spain began its six-month presidency over the EU with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero addressing European officials. In his inauguration speech, Mr. Zapatero mentioned, among other things, just how important it is to collaborate with the West Balkan countries in their integration in the EU. What is your view of this process in your current capacity as Spanish Ambassador? We shall intensify accession negotiations with Croatia with timely completion in mind. We will maintain an appropriate pace in negotiations with Turkey and we will make as much progress as is feasible with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, once the name issue is resolved in the best possible manner, something we’re optimistic about. Of course, we will pay particular attention to the countries of the region that have submitted their applications for candidate status, namely Albania, Montenegro, and Serbia. Each of them will be evaluated according to its own merits, but with the intention that all will make substantive progress during the semester and to ensure that none of them is left behind. This is a particular concern of Spain’s in regard to Serbia. Finally, I note that, for obvious reasons, we shall give special attention to Bosnia-Herzegovina. This country is facing at present more difficulties in the region and deserves our support. There must be a transition to a stronger EU presence in the country, which may in the future replace the Office of the High Representative, and Bosnia-Herzegovina should move toward constitutional reforms that make it a functional state whose constitution is in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights. Overcoming these challenges will help the country in its European integration process. The Spanish Presidency will organize a ministerial

conference with all countries in the region next May in Sarajevo and there will be an opportunity to review the progress of the integration process and what further steps can be made in that process to accelerate its completion. The Lisbon Treaty came became effective on December 1st, 2009 and Spain, as the country presiding over the EU, has an obligation to implement it. How important is the Lisbon Agreement for further development of the EU? The Lisbon Treaty is the result of a long process of successful negotiations, thanks to the shared efforts of governments, European institutions, and citizens. It is now up to us to firmly and rigorously implement it. This is the Spanish Presidency’s main responsibility. The citizens of Europe should notice as soon as possible that the Union

Presidency, such as the enlargement policy, trade or justice, and domestic affairs. We shall also collaborate on a permanent basis with the new European Commission and the European Parliament, both being the cornerstones of the new institutional scheme. Furthermore, in agreement with it, we shall foster prompt incorporation of additional members to the Parliament. Launching the European External Action Service will be one of the main priorities of the rotating Presidency. The Lisbon Treaty lays the foundations for the creation of the European External Action Service, the instrument geared to provide further coherence and efficiency to the European Union’s external action. The creation of this Service, consisting of officials from the Commission, the

Foreign companies should always be allowed to have equal access to courts. They should be reassured that legal procedures and guarantees are equal for all and are effective has entered a new period. The Lisbon Treaty provides a new institutional framework for the EU, allowing us to have more efficient structures, and to consolidate our efforts for further enlargement of the Union, bringing it closer to European citizens. Spain will fully support the new High Positions created by the Treaty, the Permanent President of the European Council, and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy so that they can exercise their competencies in the best possible conditions. We shall foster ongoing cooperation with the High Representative, specifically in connection with those areas linked to foreign relations, which will remain under the responsibility of the rotating

The Lisbon Treaty entered into force on 1 December 2009. The sweeping reforms will greatly enhance the European Union’s efficiency and democratic foundations.

Council’s General Secretariat, and Member States, also shows the Union’s intention to reinforce its role in world affairs. It will be the responsibility of the Spanish Presidency to collaborate with the High Representative and the European Parliament to promote the enactment of necessary legal rules for the establishment of the European External Action Service and to ensure its rapid implementation. But the Lisbon Treaty presents many other important new features aimed at bringing the Union closer to its citizens. Spain will work to launch the new solidarity clause, which calls for joint action between the Union and Member States in case of terrorist attack or natural or manmade disasters, urging the Union to mobilize for this purpose all instruments at its disposal, including military resources. The Presidency will also work on implementing the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, will promote the EU’s signing of the CorD 68 / February 2010 11

How significant will re-activating the Interim Trade Agreement with the EU be for Serbia? Serbia has been implementing the Interim Agreement already for a year on a unilateral basis. This has been another proof of Serbia’s political commitment under difficult circumstances. It will greatly help to form its track record with a view to assessing Serbian performance in its integration process. I hope that the Interim Agreement will bring benefits to both parties and will contribute to bringing Serbia and the EU closer. Spain is one of the countries that haven’t recognized Kosovo’s sovereignty. The Spanish Foreign Minister, Miguel Angel Moratinos, said recently that the country would stick to its decision about not recognizing Kosovo as independent.

European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, and will develop the European Citizens’ Initiative to deepen the democratic character of the Union and to give citizens a say on which areas they want the EU to legislate. Bearing in mind your recent statement that Spain will resolutely help Serbia on its way toward the EU, could you tell us what concrete steps you plan to take in this respect in 2010? Spain believes that the integration process of this region should be further accelerated in line with the EU Council conclusions of December 2009. The EU Council reaffirmed a clear EU perspective for Serbia. Very positive steps have been taken with regard to Serbia during the last weeks of 2009, and Spain is particularly glad that this happened. We believe that under these circumstances all conditions are set to move rather quickly in the Serbian integration process. Spain will do everything necessary to promote rapid progress in this issue, but of course it will be up to all EU members to decide on future steps, in particular with regard to the application for candidate status submitted on December 22 of last year. I have said before that it is our belief that conditions have been met for advancement on the ratification of the Stabilization and Association Agreement when the Council takes up the issue next June. If this is so, again I believe that we could move rather quickly, particularly taking into account the important administrative capacity of Serbia, as recognized by the General Affairs Council last December. But again this will depend on the collective will of all 27 EU members and on Serbia’s meeting all well-known conditions. Spain will spare no efforts in pursuing this goal. What does Serbia have to do in order to become an EU member? Serbia knows all too well what needs to be done in the process of adapting its laws and structures to become a member of the European Union. It has been making very steady progress over the past months, as recognized by the European Commission itself in its reports. This is very encouraging, but a lot remains to be done. I am speaking from experience, since it took a 12 CorD 68 / February 2010

Bosnia-Herzegovina is facing at present more difficulties in the region and deserves our support long time for Spain to become an EU member. The criteria and standards to be met are well-known and I am sure that Serbia will be up to the challenge. In your opinion, was Serbia’s timing for applying for EU candidacy the right one? Applying for membership in the EU is a very important political decision. I gather that in doing so at the end of last year, the Serbian government clearly wanted to show all EU members its political commitment and determination to join the European family. Application was a sovereign decision that we understood as such. Other countries in the region had already applied for candidate status. It was all too natural that Serbia should follow. Having the Interim Agreement unblocked in Brussels was an additional encouragement to follow suit.

Many say that Spain’s approach to the Kosovo issue stems from the country’s own experiences. What is your view of the Kosovo sovereignty? Spain’s stance on the Kosovo issue is all too well-known in the international community and among our other partners in the EU. It is a principled position stemming from our view on the current state of international law. We believe that our position is respected in all circles, as we respect everyone else’s. We are looking forward to the advisory opinion that will be rendered by the International Court of Justice later this year. Indeed, we made a formal declaration at the beginning of the rotating Presidency, stating that our position regarding Kosovo would not change during our tenure and that nothing that might be said or done in this period should be construed as recognition of independence. We hope that the advisory opinion will open a new phase in solving the issue in a viable and sustainable manner. We will continue to work constructively to ensure peace and stability in the whole region, including over the territory of Kosovo. You believe that Serbia could be granted EU candidacy status even if the Kosovo issue is not definitely resolved. Does that mean that the saying ‘both Europe and Kosovo’ have a future? The integration of the whole region in the European Union is a clearly-set agenda and we are all working towards that goal in

CorD 68 / February 2010 13

the EU. Stability in the region and in Kosovo is extremely important for us. That is why we have been supporting the EULEX mission in Kosovo, which promotes consolidation of the rule of law in the territory, and we believe that its socio-economic development is crucial for its own stability and that of Europe. The integration of the whole region will need to be subject to a wide consensus by all EU members. It has been reiterated to Serbia, not only by us but by other countries in the EU as well, that recognizing Kosovo would not be a precondition to enter the EU. At the same time we will need to ensure that the EU perspective benefits everyone in the region, but not at the expense of Serbiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interests exclusively. This is at least the Spanish position. In the past few years Spain has become one of the most important investors in Europe, including in Serbia. Do Spanish investors still find Serbia attractive enough as a market and do they view it as one of the regional centres? Unfortunately, Spain and its companies have been traditionally absent from the Serbian market. We used to focus more on other European markets, Latin America, the United States, or Northern Africa. Now this is changing. In a time of crisis our companies need to continue diversifying their markets and their interests abroad. From this perspective Serbia is becoming one of the biggest attractions in the making and I am sure that our companies will continue to learn about the very promising prospects of investing in Serbia, a country that we hope will soon join the European Union. Whoever invests here first will have an important edge, and it is my duty to disseminate this and the opportunities that are offered by the Serbian economy, where so many things remain to be done to bring it closer to European standards. That is what I try to achieve on a daily basis.

INTEGRATION

Our worldwide success is not confined to Zara or Springfield and I believe that further contact between us in these sectors could be of mutual benefit, particularly because the Serbian economy and its infrastructure are set to be modernized in the coming years. Indeed, there are contacts under way, particularly in the fields of wind energy, railway material, public infrastructure works, and waste management, to name but a few. I will continue to make every effort possible to open our investorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; eyes of to a very promising market in the backbone of the Balkans and to a very relevant prospective partner in the European Union.

One of the goals that the Spanish Presidency has set is to pay particular attention to the countries of the region that have submitted their applications for candidate status, namely Albania, Montenegro, and Serbia. You said that Spanish companies were quite interested in investing in the development of transport infrastructure and the utilization of renewable resources in Serbia. Have there been any business contacts in that respect?

What does the Serbian government need to do in order to attract as many foreign (including Spanish) investors as possible? Serbia, as any other country aspiring to join the European Union, needs to continue to adapt to our European standards. Passing legislation is very important for adapting the business environment. The recent adoption of a by-law on feed-in tariffs for renewable energies is a relevant example. More should be done in this regard, but we understand this is part of a process. Ensuring the rule of law at all levels is crucial. Foreign companies should always be allowed to have equal access to courts, and not only this, they should be reassured that legal procedures and guarantees are equal for all and are effective. These are proc-

Serbian economy and its infrastructure are set to be modernized in the coming years Spanish companies play a prominent role in certain areas of business around the world, such as large public infrastructure and engineering, transportation, banking, renewable energy and environmental management, and some high-end technologies.

CAPACITY

esses that should be completed before accession. On the other hand, I have to say that Spanish companies already settled here or planning businesses in the coming future have had rather positive experiences in the Serbian business environment.

MEMBERSHIP

Spain believes that the integra-

We could move rather quickly,

Serbia knows all too well what

tion process of this region

taking into account the important

needs to be done in the process

should be further accelerated in

administrative capacity of Serbia,

of adapting its laws and struc-

line with the EU Council con-

as recognized by the General Af-

tures to become a member of

clusions of December 2009

fairs Council last December

the European Union

14 CorD 68 / February 2010

THE NEW PATRIARCH OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

A MAN OF The new patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church with over 11 million members worldwide is Bishop Irenaeus of Nis. Following election patriarch Irenaeus was enthroned on January 23rd in the Cathedral Church in Belgrade as the 45th Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church. He received the Patriarch’s signs from the Mitropolit Montenegro-coastal Amﬁlohije who had been the guardian of the throne of the Serbian Orthodox Church since the death of Patriarch Pavle. The new Patriarch Irenaeus is considered a compromise solution after a power struggle within the church between inﬂuential hard-liners and liberals over who would succeed Patriarch Pavle, who died last November after a long illness CorD lthough after the election, the Patriarch said that the election was conducted “quickly, and in a harmonious and a miraculous way,” events that preceded the enthronement of the new Serbian Patriarch were quite uncertain. Patriarch Irinej, 79, was one of three to win the most support in several rounds of voting in the Council of Bishops head dioceses in Serbia, the former Yugoslavia, Germany, the United States, and Australia. His name was then pulled by a senior monk from a sealed envelope “drawn by the Holy Spirit,”according to the SOC. There were controversies surrounding the election of the Patriarch regarding the

16 CorD 68 / February 2010

influence of different lobbies within the SOC, but also the role of the state and politics. There have been reports about alleged power struggles between Bishops of the “Bosnian” and “Serbian” lobbies, and that government would in fact have the final say in the election. However, Irinej’s election signals that the church will stay neutral in the Serbian government’s attempts to join the European Union and other Western institutions. But he is heading the Council of Bishops, which is deeply divided over key issues and plagued by rivalries. Irinej was described as a traditionalist with “the political and diplomatic skills to reduce tensions within his own church.” Even before he was elected he also signaled that

DIALOGUE

CorD 68 / February 2010 17

he wants the church to have better ties with the Vatican and has raised the prospect of the Pope’s first-ever visit to Serbia in 2013. On the other hand, the new patriarch has yet to say which other issues are on his agenda. He has yet to deal with problems stemming from the disintegration of the former country, including the emergence of orthodox churches in Macedonia and Montenegro and most important, the Kosovo issue. Patriarch Irinej is expected to introduce a higher level of discipline and order among the bishops, and to align their personal ambitions and wealth with the expectations of believers. The church has also failed to deal with priests who condoned war crimes and those accused of sexually abusing children nominally under their protection. Younger bishops are also fighting opposition from the dogmatists in a bid toward a modern church. Speaking about the tasks of the Serbian church, the new patriarch said that the SOC should help Serbia defend Kosovo 18 CorD 68 / February 2010

“The Serbian people have never had a lack of “God’s people to emulate in life.” BIOGRAPHY

is Holiness Patriarch Irenaeus (Gavrilovic) of Serbia was born in the village of Vidova, near Cacak in 1930 of father and mother Zdravko and Milijana. When he was baptized, he was named Miroslav. He finished elementary school in his village, and then high school. After e high school he enrolled and completed the Seminary in Prizren, and then finished the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Belgrade. Upon graduation, he went into the army. Following his return from the army he was soon appointed professor of Prizren Seminary. Before taking the office of professor in September 1959 at Rakovica monastery, he was tonsured by His Holiness Patriarch German, gaining the monastic name of Irenaeus.

and Metohija and to preserve the unity of the Serbian people. “We have many tasks to help our country defend Kosovo and Metohija. The Church must support these efforts, with no regrets, and if needed, even suffering. Kosovo is our holy land, our Jerusalem. If we forget Kosovo, Kosovo will forget us.” The main enthronement will be in Pec, seat of the Serbian patriarchs’ throne. “Serbia without its sacred Kosovo is not Serbia. Serbia without Kosovo has no soul, no mind, no heart,” said Irinej immediately after the inauguration. The Patriarch called for the unity of the Serbian Church, pointing out that one of its tasks is to “unite and preserve” the Serbian people living in various parts of the world. “We have other commitments that unite our people and preserve unity. This was the primordial task of the Church at all times.” After the inauguration, Patriarch Irinej said, “This is a great moment and a great day for me personally, and I believe for our

people and our church also. The Serbian Patriarch has always represented the history of his people before God and shared his fate, joy, and tragedy. History speaks of it,” said Patriarch Irenaeus.” My heart is trembling as it is moved by the wind and flashes with a great consciousness and knowledge with the question whether I am worthy of this high title and this high honor. So this time my thoughts are directed to God, our savior, our shepherd who rewarded me with his goodness and grace.” Addressing the bishops, the new patriarch said that the SPC has a lot of tasks, but that issue should be left for the bishops’ discussion on future church councils “We are called to bear our cross and the cross is very heavy. Therefore I am inviting you to bear it together. I expect that we should together manage the Church of Christ. “ On the issue of future tasks of the Church, the Patriarch said, “No need to ask which way to go. St.Sava leads us towards Christ, towards justice, towards the truth, and there is no need to ask the way, but only to follow him. I want to emulate our ancestors and to follow their example,” said Irenaeus, adding that “the Serbian people

GREETINGS

“I

wish to congratulate you with sincerest wishes that you will do everything in your power for the benefit of the church and the people,” said Serbian President Boris Tadic. Pope Benedict XVI and President of the Papal Council for Unity among Christians Cardinal Cody Walther congratulated new Serbian Patriarch Irinej on his election and expressed hope that the two churches will expand their cooperation. “May the Lord give you many spiritual gifts, wisdom, strength, and athleticism to serve the Church of Christ with His own love,” reads the greeting. The Congratulation expresses hope for the cooperation between the two churches. Cardinal Casper has especially pointed to his delight for a meeting in Belgrade soon. Dmitry Medvedev congratulated His Holiness Archbishop of Pec, Metropolitan of Belgrade and Karlovci, Serbian Patriarch Irinej on his enthronement as Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The message of congratulations reads, in part: “Your influence among the faithful and impressive archpastoral experience leave no doubt that you are worthy of your designated primatial mission. I hope that by following the example of Patriarch Pavle and many others of your patriarchal predecessors, you will make an important contribution to strengthening the centuries-old fraternal ties that bind the peoples of Russia and Serbia.” “On behalf of the entire fellowship of WCC member churches, in their deep commitment to make our unity in Christ visible, please accept, Your Eminence, our warmest congratulations and assurance of prayer that God will continue to bless the Orthodox Church through your Leadership.” World Council of Churches (WCC) Rev.. Dr. Olav Tveit Fykse have never had a lack of “God’s people to emulate in life.” Religion analyst Mirko Djordjevic said, “Patriarch Irinej’ election is a good news

for the Church and the people, as he is a man of dialogue. He is one of those people in whose biography no one can find a single extremist statement.”

VATICAN

n an interview, Irinej indicated support for an invitation for the firstever visit by the Pope in 2013, within the framework of celebrations of the 1.700th anniversary since the Edict of Milan. The Roman Emperor Constantine, who was born in Nis, ended the persecution of Christians with that law. Irinej said that “there is the wish of the Pope” for a meeting in Nis and that it would be a chance “not just for a meeting, but for a dialogue.” Hard-line Serbian bishops continue to insist on the Vatican’s alleged plotting against them and oppose any thawing in relations with Catholics. Patriarch Irinej said he would welcome Serbia’s having a special place in celebrations of the Edict of Milan. “It is, of course, their affair (of the Catholic Church), but we had the opportunity to hear that it is the Pope’s wish to meet representatives of Orthodox churches here,” he said. “It would be the first such meeting since the (Christian) Schism in 1054.” CorD 68 / February 2010 19

INTERVIEW |

Branko Radujko, C.E.O. of Telekom Srbija

COMPETITION Telekom’s particularity stems from the fact that the company has a foreign investor that is present in several other countries and that uses international funding in order to ﬁnance development and regional operations. In addition, Telekom is not a public enterpris, in the formal sense of the word, but a shareholding company

espite the severe economic downturn, Telekom Srbija ended last year on a successful note. As Telekom’s C.E.O., Branko Radujko says for CorD that 2010 will be even more

challenging for the company, but he is confident that Telekom will continue to be profitable. This also largely depends on Telekom’s capability to stand up to increasingly stronger competition. Telekom has strong human resources and experts ready

to participate in an international hi-tech ‘game,’ as well as to adapt to and advance technology in order to continue finding efficient solutions. Judging by relevant economic indicators including profit, Telekom is quite different from public enterpris-

I would always work with a smaller market share and real, economically feasible prices, than with 100% market share but with social prices that bring no profit es in Serbia. Since the company is actually not a public enterprise, it should not be treated as one when it comes to IMF’s recommendations, such as keeping salaries at their current level. This successful company is forced to share the destiny of public enterprises and state administration which can have adverse effects on Telekom’s development and its position on the Serbian and regional markets, particularly in terms of hiring experts. Without highly educated and well-paid professionals, who are so important in both mobile and ground telephony, Telekom stands very little chance. According to a survey conducted by Medium Gallup and the daily newspaper Blic, Telekom Srbija was the best company in Serbia in 2009. What is your projection of the company’s end-of-the-year accounts? Despite a slower revenue growth in a 20 CorD 68 / February 2010

N IS DESIRABLE year of economic crisis, it was still higher than expenses, and, as a result of that, we generated a record high net profit of close to 15 billion dinars. This is what we achieved in Serbia. Telekom Srpske had a profit of 60 million euros, while M:tel CG, the third mobile telephony operator in Montenegro, ended last year with a positive EBITDA of over 7 million euros. I would also like to point out that we have reduced our debt ratio from 42% to 35%, which is really an exceptional result in a year that was as difficult as the last one.

Last year was quite difficult for many mobile telephony operators in the world. For example, Deutsche Telecom lost over a billion euros in Great Britain, unlike 2008, when they generated huge profit. In Poland, the company also recorded a loss. What is your view of last year, globally speaking, and what do you expect in 2010? I think that our shareholders can be very happy with last year, which was quite disquieted at the very beginning. At the same time, I expect 2010 to be even more challenging, and we are doing everything a responsible management can do in order for it to be successful and to continue ascending. This will not be easy by any means, and the problems that the biggest global operators are facing reflect that. Although Telekom Srbija is largely owned by the state, a Greek partner also has a share, and your work is supervised by Citibank, on the account of granted loans. What bearing does all of that have on the company’s structure, organization, the way it functions, and the way decisions are made? Quite a lot. Privately-owned foreign investors, like OTE in our case, as well as other important stakeholders like Citibank and several other creditors, bring a completely new quality to the company in terms

I believe that we are going to divide companies in categories according to the share that the state has in them and in line with their business activity, strategic importance, competitiveness, etc. of corporate management and consistency in application of accounting policies and reporting, i.e. internal control in general. There are also somewhat more complicated procedures when it comes to decision making which is sometimes difficult to comprehend for our partners. Anyhow, I think that having a foreign shareholder in the company is useful and desirable. What sets Telekom apart from other public enterprises in Serbia? In which way do your work and responsibilities differ from your counterparts in public enterprises? I really don’t want to comment on public enterprises and their management. Every-

body is trying to accomplish the best possible results. Telekom’s particularity stems from the fact that the company has a foreign investor that is present in several other countries and that uses international funding in order to finance development and regional operations. In addition, Telekom is not a public enterprise in the formal sense of the word, but a shareholding company. Practically speaking, it would be understandable if we had been treated as a public company in our ground telephony segment, but ever since the legalization of the VoIP operators in 2008, the issue of the second CDMA license in May 2009 and the second ground telephony license (which will happen in few days), Telekom will no longer resemble any public enterprise in any respect. I would like to remind you that in our only profitable segment, i.e. mobile telephony, we have very tough competition in Serbia, especially when it comes to Internet and multi-media services.

Judging by salaries, we noticed that you and your employees have lower salaries than your colleagues in other public enterprises which have been recording losses for years. How do you explain this absurd situation? My main concern is my employees’ salaries. They are definitely not based on the success and competitiveness parameters in our sector. I have talked on quite a few occasions with the highest state officials, which actually own 80% of Telekom. I believe that we are going to divide companies into categories according to the share that the state has in them, as well as in line with their business activity, strategic importance, competitiveness etc. Also, I believe that this will be the base for determining salaries in public enterprises on one hand, and companies with a dominant state ownership on the other. If we don’t do this, companies that are state-owned will not be able to sustain themselves in the long run, will not be able to CorD 68 / February 2010 21

INTERVIEW |

have had a lot of young and talented engineers who worked under contract with us, but when they realized that there was no legal way of our offering them permanent employment or for them to get better status within the company, they left to work for our competition or emigrated. Do you expect a third or maybe fourth ground telephony operator to come here, aside from Telenor? The market will completely open up at certain point. I believe that our market will become deregulated if this operator does get the second license. Otherwise, there is a third player, so to speak, that has a CDMA license.

We have had a lot of talented engineers under contract with us, but when they realized that there was no legal way of our offering them permanent employment or for them to get better status within the company, they left to work for our competition or emigrated fend off the competition and their value will decline. And that is certainly not good. What do you plan to do in order to prevent skilled professionals from crossing over to your competition? They are already doing that and we cannot prevent it. We have recently lost three excellent engineers in the space of just one day since they had been offered a higher salary in other companies. One of them went to a company that isn’t even a competitor of ours, but a contractor. As much as you might like Telekom, it is very difficult to refuse a salary that is much higher than your current one. This is one of the biggest

problems that our company has been facing, and we, as in management, are not authorized to deal with it. Is it easy to find young experts today who are ready to change things for the better and carefully monitor the latest tendencies in the telephony sector? Unfortunately, we have to fight really hard for each of them. We would like for some of our citizens who left the country in the 1990s to come back. They have become respected professionals abroad. Some of them have inquired about working in Telekom, but the salaries we could offer them were too low. On the other hand, we

JAT Airways, for example, was not able to withstand foreign competition and its market share went down considerably. What is your projected loss in ground telephony once your subscribers decide to go with the other company, and how much of a profit do you expect when some of Telenor’s subscribers cross over to you? We stand to benefit the most from the fact that prices will be freely formed. I would always work with a smaller market share and real, economically feasible prices, than with 100% market share but with social prices that bring no profit. We expect huge revenue from leasing capacities. Do you plan to launch new products in order to compensate for loss in revenue? Do you think that your subscribers will feel the brunt of the loss? I do expect a decline in our market share, but not a reduction in total revenue. We can finally say that we expect to be profitable in ground telephony. Our services will be more detailed and this is where we expect companies to fight for commercial supremacy.

SALARIES

DEPARTURES

ARRIVALS

My main concern is my employees’ salaries. They are deﬁnitely not based on the success and competitiveness parameters in our sector.

We have recently lost three excellent engineers in the space of just one day since they had been offered a higher salary in other companies.

We would like for some of our citizens who left the country in the 1990s to come back.They have become respected professionals abroad.

22 CorD 68 / February 2010

Online advertising

INTERNET SURPASSING TV At the end of January, with the support from USAID and IREX, ABC Serbia held a seminar about online advertising. Nine of the most renowned lecturers in the online business from Serbia and Croatia held half-hour lectures about various aspects of online advertising UPCOMING SEMINARS

ollowing the extraordinary reception of Richard Foan’s seminar organized by ABC Serbia, USAID, and IREX in November of last year, Milan Kovačević says that similar educational seminars will be held soon. Information about the upcoming seminars will be posted on www.abcsrbija.com soon.

By Ana STOJANOVIĆ Photo Petar RANKOVIĆ he seminar attracted quite a lot of attention from online professionals, so, instead of the originally anticipated 80 participants, close to 150 attended the seminar. Since ABC Serbia could not take in such a high number of attendees, a direct online broadcast was provided via www.live-e.tv. From now on, this website will show all seminars organized by ABC Serbia. “The immediate reason for organizing this seminar was our desire for advertisers, publishers, and website managers in Serbia to acquaint themselves with the basic rules of online advertising as well as the benefits it provides, in the aim of securing a better cash flow and faster development of online businesses. At this moment, only 2% of overall marketing budgets in Serbia is spent on online advertising, which is very low in comparison to global standards. For example, in Great Britain, a total of 23.5% of marketing budgets is spent on online advertising,” says director of ABC Serbia, Milan Kovačević, adding that rapid development of the Internet market suits both advertisers and website owners. Online advertising makes it possible to efficiently transmit marketing messages to target groups while spending very little money in the process.

According to Kovačević, despite the Internet’s popularity in Serbia (there are over 2.7 million Internet users), the Internet’s advertising potential is severely underused. There are two main problems that advertisers have to face in online marketing communication – limited opportunities for finding out its rules and regularities, and lack of information on the realistic advertising potential of websites. Hence, at the seminar ABC Serbia presented a new web audit system, with the main goal of ascertaining the advertising poten-

In Great Britain, a total of 23.5% of marketing budgets is spent on online advertising tial of websites while monitoring and verifying the number of visitors. This longawaited system will officially become operational on February 15th of this year. Internet director of Adria Media, Dejan Nikolić, opened a seminar with a lecture entitled ’Online advertising - Basic Principles and Reach.” Then, the director of Ringier Online, Jovan Protić, talked about the advertising concept on media websites, outlining that TV audiences have been slowly but surely migrating towards

the Internet. Most Internet users belong to the highest groups in society, people who follow fashion, are ready to pay more, travel abroad, speak several languages, and go out quite often. In short, from an advertiser’s perspective, this is the target group that is shifting from TV to Internet and holds a great value. A lecture entitled ’Advertising via Mediators’ was given by Rade Tričković, Director of HttPool, the leading agency that specializes in online advertising in Serbia. After that, Country Manager of Rate Solutions Dejan Bizinger addressed audiences speaking about social networking websites. Country manager of Etarget Vlastimir Čobrda discussed one of the most efficient concepts of Internet promotion, that of contextual advertising, while Gabrijela Stjepanović, Marketing Communications Manager in HttPool, talked about search advertising. Director of the leading Croatian local news site – www.ezadar.hr – Mladen Malik presented the way in which local news websites work since there are no such successful sites in Serbia as yet. The seminar was concluded with a lecture from Stefan Salom, Sales Director of Infostud, who talked about listing sites. You can download all of the aforementioned presentations from the ABS Serbia website – www.abcsrbija.com. CorD 68 / February 2010 23

INTERVIEW |

Milan Kovačević, foreign investments expert

IT IS VITAL TO EXP

Six months ago, when the World Bank granted Serbia a 275.2-million- euro loan with a 20-year-repayment period and grace period of eight years, economic analyst and expert on foreign investments Milan Kovačević welcomed the agreement that preceded the loan, but warned that Serbia’s total debt would grow to 80% of the national GDP, which would lead to major problems in the future 24 CorD 68 / February 2010

ow the World Bank is threatening to withdraw all loans available to Serbia since they are not used properly and euro did indeed grow. This is why we are talking to Milan Kovačević about the current state of the Serbian economy.

What is your comment on the recent statement made by Simon Gray, head of the World Bank’s Belgrade Office that in 2010 the bank will not grant Serbia new loans, and is even considering withdrawing loans that have already been granted and diverting them to other countries?

PEDITE REFORMS It is not good that we have loans at our disposal which we are not using at all. In the past, the International Bank and many other financial institutions charged a certain penalty (in percentages) to every country that did not use granted loans. The bank sets aside all these resources that cannot be used for anything else but what they have been granted for. In the future, we should be more careful about concluding agreements with the World Bank, or any other bank for that matter, for two reasons. First, I guess we have learned a lesson from this, i.e. we should first prepare something and then take the money. Second, we are ’up to our necks’ in debt, and we should not rush to apply for more loans, i.e. being granted a new loan is nothing to brag about.

In your opinion, why haven’t we used these loans for what they were meant for? Is it that we don’t have enough projects to invest in or maybe we haven’t prepared relevant project documentation on time? When it comes to my clients, the documentation was prepared on time. They apply for a loan only when they have the required documentation. It is a totally different matter when the state is not properly organized. This is a big problem. Our government is put together in a totally wrong way. Nobody knows who is in charge of what. You have the Ministry of Infrastructure that is in charge of transportation issues. Then you have the Ministry for the National Investment Plan that also dabbles in these matters. The same goes for the Ministry of Economy. I really don’t know how they manage to accomplish anything since the government is quite het-

The state has made many mistakes. It would be normal if the state encouraged company workers to immediately react if they hadn’t been paid for a month or two erogeneous, with too many ministries and inadequately defined authority. If I understood you correctly, you think that it is the government, in the present structure, that is to blame for the country’s applying for too many loans without actually knowing what are they going to spend the money on? Absolutely. For example, the National Investment Plan has a breakdown of cost that has over 360 items, with some of them amounting to only 1,000 dinars. How can somebody in the National Investment Plan charge something 1,000 dinars? The errors are widespread

and there isn’t enough of a joint effort. You need to think things through to plan well and then decide on the implementation. Could the latest tide of strikes be the consequence of new company owners not finding their way around following their acquisition of companies under very favourable conditions, without actually being prepared in advance for managing these companies? Or does the reason lie somewhere else? Since the very beginning, I have been very critical of the Privatization Agency since, aside from implementing the privatization procedure,

NIP

REACTION

CRISIS

For example, the National Investment Plan. How can somebody in the National Investment Plan charge something 1,000 dinars?

It would be normal if the state encouraged company workers to immediately react if they hadn’t been paid for a month or two.

Aside from optimism, the crisis continues and this year will be even more difﬁcult than the last for workers and pensioners alike. CorD 68 / February 2010 25

the Agency, according to the relevant law, is also supervising itself, which really makes no sense. It would be logical if some other independent institution were to check the Agency’s work in order to find out why people are so unhappy with the privatization process. Another argument in favour of this is the fact that every fifth contract has been contested, which means that they haven’t been doing their job properly. When it comes to strikes, they are and are not a result of privatization, so to speak. Once privatization is carried out and when the buyer’s obligations towards the state cease to exist, then that has nothing to do with privatization any longer. Such a company finds itself in the same situation as one that has not gone through privatization. The state has made many mistakes. It would be normal if the state encouraged company workers to immediately react if they hadn’t been paid for a month or two. It would normal if the state were to improve the judicial system so that employees could easily block the company’s bank accounts and thus force the company to pay their wages. The state is obviously turning a blind eye to such things, so it sometimes happens that these workers go a whole year without being paid. Of course, their anger grows, and the situation would have been much easier if everything had been done properly and on time. Third, we did live through the economic crisis last year. Aside from widespread optimism, the crisis continues and this year will be even more difficult than the last for workers and pensioners alike. Salaries and pensions will not grow, and the inflation rate will do what it usually does. Instead of the state being very cautious in such situations, authorities are now announcing that they will raise salaries in public sector. This is something that they should not do under any circumstances, since there is no basis for this and since the state promised to the IMF that salaries would remain the same. Finally, the state should have the courage to say ’no’ to the money that is being offered but not actually needed. It is inexcusable for somebody to block the international railway so that trains cannot pass through. The same happened with our roads. Now there are threats that rivers will be blocked also. Nobody cares any longer whether they are entitled to do that or not. State authorities need to be consistent and strict in implementing every single law. We should help everybody with exercising their rights, not the 26 CorD 68 / February 2010

“It is a real pity that the Governor did not bring more order into our monetary system, with fewer loans granted in euros being protected” opposite. The authorities sent all the wrong signals to people, inadvertently encouraging them to think that if they went on strike they would get what they want in a relatively easy way. What is the future for such companies? Are they going to be re-sold via a tender or not? I cannot speak in general terms about this issue, but rather we ought to consider each case individually. In many cases, liquidation is imminent. One thing is sure – not all companies will fair better from privatization. Some will have to declare bankruptcy. In certain cases, debts could be settled by selling their property, and these companies might even continue to operate. With some companies, we should find a person who knows how to put them back on their feet, and replace the current management. I cannot give you a universal solution to this problem. If we talk about relations between banks and investors last year, banks granted quite a few loans without asking for proper collateral. It seems that this year, they will ask for solid guarantees before they grant any loans. What is your view of the situation in the Serbian banking sector? During one of his visits abroad, the (National Bank of Serbia) Governor said that one of the signs that the crisis had subsided was that the

credit activity had gone up. Whether banks will grant more loans depends on the overall policy, the speed of reforms, and on our capability to make our economy grow instead of decline, so it is really difficult to speculate what is going to happen. Personally, I think that it is a real pity that the Governor did not bring more order into our monetary system, with fewer loans granted in euros being protected. In that case, we would have managed the exchange rate better and people who took out loans would sleep easier, since their income and loan installments are in dinars. I am a bit skeptical about this issue. Are we going to continue standing still or expedite reforms and create a more functional economic system? This also includes the banking sector, i.e. the relation between this sector and real economy, which, so far, has been rather onesided. Bankers have been benefiting too much on the account of real economy. The proof of this can be found in concluded contracts which favour one side, with the bank being well acquainted with the financial market, and having the right to change contract stipulations, unlike the debtor. All in all, do you think that it is realistic to expect the FDIs in Serbia to reach three billion euros this year? I don’t think so. I would like to see the government explain how they plan to do that. For example, the new Law on Agricultural Land and Law on Construction and Spatial Planning now stipulate that foreign investors who bought previously stateowned land with the right to lifelong utilization now have to pay the market price for that land. The law also says that everybody who bought property from a privatized company will now have to pay more money for it. The Minister claims otherwise. The new bylaw that changes the purpose of the land was adopted a day before this interview, so I haven’t had a chance to read it. The law, on the other hand, says that whoever wishes to convert the land will have to pay up to reach market price, which is practically not feasible since nobody knows who paid for what. Somebody made a payment a year ago and somebody five years ago. I need to see this bylaw first. If things remain as I said and if the investors, who paid for the land fair and square had to fork over more money, I think that that would definitely deter new foreign investors.

QUOTATIONS My third term as president of the municipality of Inđija expires in 2012. I will definitely not run for the fourth consecutive time. I will probably leave politics all together. After ten years, I can say that I have spent most of my time and energy on lobbying inside my own party (the Democratic Party) in order to secure funding for certain local projects. You simply have to have ‘your people’ among the top officials in order to find funding; otherwise you will be severely obstructed.” Goran Ješić – Mayor of Inđija, -Dnevnik – Novi Sad

Serbian companies have no interest whatsoever in participating in the tender for the sale of the Port of Bar. If an economic interest is lacking, there is certainly a political one. Sometimes these are utterly silly interests, which, I presume, is the case here.” Miroslav Prokopijević, Economy analyst – Deutsche Welle

Why is Priština University still called that if it has been relocated years ago to Mitrovica, with departments in Leposavić, Zubin Potok, Gračanica, Ranilug and Kusac? How many university students are actually from Kosovo and how many are from Serbia proper, where we even don’t know how many universities there are? Is it true that many students couldn’t study in other locations, so they came to Mitrovica?” Srećko Mihajlović, Sociologist, -Politika

The proposal for MPs to retire at 55 years of age, providing that they have worked for at least 15 years and for three parliamentary terms, is not a good one, and I do hope that it will never make it to the final draft law. I cannot believe it! Instead of reforming the pension fund and cutting back on the number of MPs, we are doing totally the opposite. If we do adopt this law, MPs will have huge privileges. People would do anything in their power to become an MP, which in turn would increase corruption and shady tycoons will again have ’their own people’ in the parliament.” Rasim Ljajić, Labour Minister – Blic

Serbia is not an easy market for doing business. It is certainly not ideal for those investors who want a fast return on their investment or attractive for those who, while analyzing their investments from far off, only see numbers. This market needs investors who will dedicate their time to it, who know and understand the country’s history, appreciate its tradition and give their best. Those who are not able to do that should find other markets to invest in.” Nikos Veropoulos, Owner of the Veropoulos Company – Politika

You (Presidenet Tadic) thereby bring discord into the canonical order of the Orthodox Church, approaching our vicar and making arrangements with him, bypassing us as the responsible bishop (host),” Bishop Artemije wrote to President Boris Tadić

All of us have trouble accepting the part of the verdict which says that Serbia did not do all it could to prevent genocide. It is very important that Parliament passes a declaration which will clearly condemn crimes committed in the region of Srebrenica as soon as possible. In that case, we would turn over a new leaf in the relations between Bosnia and Serbia, and re-establish trust between the citizens of the two states.” Boris Tadić, Serbian President

Adopting the resolution about Srebrenica is not only our duty and obligation towards the International Court of Justice, but something we owe to ourselves and our future in order for Serbia to regain its good reputation and integrity.” Sonja Liht, Sociologist

I believe that the creators of this resolution only had the best intentions in mind, but I do think that their evaluation is bad, as is the adoption of the resolution about Srebrenica. This is a detrimental and meaningless move which will do nothing for reconciliation in the region.” Đorđe Vukadinović, Editor-in-chief of The New Serbian Political Thought (Nova srpska politička misao)

There is no reason to treat crimes committed in Srebrenica differently than other crimes committed at that time, since crime has no colour or ethnicity. Hence, it would be really important if all ex-Yugoslav states were to show a high level of consciousness, just like President Tadić did by launching this initiative.” Branko Ružić, Head of the Socialist Party of Serbia’s parliamentary caucus

SNS strongly condemns the horrible crimes committed in Srebrenica. I will say nothing further until I see the concrete proposal.” Aleksandar Vučić, Deputy President of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS)

All warring sides committed crimes. Hence, we should adopt one or two resolutions that condemn all crimes. The Serbs that were killed were not pigs. They were human too!” Dragan Marković Palma, Head of the Jedinstvena Srbija (JS) Party

Radicals find the idea of making any kind of declaration about Srebrenica unacceptable, but the Serbian Radical Party is in favour of declaratively condemning all crimes.” Dragan Todorović, Deputy President of the Serbian Radical Party (SRS) CorD 68 / February 2010 27

INTERVIEW |

H.E. GEORGI DIMITROV, BULGARIAN AMBASSADOR TO SERBIA

We have a good future Photo Slobodan JOTIĆ he experiences that Bulgaria had from the period when it applied for EU candidacy and during its first few years as an EU member can be of great assistance to Serbia, once the country submits its application for EU candidacy. We are talking to H.E. Georgi Dimitrov, Bulgarian Ambassador to Serbia, about the challenges that Bulgaria faced during that period, positive and negative aspects of EU membership, and relations between Bulgaria and Serbia.

“Bulgaria deﬁnitely views Serbia as a future EU member and supports the country’s every step towards the Euro-integrations process. It is in our best interest, as well as in the interest of the entire region, to have a stable, prosperous, and democratic neighbour on our western border, a neighbour with whom we share the same values and future. Hence, we wholeheartedly support every decision and progress made in that direction.” 28 CorD 68 / February 2010

What is your view of the relations between Bulgaria and Serbia from the time when Bulgaria officially became an EU member up to the present? In the past few years, the relations between Bulgaria and Serbia have been going strong politically, but there is still room for improvement. This primarily pertains to economy and infrastructure. Bilateral trade exchange is at a medium level which means that it amounts to less than a billion euros per annum. The mixed committee for economic, scientific and technical collaboration hasn’t met in years. Talks about connecting the two countries’ transport infrastructure, gas transmission systems, and establishing flights between the two capitals have died down. The agreement on opening new border crossings is still waiting to be implemented. We are waiting for the two prime ministers to meet in order to tackle at least some of these issues. The good thing about this is that

the interest shown by business people from both countries for establishing contacts and collaborating is growing. For now, Bulgarian investments in Serbia are far lower than Serbian investments in Bulgaria. However, once Serbia picks up its pace on the EU path, I do hope that the exchange will increase in both directions. Tourism is rapidly developing and cancellation of EU visas for Serbian citizens will certainly contribute even further. I can say that cooperation between military and police structures of the two countries has been very active and quite fruitful. The first meeting between the new Bulgarian government and Belgrade officials was instigated by the deputy prime minister and interior minister. When it comes to culture, I can see that the two nations have also been cooperating in that respect through various exhibitions, plays, books, and films. I should say that the dialogue between different groups of artists has been very lively indeed. In 2009, we had two exceptionally important culture events. Publications ‘The Chrestomathy of Bulgarian Literature’ and ‘The History of Bulgaria’ have been released in Serbia. The people most deserving for making this happen are certainly professor Mihajlo Pantić and historian Srđan Pirivatrić, who both received the highest Bulgarian medals of honour from the Bulgarian President. When I look back at event, it seems like it was ages ago. There are few other culture projects brewing under the surface. Bulgaria and Serbia are two neighbouring and culturally compatible countries that unfortunately don’t have culture centres in Sofia and Belgrade respectively. Collaboration is still based on an obsolete legal foundation, and the number of exchange students, students on specialized trai,ning and lecturers is still low despite efforts and good relations

between science academies and universities. True, the economic downturn did affect most areas of life and communications, but the crisis shouldn’t be used as an excuse. We have high expectations of a meeting between the two culture ministers that is currently underway. Overall, the portrait of bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Serbia is painted in many different tones, so to speak. Bulgaria sees Serbia as a future full-fledged member of the EU which would certainly provide opportunities for even closer collaboration. You have said recently that unblocking the Interim Trade Agreement, cancellation of visas, and Serbia’s application for EU candidacy is a huge step on Serbia’s path toward the European Union. Some state officials say that Serbia should have waited a bit longer to submit the candidacy. What do you think?

The way we deal with Kosovo issue, should not be based on emotions and forced solutions, but rather on reality Bulgaria definitely views Serbia as a future EU member and supports the country’s every step towards the Euro-integrations process. It is in our best interest, as well as in the interest of the entire region, to have a stable, prosperous, and democratic neighbour on our western border, a neighbour with whom we share the same values and future. Hence, we wholeheartedly support every decision and progress made in that direction. Bulgaria is obviously ready to provide support to Serbia joining the EU. What

REGIONAL COOPERATION

epublic of Bulgaria does not have any political issues in relation with the Republic of Macedonia or any other country in the region. Our economic and political relations with official Skopje are good, and Bulgaria has provided solid support for this country’s European and Euro-Atlantic priorities in accordance with the priorities of the EU policy in the Balkans. From our perspective, we have the right to expect a correct treatment of Bulgarian history and culture and adequate treatment of Bulgarian citizens, companies, and organizations operational in Macedonia. Relations with Romania and Greece are friendly and traditionally good. Cooperation with these two countries has become even better now that we are an EU member. The Republic of Bulgaria has good political and economic relations with Turkey, which turned out to be one of our biggest trading partners outside the EU.

does exactly this support entail and what would you, as an EU member, recommend to Serbia in this respect? So far, Bulgaria has been not only very vocal in supporting Serbia on its way to the EU, but has also provided practical support. Could you imagine the financial aspect of issuing 300,000 visas to Serbian citizens free of charge? Our support for Serbia will be dispensed within the framework of European institutions, and we are ready to fully share our experiences, both positive and negative, first, as an EU candidate and subsequently an EU member. This entails harmonizing regulation, administration reforms, legal and judicial systems and any other issue that is important for Serbia. I said on quite a few occasions that we are willing to help Serbia as much as Serbia would help us. If Serbia thinks that we can help the country to advance even faster and avoid problems that we had to face, then by all means Sofia is ready to lend a helping hand. Bulgaria’s stance is that the Kosovo issue should be treated separately from the issue of Serbia’s joining the EU. Do you think that such a standpoint is realistic, bearing in mind that most EU countries have already recognized Kosovo’s independence? We are sharing the same view as other EU members concerning this issue, regardless whether these countries recognize Kosovo as a sovereign state or not. Of course, this problem will continue to concern us, but, at the same time, it is pretty clear that linking that matter to the issue of Serbia’s becoming an EU member, as well as making Kosovo the central issue, will not resolve the situation. A more realistic scenario is that, sooner or later, regional countries will join the EU which will make the question of state borders rather obsolete and any problems that ethnic minorities might have will be dealt on a completely different platform. As long as Europe keeps on insisting on countries fostering good neighbourly relations, regional cooperation, ethnic and religious tolerance, respecting minority rights will remain an important benchmark for EU membership. All in all, the way we deal with this problem should not be based on emotions and forced solutions, but rather on reality. The solution will become apparent once the people, who are directly involved, are ready to accept it. CorD 68 / February 2010 29

INTERVIEW |

Bulgaria’s accession to the EU lasted for almost 12 years from the moment you applied for candidacy. People say that an average accession period is close to 10 years. What was the biggest problem that Bulgaria had to deal with on this journey? Let me say first that the speed at which Serbia will join the European Union depends primarily on Serbia itself. Of course, we should consider certain objective institutional structures that were established following the adoption of the Lisbon Agreement and which still haven’t gained the necessary experience. In our case, the biggest problem was implementing thorough economic reforms and setting up a functional free market. It was also very difficult to pay a very high social price for that, and of course certain structures had their doubts. Also, society was not always welcoming when it came to conducting rather unpopular reforms. Certain EU conditions were accepted with much grief, like the shutting down a section of the Kozloduj nuclear plant. Aside from that, Bulgaria did manage to achieve a national consensus on EU membership, viewing it as an imperative for the country’s future. Hence, we invested a lot of effort and mobilized resources in order to overcome one obstacle at a time. This transformation did not end on the day we joined the EU. However, more you do beforehand, there is less for you to do once you join. How painful was this period for Bulgarians? The huge changes that happened at the end of the 1980s led my generation into unchartered territory. The country and its people were faced with great difficulties. Democracy was taking its baby steps at a time when federal and economic relations were disintegrating, with many unresolved internal and external problems, lack of real partners, and vision for the future. I remember long queues for food, galloping inflation rate, mass protests, and demonstrators toppling the government. Yes, those were difficult days. I also remember debates about the direction that the country should take, including the idea of a so-called ‘third way,’ i.e. neutrality. I was very much a part of those debates. In the end, I am glad that we decided that the best thing to do for Bulgaria and its development is to join NATO and EU, and for the country to fulfill its strategic aims thanks to a wide national and social consensus. 30 CorD 68 / February 2010

that I am wrong) that the initial thrill is dissipating. Certain people had this unfounded hope that by joining the EU everybody would become instantly wealthy and all problems would be immediately resolved. I am not ignoring the fact that we were not properly prepared, that we allowed corruption and organized crime to invade the country, that sometimes we did mismanage EU funds that were at our disposal and that, in some instances, these funds were misused.

Trade and economic relations between Bulgaria and Serbia are developing quite normally, but the potential is much higher What did Bulgaria gain by joining the EU and did the country also lose something? The end result is certainly a positive one and there are some aspects of becoming an EU member that cannot be measured by money like a new national conscience, changes (which are not as fast as I would like them to be) in politics, people’s mentality, i.e. socalled Europization of the way they think and behave. However, I am afraid (and I do hope

ECONOMIC COOPERATION

t is in our countries’ best interest to implement extensive infrastructure projects like Corridor 10, the South Stream, and the Nabucco gas pipelines. I see a lot of potential for developing not only bilateral, but also regional cooperation in railways, river and air transport, the energy sector, environmental protection, and tourism. As an EU member, Bulgaria offers very favourable conditions for implementation of joint projects funded by the EU. The Embassy has been very active on promoting cooperation between municipalities and is a mediator in establishing contacts. Unfortunately, EU financial resources are still quite underused.

When will the living standard of ordinary Bulgarians reach the same standard as in other EU countries? That is a very serious issue that will be dealt with for quite a long time. Our standard primarily depends on us. I think that if we were to conduct the transition process differently, and I mean privatization, restitution, agricultural and health reforms, the country’s position would be much different. Now that we are an EU member, we need to invest more effort into changing the way we think, in modernizing our economy, attracting foreign investments, and tackling corruption and organized crime. It is highly likely that during this process an entire generation will have to carry a burden on their backs, but the goal is clear – becoming equal to other member states and their level of development and living standard. What do you think about the economic relations between Serbia and Bulgaria, and is there potential for these relations to become even better? Trade and economic relations between Bulgaria and Serbia are developing quite normally, but as I have already mentioned, the development potential is much higher. Unfortunately, they are directly influenced by negative things from the past, ignorance, and prejudice. Bulgaria is confident that all of these negative things will gradually be eliminated. At the state level, we built a legal basis for further development of bilateral relations, and in the context of European integrations, these relations will be renewed and updated. Furthermore, a lot depends on initiatives coming from Bulgarian and Serbian producers and traders, chambers of commerce, and the like. All they want is an adequate business environment, security for their investments, and fewer administrative barriers.

CorD 68 / February 2010 31

QUESTIONS |

Bilateral and regional cooperation New CorD question was: “How would you rate Serbia’s relations with the countries in the region and which future steps would be beneﬁcial for Serbia?” VLADIMIR GLIGOROV,

THE LEADER AND PROBLEMS

sive cooperation, and no significant bilateral problems. However, relations between the two countries have been somewhat strained since Serbian authorities are having a rather difficult time accepting equality in the relations. There are no aspirations

Relations with Croatia are somewhat more complex and this really makes no sense, since Serbia never profited from having disputes with its neighbours

Serbia wants to be a leader in the Balkans, but the country is demonstrating rather stunted leadership aptitude when it comes to resolving its bilateral and regional problems. Apparently, the idea is that Serbia will be at the helm of the Balkan region because it has been solidifying its role outside the Balkans, and therefore, this should contribute to the resolution of bilateral and regional problems. This is not, by any means, a prudent foreign, regional, or neighbourly policy. It would be much better if Serbia were to truly contribute to settling the issues with its neighbouring countries. Let’s start with the simplest case – it would be really beneficial if relations with Montenegro were improved, since this is a country with which Serbia has quite exten32 CorD 68 / February 2010

to destabilize Montenegro any longer, but diplomatic tensions and political mistrust are still present. It would be only natural not only to normalize political relations with Montenegro, but also to make them much closer. Relations with Croatia are somewhat more complex and this really makes no sense, since Serbia never profited from having disputes with its neighbours. In addition, the relations between Croatia and Serbia are crucial for the stability of the entire West Balkans. Serbia, as a larger country which stands to benefit more from having stability, should be the first to launch an initiative to make bilateral relations better and show goodwill in tackling problems between the two countries. Unfortunately, Serbian foreign policy is of the opinion that a lot stands to be gained from disputing with Croatia, and is making sure not to lose a single opportunity to do so. Instead, the country should be constructive about resolving controversial issues, which would be mutually beneficial and have a stabilizing effect. The key test of Serbian foreign policy is certainly the way it handles its relations

with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The first step that Serbia should make is to express its disapproval with the secessionist intentions of the Republic of Srpska, but also that of Bosniaks and Croats alike. If Serbia really wants to lead, then it should allow Bosnia and Herzegovina to join the European integration process just like any other Balkan state. And then there is the biggest problem, that of Kosovo, a source of strife with Montenegro and, to a lesser extent, with Macedonia, and an obstacle to full regional collaboration. It seems that everybody’s waiting for the International Court of Justice to provide its opinion so that relations could go back to normal and improve regional cooperation. One can argue that working on normalizing relations right now could have a positive influence on the Court, but that is not what Serbian officials are thinking. Nevertheless, these are the problems and these are the solutions. For now, it seems that Serbia is still not the leader in tackling the region’s problems. VESNA PERIC, DIRECTOR SIEPA

EXCELLENT COOPERATION WITH REGIONAL AGENCIES Economically, bilateral relationships with the countries from the region have improved significantly in recent years. Intraregional trade regulated by the CEFTA Agreement has been on a steady rise. More importantly, Serbia records a massive surplus in trade with SEE partners, particularly with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Macedonia. Also, our country is both a large recipient and source of direct investment from and into CEFTA member states. In spite of the remarkable progress achieved in regional economic cooperation, there are still certain issues to be ad-

ZORAN ŽIVKOVIĆ, OWNER OF THE ŽIVKOVIĆ HOUSE OF WINES

COLLABORATION THAT IS FAR FROM STANDARDS

As far as SIEPA is concerned, we have had excellent cooperation with regional agencies up to now and we have big plans for the future dressed. This is particularly the case with Croatia where Serbian exporters and investors are facing certain limitations. As far as SIEPA is concerned, we have had excellent cooperation with regional agencies up to now and we have big plans for the future. The Decree on Investment Incentives was made in cooperation with out Slovenian counterparts. SIEPA is one of the initiators and main contributors of the newly-formed Regional Network for Investment Promotion (Albania, BiH, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia). The main goal of the network is to promote the region as an investment destination and to enhance bilateral cooperation on all levels (technical, educational, legal, etc). On a larger region scale, SIEPA’s cooperation with Czech Invest has resulted in the supplier development program introduction and the creation of our supplier’s database. There are numerous examples, but one thing is certain. Open-mindedness, sharing experiences, and learning best practices from one another is the only way to progress.

The collaboration between Serbia and other regional countries is far removed from the standards required in the 21st century, while its quantity and quality are not even close to recommended. We can say that none of the relations that we have with our neighbours are satisfactory, while communication and cooperation with some of them is merely bearable, for the lack of a better word. This situation is the result of two dominant factors. The first factor, which is a foreign one, concerns the historical basis for intolerance in the Balkan region. Every single state in this region has been created by the will, merit, or fault of large powers that used the Balkans and its people as petty change in their conflicts or accords at the end of 19th and the beginning of 20th centuries. Every single border in this part of the world, the constitutional foundation of Balkan states, and their cold-war and contemporary grouping were mostly a result of decisions made by bureaucrats from the super-powers, both in the past and present, and seldom were they an expression of the

their personal or oligarchic privileges. In such an environment and in order to attain the aforementioned goals, chauvinist outcry and show business-like social demagogy are much more useful than the persistent and carefully thought-out work on improving cooperation with the country’s neighbours. The consequence of such short-sided and irresponsible politics is a state of constant tension and lack of longterm and successful cooperation between regional countries. The policy that has been exercised by the Serbian government over the last few years is certainly not contributing to improving relations with our neighbours. Only in Romania’s case can we say that relations are relaxed and good, but at the same time rather impotent creatively. There are so many problems in relations with other countries and a lack of goodwill to resolve them. We don’t have definite state borders with any of the neighbouring countries with the excep-

The consequence of such shortsided and irresponsible politics is a state of constant tension and lack of long-term and successful cooperation between regional countries. free will of their citizens or political elite in Southeastern Europe. The second reason, which prevails today, for an inadequate and insufficient cooperation between the countries in this area lies in the immaturity and the susceptibility to corruption of their political elite. Practically, every single political leader in the Balkans today is focused solely on improving his or hers own political ratings which, in turn, are a prerequisite for obtaining or staying in power and means to exercise

tion of Romania, and our ambassadors spend more time in Belgrade in consultations with their superiors than in their foreign offices. The main prerequisite for advancing cooperation with other countries in the region is quite simple yet terribly unattainable. These relations would drastically improve and would become useful only if the Balkan political elite outgrew their political diapers and reached much-needed maturity. CorD 68 / February 2010 33

THE STORY OF THE BRICS

HOW THE WORLD WORKS On the desk of Jim O’Neill, chief economist for Goldman Sachs, stand four flimsy flags: Brazil, Russia, India and China. And almost a decade ago, O’Neill decided to start thinking of them as a group – which he gave the acronym Bric. The bolder move was to predict – publicly, and in Goldman’s name – that by 2041 (later revised to 2039, then 2032) the Brics would overtake the six largest western economies in terms of economic might. The four flags would come to represent the pillars of the 21st-century economy. “It has transformed my life,” he says.

he way O’Neill, 52, tells the tale of how he developed the Brics – and he is a born raconteur – starts, a touch melodramatically, on the day terrorists flew aircraft into the World Trade Centre and Pentagon, killing thousands of people. The son of a postman, O’Neill grew up in south Manchester, where he studied at the local comprehensive (Oasis’s Noel and Liam Gallagher were pupils there too, albeit later) and spent much of his time playing football. After school, he decided to study at Sheffield University, partly because it offered easy access to watch Manchester United. (Today, he has a season tickets at Old Trafford, and leaves spare tickets behind the bar at a local pub, for childhood friends to use.) During his time there, between “getting drunk and playing football”, O’Neill discovered a passion for economics. And after completing a doctorate in the subject, he worked as a foreign exchange analyst at a series of City banks, eventually joining Goldman in 1995 as cohead of economics. In the summer of 2001, Gavyn Davies, O’Neill’s highly respected co-chief, announced his departure – leaving

34 CorD 68 / February 2010

O’Neill the sole leader, and under huge pressure to perform. “I thought: “Oh my god, I have got to put my imprint on this department,” he recalls. “I was searching for a theme and a new idea.” Inspiration came – a bittersweet gift. On September 11, as the first aircraft approached the Twin Towers, where he had delivered a lecture a few days earlier, O’Neill was hosting a global video conference call. Halfway through, the New York faces vanished from the screen. O’Neill later learnt the staff had been safely evacuated from their offices, but he still reeled in shock at the events. In the days that followed, his mind began to whir. As a foreign exchange analyst, O’Neill had always been a passionate advocate of globalisation, and was fascinated by the rising power of Asia. And to him, the horror in Manhattan was a powerful demonstration of exactly why the non-western world was starting to matter more and more – albeit in a negative way. “What 9/11 told me was

As a foreign exchange analyst, O’Neill had always been a passionate advocate of globalisation, and was fascinated by the rising power of Asia

that there was no way that globalisation was going to be Americanisation in the future – nor should it be,” he says. “In order for globalisation to advance, it had to be accepted by more people … but not by imposing the dominant American social and philosophical beliefs and structures.” Excited, he tried to work out how to label this bunch. Since China was easily the largest, it made sense to put its name first. On November 30 2001, he launched his Big Idea: Goldman Sachs’s Global Economic Paper #66, “Building Better Global Economic Brics”. He predicted, soberly, that “over the next 10 years, the weight of the Brics and especially China in world GDP will grow” – and warned, perhaps a little less soberly, that “in line with these prospects, world policymaking forums should be reorganised” to give more power to the group he had now dubbed Brics. The paper immediately sparked interest among Goldman Sachs’s corporate clients, particularly those already selling – or trying to sell – consumer products to the emerging markets. “I found the Bric thing fascinating right from the start,” says Martin Sorrell, chief executive of WPP. But O’Neill kept discussing the concept with colleagues and in 2003 his team produced the next offering: a paper called “Dreaming with Brics:

The Path to 2050”. It boldly declared that by 2039 the Brics group could overtake the largest western economies in scale. That prediction launched O’Neill’s team into what he calls Briclife. Within days, Goldman economists were flooded with e-mails from executives at companies ranging from mobile telecoms group Vodafone to miner BHP Billiton to Ikea and Nissan. Soon rivals, such as HSBC and Deutsche Bank fund unit DWS, were launching dedicated investment funds marketed under the label of Brics. “We asked our lawyers if we could trademark the word Brics, but they said not – apparently it’s not a product,” O’Neill recalls. Steadily, the brand spread, taking on a life beyond Goldman. Initially, most hedge funds ignored the concept as marketing hype. But as investors began to purchase assets specifically linked to the rise of Brics, the hedge-funders recognised that the way that China, say, was making cars could affect demand for Brazilian copper. New correlations were developing in asset prices, amid strong investment flows (since 2003, the Brics stock markets have risen from 2 to 9 per cent of global market capitalisation, and O’Neill forecasts they will represent almost 50 per cent of global market capitalisation in 2050). WHO’S IN, WHO’S OUT? Unsurprisingly, O’Neill’s rivals started to snipe. Some economists said it was ridiculous to make forecasts as far out as 2050, particularly since many of O’Neill’s projections seemed to involve extrapolating current growth on a straight line. The Goldman team started to crank out Bric research, looking at everything from the future size of the Indian middle class to car use in Brazil. In an effort to soothe some ruffled feathers, in 2005 O’Neill tried to explain why Korea and Mexico had not been included in his big idea (the rather arbitrary-sounding reason was that they were members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). He also tried to placate some of the non-Brics by offering a new term: the “N-11”, or Next Eleven nations on the list to emerge as powers. This was a confusingly broad club, encompassing Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Turkey and Vietnam, but within months

The Heads of State of BRIC Countries, in Yekaterinburg, Russia on June 16, 2009. companies such as Nissan and WPP were bandying “N-11” around their boardrooms. Another marketing tag – or boundary on a cognitive map – had been born. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of O’Neill’s golden child is what it didn’t do: collapse under scrutiny as the credit crisis hit. Over the past two years, many of Wall Street’s big ideas have been exposed as woefully ill-conceived at best, utterly fallacious at worst. However, during the great re-reckoning, the Brics concept has flourished. Most of the Brics and N-11 emerged from the crisis well, relative to the economies of the western world. Their banking systems are intact, and their economies are growing at breakneck speed. “As a result,” wrote O’Neill in a recent paper, “we think our long-term 2050 Bric ‘dream’ projections are more, rather than less, likely to materialise.” More specifically, Goldman now predicts that China’s economy will become as big as the US’s by 2027, while the

“We estimate that two billion people could join the global middle-class by 2030, mainly from Brics,”

total Brics group will eclipse the big western economies by 2032 – almost a decade sooner than first thought. That, O’Neill argues, will overturn many western assumptions about how the world works. These days, Goldman aggressively recommends that investors decide which western companies to invest in based on whether they are selling to the Brics and N-11, rather than just western consumers. (In another piece of neat cultural transposition, Goldman recently dubbed this strategy “investment in the Brics Nifty 50” [companies which sell to the Brics region] .“We estimate that two billion people could join the global middle-class by 2030, mainly from Brics,” Goldman’s latest research note trills. To some, the inclusion of Russia is presenting an ever-greater headache, given that the Russian economy was the one Bric to take a real fall in the credit crisis – so severe, in fact, that some investors suspect it is now time to kick Russia out of the group. Unsurprisingly, O’Neill is reluctant to undermine Goldman’s relations with Moscow by doing that. Although he admits that Russia has “disappointed”, he also insists that if the country “recovers strongly and quickly in 2010 and 2011, as we expect, we believe it will deserve its Bric status”. BACK TO REALITY But now another Brics-related phenomenon is emerging. In the early years of Bric- om, the four countries chosen by O’Neill had different reactions to the designation. There was delight in Russia, bafflement in China, cynicism in Brazil and indifference in India. Now, the countries are using the idea to forge tentative links in reality – not just the world of investment ideas. In May 2008, Russia hosted the first formal Bric summit, a meeting of Bric foreign ministers in Yekaterinburg. In July 2009, it followed this with a formal gathering of all four Bric heads of state. This year in the early summer, the four countries will meet again, this time in Brazil. “Is there much evidence that the Brics countries are collaborating today in practical terms?” O’Neill asks. “Not really, no. But that could change in the future – you look at how Brazil supplies commodities which China needs … or the fact that they all have quite similar ideas about how to manage their economies.” CorD 68 / February 2010 35

LEADERS The fluctuating dinar exchange rate and the national currency’s value were the most talked about topics last month. For this reason, we wanted to find out whether company executives had anticipated this currency’s fluctuation in their business plans, and to what extent would that adversely affect their end-of-the-year accounts. The question that we posed to the leading business figures in Serbia was the following: What dinar value did you envisage in your 2010 business plans and in which way will this value affect your company’s operations? Zoran Visnjic, CEO – President of the Manament Board, Uniqa WITHOUT MAJOR IMACT We have projected that depreciation of the dinar will correspond to the inflation rate in high single digits during 2010, meaning that the local currency will fluctuate between 96 and 105 per one euro. Since a good portion of our products are in euros or indexed to the value of euro, there will be no major foreign exchange impact on our results. Also, the negative effect on dinar premiums will be offset by the positive effects of our deposits in euros

The negative effect on dinar premiums will be offset by the positive effects of our deposits in euros Franz Scherz, Managing Director Hewlett Packard (HP) Serbia & Montenegro RELATIVELY STABLE DINAR My expectations are linked to Government strategy. If the EU direction is kept and IMF instructions are followed, I see a relatively stable dinar compared to the euro, which would be appreciated by international investors and business. Big changes in any direction would have a negative impact on the development of economy and business results of local and international companies. The dinar is not a currency that plays a role on the international market and its value only depends on the local situation and capability relative to the world, but not on any big $/€ or Far East development. From the business side, it’s clear we don’t want to see big instability because this reduces the ability to plan mid or long term, and makes an impact on the trust in the Government’s being able to manage the situation.

The dinar is not a currency that plays a role on the international market 36 CorD 68 / February 2010

Vladimir Lučić, Chief Officer of the Commercial Affairs Division, Telekom FLUCTUATING EXCHANGE RATE The 2010 Telekom Srbija Budget is based on the RSD fluctuating exchange rate. According to the planned decrease in the RSD exchange rate in 2010, forex losses, which are reflected in the company’s business results, are projected.

Forex losses, which are reflected in the company’s business results, are projected Dan Rusu, Country Operations Manager, Unilever STABILITY OF DINAR IS VERY IMPORTANT Unilever Financial Centre in Rotterdam has determined the average rate of the euro for the whole year, which is unfortunately 94 euros. The rate is determined on the basis of the previous year’s average, and, for example, last year, the value of euro that was calculated for the entire year was 85. That is the value in our business plans, not calculated here but received from headquarters, though plans are revised at the end of the year. As for daily activities such as payments to partners from abroad or imports, we use the current average rate on the day of payment, but all projections we make are within business plans and are based on projections received from headquarters. As the value of euro is calculated in the same amount during the whole year, it is more important to us how much we grow in so-called euro units. These units do not have to be related to the actual dinar rate at any particular moment. At a rate of 94, we make losses, which are very bad for investments in this country, but it is natural because headquarters will not approve a different calculation. That is why we find the stability of the dinar very important.

Unilever Financial Centre in Rotterdam has determined the average rate of the euro for the whole year, which is unfortunately 94 euros

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Last year we were being given promises that the rate would be stabilasied and that the value of euro would stop at 93 dinars Nikola Pavičić, Sintelon managing director THE ACTUAL RATE Imports’ lobby is directed drama about a weakening of the dinar, is thought Nikola Pavičić, Sintelon managing director.``That is how I see pressures imposed on the NBS and the government. Not even fluctuations over previous days are too high, bearing in mind that the dinar has to and should gradually weaken,” Pavcic pointed out and also said that nobody has the right to ask for an unrealistic rate which could harm export.

Imports’ lobby is directed drama about a weakening of the dinar Miroslav Miletić, managing Director, ``Bambi-Banat” UNPREDICTABLE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR Miletic is of the opinion that there is no reason for bitter public disputes over the rate and with such fervor. “Still, we are not little children, nor poorly-educated economists not to know why the rate goes up and why we are against it. What is not good is the fact that the beginning of every new business year in Serbia is stressful, and one can`t make plans while being stressed. We have

Mary Warlick New U.S. Ambassador to Serbia United States Ambassador to Serbia Mary Warlick arrived in Belgrade on Friday, January 22, 2010. She was Director of the Office of Russian Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. A career Foreign Service Officer, and member of the Senior Foreign Service, she joined the State Department in 1983. Her Washington assignments include Director, Office of Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus Affairs (1998-2000); Senior Watch Officer (1992-1994); Economic Officer in the Office of Textile Negotiations (1990-1992); and Staff Assistant to the Director of the Foreign Service Institute (1985-1986). Ms. Warlick’s overseas assignments at U.S. Embassies in Asia and Europe include Manila, Philippines, where she served twice, first as a Consular Officer (1983–1985) and later as an Economic Officer (1988-1990). She also served as an Economic Officer in Dhaka, Bangladesh (1986-1988); as Economic Officer and Global Affairs Counselor in Bonn, Germany (1994-1998); and, most recently, as Minister-Counselor for Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow (from August 2001- July 2004). During her assignment in Moscow, Ms. Warlick traveled extensively in Russia and worked actively on a wide range of trade, investment and energy issues, including Russia’s accession to the World Trade Organization and the protection of Intellectual Property Rights. Ms. Warlick was born in Papua New Guinea where her parents lived and worked for many years as Lutheran missionaries. She attended high school in Adelaide, South Australia, received a B.A. in Political Science and Humanities from Valparaiso University in 1979, and a Masters degree in international relations from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1982. Ms. Warlick speaks Russian and German. She is married to James B. Warlick, Jr. the new U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria.; they have three children. I am very pleased to arrive in Belgrade today and I am honored to soon begin my responsibilities as the Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of Serbia. Serbia and the United States have a long tradition of friendship and together with my colleagues in Belgrade and Washington I intend to do everything I can to strengthen our bilateral cooperation. I look forward to working with the democratic government of Serbia to realize the aspirations of the people of Serbia to achieve greater economic prosperity, complete Serbia’s integration into Europe, and assume a constructive leadership role in the region. Yesterday, my husband, James Warlick, arrived in Sofia as the new U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria. We and our three children are delighted about the opportunity we will have in the coming years to enjoy the hospitality and warmth of the Serbian people and discover the richness of Serbia’s culture. Finally, I very much look forward to soon meeting new friends and colleagues here and making Belgrade my new home. CorD 68 / February 2010 37

APPOITMENTS

Veselin Jevrosimović, Comtrade Managing Director ONLY STABLE RATE It makes no sense, Jevrosimovic recently pointed out, to speak about the rate as none of the officials wants to stabilize it, judging from the fact that the domestic currency is weakening. ``Those who say that a strong euro suits exporters seem to be forgetting that exporters are under the pressure of loans too. Only a stable rate suits economy. Last year we were being given promises that the rate would be stabilized and that the value of euro would stop at 93 dinars. And what has happened? What is the value of euro today? Apparently, the interest of banks seems to be much greater than the interest of the state,” Mr Jevrosimovic stressed.

LEADERS

APPOITMENTS

Snezana Miljanic, General Manager of Beogradski Sajam Belgrade Fair has got new leadership after the resignation of previous director Andjelko Trpković from SPO. Its new Managing Director is Snezana Miljanic, also from SPO, who up to last November last worked as Deputy Secretary General of the Serbian Government. The new President of the Managing Board is dentist Vladimir Badjevic.

Zdravko Ponos, Assistant to the Foreign Minister for Bilateral Cooperation Following the proposal of Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic, the Serbian Government has appointed Zdravko Ponos in place of the Assistant to Minister of Foreign Affairs for Bilateral Cooperation. Zdravko Ponos is a retired Lieutenant General and former Chief of the Serbian Army.

Dragoljub Micunovic, President of Radio Television of Serbia Program Council President of the Political Council of the Democratic Party, Dragoljub Micunovic, was elected the new President of the Programming Council of Radio Television Serbia. His deputy is Prvoslav Plavsic. The Program Committee considers the exercise of the program concept and issue recommendations and suggestions to the Director General and Board of Directors of RTS and has 18 members elected by the National Assembly. Their mandates last three years.

Mihailo Jankovic, General Director Knjaz Milos, Arandjelovac The new Director General of the biggest mineral water producer in the Balkans, Knjaz Milos, is Mihailo Jankovic, who succeeded in that position Slavs Živić. Jankovic had previously worked at Coca Cola and was responsible for the markets of Serbia, Montenegro, and Albania.

Szabolcs Horvat, New Managing Director of the OTP Bank Serbia From January 2010, the new Managing Director of the OTP Bank in Serbia is Szabolcs Horvat, who is also the President of the Executive Board. The new Chairman of the Board is Henrik Auth.

Dragica Jefrovic New Chief of Police in Uzice Dragica Jevtovic is the first woman in Serbia to be promoted to the position of Chief of Police. Jevtovic has been working 25 years on the Uzice police force and has served as Chief of logistics at police headquarters. 38 CorD 68 / February 2010

based our business plans for this year on the rate of 97 dinars for one euro, which means we are already at a loss. Nobody is asking for the rate to be fixed at any level. We are only worried about the stability of business transactions,” Miletic said. He does not think his company’s taking out loans in euros is irresponsible, although the balances of accounts are shown in dinars. Regardless of the governor’s remarks often addressed to the economists, Miletic explains that it is not all about irresponsibility but about a lack of choice.

I do not think my company’s taking out loans in euros is irresponsible, although the balances of accounts are shown in euros Toplica Spasojević, ITM Chairman TRUST IN DINAR IS BEING LOST Losses of both domestic and foreign companies are great and my colleagues and I are looking for predictability of business transactions and conditions like those that their competition from the region has, Toplica Spasojevic, ITM Chairman, has recently announced. “I had the impression that we had agreed with Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic and the Governor at a meeting at the end of last year. I do not want to speculate on who missed the point,” Spasojevic said, alluding to the actual conflict between the Central Bank and the executive government. He is convinced that trust in the dinar is lost by such behaviour and that there is not a single citizen that will, on the Governor`s recommendation, save in dinars.

We are looking for predictability of business transactions and conditions like those that their competition from the region has Slobodan Vučićević, President of “Droga Kolinska” Board of Directors STABLE BUT NOT FIXED DINAR Slobodan Vucicevic, President of “Droga Kolinska” has recently said that pressure must not be imposed on the NBS and has emphasized that a stable but not fixed rate is important for a functioning economy. “Our expectations are that the dinar should not weaken more than inflation. Since we ended the year with a rate of 96 dinars for one euro, it should not go over 101 dinars during the year,” Vucelic thinks.

Since we ended the year with a rate of 96 dinars for one euro, it should not go over 101 dinars during the year

COMMENT

EUROPE WOULD NOT LEAVE GREECE TO BLEED Unless it is one rule for the big and powerful and another for the small, the EU must stand behind Athens’ new leadership Joseph STIGLITZ www.guardian.co.uk Greece has been condemned by European officialdom for its huge deficits. “No government or state can expect from us any special treatment,” comes the warning from Jean-Claude Trichet, president of the European Central Bank. But Trichet failed to note that there had long been a double standard – in effect two Maastricht treaties, one for the large and powerful countries, another for the smaller and less powerful. When France broke the EU edict not to let debt exceed 3% of GDP, there were strong words, but little else. Of course, Trichet may claim there is a difference between what Greece and the many other countries that have broken the limits have done. There is a difference of size. But there is also a difference in culpability and consequences. Greece’s large deficit has implications for the future of the citizens of Greece, but not for the stability of the euro – unlike a similarly large deficit on the part of one of the larger countries. A large part of Greece’s deficit is the result of the global recession, whose impact was felt acutely by many countries who were not responsible for causing it. However, the global crisis did reveal the deep-rooted structural problems of the Greek economy, which had deteriorated further during the last six years under the previous government. Unfortunately, European leaders have compounded Greece’s problems. Their statements have sent the interest rates it has to pay soaring, making it all the more difficult for Greece to tame its deficits. Instead, they should have welcomed the efforts of Greece’s new government. At least it has come clean about the dishonest accounting of its predecessors. Like America’s banks, it could have tried to keep up with a system of dishonest accounting, hoping that it would not be caught out. But Greece’s new

prime minister, George Papandreou, has always stood for honest and transparent government. Europe should be coming to the assistance of this kind of leader, not making his life more difficult. Economic downturns often affect those in the periphery much worse – they are the victims of their neighbours’ failures. It is common wisdom that when the US sneezes, Mexico catches a cold. But more recently, this aphorism has mutated: Mexico now catches pneumonia, as its fall in GDP last year showed. Part of the reason for the success of America’s “single market” is that there is this sense of social cohesiveness, and a large federal budget to support it: when one part of the country has difficulties, federal spending can be diverted to help those parts that are in need. While Europe may not yet have an overall budgetary framework that can fully address

For the sake of European solidarity and democracy, Europe should support Papandreou’s efforts in every way they can weaknesses in one part or the other of the EU, it should at least adopt the principle of “do no harm”. For the ECB to announce that it will not accept Greek bonds as collateral would be counterproductive. For the ECB to delegate judgments about the credit-worthiness of Greek bonds to the rating agencies would be more than just irresponsible; it would be reprehensible. With Europe’s economy still weak, an excessively rapid tightening of its budget deficit would risk throwing Greece into a deep recession. Adjustments always take time, and are always painful. Europe should reframe the short-run budgetary targets it sets for Greece in terms of the structural deficit – what the deficit would have been had the country been able to achieve full employ-

ment. In recent years, even the IMF has reframed most countries’ budgetary targets in terms of the primary deficit – net of interest payments, recognizing that volatile financial markets mean that interest payments are not really within a country’s control. The EU could and should show support for the honesty and integrity of Greece’s government and its efforts not only to bring the budget under control, but to increase transparency of the entire budgetary framework and to reduce corruption. The EU can go further: institutions like the European Investment Bank should undertake countercyclical investments in the country, to offset the deflationary impacts of the budget cuts. Europe should show that it will stand behind Greece, much as the IMF provides support funds for developing countries. The provision of such support might lower interest rates, and make it easier for the country to reach budgetary balance. The EU, the euro, and the premise of European solidarity is being tested again. The measure of Europe will not be in the harshness of its actions, but in the spirit of solidarity that it shows in assisting its neighbour. America too has unprecedented deficits, as do many countries around the world. Like Obama, Papandreou inherited an economic situation that was not of his making. Both of their predecessors had made mistakes of colossal proportions. Both of their predecessors had engaged in dishonest bookkeeping – but Bush’s pale in comparison to that of Papandreou’s predecessor. Both were elected on a platform that promised change, and both brought new standards of honesty and transparency to government. Both had their original vision compromised by the exigencies of the economic situation they confronted. For the sake of European solidarity and democracy, Europe should support Papandreou’s efforts in every way they can, not turn their back on the people of Greece who must be convinced that supporting the government’s austerity measures is in everyone’s best interest. CorD 68 / February 2010 39

REGION |

CROATIA

POLITICIAN OF A Ivo Josipović, the third Croatian president, beat his rival Milan Bandić in the second round of presidential election in every single county, except in the town of Gospić

he reasons for such a convincing victory lie in the fact that Croatian citizens were obviously looking for a new caliber politician. With his approach, professional and social background, and political activism, Ivo Josipović is certainly not the typical politician from the 1990s. Unlike Josipović, Milan Bandić, with his past, the people he surrounded himself with, and his campaign style, is almost an archetype of the 1990s. This decade was famous for vir-

40 CorD 68 / February 2010

Josipovic: “I am constantly going to urge the executive powers to start implementing pressing and thorough economic reforms as soon as possible.”

tually non-existent social rules and is a burden that Croatia has been trying to get rid of. According to official but yet incomplete election results compiled by the Croatian State Election Commission (abbr. DIP), Josipović won 1,339,330 votes, most of them in Zagreb, the city where Milan Bandić has been mayor for the past ten years. Following this landslide victory, Josipović said the following: “I would like to thank everybody who came out to vote. I am so happy because of

A NEW CALIBER this unquestionable victory. Up until now, I had only my voters. Now, I not only have them, but the entire Croatian population – those who voted for me and those who voted for the other presidential candidate, as well as those who did not vote at all. Regardless of that, I feel obligated towards everybody.” Based on what he had been promising during the pre-election campaign, the Croatian daily Slobodna Dalmacija has put together a list of the activities that Ivo Josipović will probably carry out after the current president, Stjepan Mesić, hands over his duty in February.

Josipovic - I really don’t favour the ‘let’s turn a blind eye’ principle. I am going to demand that executives’ salaries be reviewed 1. I am going to bring my team together and make a plan of what we need to do by the time I assume my presidential duties. I am going to meet with my potential associates and devise changes that we need to make to the presidential office. 2. At the first working meeting with the prime minister and government, I am going to discuss the government’s plans for the upcoming period and my own programme, with special emphasis on tackling corruption and organized crime. 3. I am going to insist that security services be more involved in battling corruption and organized crime, and that the police, justice department, and DORH (the Croatian Public Prosecutor’s Office) act in a more professional and morally upstanding manner.

4. I am going to prevent people from using laundered money to buy Croatian property, to acquire economic resources, to fake diplomas, to use various privileges and to acquire undeserved wealth. The money that we confiscate from criminals will be directed towards economic growth, pensions, schools, kindergartens, education, and social security. 5. I will insist on putting together a group of experts that will represent Croatia before the Arbitration Council (in a dispute with Slovenia). 6. I am constantly going to urge the executive powers to start implementing pressing and thorough economic reforms as soon as possible. 7. In order to differentiate between people who were just pencil pushers and people who actually carried a gun in their hand and jeopardized their lives, I am going to demand that a war veterans’ registry be set up. We need to honour these people. Hence I would like to introduce a medal called the Hero of the Homeland War. 8. I really don’t favour the ‘let’s turn a blind eye’ principle. I am going to demand that executives’ salaries be reviewed. 9. With regard to the younger generation, we should ensure that they have access to the highest possible education and regular studies regardless of their background. 10. I will advocate a more just pension system – i.e. the Croatian Pension Insurance Fund should reimburse pensions in line with the general regulation and in accordance with years of employment. Also, everybody older than 65 years should get a so-called social pension since over 1/3 of all pensioners live on the verge of poverty. Privileged pensions are socially unjust.

ZAGREB,VARAŽDIN, ČAKOVEC, PULA

n Zagreb, Josipović won 62.19% of the votes, i.e. 267,796 people voted for him, while mayor Bandić won 37.81% or 162,825 votes. Out of the total registered electorate, i.e. 722,451, 60.66% came out to vote or 438,213. Josipović took the most convincing victory in Varaždin, where 83.91% people voted for him. He also won over 80% of votes in Čakovec (82.85%) and Pula (82.66%).

CLEAN BACKGROUND

osipovic’s background is clean — a bonus in the eyes of Croats tired of the same political figures usually tainted by past affairs and intrigues. His rational and conciliatory behavior is a rarity in the Balkans, used to authoritative leaders. His opponents suggest his calmness is a sign of weakness, asserting he lacks the charisma required for a leader. His supporters say his placidity is his strength. After the results were announced, he compared his election to a “victorious symphony.” Thanking voters, he said Croatia “will finally be a home of all honest people.” Josipovic’s victory is also a plus for his Social Democratic party, who have been in power only between 2000-2003 since Croatia gained independence. Josipovic is nonetheless expected to get along well with Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor’s government. Both say they want to root out corruption and carry out other reforms to make Croatia the 28th member of the European Union by 2012. He likely will remain critical of the Cabinet’s work — but given his decent manners and readiness to seek agreements, he’s not expected to clash with it. While the president’s role is fairly limited, he has an imprint on foreign policy, and is considered the countries highest moral authority. Born on Aug. 28, 1957 in Zagreb, Josipovic joined the Social Democrats — then still the communists — in the 1980’s and helped transform them into a European-style leftists. But he left them in 1994 to devote his life to law and music. He taught international law at the Zagreb Law Faculty and headed his country’s Composers’ Association. CorD 68 / February 2010 41

REGION |

MONTENEGRO

TESTING THE GOVERNMENT In January of this year, the opposition in Montenegro revealed two plans to bring down the current government By Ilija DESPOTOVIĆ ne plan was devised by the parliamentary opposition, composed of two political parties - the Movement for Change (PzP) and the New Serbian Democracy (NSD), while Žarko Rakčević, former politician-turned-businessman (both in opposition and in government), came up with the other. Parliamentary parties plan to set up a so-called ’democratic front,’ while Rakčević wants to form a ‘civil forum.’ The beginning of the New Year in Montenegro was marked by a radical protest from miners in the Nikšić bauxite mine, which could be a prelude to social unrest which, in turn, might cause a lot of headaches for the current government, now into its fourth term. The miners, cold and ill, stopped the protest that lasted for several days and came out of the pit following Prime Minister Milo Đukanović issuing them a written guarantee that their requests would be met. The protests are going to become even more severe since other foreignowned companies, like the Nikšić bauxite mine, have announced that they will go on strike too. The government has also promised that it will terminate any sales contract if new company owners fail to adhere to contract stipulations, particularly if they blame the government for their own shortcomings, says Deputy Prime Minister Vujica Lazović. Almost on a daily basis, ministers and the state administration have been ’greeted’ by angry protesters in front of the government building, complaining that they hadn’t received their salaries for months.

42 CorD 68 / February 2010

BECOMING AN EU MEMBER WILL BRING NOTHING GOOD? University of Montenegro sociologist and political analyst Srđa Vukadinović says for CorD that people should not protest in front of the government building since it is too late to protest in that way since the transition process is almost completed and its economic and social consequences have been nothing but ruinous since the very beginning. Vukadinović adds that workers should now protest against Montenegro joining the European Union, before it’s too late. They should have rallied in front of the government when the sale of large state-owned enterprises was just beginning, and the same mistake should not be repeated in the case of EU membership.

since they will have to face the unpleasant past, and the new rules of conduct will suit only the Union and nobody else. “Hoping for better salaries and more jobs is just an illusion,” Vukadinović says. Salaries will be rarely higher and Montenegro is a typical example of how ‘private ownership’ turned out to be not that efficient, nor did it generate wealth.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM BRUSSELS The authorities said that this year they would like to see Montenegro granted EU candidacy status, adding that EU experts will start coming in spring in order to check just how prepared the country is for the European integrations process. Also, ad-

Medojević wants the National Council to be the ‘main negotiator’ during the European integrations process “Once we join the EU, more people will lose their jobs and our lives are going to become more difficult,” Vukadinović warns, adding that joining the EU will mark the end of the transition process. Once that happens, the real consequences of this process will come to light, Vukadinović outlines. It seems that he is the only person in Montenegro who has publicly uttered the dreaded words, “Montenegro should not become an EU member.” According to him, joining the Union will be detrimental not only to Montenegro but also to other former Yugoslav republics, primarily Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina,

ditional questions posed by the European Commission were answered and sent to Brussels last autumn. More questions are expected to come from Europe and this time around, they are going to be more precise, particularly when it comes to subjects like crime, corruption, the justice system, and human rights. The Union will probably demand that certain laws be passed, like antidiscrimination laws (in reference to sexual orientation), which have already been discussed by many Montenegrin media. The opposition keeps complaining that the government is monopolizing all activities pertaining to the European integrations process

and is pleading with the government to publicly reveal the European Commission’s questionnaire, as well as the replies to it. The government’s response was that both the questionnaire and replies were the property of the European Commission and that everything would be revealed once the government provided answers to the additional questions and when the Brussels administration gives the green light. Head of the National Council for European Integrations and leader of the opposition party, the Movement for Change (PzP), Nebojša Medojević, says that the authorities are constantly obstructing the Council’s work. One of the reasons for this is the fact that an opposition politician is at the Council’s helm, Medojević adds. He also wants the Council to be the ‘main negotiator’ during the European integrations process, not the government.

REPLACE OR CRUSH THE GOVERNMENT Expecting worker protests, bearing in mind the projections that 2010 is going to be a year of economic recession, and using the challenges that the government has been facing in the Euro-Atlantic integrations process to its own advantage, the opposition began the New Year by frequently mentioning the need to replace the current government. Sometimes the opposition parties used words like ‘replacing the government,’ and sometimes ‘bringing down the government,’ and this is, by no means, a coincidence. These subtle differences in wording speak volumes about just how confused and limited the opposition is, particularly when it comes to taking power away from the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists and the Social-Democratic Party. The terms ‘replacing’ and ‘changing’ certainly ‘smell’ of new elections, although the aforementioned ruling coalition came to power only recently in March 2009 by winning a convincing majority of parliamentary seats – 48 out of 85. The parties in power also won local elections last autumn, including

CHECK-UPS In 2010, the Montenegrin government will have to go through many ‘check-ups’ performed by international institutions.

elections in municipalities that used to be the opposition’s strongholds. Although nobody is saying it aloud, the opposition is certainly counting on worker protests and other unrest, and would not shy away from bringing down the government by taking dissatisfaction to the streets, if needed. There is a certain symbolism in the fact that in January of this year, the opposition in Montenegro revealed two plans to bring down the current government. One plan was devised by the parliamentary opposition, composed of two political parties - the Movement for Change (PzP) and the New Serbian Democracy (NSD), while Žarko Rakčević, former politician-turned-businessman (both in opposition and in government), came up with the other. Parliamentary parties plan to set up a so-called ‘democratic front,’ while Rakčević wants to form ‘a civil forum.’ According to some interpretations, the Front would be made of non-parliamentary opposition groups from the NGO sector, media, and universities,

stand. It remains to be seen how the Socialist People’s Party (SNP) (also in the opposition) is going to fit in this alliance. This party has been long in favour of Montenegro’s independence, but still in certain municipalities where they are in power, the Montenegrin anthem has never been played. Head of SNP Srđan Milić does want the government to go, but is not too inclined towards accepting the wishes of the leaders of PzP and NSD, Nebojša Medojević and Andrija Mandić respectively, to allow controversial businessman and former head of Montenegro’s Trade Mission to Washington, Ratko Knežević, to join the ‘democratic front.’ Knežević has been living abroad for quite some time from where he is sending ‘instructions’ to the Montenegrin opposition as to how to bring down charismatic Prime Minister Milo Đukanović. Milić is against receiving orders from Washington on what he should do, unlike Knežević and Medojević, who are yearning to explain to

“Once we join the EU, more people will lose their jobs and our lives are going to become more difficult,” Vukadinović warns i.e. everybody who wants to see the government go. The Forum would be made of mostly ex-politicians and intellectuals who have always favoured Montenegro’s independence and who are unhappy with the current state of affairs. Both opposition groups are advocating a different Montenegro, although nobody is clear as to what that exactly means.

TAKING DIRECTION FROM WASHINGTON OR FROM THE PEOPLE The opposition’s ‘democratic front’ is supposed to bring together parties like NSD and PzP that are against Montenegro being a sovereign state, although, truth be told, these haven’t been that consistent in advocating this

ACTION PLAN Also, the government will have to prepare its ﬁrst annual report about activities and results pertaining to NATO’s Membership Action Plan.

the U.S. administration their vision of ‘a different Montenegro.’ Milić says that it is the people who should decide whether the government should go or not, which again, brings back bad memories. Exactly 21 years ago in January, Montenegro was ‘struck by people.’ The streets were full of angry protesters trying to topple the Communist government. The populism (resembling very much today’s democratic front) won. These demonstrations were later referred to as the anti-bureaucratic revolution and were disparaged and ostracized by many. If today’s methods of bringing down the government were to resemble the then populism, then it would be only logical to steer away from it. Of course, this method failed and has become something that the people now fear.

NATO Montenegro has been granted full-ﬂedged candidacy status by the Alliance; hence a stricter inspection of the country’s progress will ensue. CorD 68 / February 2010 43

REGION |

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Dayton Accord still in force Despite the fact that negotiations in Butmir failed, the international community is certainly not giving up on trying to set in motion constitutional and judicial changes in Bosnia and Herzegovina in order for the country to expedite its journey to the EU, since at the moment, it is seriously lagging behind other regional states 62 in the Republic of Srpska, while the town of Brčko is considered a separate administrative unit, i.e. a district. Many believe that the Dayton Peace Accord has become obsolete and it has been severely criticized by all three nationalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly the part that pertains to so-called ‘Bonn Powers’ of a High Representative that has wide authority in many matters. These privileges allow the High Representative to choose the time and meeting place of joint institutions and to preside over their work. He is allowed to impose interim solutions if the

Slobodan Milošević, Alija Izetbegović, and Franjo Tuđman, the President od Serbia, BiH and Croatia during the signing of the Dayton Agreement By Vojislava VIGNJEVIĆ xactly fifteen years ago, the Dayton Peace Accord was signed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio. The accord put an end to the three and a half year-long war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The peace conference took place from November1st to the 21st, 1995, with Bosnian President Alija Izetbegović, Serbian President Slobodan Milošević, Croatian President Franjo Tuđman, U.S. negotiator Richard Holbrooke, and General Wesley Clark as key participants. The Accord was officially signed in Paris on December 14th, 1995, and led to the formation of the Bosnian government and other state authorities. The Dayton Accord was a typical example of so-called shuttle diplomacy, instigated by Richard Holbrooke and his team, under the auspices of the United States of America. One of the main principles of the Dayton agreement was the division of Bosnia

44 CorD 68 / February 2010

and Herzegovina’s territory into two parts – each taking 51% and 49% of the country’s territory respectively. Bosnia and Herzegovina is divided on several other political and administration levels. The highest state authority is the Presidency, which has three members – one Bosniak, one Croat from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and one Serb from the Republic of Srpska. All of them have a joint four-year-mandate, with the head of the Presidency changing every eight months. The state is divided into entities (the Federation and the Republic of Srpska). The Federation disposes of 51% of the country’s territory, while the Republic of Srpska has 49%. The entities were stipulated in the Dayton Peace Accord and are the result of a compromise between the three constitutional nations (Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats). The third level of political division in Bosnia and Herzegovina is municipal. The country is made of 141 municipalities, out of which 79 are located in the Federation,

The Croatian representatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina agree with their Serbian counterparts that the Bosniaks stand to gain the most by constitutional changes sides cannot reach an agreement, and these solutions stay valid as long as the Presidency or the Council of Ministers don’t see eye-toeye about a certain issue, which, of course, needs to be in line with the Dayton Accord. The High Representative can also apply measures in order to secure the implementation of peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and its entities and proper operations of their joint institutions. These measures entail acting in place of the Bosnian state executive if he is temporarily unwilling or unable to fulfill his duties, including in matters of appointments, or in place of those officials that the High Representative concludes are not fulfilling their legal obligations stemming from the peace accord. The Republic of Srpska has been raising its voice against changes to the Dayton Accord, saying that these changes were aimed against the very existence of the Republic of Srpska, which was formally established by the Dayton Accord. This was particularly evident last au-

RELATIONS

ll important political events in Serbia certainly have bearing on the Republic of Srpska. The latest example of this is when recently cracks appeared in otherwise harmonious relations between Belgrade and Banja Luka following Serbian President Boris Tadić’s masterminding the idea of the Serbian Parliament adopting a resolution about Srebrenica which would condemn the horrible war crimes committed in that region that the International Court in The Hague deems ‘genocide.’ This initiative received a very cold response in the Republic of Srpska where officials commented that ‘Serbia has every right to exercise its own policy.’ On the other hand, political events in Croatia are closely followed by Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Quite a few of them took part in presidential elections, mostly voting for the person who lost the elections, the current mayor of Zagreb, Milan Bandić. tumn during the so-called Butmir negotiations when the international community tried to set in motion constitutional and judicial changes in Bosnia and Herzegovina in order for the country to expedite its journey to the EU and the Euro-Atlantic integrations. Foreign diplomats who took part in the negotiations suggested that the Bosnian government and prime minister take over the duties of the Council of Ministers, while the Presidency would have only ceremonial importance. Also, they suggested that the Upper House of the Parliament (the House of Peoples) be stripped of its decision-making authority. Further on, the Presidency should have a president and two deputy presidents of different nationalities. Their term of office would last four years, with the possibility of extending it for one more term. The president would be chosen by the Presidency members, and he would appoint the prime minister. He would also have the authority to sign various acts without the vicepresident’s permission, and appoint and exonerate ambassadors, providing that the Council of Ministers and the prime minister give their approval first. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s president would be also allowed to call sessions of the Council of Ministers and the Parliament’s House of Representatives. This House would have 42 MPs and the number would gradually go up to 87, with three seats reserved for representatives of ethnic minorities. The House of Peoples would have 21 MPs, instead of 15, chosen from the MPs in the House of Representatives, in which they will continue to serve. The Republic of Srpska rejected the Butmir proposals in their entirety. Foreign dip-

lomats also suggested that the state should be authorized to make decisions about international cooperation in legal matters, Interpol, international and inter-entity transport, in addition to defense, intelligence, foreign policy, and customs. The state and entity institutions would also split the authority in matters like taxes, elections, agriculture, science & technology, and local self-government. Also, the aforementioned proposals included the division of property among entities and making sure that the state actually owns the property needed to carry out the public functions in matters of joining both NATO and the European Union.

Many believe that the Dayton Peace Accord has become obsolete and has been severely criticized by all three nationalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina Although the representatives of the international community outlined that these changes to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Constitution would ensure the existence of one state and two entities and that the Republic of Srpska would continue to exist, the Republic of Srpska’s Prime Minister, Milorad Dodik, accused the foreign diplomats of destroying the Dayton Accord, and, by that, the Republic of Srpska. Dodik mentioned on several occasions that he would never consent for any changes to be made to the Dayton Accord, adding that these changes would only accommodate the Bosniaks. Croatian representatives in Bosnia concurred

COOPERATION BETWEEN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA AND CROATIA

he Agreement on Special Relations between Croatia and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina mentions areas that the two countries are cooperating in economy, trade, telecommunications, justice, privatization, denationalization, social policy, health, tourism, information, regional, local and self-government, internal affairs, defense (in matters of education, equipment, joint production), etc.

with Dodik, saying that Bosniaks stood to gain the most by these changes. Dodik’s statement, just like similar statements he had made in the past about the Constitution stipulating that each entity is entitled to hold a referendum about its status, was met with a harsh reaction from Zagreb. The former Croatian president, Stjepan Mesić, accused the Republic of Srpska’s prime minister of “destroying Bosnia and Herzegovina.” Following the Butmir negotiations, Belgrade said that Serbia wholeheartedly supported Bosnia’s independence and sovereignty, pointing out that changes could be made in the country only if the three constitutional nations agreed first. Belgrade, where Dodik has always been a very welcome guest, also said that Serbia, just like Croatia, was a guarantee of the Dayton Peace Accord. Serbia also concluded the Agreement on Special Parallel Relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Srpska. On the other hand, Croatia concluded a special relations agreement with the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which also underlines the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina and stipulates areas of cooperation between Zagreb and Sarajevo. To conclude, it is worth mentioning that, despite the failure of the Butmir negotiations, the international community is certainly not giving up on trying to instigate constitutional and judicial reforms in Bosnia, in order for the country to expedite its journey to the EU, since, at the moment, it is seriously lagging behind other regional states. The fears and misgivings about the Republic of Srpska ceasing to exist if the Bosnian Constitution, and, by that the Dayton agreement, is changed, are not unfounded because it is the great world powers that have to agree about these changes first. For now, it is more than obvious than one super-power, Russia, would oppose any radical changes in this area. CorD 68 / February 2010 45

| FACES & PLACES | Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia Mirko Cvetković was the guest at a working lunch organized by the Ambassador of Spain Iñigo de Palacio España and Ambassador Vincent Degert, Head of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Serbia on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 . The lunch was a continuation of an existing practice of regular meetings of all EU ambassadors with Serbian officials. The working lunch was also attended by the next Prime Minister and the H.E de Palacio España and H.E. Degert, Milica Delević, Director, Serbian European Integration Office, Aleksandar Radovanović, Adviser to PM Cvetković, Mirjana Jovašević, Chief of PM Cvetković Cabinet, HE Mr. Clemens Koja, Ambassador, Austrian Embassy, Mr. Raoul Van Heuverzwyn, Charge d’Affaires, Belgian Embassy, HE Mr. Stephen Wordsworth, Ambassador, British Embassy, HE Mr. Georgi Dimitrov, Ambassador, Bulgarian Embassy, HE Mr. Homer A. Mavrommatis, Ambassador, Cyprus Embassy, Ms Valerie Fuleova, Consul, Czech Embassy, HE Ms Mette Kjuel Nielsen, Ambassador, Danish Embassy, HE Mr. Kari Veijalainen, Ambassador, Finnish Embassy, HE Mr. Jean-François Terral, Ambassador, French Embassy, HE Mr. Wolfram Maas, Ambassador, German Embassy, Ms Ioanna Efthymiadou, Charge d’Affaires, Greek Embassy, HE Mr. Imre Varga, Ambassador, Hungarian Embassy, Mr. Michael Baylor, Deputy Head of Mission, Irish Embassy, HE Mr. Armando Varricchio, Ambassador, Italian Embassy, Mr. Polinaras Čižauskas, Charge d’Affaires, Lithuanian Office, Mr. Tsjeard Hoekstra, Charge d’Affaires, Netherlands Embassy, HE Mr. Andrzej Edward Jasionowski, Ambassador, Polish Embassy, HE Mr. Ion Macovei, Ambassador, Romanian Embassy, HE Mr. Igor Furdik, Ambassador, Slovakian Embassy, Ms Jadranka Sturm Kocjan, Charge d’Affaires, Slovenian Embassy, HE Mr. Krister Bringéus, Ambassador, Embassy of Sweden.

H.R.H. Aleksandar Karadjordjevic, H.R.H. Katarina Karadjordjevic, Serbian Minister of Culture Nebojsa Bradic, Spanish Ambassador H.E. Ignacio de Palacio Espana, Head of the Delegation of the European Union H.E. Mr. Vincent Theo Degert, at the concert of the Spanish composer Jose Luis Martinez in the Kolarac Foundation on January 21st, in honour of Spain’s presidency over the European Union. 46 CorD 68 / February 2010

Serbian trade minister, Slobodan Milosavljević awards Srđan Lazović, corporate and regulatory communications director for East Balkans in British American Tobacco, as the Best Young Manager in the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, on 22nd January.

President Boris Tadić meets with the German Business delegation on 25th January. The delegation, lead by Chairman of Germany’s Eastern Committee Klaus Mangold and German Ambassador in Belgrade Wolfram Maas, informed Tadić that German companies are showing great interest in establishing its presence in the Southeast European market, especially in Serbia.

HE Ambassador of Australia in Belgrade, Mrs. Clare Birgin and HE Mr.Alexander Konuzin, Ambassador of Russia, at the cocktail on the occasion of Australia Day on January 25th at the City.

Sandra, Darko and Danijel Piler, winners of “I’ve Got Talent,” a TV show that premiered in Serbia at the end of 2009, received a €100,000 award from Erste Bank a.d. Novi Sad on January 21st. Serbian trade minister.

CorD 68 / February 2010 47

| FACES & PLACES |

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill presented the Alexy II Award to Serbian director Emir Kusturica at the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow on Thursday for his work in spreading and strengthening the unity between Othodox nations. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev got the award as well, for his help in developing the relations between the government and the Church in modern Russia and for improving the dialogue between different religions. The award for spreading and strenthening the unity between Othodox nations is the most prestigious award in the Orthodox world.

Famous actor Johnny Depp (right) shake hands with Serbian President Boris Tadic during their meeting in Belgrade on January 12, 2010. Depp arrived in Serbia where he was promoter of the Third International Kustendorf Film Festival at Mokra Gora national park.

MK Group: At the end of December 2009, Jaroslav Stupavski, a member of MK Group’s Managing Board, Miodrag Kostić, C.E.O. of MK Group, and Nebojša Daraboš, General Director of MK Mountain Resort, ofﬁcially opened Hotel Angela, a result of the merger between two inns – Zvečan and Ras. The hotel’s opening was ceremoniously celebrated with champagne and by a ribbon-cutting. The new four-star hotel has been renovated from top to bottom, and offers half-board accommodation. It is also conveniently located close to the Conference Centre.

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Mladjan Dinkic Dinkic visited the winter tourist center Kopaonik on December 22nd, 2009, and announced that a new investment cycle in Kopaonik would begin in 2010.

48 CorD 68 / February 2010

The celebrated basketball player, Vlade Divac, head of the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation, Snežana Divac, and UNHCR representative for Serbia Eduardo Arboleda presented the results of a campaign during which money was collected to build housing for refugees and displaced persons in Serbia. The project, called ‘You can do it, too,’ was implemented in collaboration with the Ofﬁce of the High Commissioner for Refugees and the UNHCR.

HE Wolfram Mass (left), Ljiljana Smailovic from UNS and HE Stephen Wordsworth

Secretary of State Nadica Momirov (left) and Minister of Telecommunications Jasna Matic

Veselin Simonovic, President of the Serbian Media Association (left) and Zoran Papic, Executive Director, welcome guests The traditional gathering of the members of the Association of Serbian Media and its friends took place on 12th January in the Association’s premises. This year’s reception was the best by far.The Association’s President, Veselin Simonović and its executive director, Zoran Papić greeted the guests and spoke about the difficulties that Serbian press has been facing due to, among other things, unregulated advertising activities and the overall neglect that the print media in Serbia are being exposed to. Mr. Simonović also stated the Association’s expectations and

Jelena Krstovic, marketing Director of Delta Holding (left) and Jelena Drakulic, MD of Ringier Serbia

plans for 2010, saying that this year would be as difficult as the last one for the press. He also announced that the Association members would have several joint activities and campaigns in order to secure a more balanced market status of the media in Serbia. In addition to foreign ambassadors and members of the Serbian government, the reception was also attended by directors and editors-in-chief of several publishing companies, as well as executives of companies that are Association’s friends.

BIG MIX KARAOKE PARTIES Marbo decided to celebrate the end of its very successful 2009 year with a series of Pardon Big Mix parties in Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Niš. Actors Ivan Tomić, Dejan Matić, and Goran Daničić were the parties’ hosts who encouraged the partygoers to display their musical talents, hence making the gatherings a real success

CorD 68 / February 2010 49

FROM THE WORLD PRESS Several other banks, including BoA-Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, UBS and Credit Suisse, are on a shortlist for the final roles. The London shares of Suek are expected to be issued as global depositary receipts, securities representing shares of a company traded on a different stock exchange that allow foreign companies to attract a wider range of international investors than a local listing.

RUSSIAN OLIGARCHS PLAN LONDON LISTINGS

HYPO REAL ESTATE RECEIVES EXTENSION OF FINANCIAL AID

FINANCIAL TIMES Sergey Popov and Andrey Melnichenko, owners of Suek, Russia’s biggest coal producer, will appoint banking advisers for a stock market listing in London and Moscow that could value the business at up to $9bn, according to people close to the company.

BLOOMBERG.COM There’s been something of a major bailout in Austria in December 2009 when Hypo Group Alpe Adria, the struggling Austrian lender partly owned by Germany’s Bavarian state, has been nationalised. For those unfamiliar with the story, Hypo Group announced in November that it was set to make an annual loss of “significantly more than €1bn ($1.5bn)” in 2009 due to loan losses and writedowns across its investment portfolios. The failure of Hypo was also likely to have major consequences on the former Yugoslavian countries the bank has invested in. Hypo Real Estate Holding AG, the German commercial-property and public-finance lender taken over by the government, said Germany’s Soffin bank-rescue fund and financial institutions have agreed to extend an existing financial rescue package by a year. Of an extended liquidity facility of 43 billion euros ($62 billion), a group of German financial institutions has subscribed to about 23 billion euros, while the lender’s Deutsche Pfandbriefbank unit will issue 20 billion euros in Soffin-guaranteed securities, Hypo Real Estate said in an e- mailed statement today. “The facility will be fully collateralized through Soffin guarantees that will expire on December 22, 2010,” Hypo Real Estate said in the statement. “Accordingly, 35 billion euros in German government guarantees as well as a collateral portfolio originally pledged in an aggregate amount of approximately 60 billion euros will be released.” Munich-based Hypo Real Estate plans to cut 1,000 jobs by 2013

A group of Russian oligarchs are priming their companies for multi-billion dollar London listings in a sign the City remains the favoured financial centre for the country’s tycoons as they try to rebuild fortunes devastated by the crisis.a

Andrey Melnichenko ProfMedia, one of Russia’s largest media groups controlled by the magnate Vladimir Potanin, has also mandated Bank of AmericaMerrill Lynch and Credit Suisse for a London listing that could achieve a market value of up to $2bn. Both listings are expected to be launched in the second half of the year. Bankers see the return of large Russian companies to London as confirmation that the city remains attractive as an international financial centre for Russia’s richest business people after the capital missed out on the flotation of Oleg Deripaska’s aluminium company Rusal to Hong Kong. After months of negotiations, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange granted conditional approval last month for the Rusal offering, but restrictions have been imposed by regulators on private investor participation. “Deripaska’s experience has raised a warning flag to Russian companies thinking about listing somewhere else than London,” said Chris Weafer, chief strategist at UralSib. The collapse in share and commodities prices in 2008 cut sharply the fortunes of many of Russia’s wealthiest tycoons. The total value of Mr. Potanin’s assets fell from $19.3bn in 2008 to $2.1bn in 2009, according to Forbes magazine. Mr. Popov’s fortune fell from $6.4bn to $2.4bn in the same period, while Mr. Melnichenko’s net worth fell from $6.2bn to $1bn, according to Forbes. One person familiar with the Suek deal said a float of about 25 per cent of the company was envisaged and that the Russian statecontrolled bank VTB and Citigroup had been chosen provisionally to co-ordinate the deal. 50 CorD 68 / February 2010

Ivo Sanader

Austrian authorities have formed a special investigation unit, the “Sonderkommando Hypo,” that has been tasked with checking all of former Croatian Prime minister Ivo Sanader’s interventions in the Hypo Alpe Adria bank with regards to getting loans approved.

as it focuses on real-estate and public-sector financing combined under the Deutsche Pfandbriefbank unit. The company needed a total of 102 billion euros in credit lines and debt guarantees from the German government and financial institutions to save it from collapse last year when its Depfa Bank Plc unit failed to get shortterm funding.

The financial rescue package, which the lender since reduced to 95 billion euros, also includes 52 billion euros in Soffin guarantees, which will expire by the end of June 2010, Hypo Real Estate said. The restructuring will reduce Hypo Real Estate’s costs for obtaining liquidity, the lender said. Germany’s bank-rescue fund took full-ownership of the lender in October following a so-called squeeze-out.

MANCHESTER UNITED ANNOUNCES £500 MILLION BOND ISSUE THE TIMES Manchester United confirmed that it was seeking to raise £500 million via a bond issue to restructure its debts after paying out £41.9 million in interest over the past financial year United has also announced pre-tax profits of £48.2 million and a turnover of £278.5 million for the year ending June 30, in which it also recorded an £80.7 million profit on player transfers after the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid. The Times revealed last month that the Glazers had been frustrated in their efforts to refinance their existing debts, which include money owed to hedge funds as well as banks and financial institutions. The so-called “payment in kind” (PIK) notes borrowed from Perry

Although the initial anger over Malcolm Glazer’s takeover appeared to have quelled, United’s supporters have been increasingly concerned by the club’s financial position

Capital and Citadel, two American hedge funds, initially stood at £138 million in 2006 but had accrued £40 million of interest by last year. The latest interest figure on that debt is not available. Having initially declined to comment last week on revelations in The Sunday Times that it was looking to raise £500 million via a bond issue, United confirmed the story. In a statement, the club said: “Manchester United today announced that it will be seeking to raise approximately £500 million aggregate principal amount from an offering of senior secured notes due 2017. The notes, whose proceeds will be used to refinance existing debt secured against the club, will be issued by MU Finance plc…” Although the initial anger over the Glazer takeover appeared to have quelled, United’s supporters have been increasingly concerned by the club’s financial position in recent months. Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted that the money raised by the Ronaldo sale is available for him to spend if he chooses, but he maintains that there is “no value” in a transfer market that was, in effect, inflated by that very deal.

COUNCIL OF EUROPE TO INVESTIGATE WHO AND “PANDEMIC” SCANDAL GLOBAL RESEARCH The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will launch an inquiry on the influence of the pharmaceutical companies on the global swine flu campaign, focusing especially on extent of the pharmaceutical industry’s influence on WHO. The Health Committee of the PACE, a body representing 47 European nations including Russia, has unanimously passed a resolution calling for the inquiry. The motion was introduced by Dr. Wolfgang Wodarg, former SPD Member of the German Bundestag and now chairman of the Health

The inquiry will be given “urgent” priority in the general assembly of the parliament.

Dr. Wolfgang Wodarg

Committee of PACE (Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe). The text of the resolution just passed by a sufficient number in the Council of Europe Parliament says among other things, “In order to promote their patented drugs and vaccines against flu, pharmaceutical companies influenced scientists and official agencies, responsible for public health standards to alarm governments worldwide and make them squander tight health resources for inefficient vaccine strategies and needlessly expose millions of healthy people to the risk of an unknown amount of side-effects of insufficiently tested vaccines. The Parliamentary inquiry will look into the issue of a “falsified pandemic“ declared by the WHO in June 2009 on the advice of its group of academic experts, SAGE, many of whose members have been documented to have intense financial ties to the same pharmaceutical giants such as GlaxoSmithKline, Roche, Novartis, who benefit from the production of drugs and untested H1N1 vaccines. The inquiry will be given “urgent” priority in the general assembly of the parliament. In his official statement to the Committee, Wodarg criticized the influence of the pharmaceutical industry on scientists and officials of the WHO, stating that it has led to the situation where “unnecessarily millions of healthy people are exposed to the risk of poorly tested vaccines.” By classifying the swine flu as pandemic, nations were compelled to implement pandemic plans and also the purchase swine flu vaccines. Because the WHO is not subject to any parliamentary control, Wodarg argues it is necessary for governments to insist on accountability. CorD 68 / February 2010 51

B2B |

RENT IN BELGRADE AT RECORD LOWS

he price of renting a business premise in Belgrade has dropped to only 14 euros per square metre, Colliers real estate consultancy says. At the end of 2009, business premises in Belgrade were available to rent for a record low amount of 14 euros per square metre for a class A premise, which is the lowest level since 2000, research conducted by Colliers shows. The reason behind such a drop is the ongoing economic downturn. The average rent for a business premise in Belgrade ranges from 12.5 euros per square metre for class B property and 15.5 euros per square metre for class A. Monthly net rent amounts to 14 euros for class A and 11 euros for the class B. The total business premises available for rent in Belgrade (both class A and B) currently stand at 732,000 square metres, with 73% of these premises located in the central business zone, i.e. downtown Belgrade and New Belgrade. Source: Beta

LESS RESTRICTIVE APPROACH TO BANKS

ational Bank of Serbia (NBS) Governor Radovan Jelašić says that there is a possibility of the National Bank having a less strict approach to commercial banks in Serbia, providing their credit activity goes up. “NBS sees no reason for not being less restrictive towards banks, bearing in mind that these banks have increased their exposure in Serbia,” Jelašić says. To recall the facts, back in March last year, foreign banks in Serbia concluded an agreement called ‘The Vienna Initiative’ by which they agreed to maintain their exposure in Eastern Europe, i.e. not to withdraw their funds from the Eastern and Central European countries. This agreement is supervised by the IMF and is valid until January 1st, 2011. Jelašić says that it is important to see what benefits the initiative brought, as well as to continue monitoring the banks’ credit activities both in their homelands and the countries where they operate for a longer period of time. “Banks did increase their exposure in Serbia, and some have maintained the same exposure level, but there are a couple of banks that went out of their way to increase their exposure, thus proving that they plan to increase their credit activities in Serbia,” he outlined. The Governor also confirmed that during talks with the IMF, they agreed that the Vienna Initiative should end as envisaged, in order to minimize the risk of shocks. “If we point this out to banks now, they will feel safer and enjoy stronger guarantees,” the governor declared. Source: Tanjug

RATEL GIVES LICENSE TO TELENOR

A T E L ’ s Managing Board issued a license for ground telephony over the territory of the Republic of Serbia to Telenor. RATEL said that since mid-last year they have issued two licenses for ground wireless access for which the one-time fee was €540,000, adding that the new ground telephony operator would have to invest significant funds into telecommunication infrastructure in order to be able to provide the expected level of service, in accordance to the Strategy and the Action plan for development of broadband access by 2012. “The license will be given to Telenor in mid- February, and it will be issued for a period of 10 years, with the possibility of extending it for another 10 years. This operator has an obligation to start providing commercial services within one year from the day it receives the license,” stated Milan Janković, CEO of RATEL and Chairman of the Committee for Conducting Public Bidding Procedure. Telenor Company in Serbia is satisfied with having been granted the ground telephony license, announcing that they will also submit a bid to Telekom Srbija for renting telecommunication infrastructure. General Manager of Telenor in Serbia Kjell-Morten Johnsen st ated that success or failure of the license would greatly depend on the possibility to secure “fair approach” and use of existing infrastructure and well as being granted the right to construct their own infrastructure. Source: Tanjug

GOODS HAVING DIFFICULTIES REACHING SLOVENIA AND CROATIA

erbian goods are still inadequately present in Slovenia and Croatia, while in Serbia a total of 400 Slovenian and 200 Croatian companies are currently operational. In recent years, the Croats have invested 500 million euros in Serbia, while the Slovenians invested three times more. And while their (Slovenian and Croatian) investments are growing in Serbia year-onyear, with these investments being almost as extensive as those made in the tobacco and beer industry, Serbia’s investments in these two countries are quite modest, i.e. somewhere in the region of a statistical error. Domestic firms complain that it is much harder to sell goods in Slovenia

52 CorD 68 / February 2010

than in Croatia. The fact remains that there is no Serbian capital present on the Slovenian market, with the exception of ComTrade, Beohemija and several representative offices, with no other large transactions executed. When it comes to Serbian products in Slovenian shops, there are only a handful of them, mostly sweets and drinks. The situation is slightly better in Croatia, where in addition to having confectionery and other products like bottled water, beer, and wine available, only a dozen Serbian companies are operational, which is 20 times less than the number of Croatian companies in Serbia, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce says. Source: Novosti

NBS: 2009 INFLATION STOOD AT 6.6%

nflation in 2009, measured in consumer prices, equaled 6.6%, the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) said. This means, that the NBS has completely accomplished its goal set in the 2009 Monetary Policy Programme. The programme envisaged that the inflation level should be between 6% to 10%, midpoint of 8%, by the end of 2009. The NBS also reduced the level of restrictiveness of the monetary policy in keeping with the reduction of inflation pressure. The reference interest rate, which equaled 17.75% at the beginning of 2009, was reduced to 9.5 % by the end of the year. Therefore, the 2010 monetary policy envisages inflation that amounts to 6% plus or minus 2% defined in terms of the annual percentage change in the consumer price index, said the Central Bank. Source:B92

SERBIA HAS THE CHEAPEST ELECTRICITY

erbia and Bulgaria have the cheapest electricity out of 29 European countries, says Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office. In Serbia, electricity (for households) costs 4.65 euro cents per kilowatt hour, and 5.15 euro cents for businesses. This data pertains to the second half of 2008. In Bulgaria, electricity prices stand at 6.85 euro cents per kilowatt hour, in Slovenia 9.19, Croatia 9.16 and Hungry 12.81 per kilowatt hour (for households). In France, prices stand at 9.31 euro cent, in Greece 10.05, the Czech Repulic 10.80, Germany 13.41, Great Britain 15.30, while electricity is most expensive in Cyprus – 17.54 euro cents, and in Ireland – 17.91 euro cent per kilowatt hour. Source: Tanjug

FOREIGNERS SELLING LAND IN SERBIA

ue to the economic downturn and new regulation about agricultural land and the Law on Planning and Construction, many foreigners have decided to leave Serbia. They are selling their land, located along the Belgrade-Zagreb motorway and Belgrade bypass, at half the price, explaining that investing in the Belgrade business zone has become too expensive. The daily newspaper, Politika reports that not a single project will be implemented in the following two to three years in the zone, bearing in mind the time needed to handle the required paperwork and to start with construction. Source: Politika, Tanjug

Piraeus Bank new branch in Savograd

PIRAEUS BANK GETS € 20 MN FROM EIB

iraeus Bank Ad Belgrade has signed a contract with European Investment Bank for direct financing in the amount of 20 million euros with guarantees from Piraeus Bank SA, Athens. In this way, the Bank has provided resources for financing the SME sector and local communities. Funds which are in the General Loan Facility programme with a mother bank guarantee, dedicated to economies of Western Balkan countries will be available in the first quarter of 2010. Piraeus Bank Athens has given guarantees in the amount of 150 million euros for all members of the Piraeus Bank Group that operate in the region. By doing so, Piraeus bank is continuing its active policy of growth in loan activities at a moment when the economies of Western Balkan countries struck by the global crises need it most. Loan funds are intended for financing production and investments in working capital. Beside SMEs, loan beneficiaries are public sector authorities in the fields of infrastructure and final beneficiaries of any size or ownership in the field of knowledge economy, energy, environment, industry, health, education, and services & tourism. Repayment periods depend on the loan end user, and can be from 12 to 15 years. Grace period is from 4 to 5 years. The term of loans should correspond to the economic and technical life of the investments financed, with a minimum lifetime of 2 years. Piraeus Bank Belgrade has qualified for usage of EIB funds as a bank which in its business operations exerts an integral system of risk management and credit standards that take into account business conditions in Serbia as well as the standards of the Piraeus Bank Group.

MINISTER MIRKO CVETKOVIĆ: THE ECONOMY IS RECOVERING

he first signs of the crisis subsiding are already visible, stated Prime Minister Cvetković, while addressing business people with the message that they can expect imminent recovery of the economy and its mild growth. Cvetković stated that the Government is still holding on to its position of maintaining economic stability in the country. He outlined that there are better days in store with a simpler economic system. The Prime Minister stated that he hopes that the competition among the companies will be even bigger in this year. Source: Tanjug CorD 68 / February 2010 53

B2B |

RUSSIAN MONEY TO BE SPENT ONLY ON BUDGET

he Serbian government is due to receive soon a $200-million-loan from Russia to be spent on patching up budget holes, with additional financial assistance from Russia to be negotiated. The negotiations concerning an additional $800 million that are supposed to be spent on infrastructure projects in Serbia will continue the following month, says Zoran Ćirović, an assistant to the Serbian Finance Minister. “Negotiations were not stopped, but the Russian side needed additional time to look through the documents pertaining to projects that are supposed to receive funding,” Ćirović adds, confirming that at the end of last year experts from Russian railways came to Serbia in order to assess the state of Serbian railways, since this is where most of the aforementioned money would go. “The Russian delegation was given insight into documentation pertaining to concrete projects and we expect negotiations to resume once they evaluate the documents,” Ćirović said. If the Russians grant this loan, the money will be spent on constructing the Prokop railway station in Belgrade, the Valjevo – Loznica track, the Belgrade bypass (in the Orlovača – Bubanj Potok section), the Belgrade – Čačak road, as well as on electrification of the Niš – Dimitrovgrad railway track. When asked whether the Russian side was insisting on the Russian companies getting on board with building infrastructure in Serbia, Ćirović confirmed that they would be included in the projects, but would not be the sole contractors since the plan was to include domestic companies as well. The interest rate on the loan will be just below 4% per annum, and Serbia will be given an opportunity to repay the loan earlier without having to pay penalties for doing so, Večernje Novosti reports. Source: Beta, Novosti

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CARS WITHOUT CUSTOM DUTIES

he Ministry of Environmental Protection has given a recommendation to exempt environmentally friendly cars from import duties, reports the daily newspaper Danas. Now it is up to the Ministry of Finance to decide whether this suggestion will be accepted. Such recommendations have been made in the past also, i.e. for customs duty on environmentally friendly equipment to be abolished, but the recommendations never materialized. Source: Danas

MRKONJIĆ: CORRIDOR 10 BY MAY 2012

he Serbian Government plans to finish the road section of the Corridor 10 by May 1st 2012, Minister of Infrastructure, Milutin Mrkonjić said. He added that the Ministry had already provided the required €1.3 billion in order for the Corridor’s highway to be finished, and specified that the Ministry had received $388 million from the World Bank for this purpose. The European Investment Bank provided a total of €600 million, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development gave €150 million, and Greece will provide €100 million for the highway’s section near Vranje. The minister said that the construction of Corridor 10, which includes railroad infrastructure, would cost around €4.6 billion and that it should be finished by 2015. According to Mrkonjić, the first stage of works on the railroad part of the corridor will cost €1.1 billion, and another €3.5 billion is needed in order to complete the second stage, which should be finished by 2015. All of this is required in order to build a railroad with two railway tracks allowing speeds up to 160 km/h. Mrkonjić said that Serbia has been trying to become a candidate for a new corridor – Corridor 11, from Timisoara, across Belgrade and Podgorica to Bari, or at least to be a part of the Corridor 10. Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of Corridor 10 Georg Patsavos said that the highway made 70% of the envisaged roads along the corridor, adding that there was a plan to increase this percentage to 95 by 2015. He emphasized that operative problems on the corridor should be resolved quickly, and most of them have to do with border crossings. The Supervisory Committee is made up of representatives of Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Greece.

IMF: RAISING SALARIES IS A BAD SIGN I

f the Serbian government decides to raise the salaries in public enterprises before the agreed deadline, that would be a bad sign for the country’s economic stability, says the IMF. The Fund’s standing representative in Serbia, Bogdan Lissovolik, says that increasing salaries in the public sector would be considered both a direct and indirect budget expense, since that would probably lead to the state having to increase its subsidies and guarantees for loans that public enterprise would apply for. “In addition, public enterprises, and let’s bear in mind that many of them have been generating losses, really do need to be thoroughly reformed in order to increase efficien54 CorD 68 / February 2010

cy, instead of insisting on higher salaries, which will jeopardize these reforms,” Lissovolik outlined, adding that so far the Serbian government has been sticking to the agreement reached with the IMF. He adds that ten large public enterprises are expected to release their business plans by the end of February. “We expect that in accordance with the programme, salaries in these companies will stay frozen during 2010. We should bear in mind that this leaves some room for a limited salary increase, provided that the number of employees is reduced in order to neutralize the impact that the wage growth would have on the total funds available for salaries,”

END OF WORKERS’ PROTEST IN KURŠUMLIJA

orkers from the privatized enterprises “Kopaonik” and “7.juli” suspended their protest and a 12-day blockade of the Niš-Pristina road. They decided to suspend the protest after talking with representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Simpo Company, after which the workers removed the barricades, tents, benches, tables, and cars from this main transit route and went their homes. Their representative, Strajimir Đokić, said that the protest was “merely frozen” and that it would be continued if the Ministry of Economy failed to fulfill its promises. “If they don’t fulfill what they promised, we will no longer block the major road, but will come to Belgrade with our machinery,” he said. The General Manager of Simpo from Vranje, Slađan Dišić, said that in the next ten days the company will inspect the state of the equipment and put together a list of needed spare parts and other equipment in order to relaunch production. He added that Simpo was ready to help so that the Kopaonik workers could return to their jobs. Source: Beta, Tanjug

WORKERS FROM PEVEC IN SERBIA ON PAID LEAVE

elgrade shopping mall Pevec has been closed, even though it “resisted the financial crisis” much longer than its mother company in Croatia. All 150 workers were sent on paid leave. Even though the doors of Belgrade’s Pevec on the Pančevo Road have been closed since the beginning of this year, unlike Croatia, the company in Serbia did not declare bankruptcy. Pevec’s director, Dragan Malinović hopes that the store will start working again in March. The agreement between the bank and receivership manager Sketo seems very possible to Malinović, “because OTP has a mortgage on the company, which can be activated whenever the bank pleases. However, considering the situation on the market, the money invested in the Belgrade facility can be restored only through continuation of operations.” Source: Beta

“YELLOW ANGEL 2010” AWARD: THE MERCEDES BENZ ECLASS, THE MOST POPULAR CAR

he Mercedes-Benz E-Class has emerged the winner to establish Germany’s most popular car by a wide margin. In recognition of this, the motoring organisation ADAC has now presented this public favourite from Stuttgart with the coveted “Yellow Angel 2010” award. This is the sixth time that the ADAC has presented the “Yellow Angel” awards, also known as the “Oscars of the automobile industry,” for outstanding performance. The contenders were 47 vehicles that had been newly launched in 2009. Around 19 million readers of “ADAC Motorwelt,” as well as visitors to the Club’s homepage and the 2009 International Motor Show (IAA), were requested to cast their votes in Germany’s largest car survey. In the vote for Germany’s most popular car they gave first place to the MercedesBenz E-Class by a wide margin. This result was duly rewarded with the “Yellow Angel 2010” by Europe’s largest automobile club. This success by Mercedes-Benz was rounded off by second place in the “Most popular brand” category. Since its market launch in March 2009, the E-Class has made a huge impression with its dynamic design, innovative technology, exemplary comfort, and outstanding economy. This is in large measure due to ten efficient petrol and diesel engines with outputs ranging from 100 to 386 kW (136 to 525 hp). The E-Class is also equipped with a unique combination of driver assistance systems such as drowsiness detection, Adaptive Highbeam Assist and proximity control with automatic emergency braking in conjunction with the PRE-SAFE® Brake, activated when an acute accident risk is detected. What’s more, the E-Class offers outstanding longdistance comfort. These traits are shared by the other members of the successful premium car family – the E-Class Coupé, the E-Class Estate, and the E-Class Cabriolet, which has recently celebrated its world premiere. In addition, the independent market research institute Bähr & Fess Forecast has determined that the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class will have the highest value retention of any luxury segment model series, with the highest resale value after three years. This once again confirms the high value retention of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. CorD 68 / February 2010 55

B2B |

TENDER FOR THE BYPASS REMAINS

erbian Minister of Infrastructure Milutin Mrkonjić said that the tender for construction of a bypass around Dimitrovgrad, with a highway to the Gradina border crossing, would not be annulled and added that the tender commission would soon decide on who would get the deal. He outlined that, even though Alpina submitted the best bid, the company would not necessarily be awarded with the contract, “because there is not a country in the world in which a company sues a state and then asks for a job from this very state.” When he was asked if that meant that in order to get the deal Alpina had to withdraw the lawsuit before the the Paris Arbitration Court, Mrkonjić replied that that was one of the options. “The dispute that Alpina has with Serbia in the Paris Arbitration Court determines our position. If the outcome is positive, then they will stay in this deal,”said Mrkonjić. Alpina is asking for a severance fee for the terminated concession contract for construction of the highway from Horgoš to Čačak. This company has submitted an offer of RSD 2.9 billion for construction of the bypass around Dimitrovgrad, with a highway to the Gradina border crossing. Slovenian SCT has offered RSD 3.2 billion, Croatian Konstruktor RSD 3 billion, Slovenian Primorje RSD 3.4 billion, a consortium of domestic road maintenance companies Planum, PZP Beograd and Putevi from Užice RSD 3.7 billion, while the highest offer was given by the Austrian Strabag, with RSD 5 billion. Source: FoNet, Beta

KOROMAN POLJE READY FOR FIAT

he industrial zone, Koroman Polje, located just outside K ragujevac, will be equipped with infrastructure in the second half of 2010 and ready for Fiat’s cooperates. Minister for the National Investment Plan Verica Kalanović stated that in the industrial and duty-free zone of Koroman Polje, 65 hectares in size, is ideal for the construction of production plants to be used by 15 Fiat’s cooperates which in turn will create 10,000 new jobs. “NIP will give at least RSD 350 million for construction of a water pipeline and sewage system, electrification, gas system installation, and construction of internal roads at Koroman Polje,” said Kalanović. According to her, in 2010 NIP will provide a total of RSD 1 billion for infrastructure in the Kragujevac car factory, which aside from Koroman Polje, will also entail works on construction of the major road along the Corridor 10. Source: Beta 56 CorD 68 / February 2010

18 PRIVATIZATIONS TERMINATED

he Privatization Agency broke off 18 purchase contracts with buyers who haven’t fulfilled obligations stipulated in their contracts. Contracts on privatization of the newspapers“Kikinda”and“Pančevac”were annulled, as well as privatizations of “Kosovoprojekt Smp” from Belgrade, in addition to veterinary stations in Velika Plana, Smederevo, Gornji Milanovac, Petrovac, Žagubica, and Stara Moravica in Bačka Topola. The Agency also terminated the sale of Hotel Prag from Belgrade and Hotel Palas from Jagodina, as well as of the “Budimka” enterprise from Požega, Novi Kolektiv from Belgrade, Workers Shelter (Radničko prihvatilište) from Belgrade, Industry of Metal Constructions – IMK from Belgrade, Tisa from Novi Kneževac, ABS Minel Elektrogradnja from Belgrade, and PTT Ugostiteljstvo from Belgrade. Contracts have been broken off, as the Agency reported, due to unpaid purchase price, i.e. due installments, lack of business continuity, and because the buyers did not follow the social and investment programme. In accordance with the Law on Privatization, after the purchase contract is broken off, part of the enterprise’s capital that was sold is transferred to the Share Fund. Source: Beta

SERBIA 104TH IN ECONOMIC LIBERTIES

erbia took 104th place worldwide in economic liberties, according to the Economic Liberty Index , say the Heritage Foundation and the Wall Street Journal. Serbia received 56.9 points for economic liberties, 0.3 points more than last year, where 100 points are considered as total freedom. Serbia is still below the global average, and, when it comes to the regional list, it takes 38th place out of 43 European countries. Countries that have between 50 and 59.9 points are usually not considered free in the economic sense. The Economic Liberty Index for 2010 covers 183 countries, but four were not ranked due to lack of information. Ten components of economic liberties were considered for placement: business, trade, fiscal liberty, government spending, monetary freedom, investment and financial rights in the real estate sector, freedom from corruption, and freedom of work. In part of the report on Serbia, it is said that structural reforms have helped to achieve macroeconomic stability and an average annual economic growth of over 5% in the past five years. It is also stated that taxes in Serbia are competitive, and startup procedures have become more efficient, while the labour market in Serbia is relatively flexible. However, privatization of large enterprises is slow and large chunks of state property still remain unsold. The report also states that Serbia is above the world average in freedom of trade, adding that the duties are higher than in most European countries. Government spending makes over 40% of the gross domestic product (GDP) while unmitigated and non-transparent regulations are continuing

to slow growth. Serbia is advised to continue with reforms in order to diminish bureaucracy and corruption and improve the court system, which is open to political interference. Source: Beta

ALAPIS INTERESTED IN GALENIKA

“T

he Greek pharmaceutical company ALAPIS SA has submitted all requested documents as proof of its interest to participate in the indicative bids submission phase for the acquisition of Galenika,” John Georgakopoulos, Senior Director of Alapis SA and General Director of Sumadijalek AD stated today. Mr. Georgakopoulos also mentioned that as soon as Alapis’s submission is accepted by the Consultants of the Government, Rothschild & Cie and BNP Paribas, Alapis will buy the relevant documentation provided by the Government so that Alapis’s consultants can evaluate all details of the company’s aspects. After evaluation, Alapis management will reach a decision whether it is feasible to proceed further.

EUROBANK EFG AWARDED

urobank EFG is the winner of this year’s award given by the Club of Economic Journalists, THE GOLDEN PLAQUE, in the banking sector for 2009. The award for the Bank of the Year was presented to Eurobank at a ceremony aptly entitled “Companies and Personalities that Marked the Year.” Eurobank EFG was awarded for its extraordinary results achieved during 2009, according to which Eurobank EFG is the fifth-ranked bank in Serbia when it comes to balance assets, with a market share of 6.1% and has been constantly among the three leading banks judging by available capital. The Bank’s network is branched across the entire country. 1,600 employees are servicing over 800,000 clients in 119 branch offices and 9 regional centers. In 2009, Eurobank EFG once more confirmed its leading position in many business segments, such as retail deposits, consumer loans and credit cards, SME loans and mortgage loans.

STOP CORRUPTION IN THE GOVERNMENT

orruption in Serbia is present in 10% to 15% cases. In developed countries, this form of illegal behaviour is under control and it amounts to 3-5%. “The Anti-Corruption Agency’s first mission will be to stop corruption in the government,” said Čedomir Čupić, Chairman of the Board of this agency, while stating that this will not be an easy chore, because “it will take as many years to eradicate corruption as corruption has been present in the society.” According to Čupić, Serbia should use the anti-corruption model applied in the Scandinavian countries, especially Denmark, where corruption is 0.02% and is not considered to be a criminal act, but as he pointed out, an individual illness. He stated that the Agency will have 60 employees in the first year of their work, and in four years’ time this number will grow to 180. Čupić outlined that similar agencies, as controllers of the government in developed countries, have more employees than the parliaments of these countries have members. Source: Tanjug

GROWTH DELTA GENERALI INSURANCE PREMIUM

n 2009, Delta Generali Insurance achieved the following results in Serbia: total premium of RSD 9.4 billion and 10% growth in comparison to 2008. Delta Generali Voluntary Pension Fund: fund’s property RSD 1.8 billion, income generated in 2009 higher by 15.2%, and a market share of 24.6%. Business results of Delta Generali Insurance and Delta Generali Life Insurance in Montenegro: total premium €5.2 million (+410%) and total market share of 8%. Commenting on the results, Delta Generali’s General Manager and Managing Board Chairman Nebojša Divljan said, “We are extremely satisfied with our companies’ results in 2009, which were reached despite the unfavourable macroeconomic environment. The company in Serbia recorded a total premium growth higher than the growth of the entire insurance market, which will be around 2%. We recorded good results thanks to a branched-out distribution network, diverse insurance offers, and a cutback on costs that we have set as an important goal,” Divljan outlined.

WB WILL NOT REJECT LOANS FOR SERBIA

he World Bank will continue granting loans to Serbia in 2010 and finance planned projects, the Bank announces. The World Bank will grant a loan of $200 million to Serbia this year as budget support, and it is expected that the use of the loans granted earlier will improve. Granting new investment loans in 2010 was not planned within the current partnership strategy, stated the World Bank, and it was pointed out that a lot could be done on using existing investment loans in a more efficient manner, i.e. through more active support and management of current projects in order to incite the application and use of funds. In cases when certain funds cannot be used as originally planned, it is necessary to redirect them whenever possible towards other projects where they could be better used, the World Bank states in a press release. Source: Beta CorD 68 / February 2010 57

FOOTBALL FEAWER |

THE ROAD TO THE The 19th FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place between 11 June and 11 July 2010 in South Africa. It will be the culmination of a qualiďŹ cation process that began in August 2007 and involved 204 of the 208 national teams.This will be the ďŹ rst time that the tournament has been hosted by an African nation, after South Africa beat Morocco and Egypt in an allAfrican bidding process. Italy are the defending champions

By Steve MacKenzie he draw for the finals took place on 4 December 2009 in Cape Town. The World Cup draw, as always, had some interesting pairings. Here, we break down each of the teams and their chances of progressing from their groups

GROUP A SOUTH AFRICA: The hosts will be relatively happy with their draw. They have every chance of upsetting the likes of France and Uruguay with their combative style of play, but may struggle more against the Mexicans. Prediction:Could surprise a lot of people and 58 CorD 68 / February 2010

make it out of the groups, but they need good results against France and Uruguay. MEXICO: They will have been very pleased to have avoided the real top seeds and drawn the hosts. Their qualification campaign saw them impress after ditching Sven Goran Eriksson. If they can avoid defeat against France and beat South Africa (which they will be expected to do) then they can make it through as well. Prediction: It may all come down to how they fair against the hosts, but if they win they should be confident of taking a spot into the knockout rounds. URUGUAY: With players like Diego Forlan keen to impress, Uruguay will fight until the end, but may not make it out of the group stage.

Prediction: It could be an early exit for the country that hosted the first ever World Cup in 1930. FRANCE: Having got to the finals in controversial circumstances, France will be just happy they are there. The French should have enough to see off the others, but are notorious slow starters and will not want a repeat of the 2002 game against Uruguay when they drew 0-0 and had Thierry Henry sent off. Prediction:Will need to start well, but have the players at their disposal to make it through.

GROUP B ARGENTINA: Diego Maradona may not be the most popular coach, but his side will be massive favourites coming into this group.

WORLD CUP 2010 side former European champions, Nigeria and a side who have one of the best squads around. Greece could be a place to pick up points, but, without Guus Hiddink in charge, there is little to suggest that the Koreans will make a major impact. Prediction: It won’t be a repeat of 2002 for the Koreans, but they will have their eyes on an upset against Nigeria. GREECE: They should overcome South Korea, but Nigeria will be a different prospect. It would not be a surprise to see them claim second place in the group, but they will have to work harder to break down opposition defences. Otto Rehhagel said: “Argentina is obviously the favourite in the group, but we have a very good chance of going through if we are at our best.” Prediction: The nature of their football may suggest they won’t make it out of the group, but Greece could still make it if they upset Nigeria.

GROUP C ENGLAND: The big one in the group sees David Beckham and Landon Donovan come face to face. Fabio Capello will be exceptionally happy with the draw as his side have shown themselves capable of beating the U.S.

should have enough to beat Slovenia, but without any major stars to step up when needed, won’t be viewed as dark horses just yet. Prediction: They won’t finish bottom, but there’s little chance of them making it past England and the U.S. SLOVENIA: The fact that they beat Russia in the play-offs shows that Matjaz Kek’s side cannot be underestimated, but England and the U.S. will not view them with any particular concern. Most likely, they will fight hard, but could be forced to battle with Algeria to ensure they are not left with the wooden spoon. Prediction: There is little to suggest that they will cause an upset, but they will be pleased to have made it in the first place.

GROUP D GERMANY: Traditionally, the Germans have always been solid at major tournaments and it would take a brave man to predict them to miss out on the group stages. The group is one of the harder ones in the draw, but Germany should be confident enough of topping it. Prediction: Top of the group, as the experience and consistency at major tournaments continues. AUSTRALIA: Having faced tougher tests by coming through the Asian region this time,

With their usual brand of attacking football, there will no shortage of entertainment, unless of course Brazil come a cropper and miss out on the knockout stages altogether The top seeds got themselves a very decent draw and the likes of Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez will be rubbing their hands with glee. Prediction: Even if they show some of the poor form that we saw in qualifying they should have enough to progress. NIGERIA: The Nigerians will be confident that they have enough to get through this group. A solid set of players, the Africans will be boosted by the fact they are on their own continent. However, they are not the most stable of units and could come undone if they suffer under the pressure of a major final. Prediction: Second, behind Argentina, as they should have enough to break down their rivals. SOUTH KOREA: A tough draw for them along-

recently. Slovenia were battered the last time the two teams met and Algeria should prove few problems for Wayne Rooney and company either. Prediction: With the stars on show, England should feel comfortable of topping the group. USA: The 2002 World Cup was a great moment for the U.S. and the 2010 version could be the same if they manage to see off the lesser lights. Prediction: Second in the group should be seen as a success and there should be few problems for the U.S. as they survey their group. ALGERIA: A huge game against Egypt saw the Algerians progress, but they may not get much further. It is a very big deal in Algeria that the side made it in the first place. They

the Socceroos will be confident that they have the experience to push Germany and Ghana all the way. Prediction: If Germany take top spot, then the other place is up for grabs. It will be very tight, but expect Australia to fall when they come up against the others. SERBIA: Their first World Cup as an independent nation, Serbia do have a host of skilled players (and one of the best youth setups around). However, without the experience they could suffer and should stutter against Germany for certain. Nemanja Vidic will be the rock at the back, but they will have to be at their very best if they are to make it through. Prediction: Serbia may struggle to compete CorD 68 / February 2010 59

FOOTBALL FEAWER |

against some more physical and experienced sides. A place in the knockout stages would be a real shock. GHANA: The Ghana have a powerful side who are always capable of providing an upset. It wouldn’t be a stretch to see them drawing with Germany and picking up wins over the other two. Michael Essien will be a driving force in the middle of the park and the Black Stars have some top players to push for the second round. Prediction: Expect Ghana to do well and make it through.

GROUP E NETHERLANDS: The Dutch should be more than happy with their draw. They beat Japan recently, but they won’t take that as too much of a barometer as the scoreline was flattering. If they can perform as well as in Euro 2008, they’ll easily top the group. Prediction: Top, as they have a solid collection of players. Holland may struggle later on, but are usually fine in the group stages. DENMARK: A surprisingly impressive side in 60 CorD 68 / February 2010

qualifying, the Danes will fancy their chances of progression and even getting something against the Dutch. Not the toughest draw by any means, Morten Olsen’s men are more than capable of making it through, but should also be wary of the threat posed by Cameroon in particular. Prediction: A solid side, they will prove tough to beat and should provide some competition for the top spot. JAPAN: The Japanese are not in a good position here! All of the other sides in the group will view them as the weakest side and so the expectation level should be fairly low. Shunsuke Nakamura will provide the creativity that will be sorely needed if they are going to make any impression on the group. Prediction: Bottom of the group, the Japanese won’t be pleased with the draw and look like they’ll go home early. CAMEROON: On their own continent, Cameroon should be one of the hardest sides to beat in this competition. With a deadly marksman like Samuel Eto’o up front, they will be a threat on the counter attack

and should batter opponents into submission with their physical power. Prediction: They will push all the way and Cameroon should be confident that they can progress.

GROUP F ITALY: Marcello Lippi will be more than happy with the. He has all the experience necessary to lead his group of ageing stars past the group stages. Age shouldn’t be a factor here, as the opposition are weak enough for Italy to secure a spot in the top two. Prediction: Paraguay may cause them some problems, but Italy should have more than enough to secure top spot. PARAGUAY: One of the best sides in the South American qualifying campaign and will almost certainly qualify ahead of New Zealand and Slovakia. They don’t have the best experience, but they are head and shoulders above the two sides they need to beat in order to secure second spot. Prediction: Second in the group, behind Italy, there is every chance they can qualify.

NEW ZEALAND: The group’s whipping boys are expected to finish this group as they finished their last one in 1982, without a point. They cruised through qualifying in the Oceania region and then beat Bahrain in the play-off, but they won’t make an impact in this group. Prediction: Bottom of the group. No points and maybe even no goals either. SLOVAKIA: The Slovaks have a decent side, with the likes of Martin Skrtel and Marek Hamsik. However, they won’t have enough to make a historic march to the knockout stages. They lack the experience at this level and, while they may spring a surprise or two, they should miss out. Prediction: Third in the group, but they won’t embarrass themselves at all.

GROUP G BRAZIL: Many would expect the world’s highest ranked side to stroll through the groups, but this is no easy task. With their usual brand of attacking football, there will no shortage of entertainment, unless of course they come a cropper and miss

Bosnia convincingly to make it through the play-offs, but this is a side in real distress. With Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury problems and Carlos Queiroz’s tactical naivety, there remains a definite possibility that they will not make it through. Prediction: The key game will be the Ivory Coast clash and whoever triumphs should progress.

GROUP H SPAIN: Not a difficult draw for the. Vicente Del Bosque, coach of the European champions , said: “We can’t complain. We can’t hide the fact we are one of the favourites to win (the World Cup).” With a favourable draw, they are even more likely to be seen as favourites and with the likes of Xavi, Iker Casillas, Carles Puyol and Fernando Torres, there’s every reason for that. Prediction: They should easily win this group. Spain have been dominant in Europe recently and should have absolutely no trouble winning this one. SWITZERLAND: It would be a surprise if they made it far in the competition. They

Having got to the finals in controversial circumstances, France will be just happy they are there out on the knockout stages altogether. Prediction: They should top the group, but one feels there will be a shock in this group somewhere. Knockout stages beckon though. NORTH KOREA: The whipping boys of the Group of Death. With little known about the Asian side, few would bet on them to pick up any points whatsoever in this group. A really unfortunate draw, given that it was such a success for them to make it through, suggests that they will return home in disgrace. Prediction: Bottom of the group and no points either. IVORY COAST: The African side have the best chance of making it past the groups and far into the knockout stages and the Elephants will be confident that they can upset Portugal. If Brazil are the favourites, then the Africans are second. Didier Drogba, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue are just a few of the top stars to Prediction:Second in the group. PORTUGAL They may have beaten

will be looking at second place below Spain and should come out on top if they can adjust their gameplan to suit the South American and Central American sides. Prediction: Second in the group. They’ll be battered by Spain, but they may have enough to make it through. HONDURAS: One of the minnows, the Hondurans impressed in qualifying and cannot be underestimated. Without experience or many stars though, it would be hard to see them off the bottom of the group. Prediction: One good result would represent a success. CHILE: Another tough South American side, they will be hard to beat. Tricky wingers like Mark Gonzalez and Matias Fernandez will provide some creativity and you can never argue with a Chilean centre back! However, it will be their match against Switzerland that will ensure their success or failure. Prediction: Missing out on the group stages, they will be hard to beat, but don’t have enough to make it though.

TOP 10 PLAYERS NEVER TO PLAY IN A WORLD CUP

ome great players have been unfortunate enough never to grace the World Cup for a variety of reasons, here are the best of them: 1. Alfredo Di Stefano A Real Madrid legend and a player that Pele described as better than Deigo Maradona, Di Stefano never played in a World Cup due to switching nationalities, twice, both times to countries that failed to reach the World Cup finals. 2. George Best Even having one of the best playrs in the World can’t guarantee you a spot at the World Cup Finals, as Northern Ireland found during George Best’s international career. Sure to be high George Best on any list. 3. Bernd Schuster In the 1980 European Championships he was voted the second best player having helped Germany to the title but he retired from international football at the age of 24 after falling out with the German FA, before getting the chance to play in the World Cup. 4. George Weah Unfortunately for Weah’s international career, he was miles better than his Liberia team mates. He won the World, European and African Player Of The Year but never played in a World Cup. 5. Abedi Pele He had the name to play in the World Cup and he also won the African Footballer Of The Year Award three times but Ghana never qualified for a World Cup during his career. 6. Ryan Giggs One of the best players the Premiership has ever seen but Wales have failed to reach the World Cup finals during Giggs’ playing career costing the winger a chance to shine on the biggest stage. 7. Matthew Le Tissier One of the most talented footballers ever, Le Tissier never transferred his Southampton form to the international stage. 8. Valentino Mazzola Captain of the Torino side who all perished in an air crash in 1949, Mazzola gained just 12 caps and never played in a World Cup. 9. Eric Cantona ‘The King’ to Man Utd supporters never played in a World Cup having fallen out with management during his career and retiring before France’s 1998 World Cup win. 10. Duncan Edwards Bobby Charlton said he was the best player he played with but tragically Edwards was killed in the 1958 Munich Air Disaster. CorD 68 / February 2010 61

LUNCH FOR TWO, PLEASE. OPERA

The clients of the restaurant were a mix of local and foreign business people, young and middle-aged couples, several hipsters, and a few parties of ladies having lunch, all stirred with a dash of nouveau-riche ﬂavour. If you decide to have your meal here, you might prefer to make a reservation. By Jelena MICKIĆ Photo Slobodan JOTIĆ ike many, if not most good things in life, enjoying food should be an inspiring, simple, and yet unique experience. Dining out comes high on my list of life’s pleasures. Whether it be in a lush and expensive restaurant where dishes can be complex and elaborately decorated, or in an unpretentious eatery where food is so cleverly simple yet incredibly delicious, having a meal out is a treat for all my senses. For my birthday this year we decided to try a place we hadn’t been to before. Just a corner away from Knez Mihailova tucked in Obilićev Venac, lies the café-restaurant Opera.

62 CorD 68 / February 2010

The moment you step inside you are overwhelmed by its intricate interior. The most striking features are definitely a big, black steel chandelier and decorative lamps. Dark tables and chairs here and there give the place a massive and solid feel, but then you start spotting more feminine shabbychic features (furniture style described as new things looking old) and discrete decorations that soften up the place, giving it an intimate touch. The restaurant’s interior is divided into three parts: the front, with big street windows, the airiest and brightest section, but also a bit cramped and busy; the more intimate gallery above the bar; and the back room, with no windows, but definitely the most peaceful of all. As the restaurant’s personality was obvious, I was intrigued to

find out where the chef and food were gastronomically headed. What the rather extensive Opera menu had to offer was a list of mainstream European continental dishes with a standard choice of Italian ones. Among the listings I spotted a venison dish, a caviar one, and a couple of duck and traditional Serbian recipes. A board on one of the walls advertised the menu of the day: cauliflower potage, lamb cooked in milk, and moussaka. In such a competitive neighbourhood where so many restaurants offer the same food, I felt that Opera might need a delicate and sensual, yet quirky and brave menu created with some TLC (tender loving care). With so many newly-opened or remade restaurants in Belgrade, it seems that one would jump with joy to the excitement of possible gastronomic adventures, but this is not the case. Unfortunately, Belgrade does not do creative, intriguing and exciting fresh food. There is an obvious lack of innovation, boldness, and fresh take on the already familiar. Is it that restaurateurs are convinced that our palates prefer safe choices and the flavours we have grown up with? I don’t know. There are a few exceptions to the rule that have proven to be extremely popular dining and hanging-out spots both with locals and foreigners in Belgrade, but that’s not nearly enough. The restaurant business is a tough one. Many eateries open and close every year. In a market saturated with competition, a business should look for a niche, set itself apart from the mainstream crowd, and offer unique quality service. With food TV programmes, blogs, and cookbooks flourishing, inspiration is just a click away and there should be no more excuses. We are still waiting for the bold, brave, and curious. To make a long story short, we started our lunch with a dry martini for me and an apricot brandy for my companion. I like my martini sweet and sharp. Unfortunately, the one I got was weak, flat, and had no olives. On the other hand, my companion’s brandy imparted an incredibly strong apricot smell, a tell-tale sign of artificial flavouring. We both enjoyed the cover though--black olive paste and butter with yummy whole grain olive and nut bread and sesame-crusted corn flour buns. We decided we wanted a light meal, so my companion chose the chicken breast in a peanut-hazelnut sauce, while I ordered salmon. Our dishes arrived soon. While my plate was neat and simple, on my companion’s was a heap of a white creamy sauce under which two gargantuan chicken breasts were hiding. There in one corner of the plate was a spoonful of sautéed zucchini and red peppers with melted cheese, undoubtedly placed just to disrupt the white monotony. The chicken was ordinary in taste and slightly overcooked, but luckily the mild and nutty sauce gave it a character. My companion swore he hadn’t eaten anything tastier in weeks, but then appetite is a wonderful thing. I like salmon for its delicate texture, colour, and taste, and I clearly remember only two occasions in Belgrade where a salmon dish

The chicken was ordinary in taste and slightly overcooked, but luckily the mild and nutty sauce gave it a character. blew me away and I sent my compliments to the chef. This time I didn’t get much out of my salmon fillet. Instead of being a lively shade of pink, moist, and delicious, my salmon was dry and boringly unappetizing. Luckily I got more taste from the side dish of rocket, topped with shaved Parmesan cheese and a dash of balsamic vinegar in the honey and lemon juice dressing. Less lemon, more honey please. The service was professional and satisfactory. The clients of the restaurant were a mix of local and foreign business people, young and middle-aged couples, several hipsters, and a few parties of ladies having lunch, all stirred with a dash of nouveau-riche flavour. If you decide to have your meal here, you might prefer to make a reservation. We had a table in the front room where the life is and it was fairly busy, with customers coming and going.

CLASSIC DRY MARTINI Ingredients: t $SBDLFE JDF t PVODFT -POEPO dry gin, such as Beefeater t PVODF ESZ WFSmouth, preferably Noilly Prat t (SFFO PMJWF GPS HBSOJTI Preparation: In a mixing glass or cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the gin and vermouth. Stir well for about 20 seconds, and then strain into a martini glass. Garnish with an olive and serve. CorD 68 / February 2010 63

CULTURE

FESTIVAL OF

MEĆAVNIK - MOKRA GORA

FUTURE FILMS

Emir Kusturica continues to prove that everything is possible, even organizing a ﬁlm festival in the middle of nowhere, provided that you have a vision and know how to bring it to life

Israel, Cuba, Lithuania, Mexico, Germany, Poland, Russia, U.S.A., Serbia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, France, and Switzerland) competed for Gold, Silver, and Bronze Eggs. Comic book writer and author of the popular animated feature film, Persepolis, Majrane Satrapi was the jury’s president, while producers Sarah Driver and Jonathan Wisegal were jury members. At the opening ceremony, Johnny Depp thanked Emir Kusturica and said that he considered Kusturica a real inspiration. Depp added that Kusturica was one of those directors who promote true art, like Jim Jarmusch and Tim Burton. Depp was also the recipient of a special ‘Award for Future

Depp was also the recipient of a special ‘Award for Future Films,’ handed over to him by Emir Kusturica By Jelena JOVANOVIĆ üstendorf, the third international film and music festival organized by Rasta Film International under the auspices of the Serbian Ministry of Culture, took place in Drvengrad, Mokra Gora from January 12th to the 19th. The festival was formally opened by Minister of Culture Nebojša Bradić, while American actor Johhny Depp was guest of honor. The festival was officially opened following the unveiling of a life size statue of Johnny Depp created by sculptor Božidar Nikolić. Just as in previous years, this year’s Küstendorf was dedicated to young and upcoming film makers, as well as to established ones. A total of 28 movies from 18 countries (Austria, Belgium, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Great Britain,

64 CorD 68 / February 2010

Films,’ handed over to him by Emir Kusturica. The award itself resembles a tree with wide-spreading branches. “Depp is a person who emanates strength and a special kind of energy. Hollywood exhausts the potential of almost everybody involved in film production, but Depp is unique. We share the same ethics, which is the foundation of our friendship. Depp has nurtured his ethics throughout years,” said Kusturica, who started to collaborate with Depp in 1993 with his movie ‘Arizona Dream.’ Depp, a bonafide Hollywood star, and a central figure in many independent productions, was presented to the festival audiences through a short film made of clips from his movies. There was also a joint performance by music groups Vrelo and The No Smoking Orchestra, which sung a contemporary version of Solenzara. Also, an en-

THE WINNERS

ut of 28 films, the winner of the festival was the ten-minute French-Isreali creation Lost Paradise by Mihal Brezis and Oded Binnun, who were awarded the Golden Egg and a one-month stay in Drvengrad, where they can “write a new script in peace.” The second award, the Silver Egg, was given to the Czech film Baba, directed by Zuzana Kirchnerova-Špidlova. Kustendorf’s third award for 2010, the Bronze Egg, went to the Lithuanian film Lernavan, directed by Armanian director Marat Sargsyan.

tire section of this year’s Küstendorf, ’The Retrospective of the Greats,’ was dedicated to Johnny Depp, featuring his movies Edward Scissorhands, Arizona Dream and Donnie Brasco. By declaring Küstendorf 2010 officially opened, Serbian Minister of Culture Nebojša Bradić said that that the festival brought hope and, for that he thanked Emir Kusturica. “Today, when we read how a certain blockbuster made over a billion dollars during the Christmas holidays alone, we are dangerously close to thinking that actually there is no hope for small nations and movies made in their obscure little languages. We could think that the world is made only for the rich and famous, and that in such world, small productions that speak of the average man’s problems don’t stand a chance. But is it really so? Thanks to a place like Mokra Gora and the festival that we are opening today, we somehow balance out this unapproachable and preclusive approach to film art. If we didn’t take such an approach, film as an art form would disappear all together. As a small country, we play a significant role in the movie world primarily thanks to our films and globally recognized authors, and because of a place like this one. Mokra Gora, which used to be an obscure, littleknown location, is now becoming the centre of the alternative approach to film art. The fresh breeze that comes down from these mountains will rejuvenate the industry where common sense and basic human feelings are slowly becoming extinct. For this, we are thankful to Emir Kusturica, the mastermind behind this idea, and to everybody who came and who are clearly demonstrating that this festival is not fiction or a fad of a celebrated film author, but something that is very real and desperately needed,” Nebojša Bradić said. The festival’s opening ceremony ended with a movie from film pioneers The Lumiere Brothers with an inspired commentary from director of the Cannes Film Festival, Thierry Frémaux. The competition began with a movie directed by Serbian author Siniša Vidović entitled Tata Morgana. Vidović moved to Austria in 1992 where he graduated from the Linz Art Academy, majoring in film and video. Vidović says that Küstendorf is a

unique festival that is a home to both young and upcoming authors, as well as big film stars. Since its very beginning, the festival has been endorsed by the Serbian Ministry of Culture. The first Küstendorf was opened by Russian director Nikita Mikhalkov, while the jury president was German director Peter Handke. In 2009, film students from 16 countries competed for Gold, Silver, and Bronze Eggs. Last year, the jury president was Serbian actress Anica Dobra, while celebrated American film director Jim Jarmusch was the festival’s special guest. In addition to the films shown in the competition section, there were several other film programmes shown at this year’s festival. There was a section called ‘Contemporary Tendencies,’ with the best movies from last year’s production showcased, like those by director Asghar Farhadi (his latest film won the Silver Bear for best director at 2009 Berlin Film Festival) and Fatih Atkin (director of film ‘Soul Kitchen,’ which won the special jury prize at the 2009 Venice Film Festival). Also shown

Since its very beginning, the festival has been endorsed by the Serbian Ministry of Culture were films directed by Pavel Lungin from Russia, Raja Amiri from Tunisia, and the latest Jim Jarmusch movie, ‘Limits of Control.’ Some of the most important works of film art were shown in a section called ‘Evergreen,’ including films made by the prestigious U.S. film seminar, Robert Flaherty 2009. Quite a few workshops were also held during which film students were given the opportunity to speak to film makers. When it comes to the musical programme, bands like Global Kryner (Austria), Festicultores Troupe (France), Ruble (Russia), Tonino Carotone (Spain / Italy), as well as Turkish singer Aynur all peformed. There were also performances by Serbian musician Vlada Maričić’s musical group Vrelo, and Emir Kusturica’s No Smoking Orchestra. CorD 68 / February 2010 65

CULTURE

CALENDAR

CLASSICAL MUSIC XI INTERNATIONAL GUITAR FESTIVAL Concert program:

Tuesday, February 9 Kolarac Foundation Hall (Opening Ceremony) 20:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; GĂ&#x2013;RAN SĂ&#x2013;LLSCHER 21:30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; CAVATINA DUO (Denis AzabagiÄ&#x2021;guitar, Eugenia Moliner-flute), CAMERATA SERBICA, BOJAN SUÄ?IÄ&#x2020; (conductor)

Wednesday, February 10 Belgrade Arena 20:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; JANNE JANNE 22:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; AIR Thursday, 11 February Dom Sindikata Hall 20:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ZLATKO MANOJLOVIÄ&#x2020; & FRIENDS Friday, February 12 Sava Center

20:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; PACO DE LUCIA group. Paco de LucĂa, born Francisco SĂĄnchez GĂłmez (in Algeciras, CĂĄdiz, in 1947), is a Spanish composer and guitarist. Recognized as a virtuoso flamenco guitarist all over the world, he is a leading proponent of the Modern Flamenco style, and is one of the very few flamenco guitarists who have also successfully crossed over into other genres of mu66 CorD 68 / February 2010

sic. He enjoys, and has been a successful musician in many styles such as classical, jazz, and world music. He is the winner of the 2004 Prince of Asturias Awards in Arts. Saturday, February 13 Kolarac Foundation Hall 20:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MILOĹ JANJIÄ&#x2020;, FABIO ZANON 21:30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MARTHA MASTERS, GERARD ABITON

Ogrintchouk, oboe. Program: J. Brahms: "DBEFNJD 'FTUJWBM 0WFSUVSF 3 4USBVTT Oboe Concerto. J. Brahms: Symphony No. 4

Sunday, February 14 / Kolarac Foundation Hall (Closing Ceremony)

4. February, 20:00

20:00 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SABRINA VLAĹ KALIÄ&#x2020;, PAOLO PEGORARO 21:30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MUSIC OF VOJISLAV IVANOVIÄ&#x2020;: VOJISLAV IVANOVIÄ&#x2020;, LEVANTE DUO, ALEKSANDAR NIKOLIÄ&#x2020; (bandoneon), DENIS AZABAGIÄ&#x2020;, ZORAN DUKIÄ&#x2020;, CAMERATA SERBICA, BOJAN SUÄ?IÄ&#x2020; (conductor) ("' ."45&3 $-"44&4 ("' $0.1&5*5*0/ Faculty of Music, Music School Mokranjac Music School VuÄ?koviÄ&#x2021; Music School StankoviÄ&#x2021; Atrium of National Museum EXPO CENTAR

CONCERTS IN KOLARAC HALL 2. February, 18:00 Music Gallery. Cycle- Belgrade Guitar School. Students of Belgrade Faculty of Music. Entrance is Free ,PMBSBD (SFBU )BMM 7FTUBSE 4JNLVT QJBOP Program- Chopin, 4 ballads, Sonata No.2, Polonaise, Scherzo No.2

07. February, 11:00 #FMHSBEF )BSQ 2VBSUFU 1SPHSBN Tchaikovsky, Balakiriev, Ortiz, de Falia, M. Marinkovic. Entrance is free

8. February, 20:00 Big Band RTS

GUITAR ART FESTIVAL 9-14 February

BELGRADE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA IN FEBRUARY All concerts are in Kolarac Hall at 20:00 05. 02. 2010. Blue Cycle Conductor: Gregor Buhl Soloist: Sharon Kam, clarinet Program: J. Haydn: Symphony No. 88 C. M. von Weber: Clarinet concerto No. 2 F. Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 5 (Reformation) 12. 02. 2010. White Cycle Conductor: David Alan Miller Soloists: Hagai Shaham, violin, Ralph Kirshbaum, violoncello Natasha Bogojevich: Virtual Overture Program: N. Bogojevic: BPO comission J. Brahms: Double concerto A. Copland: Appalachian Spring (complete ballet) 19. 02. 2010. Red Cycle Conductor: Michail Jurowski Soloist: Gaby Pas-van Riet, flute Program: R. Strauss: Till Eulenspiegelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Merry Pranks op. 28 J. Ibert: Flute concerto D. Shostakovitch: Symphony no. 6 26. 02. 2010. White Cycle. Conductor: Thomas Sanderling. Soloist:Alexei

MUSIC GALLERY 17. February, 18:00 Music workshop- students of piano from the Belgrade Faculty of Music, Entrance is free

17. February, 20:00 Great Hall Soloist MINEO HAYASHI, violoncello (Japan) Art ensemble of the Ministry of Defense â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stanislav BiniÄ?kiâ&#x20AC;?, with conductor Pavle MedakoviÄ&#x2021; Program: Haydn, Lalo. Under the patronage of the EMBASSY OF JAPAN and JAPAN TOBACCO INTERNATIONAL

21. February, 11:00 Wind Sextet. Entrance is free

22. February, 20:00 Marija Djukic, piano. Program- Chopin

23. February, 20:00 Belgrade String Orchestra `Dusan Skovran` Conductor and soloist- Jihat Askin, violin Program- Lavent, Haydn, Tchaikovsky

28. February, 11:00 (SFBU )BMM $ZDMF +VCJMFFT Chopin`s Birthday. Piano students from the

Belgrade Faculty of Music. Entrance is free

GUARNERIUS ART CENTER VANJA TRAJKOVIÄ&#x2020;, soprano Thursday,February 4 at 20:00 VANJA TRAJKOVIÄ&#x2020;, soprano and MILICA ILIÄ&#x2020;, piano.

JOĹ˝EF BISAK, viola Wednesday, February 24 at 20:00 JOĹ˝EF BISAK, viola and MARINA MIKIÄ&#x2020;, piano.

WINNERS OF INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITIONS Sava Center, Great Hall February 3, 20:00 Soloists: MiloĹĄ MihajloviÄ&#x2021; - I prize in international competition in Sydney Vladimir MiloĹĄeviÄ&#x2021; - III prize in international competition in Sydney. Vladimir GligoriÄ&#x2021; III prize in international competition â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gilelsâ&#x20AC;? in Odessa. Conductor: Biljana RadovanoviÄ&#x2021; Orchestra: Camerata Serbica

POP, ROCK CHRIS REA -â&#x20AC;?STILL SO FAR TO GOâ&#x20AC;? Sava Center, Great Hall / February 5, 20:30 The famous British musician Chris Rea will play on February 5th, 2010 at Sava Center during their European tour which begins on January 1st, 2010.

LEGENDE Sava Center, Great Hall February 6 and 7, 20:00 Popular Belgrade pop-ethno band

VLADO GEORGIEV - ACOUSTIC Sava Center, Great Hall February 13 and 14, 20.30 Popular pop singer among the younger generation. The latest one `Hej ti` (Hey You) was released in 2009. Announced concerts will present acoustic versions of popular songs.

PAUL YOUNG Sava Center, Great Hall February 17, 20:30 Some of his most popular singles include â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wherever I Lay My Hat (Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s My Home)â&#x20AC;? (1983), â&#x20AC;&#x153;Come Back And Stay,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Downâ&#x20AC;? (1984), â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every time You Go Awayâ&#x20AC;? (1985).

AIR Belgrade Arena / February 10, 20:00 Band Air will perform on February 10 at the 11th Guitar Art Festival. Air is a music duo from Ver-

sailles, France, consisting of Nicolas Godin and Jean-BenoĂŽt Dunckel. The name Air is an acronym for Amour, Imagination, RĂŞve, which translates to Love, Imagination, and Dream.

Until February 24th Curator- Mihael MilunoviÄ&#x2021;

TONY CETINSKI Belgrade Arena / February 14, 20:00 SPANDAU BALLET Belgrade Arena / February 26, 20:00

COMMUNICATION DESIGN IN GERMANY Museum of Applied Arts,Vuka KaradĹžiÄ&#x2021;a 18 Until February 12th

Artists Ĺ˝oana Markade and Bruno ToliÄ&#x2021;, Aleksandra PetroviÄ&#x2021;, Ana Ă?ukiÄ&#x2021;, Nina Ĺ˝eljkoviÄ&#x2021;, Predrag DamjanoviÄ&#x2021;, and Ana KrstiÄ&#x2021;.

Exhibition presents 5 basic design fields and works from 41 design offices from Germany. Designer office from DĂźsseldorf â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nowakteufelknyrim, â&#x20AC;&#x153;created specifically for the exhibition, based on flight cases.

After 20 years, the audience will have the opportunity to see live on stage one of the most popular bands from the eighties.

ART PAJA JOVANOVIC Gallery of Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts Knez Mihailova 35, Until February 21st Pavle â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pajaâ&#x20AC;? JovanoviÄ&#x2021; (1859â&#x20AC;&#x201C;1957) was the most prominent Serbian Realist painter alongside UroĹĄ PrediÄ&#x2021;. He is considered one of Serbiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest academic painters. His most famous and recognizable paintings include Serbian Migrations, Crowning of Stefan DuĹĄan, Takovo Uprising, and Cockfighting, Decorating of the Bride, and Fencing. He also painted many famous portraits. His works can be found in many European museums. Paja JovanoviÄ&#x2021; was born in VrĹĄac on June 4, 1859, into the family of photographer Stevan JovanoviÄ&#x2021; and Ernestina, nĂŠe Deot. He spent his childhood and early youth in this town, where he had the opportunity to see the iconostasis of Pavel Ä?urkoviÄ&#x2021; and Arsa TeodoroviÄ&#x2021; in the town churches, as well as the works of Jovan PopoviÄ&#x2021;. He received his first lectures and knowledge from his teacher of painting, Vodecki. His father took him to Vienna in 1875 when he was 15, where he enrolled in the Academy of Fine Arts in 1877 in the class of the professor Christian Griepenkerl.

ILIJA BAĹ IÄ&#x2020;EVIÄ&#x2020; BOSILJ, EXHIBITION Gallery Chaos, Dositejeva 3 Until February 12 Drawings, gouaches, and aquarelles from various periods

YOUNG SERBIAN AUTHORS French Cultural Center, Knez Mihailova 31

FILM FEST - 38TH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL February 19-28th 4BWB $FOUFS #FMHSBEF $VMUVSBM $FOUFS :VHPTMBW 'JMN "SDIJWF 5JDLFUT 'SPN February 1st - In Sava Center, Belgrade cultural Center, Yugoslav Film Archive and Bilet servis FILM PREMIERES IN BELGRADE CINEMAS

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG In cinemas starting January 28th "OJNBUFE DPNFEZ BEWFOUVSF NVTJDBM Voices: Anika Noni Rose, Terrence Howard, John Goodman, Keith David, Jim Cummings, Jennifer Lewis, Oprah Winfrey

UP IN THE AIR In cinemas starting February 4th Directed by Jason Reitman. Cast: George Clooney, Jason Bateman, Vera Farmiga. $PNFEZ %SBNB

LOVELY BONES Premiere â&#x20AC;&#x201C; FEST 2010 In cinemas starting February 27th Directed by Peter Jackson Cast- Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, Michael Imperioli and Saoirse Ronan %SBNB 'BOUBTZ 5ISJMMFS

THE WOLFMAN Premiere- FEST 2010 In cinemas starting February 25th "DUJPO )PSSPS Cast: Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving, Art Malik CorD 68 / February 2010 67

CULTURE

NEWS

an ancient royal palace, and the site was included in UNESCO’s list in 2007. Felix Romuliana is a unique complex of an ancient palace with accompanying facilities and is one of the most important remnants of the late Roman period in Europe. FEST 2010 ixty-four films from thirty countries will be showcased at the 38th Belgrade Film Festival (FEST) that takes place from February 19th to the 28th. The festival’s art director, Miroljub Vučković, announced that this year festival’s programme will be divided into five sections – ‘Horizons,’ with films awarded at the biggest film festivals in the world, ‘Europe Outside Europe,’ which is actually a competition, a documentary film section called ‘Facts and Puzzles,’ as well as programmes entitled ‘Revelations’ and ‘FantAsia.’ The festival will also have a special programme called ‘Winter Oranges’ entirely dedicated to Israeli movies and a retrospective of movies showcased over the last thirty or so years of the festival (the first FEST was opened in 1971 with Robert Altman’s ‘M.A.S.H.’).

National Theatre on January 9th. Oskar Danon was born in Sarajevo. He studied music in Prague, where he obtained his Ph.D. in musicology.

‘WORLD HERITAGE OF SERBIA’ PRESENTED

t the beginning of January, the Serbian Ministry of Culture and the Republic Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments presented a book called ‘World Heritage of Serbia – Cultural Monuments on the World Heritage List,’ The book, which was presented in the Belgrade National Museum, contains cultural monuments from UNESCO’s list that are located in Serbia. These are three Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) monasteries Studenica (1986), Old Ras and Sopoćani (which include the St. Peter and Paul Church in Old Ras and the Đurđevi Stupovi monastery near Novi Pazar) (1979), four monuments in Kosovo and Metohija which are collectively called ‘Medieval Monuments in Kosovo,’ i.e. the Dečani monastery (included in the list in 2009), the monasteries in Peć and Gračanica, as well as a church in Prizren dedicated to Bogorodica Ljeviška (Our Lady of Ljeviš) (2006). The only archeological site that is found on the World Heritage list is Gamzigrad – Romuliana. These are the remnants of

68 CorD 68 / February 2010

A FEST director, Miloš Paramentić, said that the budget of this year’s festival would be quite modest due to the economic crisis and would amount to 35 million dinars. Movies will be screened in Sava Centre, the Belgrade Cultural Centre, and the Yugoslav Cinematography Museum. Tickets will be on sale as of January 1st in Bilet Servis, Sava Centre, DKS, and Kinoteka, and the prices range from 150 to 300 dinars per ticket. REMEMBERING OSKAR DANON commemoration ceremony in honour of Oskar Danon (1913-2009), maestro, celebrated conductor and composer, first director of the Belgrade Opera and the National Ballet Theatre after World War II, was held in the

Danon worked as a conductor in Sarajevo and in 1945 was appointed director of the Belgrade Opera. Clips of his interpretations of great operas and famous classical composers with the London and Czech philharmonic orchestras have been released by several global music production companies. At the commemoration, Danka Tomković, Božidar Đurović, Dejan Savić, Radmila Bakočević, Gradimir Gojer, Ibrahim Spahić, Branko Cvejić, Ivana Stefanović, and Svjetlana Hribar all said a few words to remember Danon. THE CRITICS HAVE CHOSEN he Belgrade art season began with an opening of a photo exhibition by Jelena Jureša, as selected by Milanka Todić, 2006 winner of the Lazar Trifunović Award. The exhibition was opened in the gallery of the Belgrade Culture Centre on 13th January 13th. This year’s exhibition entitled ‘The Critic )BWF $IPTFO 8IBU *U 'FFMT -JLF GPS B Girl’ showcased Jelena Jureša’s project that she put together in the period from 2005 to 2009. Jureša (born in Novi Sad in 1974) graduated from the Novi Sad Art Academy, and, so far has exhibited in Serbia, France, Austria, and Croatia.

BEST-SELLING BOOKS IN 2010 ased on monthly best seller lists compiled by book stores in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Subotica, Zrenjanin, Šabac, Banja Luka, Podgorica, Kotor, and Herceg Novi, the biggest Serbian online book shop – www.knjizara.com – has put together a list of best selling books in 2009. A novel by contemporary Afghani writer Khaled Hosseini called ‘The Kite Runner’ took number one

place. Serbian writer Vladimir Pištalo’s novel ‘Tesla, a Portrait among Masks’ (the recipient of the NIN Award) was second, while the world best-seller ‘The Secret’ by Rhonda Burn was third. Hosseini’s other novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns,’ took fourth place, while ‘The Shack,’ by William Paul Young was fifth. The following titles were placed from fifth to tenth place: ‘Good Enough Reason’ by Marija Jovanović; ‘The Never Ending Story,’ a collection of short stories written by Gorica Nešović and Jelica Greganović; ‘The Winner Stands Alone,’ by Paolo Coelho; ‘The Castle in the Pyrenees,’ by Jostein Gaarder; and ‘The Angel’s Game,’ by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

Jean-Francois Antoniolli. The opera ‘The Damnation of Faust’ by Hector Berlioz will be staged in Sava Centre on May 22nd. It will be performed by the Dohnanyi Philharmonic Orchestra, the Budapest Academy Choir, the Honved Men’s Choir, the Hungarian Radio Choir and the Honved Dance Theatre, with soloists Bernardette Wiedemann (Marguerite), Michael Sutner (Faust), Evert Sooster (Mephistopheles) and Peter Kalman (Brander), and conducted by Gabor Hollerung. The New York Philarmonic will perform at the 42nd Bemus in the Sava Centre, on October 29th. Alan Gilbert will conduct. PREMIERE IN JDP

JUGOKONCERT IN 2010

ugokoncert concert agency announces several concerts by globally renowned performers in 2010 like The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Transylvania Philharmonic Orchestra, the Dohnanyi Philharmonic Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. Jugokoncert began 2010 with a concert by the Novi Sad string orchestra, ‘Camerata Academica’ in the Kolarac Foundation in Belgrade, on January 16th, with soloists Aneta Ilić, Ivo Profaca and Boštjan Lipovšek performing. Also, the string orchestra of the St. Martin in the Fields Academy performed in January. The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, with violinist Hillary Hahn, conducted by Stephane Denevue, will perform Prokofiev and Dvorzak’s pieces in Belgrade’s Sava Centre, on February 11th. The concert by the Transylvania Philharmonic Orchestra will be held also in Sava Centre on March 15th, and will celebrate the bicentennial of Frederick Chopin’s birth. Chopin’s musical pieces will be performed by pianists Ludmil Angelov and Dejan Sinandinović, with conductor

he rehearsals of the play called ‘Drama about Mirjana and Those People Around Her’ in the Yugoslav Drama Theatre (JDP) are underway with the premiere scheduled for February. This is a piece by a young drama writer from Zagreb, Ivor Martinić, about wives, daughters, mothers, grandmothers, girlfriends and ex-husbands. The play is directed by Iva Milošević, and the main roles will be played by Mirjana Karanović, Jelena Petrović, Branka Petrić, Marko Baćović, Anđelika Simić, Feđa Stojanović, Cvijeta Mesić, and Bojan Lazarov. NIN AWARD GOES TO GROZDANA OLUJIĆ

published by Srpska književna zadruga (The Serbian Book Cooperative). The runners up were Rajko Vasić with his book ‘The Fingers of Crazy Eyes,’ Zvonko Karanović with ‘Three Images of Victory,’ Sandra Petrušić with ‘Hostages,’ Đorđe Pisarev with ‘What if He Dies before He Wakes Up,’ Dejan Stojiljković with ‘Konstantin Crossroads,’ and Mirjana Urošević’s ‘The Carmen Machado Park.’ A total of 133 books were nominated for the award. The NIN award actually comprises of €10,000 and NIN’s diploma. Grozdana Olujić received the award at a ceremony in the Belgrade National Theatre on January 22nd. The award was established back in 1954, and its first recipient was Dobrica Ćosić for his novel ‘Roots.’ Last year, the winner was Vladimir Pištalo for his book ‘Tesla, a Portrait among Masks,’ published by Agora from Zrenjanin. Grozdana Olujić is the third woman ever to receive the NIN award. In 1988, Dubravka Ugrešić was awarded for her book ‘Forcing the River,’ and in 1995, Svetlana Velmar Janković received the NIN award for his novel, ‘Bezdno.’ RE-DESIGN: CREATING NEW BRANDS two-day exhibition entitled ‘Redesign: Creating New Brands’ was opened in the O3one Gallery in Belgrade in mid-January. The exhibition shows industrial packaging for five Serbian brands as designed by students from the Polytechnic College in Belgrade and the Faculty of Applied Arts. Packaging for the following brands was exhibited: Teasy teas by Adonis, floor cleaner Ekosteril by Midra Eko, Boa lingerie, Damask textile products by Novitet Dunav, and salty diet crackers, Ovsy by Vanja Lux.

rozdana Olujić is the recipient of the NIN award for the best novel in 2009 for her book ‘Voices in the Wind,’ CorD 68 / February 2010 69

LIFESTYLE & LEISURE

BELGRADE & BEAU BEA TOB AND CORD RECOMMEND

While winter is still going strong, Belgrade Tourist Organization (TOB) is already thinking about spring and summer. The Danube will be the focal point of this year’s Tourism Fair that will take place in Belgrade on February 24th. The Fair will be a good place to get acquainted with the Danube’s potentials, possibilities, and infrastructure ownstream from Belgrade, the Danube bears very little resemblance to its upstream stretch, with the culture and countryside both being very different. Here you can see wonderful fishing locations, national parks, bays, islands with bountiful vegetation, sand dunes, swamps, marshlands, and crystal-clear lakes. Dense forests, magnificent gorges and valleys are habitats for rare animals and plants. This is truly unaffected nature, something that can be seldom found in Europe. Many prehistoric settlements, Roman and medieval fortresses, monasteries, and churches, as well as contemporary cities lie on the shores of the Danube, in a perfect co-existence with nature. Getting to know this mighty river will take you back to nostalgic times. The Danube is history, the present, and the future; a truly timeless river.

70 CorD 68 / February 2010

ZEMUN Zemun used to be a border town, and today it is part of the Serbian capital city, Belgrade. If you find yourself in Zemun, go and see one of the docks on the Danube estuary, in between the right river bank and Great War Island (Veliko ratno ostrvo). Zemun is exactly 1173 kilometres from the place where the Danube originates and is a typical Danube town, with many boats and yachts. Zemun pier is one of the most beautiful promenades on the river. The pier can be used for short shopping tours, too. The town market is only 100 metres from the pier and offers fresh produce from fruits and vegetables to fish and cheeses. Zemun is also known fottr freshwater fish and barbecue delicacies. You should definitely visit the old town centre and the Milllennium Tower on Gardoš.

GREAT WAR ISLAND One of the great attractions near Zemun and on this section

UTIFUL DANUBE

of the Danube is the Great War Island (or Veliko Ratno Ostrvo in Serbian), with a lovely beach called Lido. The island is located on the estuary of the Sava River. Despite being so close to a metropolitan area with two million inhabitants, the island, which stretches from Zemun to the Sava estuary, is known for its unspoiled nature and rare species of birds.

by river, the best thing to do would be to dock at the Sava estuary and then tour the city. There are piers that are shielded from the wind and waves, like Stara Centrala Marina (on the 1169th nautical kilometre) or one of the docks on the Ada Huja sleeve (on the 1163rd kilometre). A petrol station is nearby.

BELGRADE

ADA HUJA

The Republic of Serbia’s capital city, Belgrade is situated at the place where the Sava and the Danube meet. Belgrade Fortress towers over the Danube’s right bank. If you come

Ada Huja is situated downstream from the Pančevo Bridge and only four kilometres from downtown Belgrade. It stretches from the Pančevo Bridge to the village of Višnjica. On one side, this section of the coast borders with the river itself, and, on the other, Višnjička Street. According to the new spatial plan for Belgrade, Ada Huja will become an environmentally friendly zone with shopping, catering, and sports facilities. This is also the location of the biggest gocart ground in the Balkans, which also has a beach volley court. Nearby, municipal authorities have built three tennis courts – two clay and one hard court. The wharf is well-designed with a footpath, benches and children’s playground. One section of the wharf serves as a docking area.

MAP OF DANUBE‘S TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Right bank - Zemun and Novi Beograd: Danube Camp - Gardoš, Zemun promenade (sport and entertainment zone), Ušće promenade (sport and entertainment zone), cycling track. Right bank - Stari Grad and Palilula: The Belgrade Fortress, cycling track and promenade (sport and entertainment zone), the Milan Gale Muškatirović sports cenUSF "EB )VKB ,BSBCVSNB 3PTQJ ƍVQSJKB 7JÝOKJDB 4QB White Rock. Right bank -Grocka: Neolithic sites Vinča, Ritopek, Roman tomb in Brestovik. River islands: Great War Island – Lido beach, Fortkontumac Island – White Rock beach, river island in Grocka.

(SUITABLE FOR BUILDING)

ROSPI ĆUPRIJA

(UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

Tombs dating back to the Celtic era have been discovered in Karaburma and Rospi Ćuprija. CorD 68 / February 2010 71

LIFESTYLE & LEISURE THE VIŠNJIČKA SPA According to geology experts, the main reason for such an abundance of thermo-mineral waters in the Belgrade area is the Pannonian Sea. Višnjička Spa is a source of healing sulphur water and is located at the foot of a hill. Even the ancient Romans knew of the healing properties of this water and built spas there. However, the spa itself, which dates back to the pre-war period, is not functional. Sulphur water is rich in minerals, has a temperature of around 14 degrees Celsius, and is beneficial in treating rheumatism, neurological, gynecological, and other illnesses. Some say that the Serbian grand duke Miloš Obrenović spent many hours in the spa. However, despite the spa not being operational, many people come here since this area now has football courts in the place of former swimming pools. There are plans for the spa to be reconstructed.

FORTKONTUMAC AND ŠTEFANAC On the 1160th nautical kilometre of the Danube downstream from Belgrade, the river branches into three navigable sleeves thus creating two large river islands - Fortkontumac and Štefanac. The navigable section is on the left and is called Velike Vode (Large Waters). Srednje Vode (Middle Waters) are located between the islands, while Male Vode (Small Waters), also called Turski Dunavac, are situated between the right bank and Štefanac. Legend says that it was the Turks who dug through the Small Waters to form a warpath. The sleeve is entirely navigable, 40 metres wide, and is a great shortcut.

WHITE ROCK White Rock (or Bela Stena) is located at the upper tip of Fortkontumac Island and is named after the location on

72 CorD 68 / February 2010

the right bank which houses the remnants of the old Roman fortress and river port. White Rock is surrounded by a poplar forest, the mighty Danube, and white sandy beaches, so you need a boat to get to it. The first thing that you will see once you dock is restaurants with wonderful freshwater fish dishes, where you can relax while listening to stories of the Danube fishermen, guitar music, and breathe in the fragrant scent of the Danube. If you take the Large Waters (Velike Vode) on the 1154th kilometre of the Danube river, you will get to the estuary of the Tamiš River, which is navigable only for 3 kilometres, and further on to Pančevo.

VINČA

(UNDER RECONSTRUCTION)

Vinča is located 14 kilometres from Belgrade on the way to Grocka, and is a prehistoric site situated on the very bank of the Danube with remnants from the Neolithic period. The caves of Bele Vode contain remains of Neanderthal settlements, and there is an entire culture named after Vinča. Going on further downstream, you will come to Donja Vinča (Lower Vinča, on the 1144th kilometre), also a significant archeological site dating back to the Stone Age. The Neolithic culture here dates back to 4,000 B.C. when the first farmer community was established in the Balkans. A lot of material evidence was left behind (tools, arms, necropoli), testifying that life existed on the banks of the river Danube at the dawn of civilization. This site is open for visitors. However, only the central part of the site (about 4% of the total surface) has been thoroughly researched. Archeologists have discovered archeological layers 10 meters deep with traces of settlements and life from the Neolithic (5,500 B.C.) until the present day, which practically means that Vinča has been constantly pop-

ulated for the past seven thousand years. The Vinča culture spreads over 200,000 square kilometres, i.e. it borders with the Carpathian Mountains to the north, the river Bosnia in the west, the Sofia field to the east, and the Skopje valley to the south. In this vast area, over 600 sites with valuable archaeological material were found, which indicates that Vinča was a very compact and homogeneous culture. Many international and European archaeologists view the Vinča culture as one of the earliest European civilizations. The Vinča culture is known for its residential facilities of a complex architecture, containing several rooms built of wood and plastered with mud. Houses in the village were aligned and always faced the same direction, with streets and passageways between them. Vinča is actually the first urban complex on European soil. Ancient people living in Vinča were mainly engaged in agriculture and cattle breeding. A large surplus of agricultural produce led to the development of trade, which in turn facilitated the rapid economic development of Vinča. In close proximity there is a raft restaurant, and plan is to build a large docking area for ships, yachts, and boats.

RITOPEK One of the most important archeological sites is also Tricornium (or Ritopek), situated on the 1141st nautical kilometere. Today this is a village with a stone docking area and a wonderful inn close by. Tricornium is also mentioned in Procopius of Caesarea’s document containing a list of all Danube fortresses. Ritopek has remnants of an ancient castrum (a military camp), tombs in Brestovik and Grocka, and sections of a nobleman’s house in Dubočajski Potok, with numerous signs in Latin, Thracian, and Celtic.

GROCKA In Roman times, Grocka (located on the 1132nd nautical kilometre), was one of the fortified settlements and today is known for its fruit and vegetable production. The sleeve between Grocka’s river island and the right bank is always navigable. The best thing to do would be to dock along one of the raft restaurants if you want to pick up some groceries or have lunch. The sleeve has a nice pontoon dock with a restaurant and tennis, volleyball, basketball, and other sport grounds. Grocka has Neolithical remains (the Agino Hill) as well as sites dating back to Roman times (Dubočaj and Brestovik). In ancient times, Grocka was an integral part of the Roman province of Upper Moesia. The road which linked Singidunum (the Roman name for Belgrade) and Viminacium (Kostolac) dates back from that period (i.e. 1st century). Vinča, Ritopek, Grocka, and Brestovik were all erected on this old Roman road. One of the oldest Roman monuments here is a Roman tomb in Brestovik, which was discovered in the old village cemetery. Significant quantities of shells, snails, fossils, and various tree species were discovered in the sandy sediment formed by the Dubočajska River, along with deer horns and mammoth bones. Also, archeologists have found a hipparion jaw (an extinct genus of horse which lived near the end of the Pannonian Sea period.) At the estuary of the Bolečica and Danube Rivers, i.e. on the Danube’s right bank, there was a large settlement from the so-called Baden culture (2,200 to 1,800 B.C.E.). During the late Iron Age (1,000 to 300 B.C.E.), the Grocka area was inhabited by Celts and Trachonians. Many ancient metal objects were found in the stretch between Vinča and Orašje.

CorD 68 / February 2010 73

38th INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

SAVA CENTER FRIDAY, 19. II 19:00 Official Opening Morphia 3VTTJB Director: Aleksey Balabanov. Cast: Leonid Bitchevin, Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Andey Panin, Sergey Gamash, Katarina RadivojeviÄ&#x2021; 22: 00 - The Lovely Bones USA, UK, New Zealand, %JSFDUPS 1FUFS Jackson. Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci SATURDAY 20. II 11:00 - Morphia 3VTTJB Director: Aleksey Balabanov Cast: Leonid Bitchevin, Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Andey Panin, Sergey Gamash, Katarina RadivojeviÄ&#x2021; 13:30 - The Lovely Bones USA, UK, New Zealand, %JSFDUPS 1FUFS Jackson. Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci 16:30 - Everybodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fine 64" *UB %JSFDUPS Kirk Jones. Cast: Robert de Niro, Drew Barrymore, Sam Rockwell, Kate Beckinsale 19:00 - Đ˘Đ°king Woodstock 64" Director: Ang Lee.Cast: Demetri Martin, Henry Goodman, Dan Fogler, Jonathan Groff 22:00 - Antichrist Danmark, Germany, France, 4XFEFO *UBMZ %JSFDtor: Lars Von Trier. Cast: Willem Dafoe, Charlotte Gainsbourgh SUNDAY 21. II 11:00 - Đ˘Đ°king Woodstock 64" %JSFDUPS Ang Lee. Cast: Demetri Martin, Henry Goodman, Dan Fogler, Jonathan Groff 13:30 - Antichrist Danmark, Germany, France, 4XFEFO *UBMZ Director: Lars Von Trier Cast: Willem Dafoe, Charlotte Gainsbourgh 16:30 - Away We Go 64" 6, %JSFDtor: Sam Mendes. Cast: John Krasinski, Maya Rudolph, Jeff Daniels 19: 00 - Lebanon

Germany, Israel, France, -FCBOPO %JSFDUPS Samuel Maoz. Cast: Yoav Donat, Itay Tiran, Oshri Cohen, Michael Moshonov 22: 00 - Life During Wartime 64" %JSFDUPS 5PEE Solondz. Cast: Ciaran Hinds, Shirley Henderson, Allison Janney, Charlotte Rampling, Ally Sheedy MONDAY 22. II 11:00 - Lebanon Germany, Israel, France, LebaOPO %JSFDUPS 4BNVel Maoz. Cast: Yoav Donat, Itay Tiran, Oshri Cohen, Michael Moshonov 13:30 - Life During Wartime 64" %JSFDUPS 5PEE Solondz. Cast: Ciaran Hinds, Shirley Henderson, Allison Janney, Charlotte Rampling, Ally Sheedy 16:30 - 32nd December 3FQVCMJD 4SQTLB Director: Sasa Hajdukovic Cast: Aleksandra Stojkovic, Dragana Maric, Nikolina Djordjevic, Anja Stanic 19: 00 - A Serious Man 64" 6, 'SBODF %JSFDUPS +PFM $PFO &UIBO $PFO Cast: Michael Stuhlbarg, Richard Kind, Fred Melamed, Sari Lennick, Adam Arkin, George Wyner 22: 00 - The Wolfman 64" 6, %JSFDUPS Joe Johnston. Cast: Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving, Art Malik TUESDAY 23. II 11:00 - A Serious Man 64" 6, 'SBODF %JSFDUPS +PFM $PFO &UIBO $PFO Cast: Michael Stuhlbarg, Richard Kind, Fred Melamed, Sari Lennick, Adam Arkin, George Wyner 13:30 - The Wolfman 64" 6, %JSFDUPS Joe Johnston. Cast: Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving, Art Malik 16:30 - The Men Who Stare at Goats 64" 6, Director: Grant Heslov. Cast: George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey, Jeff Bridges 19:00 - Baaria *UBMZ %JSFDUPS Giuseppe Tornatore. Cast: Francesco Scianna, Margareth MadĂ¨, Raoul Bova, Enrico Lo

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Verso, Michele Placido, Vincenzo Salemme, Monica Bellucci, Laura Chiatti /F UF SFUPVSOF QBT Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Look Back France, Belgium, Luxemburg, %JSFDUPS .BSJOB de Van. Cast: Sophie Marceau, Monica Bellucci, Andrea di Stefano, Thierry Neuvic WEDNESDAY 24. II 11:00 - Baaria *UBMZ %JSFDUPS Giuseppe Tornatore. Cast: Francesco Scianna, Margareth MadĂ¨, Raoul Bova, Enrico Lo Verso, Michele Placido, Vincenzo Salemme, Monica Bellucci, Laura Chiatti /F UF SFUPVSOF QBT Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Look Back France, Belgium, Luxemburg, %JSFDUPS .BSJOB de Van. Cast: Sophie Marceau, Monica Bellucci, Andrea di Stefano, Thierry Neuvic 16:30 - Valhalla Rising %BONBSL 6, Director: Nicolas Vinding Refn Cast: Mads Mikkelsen, Alexander Morton, Stewat Porter 19:00 - Fish Tank 6, %JSFDUPS "Odrea Arnold. Cast: Katie Jarvis, Kierston Wareing, Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Griffiths, Sidney Mary Nash 22: 00 - Brothers 64" 2009. Director: Jim Sheridan. Cast: Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Tobey Maguire, Sam Shepard THURSDAY 25. II 11:00 - Fish Tank 6, 2009. Director: Andrea Arnold. ast: Katie Jarvis, Kierston Wareing, Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Griffiths, Sidney Mary Nash 13:30 - Brothers 64" 2009. Director: Jim Sheridan. Cast: Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Tobey Maguire, Sam Shepard 16:30 - Gigante Uruguay, Argentina, Germany, %JSFDUPS "ESJBO Biniez. Cast: Horacio Camandulle, Leonor Svarcas, Ignacio Alcuri, Fernando Alonso 19:00 - The Ghost Writer USA, France, Gemany, UK, 2010. Director: Roman Polanski Cast: Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Timothy Hutton, Kim Cattrall 22:00 - Looking for Eric UK, France, Italy, Belgium, 4QBJO %JSFDUPS Ken Loach. Cast: Steve Evets,

Eric Cantona, Stephanie Bishop, John Henshaw FRIDAY 26. II 11:00 - The Ghost Writer USA, France, Gemany, UK, 2010. Director: Roman Polanski Cast: Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Timothy Hutton, Kim Cattrall 13:30 - Looking for Eric UK, France, Italy, Belgium, 4QBJO %JSFDUPS Ken Loach. Cast: Steve Evets, Eric Cantona, Stephanie Bishop, John Henshaw *M HSBOEF TPHOP The Big Dream *UBMZ 'SBODF Director: Michele Placido Cast: Riccardo Scamarcio, Jasmine Trinca, Luca Argentero, Laura Morante, Silvio Orlando 6O QSPQIFUF A Prophet 'SBODF Director: Jacques Audiard Cast: Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup, Adel Bencherif, Reda Kateb, Hichem Yacoubi 22: 00 - Shutter Island 64" %JSFDUPS .BStin Scorsese. Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Max Von Sydow SATURDAY 27. II 6O QSPQIFUF " Prophet 'SBODF %JSFDUPS Jacques Audiard. Cast: Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup, Adel Bencherif, Reda Kateb, Hichem Yacoubi 13:30 - Shutter Island 64" %JSFDUPS .BStin Scorsese. Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Max Von Sydow 16:30 - Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky 'SBODF 19:00 - Invictus 64" %JSFDUPS $MJOU Eastwood. Cast: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon. Director: Jan Kounen. Cast: Anna Mouglalis, Mads Mikkelsen, Elena Morozova, Natacha Lindinger 22:00 - Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans 64" %JSFDUPS Werner Herzog. Cast: Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Val Kilmer, Michael Shannon SUNDAY 28. II 11:00 - Invictus 64" %JSFDUPS $MJOU Eastwood. Cast: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon 13:30 - Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans 64" %JSFDUPS

Werner Herzog. Cast: Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes, Val Kilmer, Michael Shannon 1 7KFSVKFN V BOĂŞFMF I Believe in Angels $SPBUJB %JSFDUPS NikĹĄa SviliÄ?iÄ&#x2021;. Cast: Vedran Mlikota, Dolores LambaĹĄa, AljoĹĄa VuÄ?koviÄ&#x2021;, Marija Kohn, Mile Kekin 19: 00 Europe out of Europe Winner of competition program. Europe out of Europe 22: 00 - Pope Joan Germany, UK, Italy, Spain, %JSFDUPS 4POLF Wortmann. Cast: Johanna Wokalek, David Wenham, John Goodman, Lain Glen CULTURAL CENTER BELGRADE SATURDAY 20. II 11:30 Winter Oranges 4JQQVS (BEPM " .BUUFS PG 4J[F Israel, France, Germany %JSFDUPS 4IBSPO .BZNPO &SF[ 5BENPS Cast: Shaul Azar, Dvir Benedek, Itzik Cohen, Ilanit Dado 13:30 - Morphia 3VTTJB %JSFDUPS Aleksey Balabanov. Cast: Leonid Bitchevin, Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Andey Panin, Sergey Gamash, Katarina RadivojeviÄ&#x2021; 16: 00 - PersĂŠcution 'SBODF %JSFDUPS Patrice Chereau. Cast: Romain Duris, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Jean Hugues Anglade, Alex Descas ,ZOPEPOUBT %PHtooth (SFFDF %JSFDUPS Yorgos Lanthimos. Cast: Anna Kalaintzidou, Aggeliki Papoulia, Christos Passalis, Christos Stergioglou, Mary Tsoni, Michele Valley 20: 30 Europe out of Europe Jaffa France, Israel, Germany, %JSFDUPS ,FSFO Yedaya. Cast: Moni Moshonov, Dana Ivgy, Mahmoud Shalaby, Ronit Elkabetz 23: 00 - Đ&#x161;inatay 'SBODF 1IJMJQQJOFT Director: Brillante Mendoza Cast: Coco Martin, Jhong Hilario, Mercedes Cabral SUNDAY 21. II 11:30 - Jaffa France, Israel, (FSNBOZ %JSFDUPS Keren Yedaya. Cast: Moni Moshonov, Dana Ivgy, Mahmoud Shalaby, Ronit Elkabetz 13:30 - Everybodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fine 64" *UBMZ Director: Kirk Jones. Cast: Robert de Niro, Drew Barrymore,

CorD 68 / February 2010 75

38th INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Sam Rockwell, Kate Beckinsale &JOBZN QLVIPU &ZFT Wide Open *TSBFM 'SBODF (FSNBOZ 2009. Director: Haim Tabakman Cast: Ran Danker, Tzahi Grad, Ravit Rozen, Zohar Strauss 18:00 - Lourdes Austria, GerNBOZ 'SBODF Director: Jessica Hausner Cast: Sylvie Testud, Lea Seydoux, Bruno Todeschini 20:30 - Melodiya dlya sharmanLJ .FMPEZ GPS B 4USFFU 0SHBO 6LSBJOF %JSFDtor: Kira Muratova. Cast: Lena Kostyuk, Roma Burlaka, Nina Ruslanova, Renata Litinova, Oleg Tabakov 23: 00 - Dev. D India, 144â&#x20AC;&#x2122; %JSFDUPS "OVSBH Kashyap. Cast: Abhay Deol, Mahie Gill, Kalki Koechlin MONDAY 22. II 11:30 - Melodiya dlya sharmanLJ .FMPEZ GPS B 4USFFU 0SHBO 6LSBJOF %JSFDtor: Kira Muratova. Cast: Lena Kostyuk, Roma Burlaka, Nina Ruslanova, Renata Litinova, Oleg Tabakov ,ZOPEPOUBT %PHUPPUI (SFFDF %JSFDUPS Yorgos Lanthimos. Cast: Anna Kalaintzidou, Aggeliki Papoulia, Christos Passalis, Christos Stergioglou, Mary Tsoni, Michele Valley 4JQQVS (BEPM " .BUUFS of Size, Israel, France, Germany %JSFDUPS 4IBSPO .BZNPO &SF[ 5BENPS $BTU Shaul Azar, Dvir Benedek, Itzik Cohen, Ilanit Dado 18: 00 - Mardi Ke Gilass Hayash 3B ,IPSE " .BO 8IP "UF His Cherries *SBO Director: Payman Haghani. Cast: Hassan Pourshirazi, Asha Mehrabi, Reza Afshar, Maryam Khodarahmi 4BIBNO #PSEFS "SNFOJB /FUIFSMBOET 2009. Director: Harutyun Khachatryan 23:00 - Gulaal, *OEJB Director: Anurag Kashyap. Cast: K K Menon, Aditya Srivastav, Piyush Mishra, Mahi Gill TUESDAY 23. II 11:30 4BIBNO #PSEFS "SNFOJB )PMBOE %Jrector: Harutyun Khachatryan &JOBZN QLVIPU Eyes Wide Open Israel, France, Germany, %JSFDUPS )BJN Tabakman. Cast: Ran Danker, Tzahi Grad, Ravit Rozen, Zohar Strauss

"M -BJM "MUBXFFM 5IF Long Night, 4ZSJB %Jrector: Hatem Ali. Cast: Khaled Taja, Amal Arafah, Najah Safkouni, Basel Khayat, Hatem Ali 8PKOB QPMTLP SVTLB Snow White and Russian Red 1PMBOE %JSFDUPS Xawery ĹťuĹ&#x201A;awski. Cast: Borys Szyc, Roma GÄ&#x2026;siorowska, Maria Strzelecka, Sonia Bohosiewicz, Anna Prus, Magda CzerwiĹ&#x201E;ska ,Ă&#x161;QSĂ EFLJMFS Men on the Bridge Turkey, Netherlands, Germany, %JSFDUPS É§TMJ Â˝[HF Cast: Fikret Portakal, Murat Tokgoz, Umut Ilker, Cemile Ilker ,VLJ /JOHZP "JSEPMM +BQBO A Director: Hirokazu Kore Eda Cast: Doo na Bae, Arata, Itsuji Itao, Joe Odagiri, Sumiko Fuji WEDNESDAY 24. II ,Ă&#x161;QSĂ EFLJMFS .FO PO the Bridge Turkey, Netherlands, Germany, %JSFDUPS É§TMJ Â˝[HF Cast: Fikret Portakal, Murat Tokgoz, Umut Ilker, Cemile Ilker 13:30 - Đ&#x161;inatay 'SBODF 1IJMJQQJOFT Director: Brillante Mendoza Cast: Coco Martin, Jhong Hilario, Mercedes Cabral 16:00 Facts and puzzles Film ist: A Girl and a Gun "VTUSJB (FSNBOZ Director: Gustav Deutsch 18: 00 - Desire 6, Director: Gareth Jones. Cast: Oscar Pearce, Tella Kpomahou, Daisy Smith, Adam Slynn 20:30 - Metastaze $SPBUJB %JSFDUPS Branko Schmidt. Cast: Rene Bitorajac, Franjo Dijak, Rakan Rushaidat, Robert Ugrina 23:00 - Delhi - 6 *OEJB %JSFDUPS Mehra Rakeysh Omprakash Cast: Om Puri, Waheeda Rehman, Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor THURSDAY 25. II 11:30 - Metastaze $SPBUJB %JSFDUPS Branko Schmidt. Cast: Rene Bitorajac, Franjo Dijak, Rakan Rushaidat, Robert Ugrina 13:30 - Ward No. 6 3VTTJĘ&#x2013; %JSFDUPS Karen Shakhnazarov. Cast: Vladimir Ilyin, Alexey Vertkov, Evgeny Sychkin /B HSBOJDJ 0O UIF Border, 4FSCJB Director: Zarko Dragojevic 18:00 - Zanan bedoone NBSEBO 8PNFO 8JUIPVU .Fn

76 CorD 68 / February 2010

Germany, Austria, France, A %JSFDUPS 4IJSJO /Fshat (in cooperation with Shoja Azari). Cast: Pegah Ferydoni, Shabnam Tolouei, Orsi Toth, Arita Shahrzad 20:30 - Buben. Baraban 3VTTJB A %JSFDUPS Alexei Mizgirev. Cast: Natalia Negoda, Dmitry Kulichkov, Yelena Lyadova, Sergei Neudachin $IFOHEV XP BJ OJ Chengdu, I Love You! $IJOB %JSFDUPS 'SVJU Chan, Cui Jian. Cast: Anya, Tao Guao, Xuan Huang, Weiwei Tan FRIDAY 26. II 11:30- Buben. Baraban 3VTTJB A %JSFDUPS Alexei Mizgirev. Cast: Natalia Negoda, Dmitry Kulichkov, Yelena Lyadova, Sergei Neudachin 13:30 - Zanan bedoone NBSEBO 8PNFO 8JUIPVU .FO Germany, Austria, France, 99 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; %JSFDUPS 4IJSJO /FTIBU (in cooperation with Shoja Azari) Cast: Pegah Ferydoni, Shabnam Tolouei, Orsi Toth, Arita Shahrzad 16:00 - Washing Films 4FSCJB Director: Srdjan Knezevic -P TQB[JP CJBODP 8IJUF Space, *UBMZ %JSFDUPS Francesca Comencini. Cast: Margherita Buy, Guido Caprino, Salvatore Cantalupo 20:30 - Alive Albania, Austia, 'SBODF %JSFDUPS "Stan Minarolli. Cast Nik Xhelilaj, Bruno Shllaku, Besart Kallaku, Nijada Saliasi, Xhevdet Ferri 23:00 - Ramchand Pakistani 1BLJTUBO %JSFDUPS Mehreen Jabbar. Cast: Nandita Das, Rashid Farooqui, Syed Fazal Hussain, Maria Wasti, Noman Ijaz SATURDAY 27. II 11:30 - Alive Albania, Austia, 'SBODF %JSFDUPS "Stan Minarolli. Cast Nik Xhelilaj, Bruno Shllaku, Besart Kallaku, Nijada Saliasi, Xhevdet Ferri -P TQB[JP CJBODP White Space *UBMZ Director: Francesca Comencini Cast: Margherita Buy, Guido Caprino, Salvatore Cantalupo 16:00 - Videocracy, Sweden, %BONBSL 6, 'JOMBOE 2009. Director: Erik Gandini *M HSBOEF TPHOP The Big Dream *UBMZ 'SBODF %Jrector: Michele Placido. Cast: Riccardo Scamarcio, Jasmine Trinca, Luca Argentero, Laura

Morante, Silvio Orlando 20:30 - Flashback Serbia, 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122; %JSFDUPS "MFLTBOEBS Jankovic. Cast: Dusko Premovic Branko Vidakovic, Vladislava Milosavljevic, Daria Janosevic, Boris Komnenic 'V $IPV 7FOHFBODF )POH ,POH 'SBODF Director: Johnnie To. Cast: Johnny Hallyday, Sylvie Testud, Anthony Wong, Lam Ka Tung, Lam Suet SUNDAY 28. II 11:30 - Flashback 4FSCJB %JSFDUPS "MFksandar Jankovic. Cast: Dusko Premovic Branko Vidakovic, Vladislava Milosavljevic, Daria Janosevic, Boris Komnenic *M HSBOEF TPHOP The Big Dream *UBMZ 'SBODF Director: Michele Placido Cast: Riccardo Scamarcio, Jasmine Trinca, Luca Argentero, Laura Morante, Silvio Orlando 16:00 - Die Đ&#x161;oreanische )PDI[FJUTUSVIF 5IF ,PSFBO Wedding Chest Germany, 82â&#x20AC;&#x2122; %JSFDUPS 6MSJLF 0UUJOHFS Cast: Kim KeumHwa, Boseong, Kim Manja, Ahn Baekseung, Yun Minkyung 18:00 - Ward No. 6 RussiĐ°, 83â&#x20AC;&#x2122; %JSFDUPS ,BSFO 4IBkhnazarov. Cast: Vladimir Ilyin, Alexey Vertkov, Evgeny Sychkin WVFT EV 1JD 4BJOU -PVQ Around a Small Mountain 'SBODF *UBMZ %JSFDtor: Jacques Rivette. Cast: Jane Birkin, Sergio Castellitto, Andre Marcon, Jacques Bonnaffe 23:00 - Morphia 3VTTJB %JSFDUPS Aleksey Balabanov. Cast: Leonid Bitchevin, Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Andey Panin, Sergey, Katarina RadivojeviÄ&#x2021; FILM ARCHIVE SATURDAY 20. II 15: 00 - 1971. MASH Robet Altman 17:30 - 1972. Il Giardino dei Finzi-Contini) Vitorio de Sicca 20:00 - PersĂŠcution 'SBODF A %JSFDUPS Patrice Chereau. Cast: Romain Duris, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Jean Hugues Anglade, Alex Descas SUNDAY 21. II 15:00 - 1974. Etat de siege Kosta Gavras 17:30 - 1975. Amarcord Federiko Felini 20:00 Videocracy Sweden, DanNBSL 6, 'JOMBOE

Director: Erik Gandini MONDAY 22. II 15:00 - 1977. Cadaveri eccellenti Francesko Rosi 17:30 - 1978. Padre padrone Paolo i Vitorio Taviani 20:00 - Dev. D *OEJB %JSFDUPS Anurag Kashyap. Cast: Abhay Deol, Mahie Gill, Kalki Koechlin TUESDAY 23. II 15:00 - 1979. Czlowiek z marmuru Andzej Vajda 17:30 - 1980. Apocalypse Now Frensis Ford Kopola 20:00 - Gulaal *OEJBĘ&#x2013; %JSFDUPS Anurag Kashyap. Cast: K K Menon, Aditya Srivastav, Piyush Mishra, Mahi Gill WEDNESDAY 24. II 15:00 - 1981. Kagemusha Akira Kurosava 17:30 - 1984. Fanny och Alexander, Ingmar Bergman ,VLJ /JOHZP "JSEPMM +BQBO A Director: Hirokazu Kore Eda Cast: Doo na Bae, Arata, Itsuji Itao, Joe Odagiri, Sumiko Fuji THURSDAY 25. II 15:00 - 1985. Kraj rata Dragan Kresoja 17:30 - 1987. The Mission Roland Jofee WVFT EV 1JD 4BJOU -PVQ Around a Small Mountain 'SBODF *UBMZ %JSFDtor: Jacques Rivette. Cast: Jane Birkin, Sergio Castellitto, Andre Marcon, Jacques Bonnaffe FRIDAY 26. II 15:00 - 1988. Pokajanjie Tengiz Abuladze 17:30 - 1996. Cry, the Beloved Country Darel Roodt 20:00 - Ward 6 :VHPTMBWJB %JSFDtor: Lucian Pintilie, Cast: Slobodan Perovic, Zoran Radmilovic SATURDAY 27. II 15:00 - 1997. Secrets and Lies Mike Leigh 17:30 - 2000. Jeanne dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Arc Luc Beson 20:00 - Ward No. 6 3VTTJĘ&#x2013; %JSFDUPS Karen Shakhnazarov Cast: Vladimir Ilyin, Alexey Vertkov, Evgeny Sychkin SUNDAY 28. II 15:00 - 2001. Dancer in the Dark, Lars von Trier 17:30 - 1973. Andrej Rubljov Andrej Tarkovski 20:00 - Lourdes Austria, Germany, France %JSFDUPS +FTTJDB Hausner. Cast: Sylvie Testud, Lea Seydoux, Bruno Todeschini

VALENTINE’S SHOPPING GUIDE 2010

Belgrade - London - New York

VALENTINEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DAY TRUFFLE GIFT TIN

MENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S DIAMOND RING

What is a truffle but love in a bite? Our velvety-rich milk, dark, and white chocolate truffles are the perfect gift for those you adore. Now, for Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re joined by three utterly irresistible exclusives: Chocolate Mousse in a milk chocolate shell, Chocolate SoufflĂŠ enrobed in dark chocolate, and exotic Passion Fruit in a white chocolate embrace.

For Her

Product Description: This simple and classy diamond menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ring is a smooth, clean design. Just one VS1VS2, G color diamond in the center appears to hold the ring together with its durable bezel setting. In brushed 18k yellow gold, the Keyring Diamond Band is a worthy choice as a wedding, fashion, or pinky ring.

For Him

WESTON LEATHER CIGAR CASE

For Him

Perfect for a night out with the guys or a weekend away, this wellappointed accessory has a practical side as wellâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;it keeps their smokes from getting crushed in a suitcase or damaged in their pocket. Exclusively from RedEnvelope. t .BEF PG SJDI NBIPHBOZ DPMPS ed leather t )PMET VQ UP UISFF w DJHBST SJOH HBVHF PG PS w EJBNFUFS

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DIAMOND AND SAPPHIRE BRACELET Brief Description: t &BSSJOHT TIPXDBTF UIF TUSJLJOH EB[[MF of piercing blue sapphires t +FXFMSZ GFBUVSFT UIF DPOUSBTU PG EBSL gemstones set in the cool luster of LBSBU XIJUF HPME t #SBDFMFU TQBSLMFT XJUI JDZ EJBNPOET and fancy openwork links

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For Him

MICHAEL KORS VERY HOLLYWOOD LUXE t 7FSZ )PMMZXPPE -VYF QFSGVNF TQSBZ JO a gold-tone bottle t 5PQ OPUFT NBOEBSJO BOE JDFE CFSHBNPU t .JEEMF OPUFT XFU KBTNJOF ZMBOH ZMBOH raspberry and gardenia t #BTF OPUFT DSFBNZ BNCFS TPGU XIJUF moss and vetiver

For Her

CARLYE LOCKET WITH DIAMONDS This is another locket by our favorite designer. A new design featuring four diamonds it is inspired by Byzantine jewelry and victorian grille work.

For Her

ICE LONDON PRINCESS PEN t 5IJT TUVOOJOH XSJUJOH JOTUSVNFOU JT hand-crafted with Crystallized Swarovski Elements. Beautiful to own or to give, this is a headturning accessory to treasure forever. t 1JOL 4XBSPWTLJ DSZTUBM TUVEEFE SPMMFS CBMM t $MFBS DSZTUBM USJN t 5XJTU BDUJPO t 4QBSF DSZTUBMT JODMVEFE Presented in a drawstring bag and signature case.

For Her

WHITE GOLD JOURNEY DIAMOND BYPASS RING A journey of love that grows stronger with time begins with a superb journey diamond CZQBTT SJOH JO L XIJUF gold.

For Her

e: Pric 0 RSD 5 89

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Price: 7450 R SD

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Price: 7450 R SD

If you want to bring a smile to someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face with a good quality gift, have a look at T-Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s watches and jewelry. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find a vast selection of global name-brand watches and jewelry such as Pirelli, Time Force, Philip, Cover, Iceberg, Fila, and Chronostar. In addition, there are the ever-popular Miss Sixtyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s watches and jewelry, as well as Morellato watches, jewelry, and attractive accessories XBMMFUT QFOEBOUT QFOT Enrich your style with one of these pieces or select the perfect present for your loved one. Phone: +381 11 311 21 34

Price: 6690 R SD

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e: Pric30 RSD 78

e: D Pric000 RS 21

e: D Pric275 RS 42