CorD Magazine No. 153

LEAN ON YOUR NEIGHBOURS! H.E. RADKO VLAYKOV

LEAVING THE DOOR OPEN

H.E. LEO D’AES Ambassador of Belgium

ALEKSANDAR ŠAPIĆ

President of the Municipality of New Belgrade

JULY ’17 / ISSUE No. 153

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PROSPECTS UNQUESTIONABLE E XC L U S I V E

ISSN1451-7833

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COMMENT JADRANKA JOKSIMOVIĆ, Minister for European Integration

EU Integration – Road Sign, NOT AN EXCUSE FOR REFORM PAGE 8

When we talk about Serbia’s strategic foreign policy goal of becoming an EU member, we always emphasise that this goal is actually a means of advancing the lives of citizens and improving the society in which we live

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CONTENTS

July 2017

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Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Regional Policy & Enlargement

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LEAN ON YOUR NEIGHBOURS!

THE FUTURE OF AMERICA’S SHOE OBSESSION IS MALE

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H.E. Radko Vlaykov, Ambassador of Bulgaria

UNIQUE CHOIR

The International Belgrade Singers

GLOBAL DIARY

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RECOGNISING CONSUMER NEEDS IN ADVANCE

FACES & PLACES

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BELGIUM

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Sharing Responsibilities Geared Towards The Future

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SIX THINGS WE LEARNT COMPARING ELECTIONS IN FRANCE AND THE UK

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COMMENT

EU Integration – Road Sign, Not An Excuse For Reform When we talk about Serbia’s strategic foreign policy goal of becoming an EU member, we always emphasise that this goal is actually a means of advancing the lives of citizens and improving the society in which we live JADRANKA JOKSIMOVIĆ, Minister for European Integration

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we are willing to do in order for words to be converted into n my capacity as minister in charge of European Integradeeds. I think that deeds are exactly what differentiate us tion, I have always claimed that a much more important from every other political option, and every political option question than whether and when Serbia can become in Serbia has had a chance to show what it can do. Every part of the EU is the question of why exactly the European solution is the right response to our social and political political option to date has gone along the line of least resistance in preserving political ratings, which as a rule did everyday life, and part of the solution for the goals that we not result in the growth of standards, and in the end didn’t have ambitiously set for ourselves. Are we today ready to even show to cause a rise in political ratings. act like a member of the Union and to be at the forefront of European integration was a signpost for us, and not an promoting the European values that have been somewhat excuse for reforms and changes that had to be made. We forgotten on the old continent? A society in which the most have ourselves built healthy foundations for future memimportant values are represented by pluralism, tolerance, bership in the European Union. The solidarity, the fight against discriminew Government has the task of nation and strengthening demoA society in which the to build an even stronger cratic institutions, as a guarantee for most important values are continuing and more compact structure on such preserving the stated values, are the represented by pluralism, foundations. That’s also why we have rules of the game that we have set tolerance, solidarity, opted to form the Ministry of Europefor ourselves – not because we see an Integration. The previous structhem as conditions for membership, the fight against ture, which had different institutions but because we want to live in such a discrimination and dealing with European integration, society, and such a Europe. strengthening democratic was sufficient for the period until the Proving that these values are not institutions, as a guarantee opening of negotiations with the EU and must not be a goal achieved once and the opening of the first negois the debate on the future of the EU. for preserving the stated tiation chapters. Now that we have It is today more necessary than ever values, are the rules of opened 10 chapters and temporarily to remember that Europe is not a the game that we have closed two, it is necessary to unite all symbol of economic strength and the set for ourselves institutions and send a clear political most desirable destination because it message about Serbia’s commitment is closed within national frameworks, to the European path, with the continuation and intensificabut rather because its very foundations are openness, freetion of reforms in the country. dom and solidarity. Above all, the EU remains the best ecoThe European Union which we now have the opportunomic and political model due to the culture of compromise nity to negotiate with is changing and probably won’t be and the readiness to respond to every crisis with the kind of the same at the moment when negotiations are concluded. common solutions that can produce the best results.

That’s why we also need to change and strengthen the sysCan Serbia be a part of Europe that gives clear answers tem that will be in a position to respond more quickly and and offers concrete solutions to the challenges posed? I efficiently to today’s challenges. Ahead of us is a complex consider changing political awareness as being one of the and long journey in which reality will not tolerate a lack of important successes of the previous government. It doesn’t results. We are reminded and bound to this by the results matter what you talk about, but rather what solutions you achieved during the mandate of the government led by in a position to offer and how much you have done. The criAleksandar Vučić. ■ terion of political action that we have set ourselves is what

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By LJUBICA GOJGIĆ

INTERVIEW

Western Balkan EU

PROSPECTS UNQUESTIONABLE JOHANNES HAHN EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER FOR REGIONAL POLICY & ENLARGEMENT

EXCLUSIVE

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The pace of negotiations depends on the progress countries make in implementing the necessary reforms. Quality goes before speed, but I always say that it is good to be ambitious.

The Berlin Process serves to drive that reform programme forward, always with a view to strengthening each country’s preparations to meet their European Integration ambitions – Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Regional Policy & Enlargement

CHAPTERS

TRIESTE

CRITERIA

With all energy focused now on reforms and the EU path, I am confident that the opening of further chapters is still possible this year

In Trieste we will talk about economic connectivity, how to break down barriers for trade, but also investment and business

The accession process is built on strict but fair conditionality and the principle of own merits.

The enlargement countries must each meet the well-established criteria in order to join the EU

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election and told him that I’m looking forward to continuing uring a week in which historic negotiations on working with him and the new government on Serbia’s straBritain’s exit from the European Union began, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini antegic goal of EU membership. I further stressed that the EU’s nounced that in the period ahead the Western Balkans will be one of the main topics of her activities, just behind issues of defence and security, stating that there will “certainly be the admission of new members to the European Union”. Arriving in Belgrade in late June with the same message was Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for Regional Policy and Enlargement, who attended the reception commemorating the inauguration of the new Serbian president.

In this exclusive interview for CorD Magazine, Hahn says that as well as congratulating Aleksandar Vučić he also expressed the EU’s willingness to continue the joint work aimed at ensuring Serbia’s entry into the European Union. Hahn hopes that the ninth and tenth negotiating chapters, opened shortly before his visit, will not be the last chapters that Serbia and the EU will open this year. Noting that the path to membership entails complex reforms, our interlocutor stresses that the European Commission will continue to focus on the rule of law, including security, fundamental rights, democratic institutions The EU perspective of the commitment to Serbia’s EU path is and public administration reform, as well as and unquestionable. The EU is Western Balkan region is firm on economic development and competitiveSerbia’s number one partner, includfirm and unquestionable. ing on assistance, with €2 billion ness. Responding to concerns that the Berlin This is also what the Process regional initiative might be some in grants since 2007, way ahead of kind of compensation to Western Balkan any other global partners, and EU EU leaders repeated at countries for uncertain EU membership, accession has no alternative. the European Council Johannes Hahn states unequivocally - the We work closely with Serbia, as meeting earlier this year, partners and friends. Our efforts Berlin Process serves to drive that reform where they reaffirmed programme forward, always with a view to focus on reforms, cooperation and strengthening each country’s preparations to reconciliation. In this respect, I distheir unequivocal meet their European integration ambitions. with President Vučić the good support for the European cussed prospects of the regional economic perspective of the ■ You recently visited Belgrade. What area as an immediate and imporWestern Balkans kind of message did you convey to the tant step forward towards further President of Serbia with regard to the European integration. The Regional EU integration process?

Economic Area will make the Western Balkans more attractive - During our meeting I congratulated President Vučić on his for investors, to the benefit of Serbian citizens.

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Serbia has made good progress in the EU accession negotiations, with ten chapters opened now and two provisionally closed. With all energy focused now on reforms and the EU path, I am confident that the opening of further chapters is still possible this year. as Serbia’s leadership is determined to deliver on its commitment, including on the rule of law and the normalisation process with Kosovo, as a driving force on peace, stability and prosperity for the region.

As you know, there is no predetermined timeline associated with the enlargement process. The pace of negotiations depends on the progress the countries make in implementing the necessary reforms. Quality goes before speed, but I always say that it is good to be ambitious! Given the complex nature of these reforms, which aim at the transformation of the whole society, this is a long-term process. Enlargement policy continues to deliver results and reforms are moving forward in most countries, albeit at different speeds. A continued commitment to the principle of “fundamentals first” remains essential for the enlargement countries. The European Commission will continue to focus efforts on the rule of law, including security, fundamental rights, democratic institutions and public administration reform, as well as on economic development and competitiveness.

The Berlin Process serves to drive that reform programme forward, always with a view to strengthening each country’s preparations to meet their European Integration ambitions.

■ When the Berlin Process was set up in the summer of 2014, the governments of the participating countries envisaged “four years of real progress” on precisely defined regional projects. Given that the Berlin Process was conceived as a regional initiative with a fixed-term of action until 2018, how would you assess its achievements today?

- The Berlin process has delivered real progress. Through the connectivity agenda, we European Commission ■ Do the upcoming EU reforms, are helping to build many sections of roads, as discussed in Mr Juncker’s railways, power lines or gas interconnectors, will continue to focus “White Paper on the future of and we are also using this as a hook for the efforts on the rule the EU”, mean that the issue accompanying reforms that will not only of law, including of enlargement will be postadd value to EU investments but also attract security, fundamental further investments. But connectivity is not poned until after 2025 and, in only about linking physical infrastructure that context, how is the Berlin rights, democratic or energy / transport systems. At the EB6 Process to be understood? institutions and public summit in Paris last year, we opened a new - Let me be very clear - our comadministration reform, as chapter, on youth connectivity, with a number mitment is as strong as ever. The well as on economic of programmes to help the region capitalise process continues in the same spirit on one of its most precious resources – its and intensity as before. The EU development and young people, by incorporating them in the perspective of the Western Balkan competitiveness EU’s Erasmus programme, or by promoting region is firm and unquestionable. young civil servants to spend some time in This is also what the EU leaders their neighbour’s administration. And in Trieste we will talk repeated at the European Council meeting earlier this year, about economic connectivity, how to break down barriers for where they reaffirmed their unequivocal support for the Eutrade, but also investment and business. The concept of the ropean perspective of the Western Balkans.

Regional Economic Area will boost the economic development Regarding the White Paper, it maps out the drivers of of the whole region and prepare the Western Balkan countries change in the next decade and presents a range of scenarios, for the internal market. starting from the present situation. It is not meant to make The concrete results are already visible through developany political statements on enlargement.

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ing regional cooperation. In addition, the Berlin Process contributes substantially to reconciliation and good neighbourly relationships through regular meetings and joint work on common objectives.

Union. We will be announcing the annual ‘connectivity package’ of infrastructure projects to be funded. The Transport Community Treaty is ready to be signed after Kosovo’s initialling as last country. I am confident also that we will adopt an Action Plan to create a Regional Economic Area.

■ How do you view the idea of German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel to use the “Berlin plus” initiative to ■ What is essential for the common platform of politiestablish additional funding for infrastructure projects cal and economic relations between the countries of in the Western Balkans, and his call for Brussels to “engage and invest more in the region”?

- The EU initiates and supports various new regional cooperation initiatives, such as the connectivity agenda, to foster economic opportunities and growth that will only materialise if the region works together to attract international investment.

In financial terms, we have leverages of some €700 million in investments for priority investments, through EU grants of €350 million at the Vienna and Paris Summits. We are on target to deliver the €1 billion promised for the connectivity grants. The Commission intends to make a substantive financial contribution to the connectivity agenda in Trieste.

However, we need to keep in mind that investments are important, but will not have the desired effects without structural reforms.

These reforms are part of the countries’ obligations on the road to the EU. They will add value to the EU investments in connectivity while also attracting further investments. In that respect, the leaders need to renew their political commitment as progress on imple- In financial terms, we have the Western Balkans, which the menting the Connectivity Reform Measures leverages of some €700 EU will insist upon in the further accession process? is not quite as fast as I would have wanted. million in investments - It is important to stress that there for priority investments, are no new accession criteria, be■ What do you expect from the fourth meeting of Western Balkan leaders with- through EU grants of €350 cause the countries of the Western in the framework of the Berlin Process, million at the Vienna and Balkans are sensitive to the suggesto take place this month in Trieste; how tion that our regional co-operation Paris Summits. We are on projects could be a substitute for do you evaluate regional opportunities target to deliver the on the eve of this new round of leaders’ enlargement. But what we are promeetings? €1 billion promised for the posing is exactly the opposite: to - We recently celebrated the 60th anniversary develop regional co-operation as connectivity grants. The a basis to reinforce each country’s of the Treaty of Rome; the Trieste Summit – Commission intends to path to their European Integration in the same spirit of constructing a common make a substantive objective.

Europe – should be seen as a strong, positive Good Neighbourly Relations is signal on the relevance of the enlargement financial contribution already a criterion for assessing perspective of the Western Balkans. to the connectivity maturity to join the EU, and we are The European Commission supports the agenda in Trieste proposing ways to deliver on this. success of the summit with substantial conBut all the other measures that we tributions in fostering regional cooperation propose will help accession, whether it is to improve border among the Western Balkan countries to connect infrastructures, crossing procedures, to develop a regional electricity market, economies and people within the region and with the European J U LY

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or to open up rail markets. These are all measures that countries would have to carry out on their way to the EU sooner or later, and we are proposing that they do so sooner.

■ The Belgrade-Pristina dialogue is practically frozen, while the EU seems to lack the ambition to initiate new meetings?

- I look forward to a continuation of the dialogue at the soonest opportunity now that presidential elections in Serbia and parliamentary elections in Kosovo are over. The EU, as facilitator, expects both sides to have a constructive approach and

commitment to the dialogue.

A constructive engagement in the normalisation process is important for both Serbia and Kosovo to advance on their European paths. I expect both parties to look towards the future rather than to the past, in line with EU values. Ultimately, it is to the benefit of the people in Kosovo and Serbia and also essential to preserve peace and stability in the region. I am encouraged by President Vučić’s willingness to launch a domestic dialogue on Kosovo in this respect.

I look forward to a continuation of the dialogue at the soonest opportunity now that presidential elections in Serbia and parliamentary elections in Kosovo are over. The EU, as facilitator, expects both sides to have a constructive approach and commitment to the dialogue

■ On the eve of your recent visit to Belgrade, Serbian media reported that the Berlin process is becoming a kind of substitute for EU membership or a “parking lot for the Western Balkans”, as the situation was described by one local diplomat.

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How would you respond to such an interpretation?

- I have heard these criticisms and I have already rejected them on several occasions. As I said before, regional co-operation or the Berlin Process is part of each country’s path to the EU. It is by no means a substitute for the enlargement process itself, which has to be based on the candidate country’s own merits and capacity to meet the criteria for joining the EU. Regional co-operation can also help improve that capacity. A good example of this is the Energy Community, through which countries have agreed to implement the EU’s energy rules in advance of Membership. As well as helping prepare to join the EU, the Energy Community has delivered many other benefits from applying EU rules to the Western Balkans as a whole. We want to do something similar for transport, and therefore looking forward to the signature of the Transport Community Treaty in Trieste.

■ Critics are also concerned about the fact that the Berlin Process involves only six EU member states. In this sense, to what extent can that Berlin Process be referred to as being part of the EU integration process?

- I’m not sure who those critics are. The Berlin Process has no institutions or rules; it is merely a framework within which Member States can support the countries of the Western Balkans to cooperate and work together to accomplish important things. It is not, and will never be, a substitute for the EU integration process, which is formal and institutionalised, and in which each candidate country needs to convince all of the EU Member States, chapter by chapter, that it is ready to join the EU. The Berlin Process is an initiative which supports substantially the accession process.

■ Does the Berlin Process’s introduction of the category “Western Balkans”, which you also use frequently, suggest that the EU enlargement process will possibly again be “bloc” based, which would mean that the individual progress of each state on initiatives would determine the progress of the Western Balkans as a whole?

- The accession process is built on strict but fair conditionality and the principle of own merits. The enlargement countries must each meet the well-established criteria in order to join the EU. This is crucial for the credibility of enlargement policy, for providing incentives to enlargement countries to pursue far-reaching reforms and for ensuring the support of EU citizens. ■

INTERVIEW

Lean On Your

NEIGHBOURS! H.E. RADKO VLAYKOV

AMBASSADOR OF BULGARIA

One of the main priorities of Bulgaria’s presidency of the EU will be supporting the Western Balkan countries and the preparation process for EU enlargement.

Serbia’s EU perspective is clear, but membership depends primarily on the speed of reforms in this country - Radko Vlaykov, Bulgarian Ambassador to Serbia

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he Bulgarian Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Radko Vlaykov, says that his first eight months in the Serbian capital have been very pleasant and successful, and that Belgrade feels almost like home to him.

In this interview for CorD Magazine, Ambassador Vlaykov reflects on Bulgaria’s 10 years in the EU and stresses the importance of broad public support for the integration process.

The ambassador believes that Serbia could benefit from the fact that Bulgaria and Austria, Serbia’s neighbours, will preside over the EU Council in 2018.

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■ Your Excellency, you arrived in Belgrade eight months ago. What have you set as the priorities of your term in Serbia?

- First of all, there are bilateral relations that are good, with no open problems between our countries. We have to use that ad-

PROJECT

INTEGRATION

RUSSIA

There is an interconnection for the gas pipeline that should connect Niš and Sofia, which is a project of strategic importance for the region, supported by the European Union

I have the impression that there is a lack of information among people about the importance of EU integration for Serbia

I am sure we can have very good relations with Russia even though we are part of NATO and the EU

vantage to strengthen our economic cooperation. There is an increase in the trade cooperation between us, but it is important to focus on concrete projects. I will mention a few of them. There is an interconnection for the gas pipeline that should connect Niš and Sofia, which is a project of strategic importance for the region, supported by the European Union. We are also interested in finalising the infrastructure project for a highway between Niš and Sofia, and I am glad that Serbia is doing very well on its part to complete the works from Niš to the Bulgarian border. I have spoken many times with Deputy Prime Minister Zorana Mihajlović and I am glad to see how very much involved in this process she is.

One larger road section towards the Bulgarian border should be completed by the end of the year, while the completion of the whole project is envisaged for the next year. Now it is up to us on the Bulgarian side to do our job and take the highway from the border to Sofia.

We’ve already started logistical preparations for the project and I am sure it will progress very quickly. I would also like to mention the importance of trans-border cooperation between the two countries, where we also have good collaboration. We had the presentation of that project recently in Pirot, attended by the deputy heads of mission of EU countries in Serbia. I must say that Pirot is a very good example of using EU funds for projects that are in our mutual interests.

■ How do you think our region could benefit from China’s growing interest in it?

- Being a member of the EU, Bulgaria’s economic relations are mostly with EU countries and the countries of the region, like Serbia.

However, of course, it is important to utilise all opportunities. I spoke to my colleagues here in Serbia about the idea of promoting tourism in our region – not only with China, but Japan, the Middle East and other distant destinations.

The idea is to create a joint offer which would mean travellers would spend a few days in Serbia then move to Bulgaria, Montenegro or Croatia... I see that as a very good opportunity.

of this year, which should enable the construction of a regional gas pipeline by 2020. How are preparations advancing?

- The interconnection for the pipeline you are referring to is part of the European project aimed at diversifying the gas supply in the region. That is very important. I am sure the deadline is realistic and we have to be optimistic that it will all be done

Looking back in history, one must unfortunately conclude that our region is not like some in Western or Central Europe, where everything is calm and stable. I would say that here, in the Balkans, we are “sick of history“

■ Bulgaria and Serbia signed a memorandum on the construction of gas interconnections at the beginning

according to schedule. Preparations are going well, the financing of the project is clear and now it depends on the good will of both governments to realise it.

■ How would you comment on the suggestion that the Western Balkans remains unstable and that the rise of new conflicts is not out of the question?

Looking back in history, one must unfortunately conclude that our region is not like some in Western or Central Europe, where everything is calm and stable. I would say that here, in the Balkans, we are “sick of history”. That’s our problem. We are looking into history instead of looking ahead.

That’s why there is still potential for conflicts that are rooted in J U LY

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history. We have to look to the future. Bulgaria is a member of the EU; we want to contribute to the development of the region that would be focused on the future. I believe good neighbourly relations are the best basis for building a stable future. In the past eight months I met many people who have relatives and friends in the countries of the former Yugoslavia. What is more normal than having good relations with those countries? This aspect of relations between people is very important and I believe politicians must understand that the interest of people is to have peace. The future of the region should be built on the European principles of democracy, tolerance and good neighbourly relations. I’ve met many high ranking Serbian officials who are very much committed to those principles.

They, I believe, as well as the reform process, should be supported not only by the EU, but also by the society.

Sometimes I have the impression that there is a lack of information among people about the importance of EU integration for Serbia.

is better to be among the poorest in the EU club than to be doing well in some club of the poor. If we failed to get better results from EU membership so far, that is not because of the EU. It is because of us, and the lack of reforms from time to time.

■ Today, ten years on, are you concerned about the future of the EU? - No, I am an optimist. There were a lot of crises in the world and in the EU during the past 6-7 years. Just to mention the financial crisis, economic crisis, migrant crisis, Brexit... All that did impact on the EU’s efficiency. That is why we have that call now for change, to make the EU more attractive for common people, more efficient, more orientated towards concrete projects, while continuing on the basic principles of democracy, freedom of movement... In other words, the EU has to become more modern under the new circumstances.

■ When it comes to changes within the EU, are you worried by this concept of a “Multi-speed Eu■ Bulgaria and Romania celebrated ten years of EU membership rope”, which is being discussed at the beginning of this year. increasingly? Some even speak How do the citizens of Bulgaria of the “first EU class” and others. see that accession today; are Where would be Bulgaria’s place there more satisfied or critical in that scheme? people?

- There are a lot of scenarios being dis- If you go to Sofia or Plovdiv or Varcussed in the media. A lot of experts are pondering the future of the EU. na...and ask people: how is your life, However, there is nothing concrete good or not so good, people will probabout that, nothing yet. I am sure that ably say it could be better. If you con“We’ve been a member for 10 whatever the decision on the future of tinue asking if they are satisfied with EU membership, they are likely to say years already and we are still the EU might be, it will be thoroughly “yes, but things could be better. We’ve one of the poorest members discussed among the 27 or 28 membeen a member for 10 years already ber states and it will be taken in favour of the Union”. But if you ask and we are still one of the poorest of all 27 members, or 28. That is why I if they would prefer Bulgaria members of the Union”. But if you ask am saying I am an optimist. Bulgaria is if they would prefer Bulgaria leave the leave the EU everybody, would preparing to become a member of the EU everybody, would say “No, no, no!”

Schengen zone and the Euro zone, and say “No, no, no!” That is the That is the answer! People forget fast all those instruments should function answer! People forget fast what was in the past, and that is norlike they do in other member states. what was in the past In the EU we have the advantage of all mal. When we started reforms in Bulcountries, even the smallest, having garia the gap between us and the EU their say. Important decisions are taken by consensus and that counties was very broad, in every aspect of life. When we started is very important. Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and others will accession negotiations we started reducing the gap. When we have their voices heard. joined the EU in 2007 we begin comparing ourselves with other EU countries. Today we are at 48% of the EU’s average GDP ■ When he was elected President of Bulgaria, Rumen per capita. We are competing with Germany, the Netherlands, Radev pledged to strive for sanctions against Russia to France... Some would insist on emphasising the fact that we are be lifted. What are official relations like between Sofia among the poorest countries. I would say yes, that is true, but it 18 |

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reforms, to join the EU, because the life of people will change for and Moscow today, and can EU membership be reconthe better. Bulgaria is ready to support Serbia, and to share its ciled with good relations with Russia, which is a quesexperience from the negotiating process. tion very often asked here in Serbia?

- First of all, our president, Mr Radev, was a general in the army ■ From January 2018 your country assumes the EU presof a country that is a NATO member. He became president of Bulgaria, which is an EU country. He was elected on a clear idency. How high will enlargement be on your agenda? agenda of continuing our EU and NATO - As of 1st July, Bulgaria will be part of membership and becoming more acthe so-called toika – Estonia, Bulgaria, Austria (current and future presidtive in both organisations. The EU and NATO are strategic choices of the ing countries). We already have our Bulgarian people. When it comes to programme for this 18-month period, sanctions and Russia, there are difadopted in June in Brussels. One of the main priorities of the Bulgarian ferent views within the EU on that. I presidency will be supporting Westwould like to stress that the EU sanctions are against specific people, ern Balkan countries, and Serbia priwhile the sanctions in the economic marily, and the preparation process sphere are coming from Russia. Due for EU enlargement. Bulgaria’s accesto Russian sanctions there has been a sion negotiations lasted seven years decrease in Bulgarian exports to Rusunder circumstances that were difsia by about five to six per cent. That’s ferent than these today. Even then we nothing. We are not so vulnerable to needed time. Serbia now needs time. those sanctions, I would say. The idea People have to understand it is not you are mentioning is that relations possible to have all those changes in between Russia and the EU could be one day. The process depends on the better without those sanctions that commitment of Serbian politicians are more political than economic. I and on the support of the people. am sure we can have very good relaSerbia’s prospects of joining the EU are clear, but membership depends tions with Russia even though we are primarily on the speed of reforms in part of NATO and the EU. A lot of peothis country. The next progress report ple in Bulgaria have friends in Russia, by the European Commission will be respect Russian culture, literature published in April 2018, during our etc., but a lot of them disagree with presidency, and I’m sure if efforts conRussian politics. People would prefer to see democratic changes in Russia. tinue in the next 10 months the report It is believed that the Russian people will be positive. Our goal during our would benefit from democratic prinpresidency is to organise a presidenst ciples, in which case Russia could be tial summit of the Western Balkan As of 1 July, Bulgaria will be a real political and economic partner countries in Sofia. We see it as a perpart of the so-called toika in Europe. fect occasion to strengthen relations – Estonia, Bulgaria, Austria between countries in the region. The (current and future presiding neighbourhood is the most important, ■ Do you believe the countries of as I keep repeating. There is no exthe Western Balkans have a fucountries). We already have ture in the EU? ample in the EU that a county joined our programme for this - I am absolutely sure that all Western without the support of its neighbour18-month period, adopted in ing EU members.

Balkans countries, Serbia included, June in Brussels have EU prospects. We can’t speak about the concrete date of accession, ■ Speaking of that, why is Bulgarbut we shall, I am sure, discuss that too in the near future. Everyia not actively involved in the regional initiative of the Berlin Process, despite being the closest country to the thing depends on reforms. As I said, I see many politicians comWestern Balkan states? mitted to reforms - the President, the new Prime minister, the - The Berlin Process is relatively new and is more connected to minister of EU integration, chief negotiator...a lot of people with Germany. We, of course, support it despite not being part of it. I a very pro-EU vision and clear agenda. I will repeat again, from would say, not yet. We support every initiative for regional coopmy point of view, it is very important that people in Serbia have more information about the advantages of future membership. eration. Every format might be useful in some area, especially if Your society has to be convinced it is good to undertake all the it contributes to building trust between countries. ■ J U LY

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REFUGEE I

GLOBAL DIARY

“As president, I cannot allow people into our country who want to do us harm. I want people who can love the United States and all of its citizens, and who will be hardworking and productive.”

- Donald Trump, President of the USA

SERBIA'S NEW PRESIDENT INAUGURATED ▶ The newly-elected Serbian President Aleksan-

dar Vučić addresses his inauguration ceremony in Belgrade on 23rd June, in front of more than 5,000 guests at the Palace of Serbia.

Serbia is ready to work together with all global and regional countries in order to secure a brighter future for its people, said President Vučić. He invited the leaders of regional countries to cooperate more, especially when it comes to the economy, in order to “achieve the best possible results for our citizens”.

He said Serbia decided to remain on the European path “because we wish to belong to the society of well-arranged countries and to build good relations with the Western world after decades of problems, including good relations with the United States”.

The inauguration ceremony, which lasted for around three hours, was one of the biggest high level political events in Serbia.

BREXIT TALKS START

QUEEN REPORTED TO POLICE FOR NOT WEARING A SEATBELT ▶ As the Queen travelled to West-

DAVID DAVIS (left) and MICHEL BARNIER

▶ Britain and the EU agreed to focus

the first stages of negotiations over Brexit on divorce proceedings from the bloc in a meeting that both sides hailed as constructive after an early concession from London on the sequence of talks.

The two sides agreed to prioritise negotiations on Britain’s exit bill and a settlement on rights for EU citizens living in the UK and Britons on the continent, in line with Brussels’ longstanding demands for the structure of the discussions.

Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, and David Davis, the UK Brexit minister, stressed after their talks in Brussels that an exit deal was achievable, but both conceded the talks were up against the clock, with Britain set to leave the EU in March 2019.

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minster last month for the State Opening of Parliament, one observer noted her seat belt as she rode in the rear of the car. This observer then decided that such a flagrant, public flouting of road safety regulations ought not go unpunished - and so

AP Photo, Darko Vojinović

Under UK law it is compulsory to wear a seat belt if there’s one fitted - but the Queen is immune from any civil or criminal proceedings.

NASA LAUNCHES WORLD'S SMALLEST SATELLITE ▶ The 3-D printed satellite called

‘KalamSat weighs only 64 grams. The team, led by Rifath Sharook, an Indian teenager hailing from Tamil Nadu’s

Pallapatti, created the smallest and lightest satellite in the world for NASA. They have broken a global space record by launching the satellite.

Under the supervision of Dr Srimathy Kesan, founder and CEO of Space Kidz India, a team of seven built the satellite. “It’s basically to pave way for a lot of students to think that nothing will stop or interrupt their thought process. Anything small would really begin, but it will take you to space, which is not unreachable.

SPECTACULAR BELGRADE PHILHARMONIC CONCERT ▶ In the area of Ušče, the Confluence, opposite the Palace of Serbia, with

dialed 999.

The call went through to the West Yorkshire Police Customer Contact Centre: What the 999 operator told the caller, we do not know. However, Tom Donohoe of West Yorkshire Police commented: “I cannot stress enough that the 999 number is for emergencies only.”

more than 20,000 music lovers in attendance, a major free, open-air concert of the Belgrade Philharmonic orchestra was held on 25th June. The site used for the concert is scheduled to become the site of the future Belgrade Philharmonic Hall, the construction of which is planned.

The Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, under chief conductor Gabriel Feltz, performed selected pieces from Danson No. 2 of Mexican composer Arturo Marquez, Walter Dmitri Shostakovich, as well as compositions of Camille Saint-Saëns and Stevan Hristic.

The finale of this concert spectacle, under the baton of special guest Zubin Mehta, saw the performing of the finale of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.

REFUGEE II

“To all scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, responsible citizens who were disappointed by the decision of the president of the U.S., I want to say that they will find in France a second homeland. I call on them: Come here and work with us.”

- Emmanuel Macron, President of France

SERBIA GAINS NEW GOVERNMENT ▶ The Serbian Parliament voted with a majority in favour of the new Serbian government, which will be headed by new Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić.

The members of the cabinet are as follows: Ivica Dačić, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Nebojša Stefanović Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; Zorana Mihajlović, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure; Rasim Ljajić, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications; Dušan Vujović, Minister of Finance; Goran Knežević, Minister of the Economy; Branislav Nedimović, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management; Goran Trivan, Minister for Environmental Protection; Aleksandar Antić, Minister of Mining and Energy; Jadranka Joksimović, Minister for European Integration; Nela Kuburović, Minister of Justice; Branko Ružić, Minister of State Administration and Local SelfGovernment; Aleksandar Vulin, Minister of Defence; Zoran Đorđević, Minister of Labour, Employment, Veterans’ Affairs and Social Affairs; Zlatibor Lončar, Minister of Health; Mladen Šarčević, Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development; Vanja Udovičić, Minister of Youth and Sports; and Vladan Vukosavljević, Minister of Culture and Information.

Ministers without Portfolio include: Slavica Đukić-Dejanović, Population Policy; Milan Krkobabić, Regional Development and Coordination of Public Enterprises; and Nenad Popović, Innovation and Technology.

KRIK RECEIVES GLOBAL EDITORS NETWORK AWARD ▶ The Network for Investigating

You just need to work a little harder.

Space has no boundaries, so let’s all do research together and let’s conquer Mars soon,” said Kesan.

Crime and Corruption (KRIK) was presented with an award for publishing a database of the real estate property of politicians in the “Open Data” category, under the auspices of the Data Journalism Awards, at the Global Editors Network in Vienna, in the presence of 750 editors and

journalists from 70 countries.

Competing for the award were 573 journalism works from 51 countries, while prizes were awarded in 10 categories. The winner in each category receives €1,801, as well as the award printed using a 3D printer.

The award was received on behalf of KRIK by editor Stevan Dojčinović and journalist Dragana Pećo.

The Data Journalism Award is the largest international award for databased journalism work and has been awarded since 2012.

Source: Beta

IVANA TRUMP AS DIPLOMAT? ▶ Czech President Milos Zeman has

called U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s former wife, Ivana, to thank her for her “courage” and interest in becom-

ing the new U.S. ambassador to Prague.

In a statement, Zeman said he’s pleased with that because “the U.S. cannot send a better ambassador to Prague” than her. He said he would be delighted to meet her at the Prague Castle, the seat of presidency and is looking forward to introduce her to his wife, also named Ivana.

Ivana, Trump’s first wife and the mother of his three oldest children, is of Czech origin. Zeman was among several European leaders, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who endorsed Trump during the campaign.

Zeman said he shared Trump’s views of migration and the fight against the Islamic terrorism.

Trump’s presidential transition team provided no readout of the conversation between the Czech leader and his ex-wife.

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By MILOŠ BELČEVIĆ

INTERVIEW

Recognising Consumer

NEEDS IN ADVANCE ZHIYU CHEN

CHIEF COMMERCIAL AND PRODUCT OFFICER AT ALIEXPRESS (ALIBABA GROUP)

Having started out with a staff of 18 in 1999, Alibaba Group (of which AliExpress represents one marketplace) has grown to become a giant in the internet retailing business, with the largest ever global IPO in 2014. And it seems that this group is just getting started, as Alibaba’s founder, Jack Ma, noted in a 2016 interview: "Alibaba is a big company compared to 15 years ago, but we are still a small company compared to where we will be 15 years from now"

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o put things in perspective, about 42 million packages are delivered daily through Alibaba’s Cainiao Network.

Last year saw Alibaba hit a record breaking 17.8 billion dollars’ worth of gross merchandise volume (GMV) sold by retailers on its platforms during 24 hours on a Single Day; with 175,000 incoming orders each second. Alibaba has over 40,000 employees and several subsidiary companies and affiliated entities like Taobao, China’s largest C2C online shopping platform, Alipay, the world’s largest mobile and online payments platform since 2014, Alibaba Cloud (Aliyun), a cloud computing 22 |

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service platform that acquired HiChina, the largest domain registration and web hosting service company in China in 2009; as well as AliExpress, one of the leading online retail services, with a network of independent traders and major successes in many different markets, for instance Russia, where it is the most visited e-commerce website, or Serbia, where their mobile app is one of the top apps in its category.

Zhiyu Chen, Chief Commercial and Product Officer at AliExpress (Alibaba Group), visited Serbia to speak at the xCEEd 2017 Conference on customer satisfaction and experience, along with other leading minds from the e-commerce, FinTech, RegTech and banking industries. He is accountable for global commercial performance and P&L success for AliExpress.com and is also responsible for sales, business development, country strategy, mobile marketing, product management and the CRM, services and logistics departments.

■ Doing business worldwide, it is a challenge to ensure we provide a lifestyle experience and aim to create a community with customer satisfaction in the many different countries our customers. This means that we take a very different approach and and markets where you operate. How focus on a variety of initiatives, such as bloggers do you do it with both a global and a competitions, SNS networks and community etc.

I think we tailor our local perspective? service in our operating - We address many markets and therefore it ■ AliExpress harnesses technology to model to specific is very challenging to address our customers’ empower small businesses to sell their customer segments, every need, so we do that step by step. And goods and grow. Could we say that so we are clear about who our customers this is a vision or a direction in which and this could be very are, what their most important needs are AliExpress is heading, and could you different from our and which are our key markets. In the marelaborate a bit more on this idea of the competitors. We serve kets where we operate we try to bring an empowerment of small businesses? customers who want to enjoyable life experience to the customers - If you look at international trade to date, we serve, by providing them with access to when it comes to the clothes and shoes you enjoy their life to the variety of products at an affordable price. fullest, so we are not just buy, or the computer you buy, they are not directly from source, but rather you buy a shopping site; we ■ As AliExpress’s business is growing from a distributor in your country, and that provide a lifestyle globally, it is also facing strong comdistributor could even have an upstream petition from other big players, such distributor, and they also have importers. experience and aim to as Amazon. What are your main differcreate a community with They ultimately decide what you can and ences and competitive advantages? can’t buy. And if you look from the supplier’s our customers - I think we tailor our service in our operating perspective, the importer has a great say in model to specific customer segments, and this what can be sold on all of these markets, not could be very different from our competitors. We serve customers who the final consumer. We want to bridge that gap and create a better want to enjoy their life to the fullest, so we are not just a shopping site; life for the consumer by handing that choice back to them.

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■ You certainly have an international background, having studied at both Oxford and Zhejiang universities, and having worked at Barclays Bank and Alibaba Group. And AliExpress also has a global nature. What are some of the main differences and similarities between East and West when it comes to business culture?

- I don’t think it’s about the differences between East and West in terms of business culture, but rather it’s more about working in an innovative, entrepreneurial start-up environment, compared to a somewhat more rigid approach in other industries. I think, generally speaking, that we tend to hire people who are smart,

■ Could you point out some of the most important trends in the e-commerce and export business that we should look out for in the future?

- I think the trend is that coverage of e-commerce is becoming broader. In the past it was only for young people or those shopping for things they couldn’t find locally. And what we have seen in China is that older generations started to adapt to e-commerce very fast, most of them learning from their children. And also the infrastructure has changed so much, to make it much easier, for example, with the availability of mobile broadband, and also the availability and cost-efficiency of mobile phones capable of accessing the internet.

■ Over time, consumer perception of, and trust in, “Made in China” is changing for the better. However, is it challenging to push it in the right direction? Are there any special steps that AliExpress is taking to help change how overseas costumers view Chinese brands and products?

- I don’t think we limit ourselves to servicing Chinese brands exclusively.

AliExpress has been a global business from day one, though it happened that we tapped into Chinese sellers to start with, because we are located in China, but nowadays we also have overseas sellers on our platform. Our goal is to make our consumers’ life better: we will go wherever we can find the best product.

who adapt to change and who have an open mind. And that connects all the borders.

I don’t think it’s about the differences between East and West in terms of business culture, but rather it’s more about working in an innovative, entrepreneurial start-up environment, compared to a somewhat more rigid approach in other industries

■ What are the most important lessons that e-commerce businesses from Central and Eastern Europe can learn from AliExpress’s global success?

- From the perspective of the e-commerce business, I think the manufacturer and exporter need to be closer to the customer, and to understand what is trendy and what their customers really want. In the past they got this information from importers, and if you work in international trade, importers sometimes place their order half a year or even a year in advance.

So information gets lost in this process, and it also gets delayed.

And I don’t think that is the future. The future is to understand what the consumer wants before the consumer.

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■ What approaches have proven to be most effective in communicating the AliExpress brand in different markets?

- I think the best way is word of mouth.

Our customers have a very high repeat shopping rate, so they keep coming back and shopping. One interesting thing we discovered is that many customers visit our site or become aware of it because their friends and family told them about it in a positive way, and we have really benefited from that.

■ It is interesting that AliExpress is popular with millennials in certain markets. Is this a general trend and how broad is your customer base demographics?

- We do tailor to different segments, spanning from the tech community to fashionistas seeking the most glamorous accessory, and beyond. But, as I say, we’re going to take it step by step, rather than trying to service everyone in every sector. ■

FEATURE

Six Things We Learnt Comparing Elections In France And The UK It’s rare that France and their neighbours over the English Channel both have elections in the same month.France’s planned parliamentary poll coincided with Britain’s snap general election – the first time in two decades they have happened in the same year

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EMMANUEL MACRON and THERESA MAY

o mark the occasion, we’ve looked at how both polls to see how both countries compare.

FRANCE MORE FRAGMENTED THAN UK More than a dozen parties, ranging from the far-right National Front to the French Communist Party, won seats in France’s parliamentary election.

Put another way, 40 of 577 seats went to fringe parties, at the extremes of the political spectrum.

There are no such extremes in the UK – the four biggest parties won 96.3 per cent of votes, with the rest of the votes picked up by regionalists or the greens.

UK VOTING SYSTEM APPEARS LESS EQUITABLE On the face of it, the French system appears fairer than the English one.

If we look at how much each percentage of vote share wins you in seats, there is much greater variation in the UK. One per cent of votes wins you between five and seven seats, if you’re one of the four most popular French parties.

But in the UK, it ranges from one to 11 seats.

For instance the Liberal Democrats’ share of the vote was double that of the Scottish National Party.

Yet the LDs got a third of the SNP’s seats haul.

It is also worth noting the French system is slightly different. In the UK, whoever wins the most votes is elected. In France, there is a first round of voting, where a vote share of 50 per cent or more normally gets you elected. Otherwise, the most popular candidates go to a second round of voting, therefore concentrating the voting a bit.

POLITICAL DUOPOLY SMASHED IN FRANCE, STRENGTHENED IN UK France’s election saw the crushing of the 26 |

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two parties that have dominated French politics for decades.

Francois Hollande’s ousted Socialist Party hemorrhaged votes, going from winning 48.53 per cent of the vote in 2012, to just 5.20 per cent this time around.

The Republicans, formerly UMP, also lost votes, winning a 19.41 per cent share, down from 33.62 five years ago.

IT WAS VERY DIFFERENT IN THE UK The two traditional parties, Labour and the Conservatives, tightened their grip on British politics after fragmentation two years earlier.

One of the key factors in the UK election was the impact of the youth vote – it helped Labour put in a better-than-expected performance The Conservatives’ vote share went up to 42.3 per cent, compared with 36.8 per cent two years ago, despite winning 13 less seats.

Similarly, Labour won 40 per cent of the vote, up from 30.4 per cent in 2015.

Both profited from the collapse of the UK Independence Party, who have lost support since the Brexit referendum.

The smashing of France’s political duopoly meant 75 per cent of MPs elected in 2017 were not sat in previous parliament.

The UK had 93 newly-elected MPs, or 14 per cent of the 2017 intake.

VOTERS IN FRANCE MORE LIKELY TO REBEL Stay-at-home voters are at an all-time high in France. For the second round of the parliamentary elections, 57 per cent abstained.

Even if you argue the second round alienates voters of excluded candidates, the abstention rate was still 51.3 per cent first time around.

In the UK, perhaps more politically-active in light of Brexit, abstention rates are at their lowest level for a decade.

YOUTH TURNOUT BETTER IN UK One of the key factors in the UK election was the impact of the youth vote – it helped Labour put in a better-than-expected performance.

Turnout for the 18-24 age group was 54 per cent in 2017, up 16 per cent compared with 2015, according to pollsters Ipsos Mori.

In France youth engagement is a lot lower. Ipsos France said just 37 per cent of the 18-24 age group voted in the first round of this year’s parliamentary elections.

POLITICAL FORTUNES HAVE SHIFTED QUICKLY IN BOTH COUNTRIES One of the key difference, of course, is the extent to which each ruling party has the power to govern and pass the laws promised in their manifestos.

Britain’s prime minister Theresa May called a snap general election, hoping to strengthen her majority and get a stronger mandate for Brexit.

But she ended up weakening the Conservatives’ position, who, despite being the biggest party, don’t have a majority of MPs in parliament.

In contrast France’s Emmanuel Macron began his campaign to be president trailing far-right leader Marine Le Pen in the polls.

But after being elected to the Elysee, Macron’s nascent party, En Marche!, secured a large majority in subsequent parliamentary elections. ■

JULY BUSINESS LEADERS’ MEETING POINT

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THANOS TRIMIS Managing Director, British American Tobacco SEE

LUKA ĐEDOVIĆ Head of Private Banking, Societe Generale Srbija

Great Contribution To The Serbian Economy

Good Market For Private Banking

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DUŠICA GRBA Lawyer, Grba Law Office

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Specialists In International Road And Goods Transport J U LY

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CORPORATE

THANOS TRIMIS, MANAGING DIRECTOR, BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO SEE.

Great Contribution To The Serbian Economy Being among the top three taxpayers in the country, BAT is one of the biggest contributors to the state budget, and a socially responsible company.

BAT is also the largest British investor and the fastest growing tobacco company in Serbia, with a market share of more than 30 per cent

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alking about investments, Thanos Trimis, Managing Director of British American Tobacco SEE, says that his company is continuously investing in increasing the capacity and enhancing the capabilities of the factory in Vranje, elevating it to the status of the manufacturing centre of BAT production in CEFTA countries, which has further strengthened its position in the SEE region. With this in mind, our opening question related to possible differences between the business climate in Serbia 14 years ago, when BAT was the pioneer of foreign investments, and today.

“Since entering the Serbian market 14 years ago, we have directly invested more than €200 million in production and business expansion, employing more than 350 people and continuously contributing to the Serbian economy and the community in which we operate.

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in Serbia, led to us continuously hiring more people and strengthening our position as an employer on the market.

I have been living and working in Serbia myself for five years, and have witnessed the progress and the effort Serbia is making each year to improve its

At BAT we are very proud of our highly qualified and energised employees.

Our people make the difference competitiveness in the global landscape.

Serbia’s position on the last Doing Business list and its continuous improvement confirm the level of progress and effort,” says Mr Trimis.

■ In one interview you said that, as the head of the company, you are proud of your people, your experts. It is clear that people are always the greatest success. However, what else would you single out as measures of BAT’s success in Serbia?

- Companies have two major assets: brands and people. All international companies have good brands, but what makes the difference is the people. At BAT we are very proud of our highly qualified and energised employees, who contribute the most to our business success. Having such a professional, hardworking, committed and passionate team is certainly a competitive advantage. At the same time, BAT has a winning portfolio of very strong brands and top quality products, covering the needs of adult consumers across all price segments.

Besides continuous investments in new lines and technologies in our factory in Vranje, which has increased our production capacity by more than 40 per cent, we are proud of the fact that BAT is recognised as a socially responsible company that cares about the society and local communities. Engaged employees and harmony with the society of which we are a part make a strong foundation on which all others successes of the company are based. This represents our

motivation to continue investing in our employees, our brands and our factory, focusing on further growth, both in Serbia and the SEE region.

■ During the almost decade and a half of your operations in Serbia is there anything that you would define as representing a failure?

- All business parameters indicate that our business in Serbia and the region is constantly growing, as well as that all our investments in brands, the factory and people have proved to be well planned and successful. Besides being among the leading companies in the production of cigarettes and other tobacco products, with more than 200 brands on over 200 markets, BAT is also the global leader in innovations, both in combustible tobacco products and in new generation products like e-cigarettes.

Considering our factory in Vranje, as well as the market reality in Serbia, we have chosen to bring innovations to cigarettes. The latest innovations that we introduced to Serbian consumers were the flow filter, as well as the filter with double capsule. Serbia has always been at the centre of our business in this part of Europe and we are constantly observing the needs of consumers, in order to offer them the best product to satisfy their needs.

■ When it comes to the tobacco industry, the topic of excise duty is always relevant. What is your position on this topic, as the general manager of BAT for this region?

- Being among the top three taxpayers in the country, BAT is one of the biggest contributors to the state budget. In Serbia, nearly 15 per cent of the state budget is financed by tobacco product taxation.

As such, it is critical for the state, the tobacco companies and the retailers to have a predictable tax environment that facilitates value creation without shocking the legal market. This is a very delicate balance that must be maintained. We are satisfied with the state’s overall manner so far, in terms of open dialogue, transparent procedures and a predictable tax

environment. This is very important for securing revenues for all parties involved.

■ BAT is one of the country’s biggest taxpayers. With this in mind, are you satisfied with the treatment of companies in Serbia?

- With more than 1.6 billion euros, British American Tobacco has made a significant contribution to the budget of the Republic of Serbia through tax payments. In the past three years alone,

Fighting the grey economy is like a marathon. It takes determination, strength and resilience this contribution amounted to more than 500 million euros. As I already have mentioned, we are pleased with the open and constructive dialogue, as well as the support from the state to our company and our industry, which enabled us to address key issues of common interest, such as reducing the volume of the illicit trade in tobacco.

Counting on this constructive dialogue, we will continue to invest in Serbia, looking for further cooperation with the state, as our strong and reliable partner for business development and growth.

■ Tobacco smuggling is a very “profitable” business, and not only in Serbia, so governments of many countries exert great efforts aimed at combatting the “grey” economy. Given that BAT virtually operates in three of the region’s countries, what is your impression about the fight being led at the regional level in this area?

- The announcements from the government on the issue of the intense battle with cigarette smugglers are highly encouraging. The fact that there has been an increase in the state budget inflow from the sale of cigarettes indicates that the smuggling of cigarettes on the black market has decreased. And these are some very encouraging results.

BAT is actively supporting the state’s efforts to fight the illicit tobacco trade and the grey economy in general. Our company is very active in many forums and working groups that are organised at the state level with the aim of finding the most effective ways to reduce black market activities. The role of organisations such as FIC, NALED and AmCham is very important and we are participating with our capacities in this joint “battle”.

■ BAT as a company is strongly committed to corporate social responsibility. You have invested more than a million euros in such projects, particularly those relating to the development of local communities. Which of those projects would you single out as being the most successful?

- It is very important for our company to develop and improve along with the community in which it operates. Through numerous donations and investments in socially responsible and communityrelevant projects, we strive to be a responsible and active member of the society, and to contribute to improving the lives of the people with whom we live and work. BAT will continue to invest in socially responsible projects in order to improve the community and the lives of people who live in it.■ J U LY

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PROGRESS LOCAL NEWS

“Better regional economic ties and accelerated progress would boost the Western Balkans’ prospects of joining the EU, in particular if this would imply resolution of frozen conflicts.”

— VLADIMIR GLIGOROV, Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies COCA-COLA HBC SERBIA

SOCIETE GENERALE SERBIA

Continuing Investment In Community Development

IT – The Fastest Growing Industry

Last month Coca-Cola HBC Serbia presented the fourth Local Sustainable Business Report for 2016, showing the company’s results in the fields of environmental protection, community investment and staff engagement. This year’s presentation of the report is dedicated to the promotion of social entrepreneurship, through which the company and its numerous partners support individuals and organisations to become economically independent and thus ensure a JOVANA TUFEGDŽIĆ better socio-economic position for themselves.

“We look at sustainable business as investing in a better and more secure future, not only when it comes to our business results, but also the future of our staff, the environment and the community as a whole”, says Aleksandar Ružević, General Manager of Coca-Cola HBC Serbia .

Last year the company invested more than 38 million dinars and 500 volunteer hours in community development. Recognised for its outstanding results, Coca-Cola HBC Serbia won the 2016 Best Operation Award in the Coca-Cola HBC Group for the second time in a row. What is more, the Coca-Cola HBC Group was named world leader in sustainability among beverage manufacturers by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) for the third time.

MERCATA

Strengthened Partnership Mercata, one of the leading distributors of consumer goods in Serbia, has signed an exclusive six-year agreement on business cooperation with Japan Tobacco International (JTI). JTI is a member of the Japan Tobacco Group, one of the leading companies in the tobacco industry and the largest Japanese investor in Serbia.

This partnership enhances the position of Mercata in the domestic distribution market, both in tobacco products and in consumer goods, and strengthens a long-standing cooperation that stands for the quality and expertise of this distribution network. At the same time this agreement contributes to the future development of JTI’s operation in Serbia.

«BELGRADE EXCELSIOR» MERCURE

Renovation of Excelsior Hotel

“Our partnership with JTI is a new success for Mercata, a confirmation of high quality and successful business, and definitely a new incentive for us to build our network even more in the future, not only in Serbia, but in the entire region”, says Peter Jagodič, Mercata’s CEO.

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On 24th April the hotel group “Shine” signed 10 years hotel management contract with Orbis SA, part of French Accor Group with a renewal option for an additional 10 years to rebuilt the Excelsior in Belgrade.

The opening of the hotel under the management of Accor is set for September 1, entitled «Belgrade Excelsior» Mercure.

To Excelsior, Belgrade, one of the two hotels owed by the group in Serbia, according to the results of 2016, recorded a sales decline of 16.5%, and the Hyatt Regency Belgrade increased its sales by 5%.

The Shine group is the owner of “Great Britain” and manager of “King George” in the centre of Athens at Syntagma Square.

At a panel discussion organised by the venture fund ICT Hub Venture and Societe Generale Bank, businesspeople and successful domestic startup companies discussed opportunities for investment and cooperation with the startup community.

Director of ICT Hub Venture, Kosta Andrić, pointed out that the IT industry has for years been the fastest growing sector in Serbia and today counts more than 200 companies employing over 6,000 people.

“We need to create a comprehensive and stimulating ecosystem in the country - both for investors and for innovators”, said Rade Vujović, General Manager of Roaming Solutions Group.

“Societe Generale Bank has created Synchro, a unique package of products and services for the IT sector; a package that saves time and money, and solves users’ key life issues through short-term and long-term loans”, said Pierre Boscq, member of the Executive Board of Societe Generale Bank.

PRIORITIES “Western Balkans’ approximation to the EU will be one of the two priorities in the period to come.

This is a matter of strategic interest to the EU and a finalisation of the idea of a united continent.”

DONATION

— FEDERICA MOGHERINI, EU foreign policy and security chief

China Donates Military Equipment To Serbian Army The Serbian Army received military equipment worth around €900,000 donated by China.

A total of 16 rubber boats with outboard engines, five snowmobiles and 10 portable devices for detecting explosives and narcotics were donated to the Serbian army at the military barracks in Pancevo.

Attending the ceremony were Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Defense Minister Zoran Djordjevic and Chinese ambassador to Serbia Li Manchang, as well as army officials, officers and soldiers.

Placements & postings appointments@aim.rs

▪ H.E. CHRISTOPHE LECOURTIER, NEW AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF FRANCE TO THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

H.E. Christophe Lecourtier assumed his position as Ambassador of France to Australia in July 2014. Prior to arriving in Canberra, he was the CEO of Ubifrance (French Agency for International Business Development), before which he served as Chief of staff and Special Advisor to Christine Lagarde. Ambassador Lecourtier has developed a long career working for the French Ministry of Economy, Finances and Industry, where he was an advisor in charge of international economic relations.

He has extensive experience in the field of international economic relations, having served as Chief of staff of the Minister for Trade and the Minister for Economy, Finances and Industry. Ambassador Lecourtier has also held the position of First Assistant Secretary in charge of Continental Asia at the Division of External Economic Relations of the French Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry, as well as serving in the Prime Minister’s office, responsible for External Relations of the EU. Ambassador Christophe Lecourtier is a graduate of the National School of Administration and the Ecole Normale Supérieure, and holds a degree in political studies. He has received the Legion of Honour and The National Order of Merit, both in the rank of Knight.

▪ MILOŠ BOJANIĆ, New member of the Piraeus Bank Executive Board The Executive Board of Piraeus Bank A.D. (JSC) Beograd has appointed Business Banking Division Director Miloš Bojanić as its latest member.

Born in Belgrade in 1973, Mr Bojanić holds B.Sc. degree from Belgrade University’s Faculty of Economics. At Piraeus Bank A.D. Beograd he is responsible for the development of the corporate sales network, business development strategies for the Business Banking Division, managing the client acquisition process and maintaining the existing key client portfolio, strategic development, implementation and coordination of the Division’s actions.

Mr Bojanić has been employed with Piraeus Bank A.D. Beogard since February 2017, but has amassed more than 16 years of work experience in the banking industry, having held more than 10 managerial positions in reputable banks such as Raiffeisen, Unicredit and Vojvođanska.

Djordjevic said it was not the first time that China had donated to the Serbian army as “they were here during floods, and always when our people needed it”.

YUGOIMPORT-SDPR

Serbian, US Companies Team Up To Produce New Aircraft Stavatti Aerospace, Yugoimport-SDPR have struck a deal to develop and produce a new single-engine civilian airplane. The aircraft will bemanufacturedattheUTVAAIplantinPancevo and sold commercially around the world, the company said. According to Yugoimport-SDPR, Stavatti will handle marketing and sales of a new aircraft, primarily in US market.

The deal was preceded by the signing of the Agreement on Strategic Partnership and Long-Term Business and Technical Cooperation in April this year between Stavatti, YugoimportSDPR and UTVA from Pančevo.

Source: Tanjug

▪ MILOŠ BRUSIN,

New Chairman of the Telenor Banka Executive Board

Miloš Brusin, until recently financial and risk management director at Telenor Banka, has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Telenor Bank Executive Board, effective as of 1st June.

A graduate of the Belgrade University Faculty of Economics, Miloš has vast experience in the banking industry, acquired in managerial positions covering the areas of risk and retail operations.

Mr Brusin started developing his career 13 years ago at Findomestic Bank. He has built up his professional experience through various roles, performing tasks in the areas of risk management, system support management and operations with retail clients – collections of receivables and payment card operations. He joined the Telenor Banka team in 2016, as a member of the executive board and director of finance and risk management.

▪ MILA MARČETA, New Director and GM of TeleSign, Serbia TeleSign has appointed Mila Marceta as Director and GM of its Serbian operations. Marceta comes to TeleSign from Euronet USA, where she served as Director of Customer Support EMEA. She also served four years on Frost & Sullivan’s Advisory Board for Customer Contact Europe, Executive Mindxchange.

Her 20 years of management experience and strong background in operations, project management, product development management and technical delivery are expected to raise TeleSign’s industry leadership position locally and globally. TeleSign’s Serbian office employs 160 highly educated IT, sales and marketing professionals.

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CORPORATE LUKA ĐEDOVIĆ, HEAD OF PRIVATE BANKING, SOCIETE GENERALE SRBIJA

Good Market For Private Banking We believe that Serbia is a good market for the development of private banking, due to several positive factors … the population is highly educated and has a good understanding of financial instruments. In our opinion, the economy will continue recovering and will grow in the future as well, so our view is that we are able to offer products and services that are adequate and supportive of this forecast

S

ociete Generale is recognised in private banking worldwide as an expert bank with products and solutions that are very well accepted. For private banking it is very important to understand the local market and the needs of our clients. We believe that Serbia is a good market for the development of private banking, due to several positive factors. We have a population that is highly educated and has a good understanding of financial instruments. Also, we see very good prospects for Serbia given the economic growth of the past period. Moreover, in our opinion the economy will keep recovering and will grow in the future as well, so our view is that we are able to offer products and services that are adequate and supportive for this forecast, says Luka Đedović, Head of Private Banking at Societe Generale Srbija.

■ Supported by the expertise of Societe Generale Private Banking, Societe Generale Srbija, a subsidiary of the Societe Generale Group, has expanded its private banking offer for top-tier clients. What are the results so far?

- In partnership and with the support of Societe Generale Group’s Private Banking globally, last year we decided to increase the level of service that we 32 |

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offer our private banking clients by introducing the expertise that our bank has in this segment on the global level. We launched the new set-up at the end of September last year by introducing a new service for our Clients, which is the Investment Advisory service, providing advice concerning investments in securities on foreign markets, such as stocks and bonds.

Given that this concept and approach was launched relatively recently, the initial results show that there is a high level of interest in this type of service and offer.

Serbia and in other countries) mainly represent entrepreneurs (company owners), top managers of large companies, as well as people that inherited their assets. As for the concrete services we offer our clients, besides daily banking services, we introduced the Investment Advisory service with the main aim of advising our clients on how to invest their assets. These are clients who already know that they want to invest, and our task is to find the most adequate solution for their investment.

■ What are the main differences between private banking and investment banking?

■ Who are typical private banking clients?

- There are certain differences between pri- Typical private banking clients (both in vate banking and investment banking.

In private banking we work with wealthy clients who have certain assets and our main job is to protect those assets. Private banking usually consists of three different segments – the first refers to advice and recommendations concerning investment products. The clients know that they want to invest and the Bank’s role is to advise them concerning the most adequate products in which they can invest their assets. The second segment is execution. In this segment clients have their projects and know where they want to invest, while the Typical private banking clients Bank is there to ensure the best possible execution, meaning the best quality of (both in Serbia and in other service for their request. countries) mainly represent The third segment is wealth manageentrepreneurs (company ment, as well as projecting and planning owners), top managers of large what the clients will do with those assets in the future. For now, wealth managecompanies, as well as people ment and the managing of clients’ assets that inherited their assets is not available in our offer in Serbia. ■

CORPORATE DUŠICA GRBA, LAWYER, GRBA LAW OFFICE

Specialists In International Road And Goods Transport Grba law Office is a specialist in the field of international road transport of goods, and consultant to the association International Transport, whose members include some 900 transport companies

A

lthough Grba Law Office works exclusively with business law, clients can obtain support on all business issues in one place, and representation in civil business cases and disputes.

■ Ms Grba, you have an enviable number of clients, including many EU companies. What are the most common questions and dilemmas that you solve for businesspeople from highly developed countries?

- I can say with great pleasure that my office’s success in expanding its clientele is due to recommendations, especially for our approach to our work. We do our best to provide as good a service as possible, and to be available to clients at all hours with no limitations.

EU businesspeople are most often unsure about legal aspects of administration, but it seems to me that we solve all of their problems without ambiguity.

■ In providing legal representation for companies, what are the commonest legal processes they face?

- My office works exclusively with business law, and that covers advice in all aspects of the work, registration and

reorganisation of all forms of company, contract law, writing acts for legal entities, representation in civil business cases and disputes and before the courts, administrative bodies and inspection services. What really separates my office from its competitors is our specialisa-

In the business environment, I think that every company’s work is overloaded with internal administrative tasks, and that the legislating bodies do not follow sufficiently the speed at which business is developing tion in international road transport of goods, which is confirmed by the fact that I am a consultant to the association International Transport, whose members

are around 900 transport companies.

Our success is all the greater when you realise that Grba Law Office employs only women, and I’ll proudly tell you their names: lawyers Milica Topić, Slađana Pajić, Maja Delić, Marina Mlađenović, Nina Grba, Bogdanka Latas, Radica Bogunović and before long Nadja Grba.

■ One of the key issues that interest foreign investors in general is legislation and legal certainty. Since you deal with exactly this , how would you briefly describe “legal certainty” in Serbia?

- In the business environment, I think that every company’s work is overloaded with internal administrative tasks, and that the legislating bodies do not follow sufficiently the speed at which business is developing. Regulations are often in conflict with each other or, due to insufficient linguistic and conceptual precision, are left open to new interpretation or the interpretation of the courts, which leads to legal uncertainty and uneven application.

But the task of a lawyer is to follow the client and be their support in their operations, so my basic goal is for all my clients to feel secure and comfortable in terms of the assignments entrusted to me. ■ J U LY

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REGIONAL NEWS

CONDITION “The dialogue with Belgrade will be continued only if it recognises Kosovo’s independence.”— RAMUS

HARADINAJ, a former “Kosovo Liberation Army” commander and a candidate for new Kosovo PM

ALBANIA

BULGARIA

More Than Half Of Population Wish To Leave The Country

KBC Completes Acquisition Of United Bulgarian Bank And Interlease

At 56 per cent, more than half of Albania’s population is willing to leave the country for a better life elsewhere, according to a global survey, which places Albania second in the world for this indicator.

The desire to leave Albania has spiked dramatically in the past three years, according to the largest ever survey of its kind conducted by Gallup, which asked 586,000 people in 156 different countries around the world about their willingness to migrate. Between 2010 and 2012, the share of Albanians who wanted to emigrate was only 36 per cent, according to the survey, while in the next three years, 2013-2016, the share of the population wanting to leave Albania reached 56 per cent.

Albania’s current government, which took office in 2013, has come under fire from critics after more than 200,000 people left the country in the past four years.

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA

Former Giants Are Back To Life

The company TTU Energetik officially started with operation in late March with a total of 53 employees. Only three months later, the number of its employees will be doubled. To recall, TTU Energetik was created after the Elektroprivreda BiH and the Coal Mine Banovici jointly purchased a piece of property of the Factory of transportation

equipment (TTU) from Tuzla, the former giant that is currently in bankruptcy, for a total of 6 million BAM (€3 mln).

Since the beginning of its work, TTU Energetik signed two contracts that are worth €800,0001 and €2mln. With the first contract, they committed to make 24 gravel transporters for the needs of mines in Zenica, Breza and Kakanj, and with the second to make 16 belt transporters for mines in Zenica, Breza, and “Abid Lolic” from Nova Bila. The new model that was tried on TTU Energetik, in which the powerful state companies invest in pre-war giants, showed to be very good.

KBC Bank completed the acquisition of United Bulgarian Bank (UBB) and Interlease from the National Bank of Greece for a total consideration of €610 million, representing a 1.10x multiple of the 2016 Tangible Book Value of UBB and Interlease. The acquisition – which was announced end last year was approved by the relevant regulatory authorities and received anti-trust approval. KBC will use available funds to pay the acquisition price in cash. Together, UBB-CIBANK and DZI will become ROMANIA

E-commerce Could Double In Value Until 2020

The e-commerce market in Romania will exceed €2.5 billion this year and this figure could double until 2020. Out of the 28 members states of EU, Romania is on the last place on digitisation and the progress is rather slow. Romania had good growth perspectives in the following period due to the development measures of the communications infrastructure, but also growth in digital skills, as shown in the intermediary report on the digital sector from EU, published recently by the European Commission. Romania is part of the countries cluster with low performances, together with Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Poland, Cyprus, Hungary and Slovakia. On the other hand, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Netherlands are the most advanced digital economies from EU. Romania has the highest share of Internet subscriptions from EU and the mobile services on broadband is growing. Although Romanians use intensely the socialising network and video calls, they are reluctant regarding the online transactions, registering one of the lowest EU levels on online shopping and online banking services. Only 56 per cent of Romanians use internet on a regular basis.

HUNGARY

MONTENEGRO

Porto Montenegro’s New Luxury Residences To Open This Month PortoMontenegrohasannouncedthatitsluxury residences, the Regent Pool Club Development, will open this month. Located in the UNESCO-protected heritage site of Boka Bay, the residences will be made up of 62 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Its luxury residences, the Regent Pool Club Development, will open July 2017.

Porto Montenegro has described the apartments as “some of the most prestigious addresses on the Adriatic”, with views looking over Boka Bay, the Porto Montenegro Village, and the surrounding countryside and Vrmac Mountain range. Each apartment is equipped with a private balcony or terrace to make the most of the scenic surroundings. California-based architectural firm WATG took the lead on the design, drawing influences from the region’s 400-year history of Venetian rule, complementing the adjacent Italian Riviera-inspired 5-star Porto Montenegro Hotel.

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Hungary Joins The AIIB By presenting its accession documents and the transfer of its capital contribution on Friday, Hungary joined the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Ministry for National Economy announced, Economy Minister MIHÁLY VARGA according to reports.

Minister for National Economy Mihály Varga presented the accession documents to AIIB President Jin Liqun at the second annual meeting of the bank's board of governors in Jeju, Korea, according to Hungarian news agency MTI. The Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) adopted resolutions approving 13 applicants to join the bank, including Hungary, in March; the total number of members has now reached 70. AIIB is a multilateral development bank established with the intention to support the building of infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region.

NATO “Montenegro does not perceive NATO only as military alliance, but as an alliance of most progressive countries in the world.”

— DUŠKO MARKOVIĆ, Prime Minister of Montenegro

the reference in bankinsurance in Bulgaria, one of KBC’s core markets, boasting strong macroeconomic fundamentals while still offering potential for further penetration of financial services.

Following this acquisition, KBC will also become active in leasing, asset management and factoring in Bulgaria, offering its clients now a full range of financial services. The operational integration of the business entities will be gradually introduced in the coming months.

PEĐA PETRONIJEVIĆ, CEO AT GTC SRBIJA

Ada Mall – More Than Just A Shopping Centre

KOSOVO

Transport Increase In Durres Port

Kosovo businesses have increased their presence at the Durers maritime Port, by moving transit goods from this port. The Durres Port Authority said that 10% of their goods for the January-May period of this were transitory from or to Kosovo.

Around 18600 tonnes of zinc have come from Trepca towards western countries, while Kosovo have imported glass, melamine, cement, monocalcium phosphate, metal sheets, etc. Kosovo travelers and goods using Albanian ports have increased significantly during the past five years.

FYR MACEDONIA

Adient Opens New Plant

The American headquartered Tier-1 car seat manufacturer has opened a US$20 million plant in Macedonia mid last month.

Situated in the industrial zone of Strumica, close to the Greek and Bulgarian borders, the plant covers an area of 15,000 sq/m and is to employ 1,300 people.

Adient is a global leader in the production of automotive seating, instrument panels, cockpits, door panels, floor consoles, and overhead systems. In Macedonia it already operates two plants - in the capital Skopje and in Stip in eastern Macedonia.

A

da Mall will be the first latest generation shopping centre in Belgrade, with an address in Radnička Street.

■ Covering an area of over 34,000m2, it will not be a classical shopping centre. What will be the difference?

- The shape of the mall is derived from the shape of the lake. It follows the configuration of the terrain and will have a lot of verdure.

With a unique shopping experience, Ada Mall will offer brands that have not been seen in Serbia yet, while those brands already present in Serbia will be introduced in a new way. It will have five floors along with three levels of underground parking with about 1,000 parking places connected into one unit. Boutiques will be placed on the first three floors, while the other two will feature bars, restaurants and additional multipurpose facilities. We will have so-called “artisan” stands, like Mercato Centralle in Firenca, Mercado San Migel in Madrid or Eataly (NY, Milan …), as well as a few “fine dining” restaurants.

Ada Mall will also have the largest green area, compared to other shopping centres in Serbia. Our main goal is for Ada Mall to become a destination, not just a shopping centre.

■ Will the facility adhere to the procedures of so-called Green construction?

- Ada Mall is designed according to LEED Gold / Platinum standards and will be implemented accordingly. We will also use the latest materials and equipment that are in compliance with all domestic and international standards. We hope that our visitors will recognise this and see the difference when we open Ada Mall.

■ When can we expect Ada Mall to open?

- All works on the construction started in March, after the demolition and remediation of the terrain. In order to comply with the deadline, the first customers at Ada Mall, an invest. ■ J U LY

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FEATURE WESTERN BALKANS

Uncompetitive Markets Pose A Problem The Western Balkan economies are small and therefore face a difficult trade-off between achieving economies of scale and providing the necessary competition on domestic markets, it was concluded in the yearly overview and country assessments of 2017 Economic Reform Programmes of the Western Balkan countries and Turkey, issued by the European Commission

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he countries have submitted their annual Economic Reform Programmes for the period 20172019, after which they have been assessed by the EC and the European Central Bank and joint conclusions were agreed and adopted.

It is noticed that the Western Balkan countries are benefiting from the global economic growth, as well from the EU’s economic recovery since the EU is their main trading partner. As it is stated in the EC overview, all Western Balkan countries expect to improve their economic performance for the period of 2017-2019, comparing to the previous two-year period.

However, projected growth acceleration faces certain risks. In Albania and Montenegro, these projected investments to a great extent rely on foreign investments, in Bosnia-Herzegovina they depend on expected improvements in the business sector, in Macedonia on political stability, while in Serbia they are determined on the continuation of reforms.

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on research and development, as well as a weak performance of the labour market.

ALBANIA Albania’s GDP growth is projected to strengthen to more than 4% in 2018, and the main driver of growth will be foreign direct investment planned in the energy sector. On the positive aspect, Albania has also started to implement reforms in the business sector.

However, the main challenges will be high public debt, which exceeds 70% of GDP, inefficiencies in the energy sector and low quality of education at all levels, since the education outcomes do not meet labour market needs.

Albania planned certain economic reform measures which focus on the energy, transport and telecommunications markets, in order to improve competitiveness in these areas. But the main obstacles to achieving this include the lack of efficient rail transport and inefficient capacity of maritime infrastructure.

Several obstacles are noted in other sectors, such as the agricultural sector, whose main challenge is the low level of investment, which is also the issue of the tourism sector.

In order to boost the economy of the country, there is a need for funding increase and better strategy for research and development (R&D).

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA GDP growth is expected to reach 4% by 2019, due to investments, which could lead to rising employment and low inflation.

However, considering the labour market, it is said that the market remains one of the most challenging in the region. High unemployment rates are among young people (60%) and women.

Implementation of necessary reforms in economic sector has been delayed because of the political tensions, which reduced the access to available international financing.

The major issue for competitiveness is the fact that BiH does not represent a single economic space with a unified approach to enterprise policy. One of the causes for this is the oversized and inefficient public sector.

The country has an outdated and poorly maintained infrastructure, altogether with the weak regulatory and legal framework this country has the lowest investment rates in the region.

It is noted that the country lacks the energy strategy and legal framework, which results in limited opportunities for growth in this sector.

It is stated that BiH’s business environment was ranked worse than that of any other European country in the World Bank Doing Business 2017 report.

Like in other countries of the region, R&D potential remains low.

KOSOVO As for Kosovo, its economic growth is strong and this trend will continue in the following period, although the business sector is troubled by the large informal economy, as well to the fact that Kosovo is not fully integrated into the global economy, due to the border obstacles to export.

The key challenge for competitiveness is a very large informal economy (39% of GDP), which causes the reduction of public revenue collection as well as the worker’s rights.

The energy market also faces with a lack of competitiveness, and does not work based on the free market principles.

Widespread poverty in the rural areas are preventing the growth in the agricultural sector, but the measures on investments should be beneficial for the growth of productivity.

It is stated that the weak rule of law, poor access to finance, informality and low administrative capacities are the major challenges for the business sector.

It is noted that the main problems for competitiveness and growth are an unpredictable business environment with a frequent changing regulatory framework, with no systematic law enforcement.

There are some obstacles to social inclusion and equality, due to high rates of poverty and material deprivation.

MONTENEGRO Large investment projects are the cause of a gradual economic growth driven by large investment projects in the energy and tourism sectors. However, public debt remains high.

It is noted that the good progress was made in opening the energy market,

could assume high investment needs.

It is noted that the improvement of R&D sector is needed for further development of the industry sector.

In order to attract a steady flow of foreign direct investments, Montenegro needs to continue making efforts to strengthen the rule of law, reduce the formal sector and tackle the corruption, which continues to be a severe problem.

SERBIA In the two-year period, Serbia’s economic growth is expected to stabilise, since in 2016 the economy expanded by 2.8% faster than expected. Also, inflation is expected to increase moderately.

It is taken into account that economy’s structure has changed over the several years, but in order to sustain this growth, Serbia needs to improve the business environment and to upgrade infrastructure. The economy is also influenced by developments in the EU, as the Union is the main export market and source of the most of the foreign investment flows.

The main challenges are unreformed public sector, which has an impact on the budget and economy, low business environment improvement and structural deficit across the educaSome of the challenges the tional system, with the addition of a Western Balkans are facing are very high informal economy. However, an uncompetitive market, low the reforms of inspections and the tax public and private spending on administration are aimed at reducing research and development, as the informal economy.

There is a high level of government well as a weak performance of spending, and with its structure, it is the labour market still unable to support the growth.

MACEDONIA On the other hand, the public administraimproving the financial and non-financial Resolving the political crisis and restorsupport for business, but also in the eduing investor confidence would be the main tion reform has made a progress, and it is aim for Macedonia since the continued said that the government debt is on a downcational sector by modernising school proeconomic expansion depends on resolving grammes, which is still an ongoing process. ward path for the first time since 2008. these challenges. What is worrying is that The labour market is characterised by The major obstacle for economic develthe public debt has more than doubled high youth unemployment, due to the opment and regional integration are low since 2008 and with the high unemployoversupply of outdated professions and levels of physical infrastructure, which are insufficient practical learning, and as well important for the connectivity agenda of ment rate (especially among women, youth the low participation of women. Although the Berlin process. and low-skilled remains) economic growth the supply of the labour force remains a Regarding the R&D sector, the cooperin the country is under a question. factor which is constraining growth, there However, Macedonia proposed some ation between public and private sector is a shortage of workers in key sectors, such measures for energy, transport and is weak. as construction and tourism. telecom markets, which focus on buildWhat is worrying is the fact that the There is also a need for better regional level of income inequality is higher than in ing transport infrastructure capacity and connectivity and infrastructure, due to all EU countries. ■ it could have benefits for the sustainable country’s difficult topography, which economic development.

Source: European Western Balkans J U LY

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WORLD NEWS

AFRICA “The past few years have shown us just how major the geopolitical risks associated with economic development are. This is especially true when it comes to Africa: It holds a key position in the global economy, both because of its potential and because of the risks it harbors.”— WOLFGANG SCHÄUBLE, GERMAN FINANCE MINISTER

FINLAND

TURKEY

Nokia Cuts 170 Jobs In Finland

Türk Telekom Tops Leading Brand List

Nokia has concluded consultative negotiations with its staff and announced its decision to shed roughly 170 jobs in Finland.

The network equipment manufacturer confirmed that three-quarters of the cuts will be made across its business divisions and support functions in Espoo and the remaining onequarter in Oulu and Tampere – the majority by the end of 2017.

The personnel cuts are part of the synergy and transformation programme launched by the network equipment maker in April, 2016, following its acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent. The programme is expected to continue until the end of next year and ultimately generate annual cost savings of €1.2 billion.

According to the London-based Brand Finance valuation consultancy’s list of top 100 Turkish brands for the year, the integrated telecommunications service provider topped the list with a brand value worth more than $2.6 billion.

The leading communication company’s value was up 11 per cent in 2017 compared to last year.

Türk Telekom was followed by another Turkish communications company, Turkcell, with a brand value of $1.96 billion, representing a rise of 37 per cent during the same period.

“In order to succeed in this market environment, we must continue to streamline our cost structure and increase our efficiency,” Tommi Uitto, the country director for Nokia Networks Finland, explained in May.

SANTANDER CHAIRWOMAN ANA BOTIN SPAIN

Santander To Buy Banco Popular For €1 Popular has come into trouble due to mounting risky property loans Santander Bank is to buy struggling rival Banco Popular for a nominal one euro after it was determined by European authorities that the bank is on the verge of insolvency.

Santander – Spain’s biggest bank – will ask investors for around €7 billion of fresh capital to cover the cost of boosting Popular.

Popular has come into trouble due to mounting risky property loans worth billions of euros.

The rescue is the first use of an EU regime to deal with failing banks, which was adopted after the 2008 financial crisis.

Instead using taxpayers’ money to save the bank, the method imposes steep losses on shareholders and some creditors.

The move has been described as ‘unexpected’.

The brand value of Turkish Airlines, which topped last year’s survey, slipped 22 per cent to $1.92 billion, putting the flagship Turkish carrier third.

Akbank ($1.58 billion), a Turkish lender owned by the Sabancı Group, and Garanti Bank ($1.55 billion), one of the leading lenders in the Turkish market which is partly owned by Spanish lender BBVA, placed fourth and fifth, respectively.

UK

FRANCE

Jaguar Land Rover Opens Classic Car Works

Croissants Under Threat!

Jaguar Land Rover has thrown open the doors of its new £7m plant which is home to legendary cars from the marque’s long history.

As well as housing company’s own collection of cars, the “Classic Works” site in Coventry also sells veteran vehicles and offers vehicle restoration using traditional skills.

More than 500 landmark JLR cars reside at the purpose-built 16,000 sq/m facility, in what the company describes as a “living assembly of British motoring history”.

These vehicles - ranging from the first Defenders and Land Rovers to early sports cars such as the D- and E-Type - are also used as reference pieces for restoration work carried out on privately owned JLR cars by more than 80 specialist technicians and engineers in the plant’s 54 workshop bays.

As well as using traditional techniques to restore these cars to their former glory, staff have access to the latest cuttingedge technology, such as 3D scanning and computer-aided design, which allows the re-tooling and reintroduction of parts such as Jaguar E-type and Range Rover Classic panels.

Croissants, the crispy, crescent-shaped breakfast bread cherished by the French, could soon become too expensive to produce, the country’s bakers warned.

The price of butter has risen by an eyepopping 92 per cent in the year to May, with industry chiefs saying bakers are facing an “unsustainable” economic deficit by making croissants.

The rise in the price of butter is blamed on falling milk yields in Europe, and especially in France, coupled with rising demand in both domestic and international markets.

The industry representatives said supermarkets, cafes and restaurants would

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EUROPE “The vacuum that would be created [by the U.S. dropping out of the Paris agreement] has to be filled, and Europe has aspirations for a natural leadership in this whole process.” — JEAN-CLAUDE JUNCKER,

European Commission President RUSSIA

GEORGIA

Gazprom: Nord Stream 2 Pipeline Meets EU Norms

Georgia Earns $55m By Exporting Wine

ALEXANDER MEDVEDEV

The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline construction project meets all requirements of European laws, said Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Gazprom Alexander Medvedev.

“It is particularly strange that the European Commission is requesting a mandate for negotiations from the European Union’s member-states regarding the Nord Stream 2 project,” the top manager said. “Furthermore, we are already working in regulated conditions in full scope in the EU territory and the onshore segment of this project is implemented in strict compliance with all capacity expansion norms,” he said.

The Nord Stream 2 pipeline is expected to come into service at the end of 2019. The pipeline is set to run from the Russian coast along the Baltic Sea bed to the German shore. Each of the pipeline’s two stretches will have a capacity of 27.5 bln cubic metres. The new pipeline will double the capacity of the first stretch and will basically follow its route.

Swiss Nord Stream 2 AG was established for the planning, construction and operation of the gas pipeline, which now belongs entirely to Gazprom.

Georgia exported 24.75 million bottles of wine to 41 countries from January to May 2017, adding $55.52 million to the economy.Revenue increased by 58 per cent from the same period in 2016, while the volume of exports increased by 64 per cent, said the Georgian National Wine Agency, according to agenda.ge.

The top five countries that imported Georgian wine in January-May 2017 were: Russia – 14,820,976 bottles; China – 3,234,144; Ukraine – 2,364,112; Kazakhstan – 1,048,195; and Poland – 978,360 bottles.

Wine exports also increased to the European Union and other traditional export markets for Georgia.

Simultaneously, Georgia exported 5,521,594 bottles of Georgian brandy to 17 countries in the first five months of 2017. This was a 66 per cent increase year-on-year, generated $13.3 million from the sale of brandy abroad.

In total, Georgia has sold $100.8 million worth of alcoholic beverages in January-May 2017, including wine, brandy, chacha and others.

CHINA

SOHO China’s New Property Unveiled

SOHO China Ltd, a leading commercial real estate developer in Beijing and Shanghai, launched its newest commercial complex in the city’s western Changning District.

With a total gross floor area of around 170,000 square metres, SOHO Tianshan Plaza, adjacent to the Loushanguan Road station of Metro Line 2, consists of some 74,000 square metres’ Grade A offices as well as 17,000 square metres’ high-end retail and hotel spaces.

The development also houses nearly 1,000 SOHO 3Q work stations that are scheduled to hit the market next month. A co-working space brand launched by the developer in early 2015, SOHO 3Q projects in Beijing and Shanghai will total 19 by the end of July with combined capacity exceeding 16,000 work stations, the company said.

POLAND

Poland Plans To Invest €15.5bln On Infrastructure

have to “quickly” and “significantly” increase prices to keep pace with the sharply climbing cost of butter – an ingredient that represents up to one-quarter of croissants, brioches and other pastries.

Polish state-owned railway operator PKP PLK plans to sign deals for infrastructure modernisation worth PLN 67 billion (€15.5 bln) by 2019. The deals would be a part of the National Railway Program (KPK), which aims to upgrade Poland’s railway infrastructure by 2023.

So far, PKP PLK has signed deals worth over PLN 10 billion (€2.9bln) and plans to sign deals worth up to PLN 20 billion (€5.8bln) by the end of this year.

The company is even planning to sign deals that are not included in the KPK. “At the moment, we are executing feasibility studies for schemes worth about PLN 16 billion, which are not in the Program,” PKP PLK CEO Ireneusz Merchel said.

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CORPORATE

IEDC-Bled School Of Management “Upgrading your managerial skill set with the Advanced Management Programme in Belgrade”

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t has been eight years since the Advanced Management Programme was launched in Belgrade and since then more than 400 managers have attended the course, proving that IEDC-Bled School of Management was correct in identifying the ever-growing need of professionals and middle and top managers for up-to-date executive education.

According to Aleksandar Obradović, a participant in the first AMP programme back in 2009, who served as an Accounts Manager at Bambi-Banat: “I am very satisfied with the overall organisation of the programme, which combines so many different areas of management and can provide practical insights. I

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personally had the greatest benefit from the third module on Customers and Markets”.

Adapting to the trends and needs of practicing managers in the region, the topics covered within AMP modules have gradually changed to reflect challenging market requirements.

Dr Nenad Filipović, Director of Executive Education, who has been teaching within the AMP since its inception, confirms that: “The AMP programme proved that participants become more effective in their jobs as well as continue more easily with their personal development in the future. It’s in fact a course that is fine-tuned to the needs of managers from Southeast Europe, delivered in compact,

modular form over a three-month period. Last but not least, it’s in Belgrade and that allows many to save time on travel”.

The Advanced Management Programme is a highly international programme: not only is a world-renowned international faculty lecturing on the course, but participants to date have come from 16 countries, from as far away as the Netherlands and Latvia, providing an environment for expanding business networks and opportunities.

The next AMP modules start in October 2017 and places are filling up fast. Inquire about the application procedure and programme details at www.iedc.si/amp. ■

FEATURE BUSINESS

B y N I C K I S M A I L , I N F O R M AT I O N A G E

The ‘Financial Web’ The Fintech revolution is happening right now, led by London as one of the most innovative cities, and it is important for small businesses to capitalise on this

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he sector is being driven by new nies may also connect to each other creaton the web right now. There are over 5.4 ing a web of interconnected platforms. technology, cost reductions and million small businesses in the UK alone, Within the Financial Web, direct bank changing consumer behaviour, making up over 99% of businesses and feeds are incorporated from traditional and small business customemploying 60% of all private sector emers now have a choice of which financial ployment in the UK according to the FSB. banks, payments are automated and services institutions they have a banking They are often as nimble as the fintech it’s made easier for banks and business relationship with startups aiming to serve them, demandfinance providers to lend. ing different things from the services they The last few years have been nothing But why is this so revolutionary for use and forcing change, which has given short of revolutionary for the finance small business? Well, it is fundamentally way to the emergence of something we industry. Digitally focused finance comchanging the way that financial service pany start-ups are popping up left, providers interact with small businesses. The aim is to give small busiright and centre, attracting millions in The financial web is an nesses a choice of financial services investment and posing a real threat to ecosystem that has been and products that help them to run traditional services. created by ‘financial platform’ and grow their business.

They have swooped in and filled products such as cloud Ultimately, they should have easy the gaps that the banking sector has access to capital, so the financial web not been able to – from startups like accounting software removes the day-to-day problems challenger bank Tide to peer-to-peer company Xero, which enable that take small businesses away from money transfer service TransferWise, add-on products to connect to what they’re passionate about – runand MarketInvoice, which allows it through an open application ning their business. businesses to sell unpaid invoices to The sector is being driven by new provide working capital. programme interface (API) technology, cost reductions and The Fintech Revolution is happening are referring to as the ‘financial web’. changing consumer behaviour, and small right now and the banking sector is sitting Simply put, the financial web is an business customers now have a choice up and listening. London is still leading ecosystem that has been created by of which financial services institutions this innovation – in fact recent research ‘financial platform’ products such as they have a banking relationship with. has revealed that London’s Fintech sector cloud accounting software company The financial web is the peer-to-peer, is growing more than three times faster Xero, which enable add-on products to collaborative and route – which brings than that of Berlin, despite the decision to connect to it through an open applicawith it cost and time savings for busileave the European Union. tion programme interface (API). ness owners and lightning quick develAnd amid this fintech explosion, small opments in tech. ■ In turn, those add-on product compabusinesses are the biggest opportunity J U LY

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PROFILE

Do What You Love And Love What You Do! Yes, indeed! Since the very first steps in my professional life, I have adhered to this rule. Do What You Love, Love What You Do! In the meantime, I have learned that the only person I should compare myself with is ME – from yesterday, a week past or a year ago!

FILIP POPOVIĆ Director Customer Service, Central Europe , Avon Cosmetic Montenegro

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et me start from the very beginning .

My name is Filip. I am a 37-year-old Montenegrin who is currently a resident of 19 countries across the region of Central Europe.

Throughout my whole career I’ve believed in love and passion for the job I’m doing. I must say that there is no specific job from my past that I would say particularly “shaped me”, because I see no difference between selling chocolate, ice-cream, books or computer equipment, or working in customer service, leading a team… All I am today comes from my constant intention to compare myself with the me from yesterday. This is a way to measure progress in any segment of your life, personal or professional; by taking full ownership over your life and constantly comparing the person you are with the person you were.

Nothing more than that.

What makes me proud in my work today is my team and that I see us all growing together. Indeed, the most meaningful part of my job is developing and supporting my team.

A prize for any team leader is to recognise a team member growing with your support, while an even bigger prize is when a team member’s role overtakes the leader’s one in terms of importance. We all have our career paths, needs and wishes, and it’s impossible for the person leading the team to be the 42 |

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fastest, most competent and ambitious member. As such, it is a great pleasure for me to see all those qualities in my team members and their wish to go a step further and embrace personal growth opportunities.

Taking on a regional role, I started running business review meetings that were initially only intended to discuss KPI reports. Over time, I realised that we can do much more than one-way reporting, so I exerted efforts to make it more important to all of us. I believed that every team member could contribute with ideas and comments, learning which goes far beyond pure KPI measure-

All I am today comes from my constant intention to compare myself with me from yesterday. This is a way to measure progress in any segment of your life, personal or professional ment. The insights, assumptions, informal conclusions and experience they share are what opens the door to change and improvement. These business reviews are now an important milestone for us, in which we participate and contribute equally, learning and supporting each other. The Avon spirit and team energy make us all equal and makes this story different and better.

At Avon we follow our values of Belief Integrity Respect Trust and Humility.

Yes – we BELIEVE in each other. We create the highest ethical standards applicable for all – representatives, customers, but

also colleagues – following our INTEGRITY. We RESPECT each other and appreciate the uniqueness of every team member. We TRUST each other and create a completely safe environment where each of us can share our points of view, dilemmas, concerns, ideas.

And, finally, HUMILITY allows us to accept each other as just humans with the right to make mistakes, seek answers and have no fear of asking for help.

At Avon we are also very proud of the fact that we generally support women globally – not only to be beautiful, but also to be financially empowered and above all healthy.

We are a company that puts mascara on lashes and food on tables, fights wrinkles with one hand and breast cancer with the other. We know the value of a perfect lip, but also how to speak out against domestic violence and in favour of women’s financial independence.

Everyone who knows about Avon is also aware of how important the causes we fight are – the fight against breast cancer and domestic violence. We know that these two problems are major issues that impact on women worldwide. We have strong focus in this fight – to eradicate both breast cancer and domestic violence. This is long road, but we believe it can be travelled successfully. We have already reached an important milestone at the global level – having donated more than a billion dollars for these causes.

So, when I return to the road I’m very glad to be part of something bigger than myself, and such a powerful mission, especially knowing exactly where I started – as a sales rep in Montenegro back in 2005.

As long as Avon exists there will be room for everyone. 

FEATURE SHOES

The Future Of America's Shoe Obsession Is Male If current trends continue, men’s U.S. shoe sales will soon surpass women’s. At $26.2 billion in 2016 versus $29.9 billion for women’s footwear, men’s is closer in size to women’s than it’s ever been.

Women’s sales are shrinking as men’s continue to rise, in both revenue and number of pairs sold

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Behind the sales figures is ing, snowshoeing, whatever. They aren’t sneaker heads like Bediones still resort a cultural shift. As dress frivolous fashion; they’re serious gear! to the kids’ department to get the styles becomes more casual, For women, however, less formal footthey want. Women with larger feet buy wear means fewer purchases. If you’re habits are converging, men’s sneakers, so at least some of the sneaker shopping, you don’t have to buy with women buying more versatile styles growth in “men’s footwear” is actually several different pairs to find one that while men expand their shoe collections. sales to women. feels comfortable after more than a short Traditionally, men got more wear out of We less-determined shoppers simply stroll on the shoe department carpet. any given pair of shoes. “If you’re getting hold onto our money. After all, no one (Even retailers with generous return polia pair of desert boots or brogues, you can really needs dozens of pairs of shoes. We cies frown on scuffed soles.) Instead of wear those every day, all day, all year,” buy them because they move our imaginations -- with their beauty, their novelty, closets full of barely worn rejects, women says Andrew Luecke, a New York-based their comfort, or their associations. menswear writer and co-author of Shoes promise to transform us. That the new book “Cool: Style, Sound, and The rise of sneakers as promise is what makes them glamorSubversion.” all-occasion footwear is ous -- whether Manolo Blahniks or Air That’s changing, however. Instead encouraging men to build their Jordans. of picking up sandals in the spring wardrobes while depressing “They’re architectural,” observes and boots in the fall, women are buying shoes they can wear year-round, Luecke, who wore desert boots to his women’s sales such as ankle boots and sneakers book-release party. “There’s something really powerful and special in that. can build smaller wardrobes of shoes (trainers). Their purchase patterns now Plus they’re the one part of your outfit they actually wear. look more like men’s. That’s bad news for you really get to check out all day: I’m Women could in theory stock up on retailers who count on seasonal lines to wearing cool shoes. I feel cool. It’s transsneaker styles. But shoe companies don’t drive purchases. formative.” make it easy. “Why should women’s coMeanwhile, the rise of sneakers as alllour ranges be limited to pinks, purples, That feeling has driven many a puroccasion footwear is encouraging men to chase of beautiful, impractical stilettos. and pastels?” lamented sneaker lover build their wardrobes while depressing To recapture female customers, retailers Anna Bediones. I wonder the same thing women’s sales. “Men have the tendency need merchandise that offers the same whenever I venture into a sneaker store: to collect things,” observes Luecke. “Once sensation in less formal styles. As men Why are the styles I like only on the it was baseball cards. Now it’s sneakers. If already know, shoes don’t have to hurt men’s side? Why can’t women get goodyou’re collecting, you can’t have too many to be glamorous. They just have to make looking shoes? It’s role reversal. sneakers.” And if you’re not into sneakers, you feel special. ■ Although women’s offerings have you can buy shoes to go with your favorite Source: Bloomberg gotten a bit better in recent years, petite pastime -- camping, fishing, rock climbJ U LY

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Unique CHOIR

THE INTERNATIONAL BELGRADE SINGERS

B y M A JA V U K A D I N OV I Ć

Members of the International Belgrade Singers perform classical and modern music and jazz, with arrangements created especially for this choir, while they also perform in many languages

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he International Belgrade Singers (IBS) recently staged a and international organisations in Belgrade, as well as people from successful charity concert, entitled “The sound of spring”, in the international community and other choirs, and lovers of choral the new Donka Spicek Hall of the Childen’s Culture Centre singing, to join the IBS choir. From the very beginning the members in Belgrade. As the goal and philosophy of the Choir is “to of the choir came from more than ten countries, while the number of give back to the community in which we live”, all of their members varies from 30 to 50.” performances are of a humanitarian nature and donations are always earmarked for children. The funds raised during this concert will be VERSATILE PROGRAMME given to the Care Centre for High School Pupils and University Students.

Since September 2016 the Choir Conductor has been Katarina CorD took advantage of an opportunity to attened one of the choir’s Milošević, who is the choir’s veritable “Spiritus Movens”. A professional open rehearsals at the Embassy of Canada, just conductor who studied in Serbia and Austria, a few days prior to the concert. she says that “all choir members are connected The choir was founded In conversation with Frederic Leseur, presiwith foreign countries in some way. We have on the initiative of Betty pensioners, but also students. Love towards dent of the choir, we discovered that the IBS choir was founded in February 2012, under the Ann German, a Canadian music connects them”. Though it seems that the patronage of the Embassy of Canada in Serbia. choir is open to everyone, there is some kind of Embassy diplomat Then Ambassador H.E. Roman Waschuk and she adds. who invited members of audition, his wife, both excellent choral singers, actively The International Belgrade Singers usually international community only formally perform around twice a year, while sang in the choir until the end of 2014.

“The choir was founded on the initiative the programme is versatile. For the concert at and other choirs and of Betty Ann German, a Canadian Embassy the Childen’s Culture Centre of Belgrade they lovers of choral singing diplomat, and she led the choir for four years. sang in seven languages – English, Latin, old to join the IBS choir She invited members of the diplomatic corps Norwegian, French, Hebrew, Macedonian and 44 |

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Serbian. “We had five or six premiere performances, including the song “Zlatni dan”, arranged by Ilija Rajković, who also arranged the song “Zemlja” by Ekaterina velika (EKV) especially for our choir.”

Slađana Pavlović, who works at the EU Delegation to Serbia, has sang in the choir since its The International first day, when she was asked to join by Betty Belgrade Singers usually Ann German. She recalls that the choir’s first only formally perform ever public performance was at Kolarac Endowment Hall in 2012, in a concert dedicated around twice a year, to the 60th anniversary of the reign of Queen while the programme is Elizabeth II, while Pavlović states that the choir’s versatile. For the concert biggest achievement was the concert marking at the Childen’s Culture the centenary of World War I. “This choir has a repertoire like no other choir in Belgrade. I Centre of Belgrade like working with the conductor and enjoy the they sang in seven pleasant atmosphere at rehearsals”, says Pavlović.

LEARNING NEW LANGUAGES THROUGH MUSIC Dunja Savić joined the choir as pianistrehearsal coach in December 2016 and instantly fell in love with the atmosphere. “At the mo-

languages – English, Latin, old Norwegian, French, Hebrew, Macedonian and Serbian

KATARINA MILOŠEVIĆ, Conductor

CHOIR REHEARSAL

ment, the Hebrew song “Kala, kala” represents a challenge for me, as well as the French song “Ditrait on”, Savić says.

The choir’s youngest member, Teodora Putnik, lived in Norway, Vietnam and Canada before moving to Serbia. She joined after her mother saw information about the choir on Facebook. “I’ve learned many new songs singing in IBS. For instance, I didn’t know about the song “Zemlja” by EKV and my experience with the choir inspired me to listen to the original“.

Teodora points out that the choir’s members always receive explanations in English and Serbian about the songs they are going to perform.

They also practise pronunciation for every new song. That’s how foreigners can easily sing in Serbian and, truly, it’s not difficult to learn new languages through music. ■

DUNJA LAZIĆ, Pianist-accompanist

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FACES & PLACES

SEE MORE WWW.CORDMAGAZINE.COM 29.05.2017

Day Of Serbian Diplomacy Marked The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, led by Minister Ivica Dačić, celebrated Serbian Diplomacy Day on 29 th May with a ceremony at which the Minister hosted representatives of the diplomatic corps, ministers in the Government of Serbia and other prominent personalities from the country’s public and political life.

Speaking at the celebration of Serbian Diplomacy Day, Minister Dačić noted that Serbia will remain committed to continuing the negotiation process with the European Union, as well as the further development of good neighbourly relations and military neutrality.

29.05.2017

Republic Day, Azerbaijani National Day, Commemorated The Embassy of Azerbaijan in Belgrade, led by Ambassador H.E. Eldar Hasanov, organised a reception at Belgrade’s Hyatt Regency Hotel to mark the 99th anniversary of the proclamation creating the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan.

Ambassador Hasanov also noted during his welcome speech that Serbia and Azerbaijan are this year celebrating the 20th anniversary of the establishing of bilateral diplomatic relations.

The reception was attended by a large number of guests, including top Serbian officials and representatives of the diplomatic corps, religious communities, and cultural and public life.

01.06.2017

Australian-Serbian Chamber Established

H.E. ELDAR HASANOV

The Australian Embassy in Belgrade hosted a reception to mark the launch of activities in Serbia for the newly-founded Australian-Serbian Chamber Commerce, ASCC, which aims to familiarise local economic players and key interlocutors with the chamber’s mission, plans and work to date in both Australia and Serbia.

Attendees were addressed by H.E. Julia Feeney, Australian Ambassador to Serbia, who expressed the Embassy’s support for the forming chamber, highlight aspects of successful cooperation to date and wished the Chamber success in its further work.

“What Serbia can offer are high quality and competitive personnel and experience, while on the other side Australia can bring the modern technology and relevant processes that are successfully applied in our country,” said Igor Savić, Director of the Representative Office of the Australian-Serbian Chamber of Commerce in Serbia.

IGOR SAVIĆ (left), H.E. JULIA FEENEY and Air Serbia CEO DANE KONDIĆ

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02.06.2017

Italian National Day Commemorated

President ALEKSANDAR VUČIĆ and H.E. GIUSEPPE MANZO

GIUSEPPE MANZO

The Italian Embassy in Belgrade celebrated the Festa della Repubblica, Italy’s National Day and Republic Day, with a formal reception hosted by H.E. Giuseppe Manzo, Italy Ambassador to Serbia, who said that on this occasion great speeches are not required to demonstrate how close relates are between Italy and Serbia. He placed special emphasis on military cooperation, with a group of Serbian Army officers, in the presence of Defence Minister Zoran Đorđević, presented with diplomas for completing an Italian language course at the Italian Cultural Institute in Belgrade, The reception was attended

by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and National Assembly Speaker Maja Gojković, as well as cabinet members and representatives of the diplomatic corps, religious communities and public and cultural circles.

05.06.2017

100 Years Of Diplomatic Relations Between Serbia And Denmark A ceremony to mark the centenary of the establishing of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Kingdom of Denmark was held at Serbian Army House in Belgrade.

This occasion saw the officials in attendance addressed by Serbian Defence Minister Zoran Đorđević and Danish Embassy Chargé d’affaires Morten Hansen.

“I am proud of the fact that our cooperation in the area of defence is at the top of the priorities of the Ministry of Defence.

Denmark has directly invested more than two million euros for the reform of the defence system of Serbia,” said Minister Đorđević. Hansen also specifically emphasised cooperation in the defence field, in which an important capacity building project has been carried out under “excellent cooperation with the Serbian Defence Ministry”.

The Army House ceremony was attended by members of the Danish prince’s ensemble and the “Stanislav Binički” Art Ensemble of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia.

MORTEN HANSEN

ZORAN ĐORĐEVIĆ

06.06.2017

Swedish National Day And Centenary Of Diplomatic Relations Marked

H.E. JAN LUNDIN

H.E. LUNDIN and Mrs LUNDIN

Swedish Ambassador in Belgrade, H.E. Jan Lundin, organised a reception at the White Palace to commemorate the National Day of Sweden and the hundredth anniversary of the establishing of diplomatic relations between the two countries, at which more than 1,000 guests enjoyed a wonderful atmosphere.

Ambassador Lundin noted in his address that Sweden and Serbia have intensive cooperation and are successfully developing economic relations.

“The opening of Ikea in August is a significant chapter in Swedish-Serbian relations. This company will gradually employ plenty of workers in Serbia, as well as spreading it network of cooperation with other companies,” said Ambassador Linden.

The ambassador also used this occasion to present the publication “Swedish-Serbian 100”, which was published by CorD magazine, in cooperation with the Swedish Embassy in Belgrade, to commemorate the centenary of bilateral relations.

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FACES & PLACES

SEE MORE WWW.CORDMAGAZINE.COM 08.06.2017

Japanese Business Leader Visit Serbia A business delegation of Japan, comprising representatives of 18 world-renowned companies, visited Serbia Development Agency (RAS) in early June, where they were presented with the investment potentials of our country and held bilateral meetings with around 30 representatives of the Serbian economy.

The Japanese businesspeople represented companies: IIJ Europe Limited, Marubeni Corporation, Kajima Europe Limited, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, MUFG BANK (EUROPE) N.V. Vienna Branch, Mitsubishi Corporation SA, Nomura International, Mizuho Bank Europe N.V., Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, SRA Holdings, Software Research Associates Inc., ITOCHU Corporation, Yokogawa Europe, Sumitomo Electric, ASAHI GRROUP FOODS, Toyoda Gosei, Marubeni Europe, Marubeni Corporation, Harmony Corporation , Mitsubishi Corporation, Tsuchiya Austria and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.

08.06.2017

German Ambassador Holds Traditional Summer Reception German Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Axel Dittmann, hosted his traditional annual summer reception at the German ambassadorial residence for representatives of the Serbian and German business communities, Serbian officials, representatives of the diplomatic corps and individuals from the cultural and public life of Serbia.

AMBASSADOR DITTMANN, ANA In the presence of several hundred BRNABIĆ and Mrs DITTMANN guests and in a good atmosphere, with German culinary specialities, beer, good music and entertainment, Ambassador Dittmann invited guests to socialise instead of discussing political and economic; to enjoy sausages and beer and the nice weather in the residence’s garden.

“My wife told me not to talk about the weather. It is good that we didn’t organise the reception yesterday (due H.E AXEL DITTMANN to rain)”, joked Dittmann.

12.06.2017

180 Years Of Diplomatic Relations Between UK And Serbia Marked In Kragujevac The marking of the 180th anniversary of the establishing of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Serbia in Kragujevac began with a meeting with the Mayor, and paying respects to Elizabeth Ross, MD, and all other members of the British medical missions.

After that, an exhibition on the history of diplomatic relations between the two countries was opened in the Old Assembly in the presence of Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Ivica Dačić. After the opening, Minister Dačić, H.E. Denis Keefe, UK ambassador to Serbia, and historian Slobodan Marković discussed the history of British-Serbian relations. The afternoon continued to the sounds of great British music.

H.E. DENIS KEEFE and IVICA DAČIĆ

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On the occasion of the state holiday Russia Day, ambassador Alexander Chepurin held a reception at the Russian embassy.

“The state of Russia has reached the age of 1,155 years, and the Russian Federation 27”, said ambassador Chepurin.

“Russia’s goal is to ensure security and friendship with both east and west, an energetic economy, cultural and spiritual exchange and the prosperity of nations and peoples.”

Chepurin estimated that the Russian embassy had once again this year hosted the Serbian “elite”, adding that it was unimportant whether they represented the government or opposition, just as long as they are friendly towards Russia.

The celebrations were attended by Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić, speaker of the Serbian parliament Maja Gojković, Minister of Mining and Energy Zorana Mihajlović, Labour Minister Aleksandar Vulin, Minister of Justice Nela Kuburović, Minister of Energy Aleksandar Antić, Minister of Culture Vladan Vukosavljević, ALEKSANDAR VUČIĆ with Mrs members of the diplomatic corps and and H.E CHEPURIN representatives of political and public life.

14.06.2017

Russian National Day Celebrated

15.06.2017

Queen Elisabeth's Birthday And 180 Years Of Diplomatic Relations British ambassador to Serbia Denis Keefe held a reception at his residence celebrating Queen Elisabeth II’s 91st birthday, which coincides with the 180th anniversary of the establishing of diplomatic relations between Great Britain and the Republic of Serbia.

“Diplomatic relations between Serbia and Great Britain have lasted since 1837, when the first British diplomat submitted his letter of accreditation to the then Knjaz. This was even before Serbia had established full sovereignty, which demonstrates the deep and lasting friendship between our countries, which will continue in future”, said the ambassador.

The celebration was attended by many guests from public life, the diplomatic corps, religious leaders and people from the world of culture.

Mrs MARKOTIĆ, MARK HARRISON, Mrs SCOTT and H.E. JULIA FEENEY 20.06.2017

Celebrating Feast Day Of The Order’s Patron Saint, St. John The Baptist The traditional feast day of the Order’s patron saint, St. John the Baptist, was celebrated at the National Theatre in the Serbian capital, with the famous Opera “La Traviata” by Giuseppe Verdi, hosted by H.E. Alberto di Luca, Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta.

The enchanting notes of Verdi’s masterpiece were enjoyed by colleagues and friends of the Order at this event, which is the starting point of a new year full of work and activities inspired by the millennium-old Maltese “Polar Star”: Tuitio fidei et obsequium pauperum (protection of faith and service to the poor).

On this occasion the Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta combined timeless cultural and musical values with the eternal huH.E. ALBERTO DI LUCA, Ambassador of manitarian and charitable mission pursued by the Sovereign Order of Malta, and NENAD PROKIĆ, Serbian playwright the Order in Serbia and all over the world.

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FACES & PLACES

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21.06.17

Croatian Statehood And Armed Forces Days Commemorated The Croatian Embassy in Serbia has celebrated Croatian Statehood Day and Croatian Armed Forces Day at Belgrade’s Crown Plaza Hotel. The reception was hosted by H.E. Croatian Ambassador Gordan Markotić, while embassy staff ensured that this evening was a pleasant experience for the large number of guests in attendance from political, public and cultural life, as well as the highest representatives of the diplomatic corps.

26.06.17

Fifth Mathematical Grammar School Cup Officially Opened

H.E. GORDAN MARKOTIĆ

An official opening ceremony marked the start of the 2017 International Mathematical Grammar School Cup in Belgrade, a competitive event that this year includes 30 participating teams from 13 European countries. The Mathematical Grammar School Cup has been organised for the past five years, with the support of Piraeus Bank as the main event sponsor.

Warm welcomes and wishes for success in the competition, as well as for friendship between students, were offered to participants by Srđan Ognjanović, Director of the Mathematical Grammar School, Mladen Sarčević, Serbian Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development, and Miroslava Nešić Bikić, Piraeus Bank Corporate Communications Manager, who also had the honour of officially opening the Cup.

MLADEN ŠARČEVIĆ, Minister Of Education, Science and Technological Development 26.06.17

Slovenian Statehood Day Commemorated Statehood Day of the Republic of Slovenia and Slovenian Army Day were commemorated with a formal reception at Belgrade’s Metropol Palace Hotel, at which numerous officials were greeted by Slovenian Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Vladimir Gasparič.

Opening the event, Ambassador Gasparič addressed the guests in attendance, using the opportunity to emphasise that in the period ahead Slovenia will continue to maintain and develop good relations with Serbia.

This celebratory reception was attended by more than two hundred officials, including representatives of the political scene and diplomatic corps, church dignitaries and a H.E. VLADIMIR GASPARIČ welcomed guests in large number of guests from the public and Slovenian national costume cultural life of Serbia.

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MIROSLAVA NEŠIĆ BIKIĆ, Piraeus Bank Corporate Communications Manager

Belgium Sharing Responsibilities Geared Towards The Future

INTERVIEW

H.E. LEO D’AES, BELGIAN AMBASSADOR TO SERBIA

Leaving The Door Open Western Balkan countries which genuinely want to belong to the EU, and share and defend its basic values and political objectives, are being offered ample opportunities for implementing such a policy. The statement by German Foreign Minister, Sigmar Gabriel, on a “Berlin Process reloaded” is only the latest example of the willingness of the EU and member states to continue extending a helping hand to those committed to the EU project – Leo D’Aes

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he Belgian Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Leo D’Aes, insists that the challenges confronting the European Union, at the internal and the global levels, have not brought an end to the idea of expansion to the countries of the Western Balkans. Testifying to this, he says in this interview for CorD Magazine, are not only the recent announcements of the highest European officials, but also the concrete financial support of €100 million that Serbia received in early June from the EU pre-accession funds. Ambassador D’Aes advises that Serbia continue with

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reforms, particularly in the area of the rule of law and establishing a business climate that would guarantee predictability and stability of investments for potential investor companies.

• Your Excellency, you recently told students of the Faculty of Political Sciences in Belgrade that Serbia can become an EU member when it fulfils all conditions in the process. However, one gets the impression that EU enlargement is becoming ever less important on the European agenda due to the internal situation within the Union.

BELGIUM SHARING RESPONSIBILITIES GEARED TOWARDS THE FUTURE

On what basis do you claim that the Balkans is an EU priority?

- I will answer this question by recalling a clear statement made by the European Council on 9th March: “In light of the internal and external challenges that the region is facing, the European Council discussed the fragile situation in the Western Balkans, which it will keep under review. It stresses the importance of continuing on the reform path, good neighbourly relations and inclusive regional cooperation initiatives. It reaffirmed its unequivocal support for the European perspective of the Western

RELATIONS

DIVORCE

CERTAINTY

Our bilateral relations are coloured by the accession process, in which we are committed to progress.

It’s a partnership with shared responsibilities geared towards the future, so I cherish it and try to contribute to it

The EU and Britain are faced with the unpleasant task of divorcing. Let us deal with this in a way that respects both sides’ interests

Any businessperson rightly demands legal certainty at all levels (state, local) and in all fields (technical, taxes, permits etc.)

Balkans. Welcoming the progress made by the countries of the region, the European Council stresses that the EU remains committed and engaged at all levels to support them in conducting EU-orientated reforms and projects”.

This statement followed a visit, the week before, of HR Mogherini to the region, and was followed by the participation, one week later, of Commissioner Hahn in the WB6 meeting in Sarajevo.

And, as you know, another high-level meeting of the WB6 was called by HR Mogherini on 24th May. Commissioner Hahn was here again on 8th June to participate in the EU-Western Balkans Investment Climate Forum. These are just the most recent examples of the continued, sustained and active interest of the EU in the Balkans.

• At the recent celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the EU there was almost no mention of enlargement, while the “white paper” of Jean-Claude Juncker on the future of the Union until 2025 does not mention expansion at all, but rather only five EU consolidation scenarios. What kind of message does that send to candidate countries?

- Western Balkan countries that genuinely want to belong in the EU, and which share and defend its basic values and political objectives, are being offered ample opportunities to implement such a policy. The statement by German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel on 31st May, on a “Berlin process reloaded”, is only the latest (and strongest) example of the willingness of the EU and/or member states to continue extending a helping hand to those committed to the EU project. Making an attractive economic area of the WB6 is a concrete project and, in my opinion, sends a very

positive message to the region. It implies, of course, mutual responsibilities.

Other opportunities for substantial and

Western Balkan countries that genuinely want to belong in the EU, and which share and defend its basic values and political objectives, are being offered ample opportunities to implement such a policy lasting reforms in all sectors related to the EU acquis abound, with substantial EU help available. For instance: as recently as 7th June, Serbian European

Affairs Minister Joksimović signed an agreement in Brussels, together with Commissioner Hahn, on a package worth nearly €100 million to boost Serbia’s economic competitiveness, infrastructure and judicial system.

• Belgian Finance Minister Johan Van Overtveldt said that the EU as we know was destroyed by Brexit. He considered it would now be best to reorganise the Union in such a way that member countries form a strong alliance around key issues – security, migration and trade – rather than dealing with “trivia policies” that increase discontent among citizens across the continent. Is that “Europe in multiple circles”, and how would decisions on enlargement be made in such an alliance?

- The position of the Benelux countries is clear: the EU needs to focus increasingly on its core priorities, doing what member states alone cannot deliver to their citizens. Moreover, different paths of integration and enhanced cooperation could provide for effective responses to challenges that affect member states in different ways. That means, simply, that in our view the EU must continue moving forward, effectively responding to global challenges (i.e. the broad field of security), preferably in unison, or else in a core group, on specific issues, if need be. Evaluating and deciding the readiness of candidates to join such a dynamic EU will, of course, require broad consensus.

• Speaking about Brexit, Belgium seems to favour reaching an agreement with the UK as soon as possible and not prolonging negotiations. Given that some are of the opinion that the EU should not make concessions in negotiations, because that would send

SHARING RESPONSIBILITIES GEARED TOWARDS THE FUTURE BELGIUM

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a bad signal to other states, which option do you think will prevail?

- The EU and Britain are faced with the unpleasant task of divorcing.

Let us deal with this in a way that respects both sides’ interests: those of Britain wishing to cancel its obligations of membership, those of the EU wishing to keep intact the rights and obligations of the EU member states which signed up to the Treaties. In other words, it is quite clear that abandoning obligations of membership implies losing the advantages of that membership.

forts to gradually approach the grand EU acquis. As a founding member, we are not only in favour of the principle of strict and fair conditionality, we are always open to discuss with the accession team the best ways to make progress, in any field, in any chapter. There are many informal consultations like that in Brussels, at all levels, with Serbian representatives to the EU, and in which we (like all member states) aim to increase understanding and facilitate progress for those working hard to join us.

And, of course, as a contributing member state, we help “in practical terms”, i.e. financially, through everything the EU does here in terms of pre-accession assistance.

• Belgian media are reporting increases in the number of Brits seeking Belgian citizenship, especially among those who live in Belgium for work reasons. How will the government deal with such requests?

- Any British citizen applying for Belgian citizenship will need to comply with the current legislation on Belgian nationality.

• When it comes to Serbia, you recently advised Serbian government not to wait for the EU to become ready for enlargement, but rather to continue with reforms. Do you believe this process can be just as effective without clear prospects of joining the EU? - Yes and no. Yes, because a number of reforms are necessary as such, with or without joining the EU. No, because joining the EU is a privilege to which one can rightly and proudly look forward, as a healthy motivation. So, it’s a combination of what needs to be done anyway, with an inspiring commitment to become the member of a political project that has successfully entered its 61st year.

• In which areas do you consider reforms as being the most needed?

- The areas are quite well known: macroeconomic stability and fiscal consolidation, attainable and attractive incen-

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The position of the Benelux countries is clear: the EU needs to focus increasingly on its core priorities, doing what member states alone cannot deliver to their citizens tives for SMEs to invest, the rule of law in the broad sense, the many practical steps to take to open up the WB6-area and making it a true regional market at the micro-level.

• Belgium has repeated several times that Serbia can count on its help and support in the process of membership negotiations. What does that help look like in practical terms?

- We very closely monitor Serbia’s ef-

BELGIUM SHARING RESPONSIBILITIES GEARED TOWARDS THE FUTURE

• How would you evaluate bilateral relations between Belgium and Serbia?

- Our bilateral relations are coloured by the accession process, in which we are committed to progress. It’s a partnership with shared responsibilities geared towards the future, so I cherish it and try to contribute to it. In the meantime, we cooperate actively and substantially, for instance in the wide area of justice and police investigations and in the ever-ongoing fight against organised crime. As you know, our economic relations are modest, but with Serbia’s efforts aimed at improving the business climate come an enhanced interest from Belgian companies.

• The interior ministers of Belgium and Serbia signed an agreement on police cooperation a few months ago, aimed at ensuring more efficient cooperation in the fight against terrorism and organised crime. How is that agreement implemented?

- The recently signed police cooperation agreement is especially important in the rapid exchange of information on all matters related to organised crime. It

contributes to making daily operational relations, which, as you know, are quite intense, even smoother.

• On the same occasion, Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon stated that around 200 Belgian nationals are active on the battlefields of Iraq and Syria. At the same time, other data suggest that several hundred Belgian citizens have contacts with radical groups, some of which are responsible for terrorist attacks in Belgium and throughout Europe. How is the government dealing with this problem?

- The CT (counter terrorism) activities are of course very much part of the wide network of cooperation within the EU, and between the EU and its Balkan partners.

Key fora like the EU-Western Balkans Ministerial meetings on Justice and Home Affairs, or the Western Balkan Counter-Terrorism Initiative (WBCTI) help us and other

EU Member states to manage, to the extent possible, the threat. No state can do it alone. With every day passing the practical

We very closely monitor Serbia’s efforts to gradually approach the grand EU acquis. As a founding member, we are not only in favour of the principle of strict and fair conditionality, we are always open to discuss with the accession team the best ways to make progress, in any field, in any chapter cooperation with our many partners in this very demanding task of CT is increasing.

• To what extent is Serbia interesting for Belgian investors today and where do you see possible obstacles to their greater engagement in Serbia?

- With fiscal consolidation taking root, and with initiatives for promoting SMEs increasing and being sustained, there is gradually increasing interest in establishing partnerships here in Serbia, either as a production unit for export or for grasping opportunities of the local market. Hesitations spring from the real or perceived lack of a level playing field, making the investment riskier than it could be elsewhere. Any businessperson rightly demands legal certainty at all levels (state, local) and in all fields (technical, taxes, permits etc.). To the extent that this kind of certainty and confidence increase, Serbia’s vast economic potential will equally attract more Belgian interest. ■

About company Blockx doo is a company from Serbia, who in 2002 founded the Belgian company Louis Blockx NV from Arendonk. We continue 95 year-old tradition of our Founder in the production of containers, polypropylene fabrics and PP-Big bags.

track the movement of material in order to respect the principle of traceability.

We belong to the largest European manufacturers of these products.

-processing PP granules and production of PP tapes, fabrics and loops of different dimensions, -Production Big bags of FIBC (Flexible InterOur imperatives are quality, reliability, re- mediate Bulk Containers) and Container liner spected deadlines, satisfied customers, but bags of all types and for all purposes.

SHARING RESPONSIBILITIES GEARED TOWARDS THE FUTURE BELGIUM | 5

The whole production process is complete and takes place in one location so you can easily

We started manufacturing with used machines.

Starting 2006 we completely replaced extruders and weaving machines with the latest generation of the same, so now we have electronically controlled production process with a laboratory that monitors the entire production process.

do not forget our employees from which we require continuous improvement and dedication to the job and in return provide a steady and interesting work with the possibility of constant improvement, taking care of their health and safety.

INTERVIEW

MARIJANA MILOŠEVIĆ TUFEGDŽIĆ, ECONOMIC COUNSELLOR AT THE BELGIAN EMBASSY

A Satisfied Investor Is The Best Ambassador Serbia has taken courageous steps to tackle different economic challenges, like reducing the deficit and boosting investment.

Progress on EU accession also undoubtedly offers foreign companies reassurances that the business environment will be even more predictable, and increases interest among foreign partners. This is even more important for businesspeople than statistics and figures

B

ilateral relations between Belgium and Serbia are good and friendly, especially when it comes to cooperation between armies, police and prosecution services. Businesspeople from the two countries have met several times in recent years, including twice this year, with two more meetings planned by the end of the year. However, the total trade exchange could be much better. Economic cooperation between Belgium and Serbia is very good and is gradually expanding every year, says Marijana Milošević Tufegdžić, Economic Counsellor at the Belgian Embassy.

• Where do you see room for the improvement of this cooperation?

- There are around 50 Belgian companies currently active in Serbia, represented in various sectors. Overall foreign trade between the two countries is increasing steadily every year, making Serbia more attractive as a partner for Belgian entrepreneurs. Of course, there is always room for improvement. Belgium is at the leading edge of a whole series of sectors.

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Some of the most important sectors of the Belgian economy include biotechnology, the environment, the automotive sector,

Belgian companies operating in Serbia are generally satisfied with their activities and investments. Some of them are even very active in promoting Serbia as an interesting business development destination pharmaceuticals, the agri-food sector, ICT, transport and logistics etc. With its relatively small domestic market, Belgium has developed an open, internationally-orientated economy heavily dependent on foreign trade. Our office in Serbia represents the three Belgian regional agencies specialised in foreign trade - Brussels Invest & Export (http://invest-export.brussels), Wallonia

BELGIUM SHARING RESPONSIBILITIES GEARED TOWARDS THE FUTURE

Foreign Trade and Investment Agency (www. awex.be) and Flanders Investment and Trade (www.flandersinvetsmentnadtrade. com). We are supporting Belgian companies on a daily basis by providing them with a variety of information regarding the Serbian market - general information (statistics, information on sectors and industries etc.), information on the potential of local markets. Our goal is to raise the attention of Belgian businesspeople regarding the Serbian market’s advantages.

• The bilateral trade exchange in 2016 totalled €564 million, with the balance favouring the Belgian side. Apart from raspberries and cars, what else can Serbia offer the demanding Belgian market?

- It is true that the raspberries, or Serbia’s “red gold”, are one of the most exported products from Serbia to Belgium. Nevertheless, Serbia has great potential in various other areas - sectors like metal processing, industrial machinery, agri-food, energy, the environment and ICT offer numerous opportunities for various types

of cooperation between the two countries, as well as possibilities for transfers of knowhow and technology.

• More than 50 companies with Belgian capital currently operate in various sectors in Serbia.

How satisfied are they with conditions for doing business; and to what extent do their objections differ from those of the majority of foreign investors?

- In general, the difficulties and challenges faced by the Belgian business community present in Serbia don’t differ from the problems of the majority of foreign investors.

Belgian companies are generally satisfied with their activities and investments in Serbia; some are even very active in promoting Serbia as an interesting business development destination among other Belgian companies. During recent years the legislative framework has noticeably improved with regard to the general economic environment. Serbia has taken courageous steps to tackle different economic challenges, like reducing the deficit and boosting investment. Also, progress on EU accession undoubtedly offers foreign companies reassurances that the business environment will be even more predictable, and increases interest among foreign partners. This is even more important for businesspeople than statistics and figures. However, there are Belgian companies that have experienced some problems and unpleasant surprises with the regulatory framework when dealing with bureaucratic administration and red tape.

• Are there any Belgian investors current interested in investing in Serbia (and in which areas) or are they still most interested in selling finished products (such as machinery and industrial equipment, chemicals and textile products)?

- So far Belgian companies expressed their interest in the Serbian market in terms of investments in various industrial sectors - agriculture, the food industry,

ICT, metal processing, renewable energy, real-estate. Of course, positive experiences gained by investors who are already active in the country help to attract others, as a satisfied investor is a country’s best ambassador. It is important to work constantly on the Serbian marketplace’s positive image. At the moment, the real estate sector and various outsourcing possibilities in different industries remain in the main focus of potential Belgian investors.

Food and motor vehicles are currently the most exported products from Serbia to Belgium. In 2016, Serbia was Belgium’s 70th supplier, so there is certainly potential for growth • Belgium is a highly developed industrial country that imports raw materials and semi-finished products, and then exports finished products.

With this in mind, are there any finished products from Serbia that have a chance of appearing on the Belgian market?

- The Belgian market is indeed very demanding. As already mentioned, food and motor vehicles are currently the most exported products from Serbia to Belgium. In 2016, Serbia was Belgium’s 70th supplier, so there

is certainly potential for growth. The fact that the Serbian Chamber of Commerce has an office in Belgium is of great importance for reinforcing economic cooperation and supporting Serbian companies in their appearance on the Belgian market.

• In cooperation with Belgian producers, and with the use of their technologies, Serbian companies could emerge on markets with which Serbia has a privileged status. Do you see an opportunity to improve trade exchange figures in this segment?

- Serbia’s Free Trade Agreements are one of the advantages of the Serbian marketplace. They cover various markets and could also offer interesting business opportunities.

• Businesspeople from the two countries have met several times in recent years, including twice this year; with two more meetings expected by the end of the year. Do you have any feedback on how many of these meetings result in contracts signed or cooperation expanded?

- Every year there are various events organised in order to bring the business communities of the two countries closer together. The three regional agencies that we represent annually organise contact days and seminars in order to promote Serbia as an attractive business destination. This allows us to directly meet with Belgian entrepreneurs interested in doing business in Serbia and provide them with regular and timely information on opportunities, potential local partners, local legislation, tenders and fairs. Furthermore, our office regularly organises visits of Belgian business delegations to Serbia, with one delegation expected to visit Serbia in the first half of 2018. During these visits, through B2B meetings, we bring together potential business partners from the two countries. We are pleased that these business encounters often result in signed contracts. ▪

SHARING RESPONSIBILITIES GEARED TOWARDS THE FUTURE BELGIUM

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INTERVIEW

HUGO VAN VEGHEL, CHAIRMAN OF THE BELGIAN-SERBIAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

Creating New Prospects For Cooperation The Belgian-Serbian Business Association (BSBA) continues to support prospective investors and promote the country for business cooperation. Regular events organised by the BSBA provide our members with a platform for interacting and offer a variety of opportunities for networking, establishing new business contacts and new business opportunities

O

ur mission is to connect and point out opportunities for all who do business in Serbia and in/with Belgium.

Members also help to promote each other’s business. Networking happens at our friendly, meetings and events, both formal and informal. We see growing interest in the country’s business environment every year.

• The Belgian-Serbian Business Association (BSBA) was established precisely seven years ago. How much has the business climate in Serbia changed during that time?

- People in the street are certainly not as excited as I am, but I would simply say close your eyes and imagine the picture of that environment seven years ago and when you have it open your eyes again. Look around and you have to admit that a lot has changed for the better. We see more international brands operating in the country, between Belgrade and Novi Sad you can see along the highway new construction preparing for improved logistics. I see in that a good indicator for the results of change so far and confidence in further improvements in the future.

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• One of the biggest investments in Serbia actually came from Belgium when Delhaize bought Maxi for €932 million. How much did this acquisition impact on Belgian investors; did it increase their interest in Serbia?

Supporting SMEs is a cornerstone of the EU’s drive for growth and jobs. Since 99% of all EU companies are SMEs, accounting for 67% of jobs, it’s clear that what is good for small businesses is good for Europe’s economy - Companies like Delhaize, now Ahold Delhaize, act like ambassadors for business explorers. We hear that indeed when prospective Belgian investors visit Serbia. The Belgian direct impact in their staffing is now minimised, with its management now mainly composed of domestic staff. But there is

BELGIUM SHARING RESPONSIBILITIES GEARED TOWARDS THE FUTURE

not only Delhaize. Our METECH company in Smederevo has strong leadership under Mr Rutten, who doesn’t hesitate to invite business relations to visit Serbia, and BLOCKX in Backi Petrovac is not shy about promoting their investment in the country. During a visit of 17 Belgian real estate professionals last month, the presence of BESIX was seen as an important indicator for positive change.

• Do Serbian companies sufficiently take advantage of the retail chain provided by Delhaize, and what is lacking in order for Serbian products to be more present on the shelves of this international retail chain?

- Local companies were struggling, mainly with financial capacity, to reach agreement with retailers like Delhaize. It is up to the producers themselves to seek and use the right financial support instruments. It is noticeable that banks which employ more friendly SME practises take into account a larger number of qualitative factors and their final lending decisions rely more heavily on the assessments of the owner’s potential, vision, approach to business, experience, reputa-

tion etc. We are convinced that banks will in general adapt to a more SME-friendly stance.

You can see from marketing campaigns that Delhaize (Maxi) is strongly promoting domestic products. I am sure that it was not easy for domestic producers, certainly at the beginning, to comply with the standards imposed by the retailer. I remember specifically that former Delta suppliers needed time to build up a new relationship of trust with Delhaize.

• You said on one occasion that supporting the development of SMEs was one of the BSBA’s goals. How developed is this sector in Serbia; can you compare it with the SME scene in Belgium?

- Supporting SMEs is a cornerstone of the EU’s drive for growth and jobs.

Since 99% of all EU companies are SMEs, accounting for 67% of jobs, it’s clear that what is good for small businesses is good for Europe’s economy.

In Belgium the forecast is that in 2017 SMEs will experience 4.2% growth in employment and 8.4% value added. For some time there has also been a trend to shift to micro enterprises (less employment per unit).

Serbian Economy Minister Goran Knežević said at a COSME event last May that Serbia and Europe draw their biggest potential and strength from small and medium-sized enterprises, which make up 98% of companies in Serbia and contribute with more than 50% of GDP. Compared to official figures from 2013, it means a slight fall back in the SME component, hence in its contribution to GDP. This trend should be stabilised and all efforts to promote SMEs as business entities, as well as support to enhance their efficiency. Fighting the grey economy should be a primary concern.

• When it comes to the comparative advantages of Serbia over other countries where investors can place their money, the “high-quality workforce” comes to the fore. Is this reason enough to attract new investors?

- In the conclusion of the last EU Western Balkans Investment Climate Forum it is stated

The competition abroad is also very hard and unless you are seeking to work far below normal wages it will not be easy to get work “Young people face particular difficulties in labour market access, fuelling their exodus and thus leading to the brain drain.” I believe that this is not completely correct. Access is difficult for too many, but mainly because they do not have the skills required by investors. The government is aware of that and started with support from Austria, Germany and Switzerland to introduce dual education

in order to integrate the needs of economic actors into the skills development of young people. Also smaller initiatives like the ADA financed SEED framework is developing LPE (Local Partnership for Employment), in cooperation with a Belgian consulting house in Serbia, which seeks cooperation between the public, private and civil sectors in improving the employment climate at the local level. Related to the exodus, I can say that more students in higher education see and use the opportunities for studying and gaining experience abroad. The best thing is that more of these students are realising that the best place to promote their knowledge and new skills is Serbia. Believe me, the competition abroad is also very hard, and unless you are seeking to work far below normal wages it will not be easy to get work. Most important to your question, however, is that investors see in the available workforce willingness to work, and that is certainly present and noticed in Serbia.

• What are your plans for the period ahead; what will the BSBA deal with?

- Apart from our regular activities at the BSBA and the promotion of the SME sector, we will continue to be actively involved in the Mixed Chambers Council of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce & Industry. In the current year we will have another series of working lunches for our members on current topics by relevant authorities on the chosen subject. One of these topics being planned is the reform in administrations, more specifically the issues of inspections and the mitigation of effects of the grey component of the economy. ▪

SHARING RESPONSIBILITIES GEARED TOWARDS THE FUTURE BELGIUM

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CORPORATE

CARMEUSE

Belgium Investor Develops Regional Mining The focus of Belgian company Carmeuse on our region is reflected in large investments and the introduction of new technologies

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armeuse is the world’s leading manufacturer of lime and lime-based products. With long-term plans, investments and new technologies, it encourages development of the key industries in the region. In addition, as a responsible employer, Carmeuse applies European standards and sets work safety and environmental protection as a priority for its operation.

“We are very satisfied with our current business and the strategic plan of the whole group is to invest in this region. First of all, we are talking about Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, where we have our production units. Lime production is very important for economic stability because it provides a key raw material, without which it is impossible to do business in other strategic industries, such as metallurgy, energy and construction industry, “said Darko Križan, County Coordinator Balkan, adding: “Thanks to constant investments, Carmeuse has been recognized as a long-term partner in improving the economy and economic development in the region.”

Since arriving in Serbia in 2013, Carmeuse has invested €9.6 mill. in the Jelen Do quarry, and continues to invest in streamlining this

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plant, modeled on the world’s state-of-the-art plants. New investment in the alternative fuels plant in the amount of €2.5 mill. is underway. A significant part of the funds is earmarked for introduction of new production technologies, which besides ensuring competitiveness and

Since arriving in Serbia in 2013, Carmeuse has invested €9.6 mill. in the Jelen Do quarry, and continues to invest in streamlining this plant, modeled on the world's state-of-the-art plants. New investment in the alternative fuels plant in the amount of €2.5 mill. is underway improving work efficiency and the quality of the end product, are the most environmentally advanced solutions.

Investments in the production capacities of mines and factories since the arrival of

BELGIUM SHARING RESPONSIBILITIES GEARED TOWARDS THE FUTURE

Carmeuse in BiH in Doboj 2007 have amounted to over €30 mill, and the company continues to invest. Last year in April, a new plant for fillers production at the Doboj factory was officially opened, which was the result of an investment between €2-3 mill.

A stable and reliable delivery system, products that comply with the highest European standards (ISO 9001 and ISO 14001), availability of large quantities of reserves and warranty, are the main reasons why Carmeuse is a successful and reliable partner of the economy. As the responsible employer, who employs more than 4,000 people globally, the company is continuously improving work safety through implementation of the safety procedures and education.

Carmeuse is the world leader in the production and processing of high quality limestone and dolomite into lime, as well as limestone and lime products for industrial and commercial customers, with more than 150 years of experience. One of the basic principles of Carmeuse business is cooperation with the local community - when starting a production at new locations, the company’s first concern is to adapt to the local environment. ▪

ABOUT BELGIUM

Crossroads Of Different Cultures Located in the heart of Western Europe, Belgium enjoys a key position in the European and international economy. As one of the six founding states of the European Union and home to many international organisations, Belgium has always been a prosperous marketplace, in business with countries from all over the world. Even though Belgium has a fairly recent history (founded in 1830), its colourful past and location at the crossroads of different cultures has shaped the cosmopolitan character it has today

Brussels, Capital Of Europe Brussels hosts the headquarters of the main EU institutions, and that has more to do with a lack of agreement than any political statement. When French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman made his declaration on 9th May 1950, he called for Europe to jointly control their coal and steel industries. Belgium, France, Germany, Luxemburg, Italy and the Netherlands agreed and signed the Treaty of Paris in 1951 that created the European Coal and Steel Community. A few years later, in March 1957, the Treaty of Rome created the European Economic Community and the European Community for Atomic Energy.

It was time for the new institutions to start operating; however, no consensus could be reached about which country should host the offices. An emergency meeting in 1958 in Paris concluded that the institutions would be chaired in turn by the ministers of each of the six Member States. Based on alphabetical order, Belgium went first.

It is due to the continuing inability of the Member States to decide which city should host the EU institutions that Belgium has become the permanent capital of the EU.

Education There are three different kinds of schools in Belgium, namely community schools, subsidized public schools, and subsidised free schools which are normally affiliated to the Catholic Church. Private home education is permissible too, and these numbers are rising slowly. Education is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 18. Following an almost universal period of voluntary pre-school, children enter primary school for a period of 6 years. There a curriculum based on reading, writing and basic mathematics encourages interest in a broader range of subjects too.

Secondary schooling unfolds through three phases. The 1st creates a solid general basis, while the 2nd and 3rd increase in specificity.

Overlaid across these are four different genres of schools, namely general secondary schools, technical secondary schools,

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BELGIUM SHARING RESPONSIBILITIES GEARED TOWARDS THE FUTURE

vocational secondary education schools, and art secondary education institutions. Over and above these, students with disabilities can follow special syllabi.

Vocational Education In Flemish-speaking Belgium, ongoing vocational education and training provides a good spread of opportunities for further and second-chance adult education. Policy is dynamic, and the system is accordingly under continuous reform.

Tertiary Education Belgium EducationAnybody with a qualifying secondary school diploma may enroll at any one of several universities, although additional entrance examinations are generally required by faculties of civil engineering, architecture, medical and dental sciences, nautical sciences and fine arts.

Languages in Belgium As one of the smaller countries in Europe, many visitors to Belgium are surprised to learn it has not one but three official languages: Dutch, French and German.

This is not just because variety is the spice of life - the country’s linguistic diversity stems from a series of related political and cultural conflicts that started many hundreds of years ago. It’s important to be aware of the sensitivities that surround language and how it changes depending on which part of the country you’re in.

Belgium is divided into two distinct regions - Flanders to the north (where Brussels is located) and Wallonia in the south. The Flemish speak Dutch, but do not consider themselves Dutch, and the Walloons speak French, but do not consider themselves French. There is also a small region of German-speaking Belgians on the German border.

The primary language in Belgium is Dutch, spoken by nearly 60% of the population.

It’s almost identical to that spoken across the border in the Netherlands but some differences in dialect have seen it colloquially called “Flemish”.

French is the second most popular language in Belgium, spoken by just over 30% of the population. Many Flemish people can also speak French as a second language.

Like the Dutch spoken in Flanders, Belgian French is mostly similar to that spoken in France but there are some small differences in vocabulary and pronunciation.

As a result of this split, many road signs and other notices around Belgium are written in both French and Dutch. German, while one of the three official languages, is much less prevalent and only spoken by less than 1% of the population.

In Brussels, the main language spoken is French, but like many capital cities these days it is multilingual, perhaps even more so, given it is the home of the EU and the high number of foreign officials and diplomats who live there. All public services and information are in both French and Dutch.

Côte d’Or Chocolate is one of the biggest industries in the world, and as it happens, some of the most famous chocolatiers are located in Belgium.

On 24th April 1883 Belgian Charles Neuhaus registered the Côte d’Or brand. A Belgian icon was born! The first Côte d’Or chocolate was made from cocoa beans from the Gold Coast, now Ghana, and given the familiar elephant logo. The first bar was created in 1911. The famous Côte d’Or packaging was also launched. From their beginnings, these chocolate bars have grown into an assortment comprising dozens of new products and flavours. Including the Mignonnette, Bouchée, Chokotoff, biscuit bars or the launch in 1990 of the Sensations range, the intensely

flavoured chocolate for connoisseurs, including Noir de Noir, Noir Intense and Noir Brut. All of these chocolate delights stem from Côte d’Or’s expertise and passion for the chocolate product. The reasons for its success are obvious: cutting-edge craftsmanship, faithfulness to a unique intense flavour and the original recipe (high cocoa content and impeccable, consistent quality of the beans) and a constant search for new ideas, with the accompanying successful product innovations. And last but not least: Mondelez International group’s respect for Belgian know-how has ensured that the quality of Côte d’Or chocolate is maintained and internationally renowned.

SHARING RESPONSIBILITIES GEARED TOWARDS THE FUTURE BELGIUM

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Belgian Beer Heritage In November 2016 the Belgian beer culture was inscribed

by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Making and appreciating beer is part of the living heritage of a range of communities throughout Belgium. It plays a role in daily life, as well as festive occasions. Almost 1,500 types of beer are produced in the country using different fermentation methods. Since the 1980s, craft beer has become especially popular. There are certain regions, which are known for their particular varieties while some Trappist communities have also been involved in beer production giving profits to charity.

In addition, beer is used for cooking including in the creation of products like beer-washed cheese and, as in the case of wine, can be paired with foods to compliment flavors. Several organisations of brewers exist who work with communities on a broad level to advocate responsible beer consumption.

Sustainable practice has also become part of the culture with recyclable packaging encouraged and new technologies to reduce water usage in production processes. Besides being transmitted in the home and social circles, knowledge and skills are also passed down by master brewers who run classes in breweries, specialised university courses that target those involved in the field and hospitality in general, public training programmes for entrepreneurs and small test breweries for amateur brewers.

35th Art Brussels: Contemporary Since 1968 Though it retains its youthful profile as a discovery fair, Art Brussels is one of Europe’s oldest and most established fairs, celebrating its 35th edition this year. Since its inception, Art Brussels has evolved into a must-see international contemporary art fair, and one of the top European art fairs.

For the second time, Art Brussels will take place in the beautiful Tour & Taxis landmark building, a turn of the 20th century customs house, situated in Brussels’ vibrant inner-city area and a location offering ideal viewing conditions for art. Collector attendance is strong with visitors notably from Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Scandinavia, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom as well as from countries further afield such as Australia, Turkey and the USA. As Belgium’s leading fair, Art Brussels continues to build on its profile and track record as one of “Europe’s foremost discovery fairs”, as stated in the New York Times. In this respect, 145 galleries are encouraged to play with the element of surprise by presenting either new work or undervalued historical work in the following sections: On top of the gallery proposals, Art Brussels brings an exclusive artistic project, a discursive programme of debates, talks, etc.

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BELGIUM SHARING RESPONSIBILITIES GEARED TOWARDS THE FUTURE

The Kingdom of Belgium The monarchy of Belgium is a constitutional, popular and hereditary monarchy whose incumbent is titled the King or Queen of the Belgians and serves as the country’s head of state. There have been seven Belgian monarchs since independence in 1830. The incumbent, Philippe, ascended to the throne on 21st July 2013, following the abdication of his father, King Albert II. In the political domain, the King’s action does not consist in exercising personal power without the cooperation of ministers. The King interacts with players in the political arena by asking questions, expressing opinions, making suggestions, warning and giving encouragement.

His perspective is that of continuity, long-term objectives, and major projects in which the country and the State must engage. The King exerts his influence through dialogue with all those involved in the political decision-making.

This enables the King to meet regularly with political leaders and representatives of a wide variety of sectors. These contacts, the content of which remains confidential, are a precious source of information for him and a means of allowing him to exert his influence.

The importance and impact of this political action by the King varies, depending on the circumstances and the pace of public life. It is and must remain constant. However there are times when the role of the King, while remaining covered by ministerial responsibility, is perceived much more clearly, such as when a government is being formed.

The Presidents of governments of the Regions and Communities take the oath before the King. He also grants audiences to members of government and parliament of the Regions and Communities.

QUEEN MATHILDE AND KING PHILIPPE OF BELGIUM

Ghent: Flying Under The Radar Ghent is a city that was made to be experienced. At almost every turn, there is something fantastic to see, explore, do or eat. It’s cultural, with it’s share of great museums, theatres, and art/design spaces. It’s historical, with castles, a fortress, centuries-old churches and beguinages to while away our day. And, it’s a foodie’s destination, known as much for it’s award winning restaurants as it is for it’s laid back approach to all things food and beer. And, it’s all built around canals and waterways.

Ghent is a city that is best experienced off the beaten path, allowing your mind (as much as your body) to wander in amongst the ancient build-

ings that merge and mingle with the new. To be jolted out of your gaze by the toot of a tram, because you realise you are actually standing in the middle of the street on a tram track. To breathe in the smells of the fresh seafood and sample the cheese at the Vrijdagmarkt, as you weave in and out amongst the locals picking up their produce, or eating frites for lunch.

Wherever you go, however you do it, Ghent is definitely one city you should not miss in favour of the bigger, well known ones. It makes you feel as though you’ve uncovered a gigantic secret, that’s been hidden forever.

It makes you feel special, as though you are the first one discovering it.

SHARING RESPONSIBILITIES GEARED TOWARDS THE FUTURE BELGIUM

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global.agfahealthcare.com beolaser.com

MY LIFE

By ŽIVKO BALJKAS

■ P h o t o ZO R A N P ET ROV I Ć a n d A RC H I V E

Citizens Always Get THE GOVERNMENT THEY DESERVE

ALEKSANDAR ŠAPIĆ

PRESIDENT OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF NEW BELGRADE

Aleksandar Šapić, one of the world’s best ever water polo players, ended his sporting career eight years ago and got involved in politics as a member of the Democratic Party, first as Deputy to Belgrade Mayor Dragan Đilas, then as Chairman of the Executive Board of the Democratic Party’s City of Belgrade Board, President of the DS City Board, and in 2012 he became President of the Municipality of New Belgrade

H

e resigned from all party functions in 2013 and formally left the party in 2016, winning the municipal elections on an independent ticket.

He recently announced his independent candidacy for the post of mayor of the City of Belgrade and will not agree to any trade or any other function, even a more lucrative

one, because he has three more years in office in New Belgrade and a lifelong mandate at the Budi Human Foundation, which he established.

■ You are among only a small number of our top water polo players that didn’t develop at Partizan. How did your sporting journey progress?

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- Through a combination of circumstances, the majority of players emerged through Partizan, but there were exceptions. Aleksandar Ćirić and I are from Red Star. We are the same generation. I lived in Pavilijoni, which was one of the first parts of New Belgrade to be built, and the Red Star water polo club was based at the “11th April” Sports Centre in Bežanijska Kosa, and I went there to train water polo in 1984 and was there until 1991, when the pool closed. Then I transferred to Partizan for two years, and even made my first team debut for Partizan, only to return to Red Star and then move on to Bečej, and it was there that I ended

ALEKSANDAR, aged five

■ You left the national water polo league in 2001. What were your experiences like in Italy and Russia?

- I first went to Italy, the country where the best water polo was then being played, and then to Russia, where I ended my career in 2009.

Although it could have lasted longer, I felt that the time had come when I was no longer ready for the kinds of sacrifices I’d be prepared to make throughout my whole career. I wanted to be fair and honest towards my sport, because I’d got everything in my life from that sport, which provided for children and the life of my family. I didn’t want to ignore that, to play with the experience, credibility and authority I had.

It was then that I stopped playing.

My career was the way it was, and those statistics cannot be deleted. Perhaps people don’t know that during my club career, from 95/96 at Bečej, When you are constantly part of the minority, when I first became the top scorer in the league, when your opinions are constantly opposed to until the end of my cathe opinion of the majority, they you shouldn’t reer, I was always the best disrupt their decisions, but rather you should leave scorer of the league in the party. I did that, while trying to ensure that which I played. That was 14 consecutive years – six parting of ways was dignified, without any seasons in Serbia, five in ugly words and attacks Italy and three in Russia.

my career in our club water polo in 2001. At Bečej I went from being a talented youngster to become a serious player, even recognised at the world level.

Playing in Bečej was perhaps also the most enjoyable part of my sporting career. I was in the country, but not far from home. That was the period when in seven years, from the age of 15 to 22, I went from being a boy to becoming a man, and also the period when we won everything there was to win. We were national champions six times in a row and also became the winners of the Champion’s Cup. We had a very good team, which under other conditions could have won more European titles. However, that was the period after the sanctions during which we’d been expelled from all world federations. We did not have a significant influence on European institutions and it was my generation that broke through the ice to return to the international scene.

■ You made your first division debut at the age of 14 and played for the senior national team at 18...

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- I played with the strongest early on. It’s not often the case that a 14-year-old child debuts for the first team, and at 17 and a half I got my first call to the A selection of the national team, and I went to the Olympic Games in Atlanta around twenty days after I turned 18. Those Olympics were really a huge experience for an 18-year-old. That was the first time I was with people I’d only previously watched on television, and then competitions went one after another. Already at the age of 19 years, in the 1996/97 season, I broke the record in our league, the Yugoslav record of 110 goals that was held by Boro Lazarević from the Jadran club in Herceg Novi, when I scored 140 goals.

■ Which of your successes is dearest to you?

- I don’t have a favourite success, because I approached all games equally. My favourite match was the upcoming one, and when it passed it was the past. So now I rarely speak about my sporting career. I won everything, all possible individual, club and national awards and medals. However, my generation failed to win Olympic gold.

■ When you abandoned the pool in 2009 you also left water polo behind, but why did you try to return by submitting your candidacy for the presidency of the Water Polo Association of Serbia?

-I got a call from the Association in 2013 to submit my candidacy, because they couldn’t find a president and because the Association and water polo were in a difficult situation, despite the great

results we had, and still have today. The worst is when the results are there, but the Association still doesn’t function. I said OK, but in those 15 days a second candidate emerged, a big fuss was made and a candidacy was submitted by Babić from SNS [the ruling Serbian Progressive Party]. OK, I said, I won’t feel more important or more serious. Most of them voted for him, so Babić became president and then left the function after a month, and nothing happened.

Unfortunately, the Water Polo Association is still in big trouble, primarily organisationally, but also financially, and I don’t think there’s a greater loss for a sport than when you have world results but you don’t have good organisation. But that’s a matter for people who have been there the last seven or eight years, and who took over responsibility and decided who would lead them, and I wouldn’t like to meddle in that anymore. I tried back then, they opted for someone else and I wish them lots of luck...

place normal conditions for the election, regardless of who is selected.

They elected a new president and I wish him the best of luck.

■ How do you explain that, despite the democratising of conditions for the election of the President of the Olympic Committee of Serbia, the race only had one candidate?

- We didn’t get a single candidate because of that. We got one candidate and anyone who doesn’t know why we got only one candidate is either naïve or stupid...

■ You replaced the swimming pool with the running track and a half-marathon career in the Belgrade Marathon, while you also announced your candidacy for the presidency of the Serbian Olympic Committee.

- I repackaged my training. I can’t go swimming, because that demands much more time and I really like running. I’ve ran the half-marathon seven times, and that’s a nice challenge because you run through the streets I will enter into the elections, as always, with of your own city and en■ You got involved in the idea of construction and not destruction. joy doing so. That’s the politics immediately benefit of your training. after ending your Very little time is needed to demolish something, I became interested playing career, inibut constructing something requires much, tially as a member of in the Olympic Commitmuch more tee, but then I realised the Democratic Party. that for eight years there Why did you relatively have been rules according to which even the current president couldn’t quickly leave that party and opt for an independent route? be selected. Vlade Divac is such a big name in sport that he doesn’t - I was a formal member of the Democratic Party from 2006, which I deserve to be appointed by someone illegitimately, and if you have joined because of Boris Tadić, but I wasn’t actively involved in politics to drag him through despite the rules, then it is the rules that are no until 9th November 2009, when I became a deputy to Mayor Dragan Đilas and entered the executive functions of the Democratic Party. good, and not Vlade Divac.

I first became Chairman of the Executive Board of the Democratic That apparently didn’t interest anyone for eight years. Then Party’s City Board, and after a few months I became president of the everything was stirred up and two months later they acknowledged City Board, so that was the beginning of my operational work. everything I’d said and changed the Statute. The basic principle of However, already by 2013 I had resigned from all positions in democracy is that you can choose and be chosen. I don’t see any the party, because I in no way wanted to disturb their peace of mind, reason why, if anyone can run for the post of national president, the and for another year and a half I participated in the work of the same principle cannot apply for a sporting institution. When I realised party. I didn’t want to jeopardise it in any way, and I formally left that this would again be “who is going with whom”, I withdrew my the party in 2014, because I had for months and years already been candidacy, because I got everything I have from sport and I will never part of the minority. When you are constantly part of the minority, participate in any “fight” within sporting organisations and institutions. The moment I saw that they were again preparing for division, when your opinions are constantly opposed to the opinion of the I said - it is enough for me that they changed the Statute and put in majority, they you shouldn’t disrupt their decisions, but rather J U LY

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you should leave the party. I did that, while trying to ensure that parting of ways was dignified, without any ugly words and attacks.

Even today I don’t attack anyone. I chose my own path.

■ What was the essence of your disagreement with the majority?

- That’s simple: I thought something needed to be done in one way, and they thought it should be another way. It’s not about one, two

what I do and how can find out everything. In any case, just like at all levels of government, so also in the case of local government, people always get the kind of government they deserve – good, bad, mediocre, but that is a mirror of the majority. I will accept whoever is at the helm of Belgrade, no matter what I might think about them, because I cannot cheer against my own city. I will enter into the elections, as always, with the idea of construction and not destruction. Very little time is needed to demolish something, but constructing something requires much, much more.

■ Well before you announced your candidacy for the position of mayor of Belgrade, you advocated for change to the electoral law with the idea of the mayor being elected directly...

- That was one of my reasons for leaving the Democratic Party. I asked why the mayor isn’t elected directly. They said it was better that way. I don’t think it is. They felt it was not good for the mayor and the assembly majority to be from different lists, and I thought that wasn’t a problem and that they can cooperate and control mutually. It is as though we forget that we are the representatives of people who placed their trust in us. If you and I have something personal against one another, if behind me and behind you stand 20,000 people, why do we think that they want us to fight? We have no right to that. We have come to do something.

A law on the direct elections of mayors is applied in many countries. mouths are full of The City of Belgrade is organised centrally, as is the Our Europe, democracy and whole of the country since the time of Slobodan developed society, and in 2007 we passed the Milošević. Every opposition since then has had a mouth full of decentralisation, but when they come law that we have today.

or three things. There was continuity to my disagreement with the decisions of the majority. I come from a sport where there is a hierto power they continue with centralisation archy and order, and ■ As president of the while I was part of that Municipality of New organisation I kept silent and only expressed that dissatisfaction Belgrade, what is your relationship like with the administration of the City of Belgrade? within the organisation. The moment I realised I don’t have the power - We in local government are absolutely limited. However, that has nothto change something, regardless of whether that was for the better ing to do with this City administration but rather with the law, which or for worse, I decided to leave and to implement my vision of local was adopted much earlier, and this administration just uses it to the politics, in which I was involved, in my own way. maximum. The City of Belgrade is organised centrally, as is the whole of the country since the time of Slobodan Milošević. Every opposition ■ The citizens of New Belgrade gave a good assessment of since then has had a mouth full of decentralisation, but when they come your way in the elections, and will Belgraders be able to find to power they continue with centralisation. This is done by the current out what you can offer them as a potential mayor, given that government, but was also done by the previous one. Today, the City as an independent candidate you will be up against the party of Belgrade is at the centre of everything - money and authority – but machinery of your rivals? people notice if, as the municipal president, you try to do something - I cannot know that. I seemingly have no chance, but practise has more, even though according to this system a municipal president shown that event that is possible. I didn’t have much of a chance in New wouldn’t have to do anything, and you wouldn’t be able to blame him.

Belgrade either, so I went from a man fighting to cross the minimum threshold to become the election winner. I really cannot know what ■ Is it correct that you are only interested in position of Belgraders will decide; I cannot even know if I will be able to reach mayor and nothing else? them. My reference is New Belgrade, and anyone who wants to know 70 |

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- At the moment, being a director of a public city enterprise, being a member of a Council or being a City Secretary means having a budget and authority at least 10 to 15 times higher than a municipal president. This represents huge potential for political trade-offs – including my own, if I crossed the threshold. However, I don’t want that. I said: I’ll either get a chance to be at the helm of Belgrade or nothing. I won’t accept any other function, even though they are much bigger than the one I hold today. I can’t be fairer than that.

Here, let others emerge with that kind of stance and I will respect that.

I’ve ever done in my life. Everything else is meaningless compared to that. I’m also certain I’ll never be able to leave this foundation, regardless of what job I’m doing tomorrow. I have no moral right to that, because there are 200 families that, due to us, have, if nothing else, at least hope... For as long as I am dealing with public life I will do everything I can to strengthen the foundation institutionally, so that if I am not in the position to do so tomorrow, it can carry the weight of its own great responsibility in society, because many people

■ When do you expect the election to be held and have you already prepared your list?

- Regular elections are due in April 2018 and I don’t know whether extraordinary ones will be called, but anything’s possible. The list is less important than the people who, if you gain the trust of citizens, you place in the position to do a job. Lists are only the protectors of the vote. That’s the reality. The lists should include people who will not cheat you, because a councillor doesn’t earn a substantial income and shouldn’t hold a senior function. You should state clearly who the people are in whom you will place the trust to take over important positions in the City of Belgrade. They must have value in the field in which they will work, and I think I have enough capable people placed their trust for that, while on the The “Be Human” Foundation is the biggest thing I’ve have in it. Many people come list will only be friends ever done in my life. Everything else is meaningless to us, not on a whim, and people who will not be “flyers” and who compared to that. I’m also certain I’ll never be able but to ask for help, and won’t sell me out. This to leave this foundation, regardless of what job I’m they don’t care what I do – whether I’m a is the only way until doing tomorrow. I have no moral right to that the Law is changed, municipal president, a coach or a businessand until the bearers man, but rather only that they and their child can receive help. of lists become the actually owners of mandates.

Because of that we will improve the foundation’s website and make it even better and easier to navigate, because that is the secret of ■ During your sporting career you won a lot of medals, but our success. Anyone who’s interested in what we do and how can you recently put them up for auction to raise funds for the find all data, every dinar invested, every SMS, and can monitor the “Budi Human” (Be Human) Foundation, which you established. entire flow of money. That will soon go automatically, from the How much are your medals worth? website of the bank to our site, so we are completely excluding - My medals are worth about €200,000. Only three have yet to be the human factor. ■ sold... I must say that the “Be Human” Foundation is the biggest thing

World’s Best Water Polo Player

Aleksandar Šapić was declared the world’s best water polo player (2005), came third in FINA’s vote for the best athlete in the 21st century (2010), was the best athlete of the Olympic Committee of Serbia (2004), Vojvodina Athlete of the Year (2000), and received the Order of Nemanja in the first degree (2001 and 2004), the October Award of Belgrade (2005), the National Sports Prize (2007), the May Award of the Sporting Association of Serbia (2008) etc.

He scored 981 goals for the Serbia national team (2,675 total goals scored) and was selected eight times in the dream teams of major competitions.

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FEATURE

MEDICAL CANNABIS: TRENDS IN EUROPE AND AROUND THE WORLD

Pros And Cons The legal cannabis industry is one of the fastest growing in the U.S. In 2016 alone, the industry brought in $6.9 billion – a 30 per cent increase over the previous year, according to Arcview Market Research

time will tell but, based on the ease at which cannabis clubs have sprouted up, and Spain’s liberal, permissive attitude toward the plant, many think that Spain will be the next to legalise cannabis.

R

ight now, about 700,000 people in the USA alone are arrested for cannabis violations every year. Lastly, officials realise that they can save billions of dollars that are wasted on the drug war should cannabis become legal.

What are the most likely countries to either outright legalise cannabis or allow for the legal use of medical applications? Well, it turns out there are several countries in the EU that are pushing for cannabis reform.

CZECH REPUBLIC Czech Republic has already passed a medical cannabis bill in 2013. In addition, they have broadly decriminalised possession. Czech citizens can legally grow up to 5 plants. Experts predict that full legalisation is just around the corner. It’s no coincidence that Prague is being called ‘New Amsterdam’.

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SPAIN Spain is also being called ‘New Amsterdam’. This is mostly due to the proliferation of legal, private cannabis clubs. Technically, it’s still illegal to manufacture and sell cannabis, although it’s a grey area legally speaking. The private cannabis clubs are so successful that soon, Spain may take the reins and totally legalise recreationally. Only

NETHERLANDS One cannot speak of ‘New Amsterdam’ without referring to ‘Old Amsterdam’. It is here where the enlightened people of this fascinating country have long ago accepted cannabis into their culture. The Amsterdam cannabis trade has been a huge success.

People from all over the world flock to this city to experience the cannabis culture first hand. So much so that government officials in Holland have attempted to cut back somewhat in an effort to slow down the proliferation of ‘coffee shops’.

Right now Dutch authorities, in an effort to appease unhappy nationals, have passed a law which has made it illegal for foreigners to buy cannabis unless they purchase a ‘weed pass’.

In Serbia possession is punishable by a fine or by imprisonment of up to three years. Sale and transport are punishable by imprisonment from three to twelve years.

Cultivation is punishable by imprisonment from six months to five years. Higher penalties for organised crime

GERMANY Not only does the German government subsidise organic foods so that everyone may eat healthy without being charged extortionate amounts of monet, they are now paying for sick people to access cannabis since 2017: Health Minister Hermann Groehe

said; “Our aim is that seriously ill people are treated in the best possible way.”

First the very sick, then the sick and then those who don’t want to get sick will be legally allowed cannabis. The German government will grow cannabis themselves at a secure location. They will join a growing number of European countries that have a medical cannabis program.

ITALY Italians have had it a bit harder than some other countries in the EU but finally things seem to be moving in a favourable direction. An Italian research group produced a study suggesting that legalising cannabis could boost Italy’s GDP by between 1.30 and 2.34 per cent.

In January, Italy officially decriminalised a number of minor crimes, the most important of which had to do with medical cannabis cultivation and cannabis research.

In the recent past, approved growers who violated the country’s strict regulations — even in minor ways — could be imprisoned or pay a hefty fine. This no longer will happen. Any violators will now receive only a minor fine, and no prison time.

SWITZERLAND Small amounts of cannabis have been decriminalised in Switzerland, allowing the growing and cultivating of up to four plants per person. Liberal and relaxed, there is little threat to recreational users but no plans to legalise in the near future.

SERBIA In Serbia possession is punishable by a fine or by imprisonment of up to three years. Sale and transport are punishable by imprisonment from three to twelve years. Cultivation is punishable by imprisonment from six months to five years. Higher penalties for organised crime.

RUSSIA Russia has the one of the world’s most intolerant drug policies, with no distinction between soft and hard drugs, and lengthy prison sentences for dealing and trafficking. Called a “dangerous gateway drug” by Russia’s Federal Drug Control Service, the authorities made it clear that there are no plans to legalise marijuana.

enue after Colorado and other states legalised cannabis.

INDIA The Times of India has gone on record supporting the idea of cannabis decriminalisation in the country. It’s already widely used in many religious ceremonies among the Hindu population, and its use is not enforced as stringently as many might suspect. Not only that, but wild cannabis grows in abundance in many states.

CHINA In 1985, the People’s Republic of China joined the Convention on Psychotropic Substances and identified marijuana as a dangerous narcotic drug, and illegal to possess or use it. The penalty for marijuana possession in China is disputed from various sources, but according to the Law on Public Security Administration Punishments, marijuana smokers shall be LEGAL CANNABIS INDUSTRY detained for 10 to 15 days and fined a maximum of $ 260.

Medical cannabis has been projected to become a $1 billion business in Canada by 2020. The legalisation of recreational use could push the industry into a $7 billion business by some estimates MEXICO Recently, two bills were introduced in Mexico City, one for decriminalisation and one allowing medical use of cannabis following a Supreme court ruling.

The Supreme Court’s Ruling leaves Mexico’s current drug laws untouched, which are among the most conservative and retaliatory in the world. However, it does pave the way toward total reform by allowing archaic laws to be removed and progressive legislation to be enacted.

Another interesting development is the predicable drop in drug cartel rev-

THE PHILIPPINES Even the new president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, signalled his support of the use of cannabis for medical purposes, possibly opening the door to significant new business opportunities in Asia.

He openly opposes recreational cannabis but is in favour of constructing a medical cannabis program.

CANADA Medical cannabis has been projected to become a $1 billion business in Canada by 2020. The legalisation of recreational use could push the industry into a $7 billion business by some estimates. Recently, a law was passed that allows licensed producers to grow and ship cannabis to medical patients anywhere in Canada, thus allowing store-to-door purchasing. ■ J U LY

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CHILL OUT CHINA

CHONGQING OVERPASSES

Photo/VCG

▶ Chongqing is a mountainous city in Southwest China, with many overpasses built to ease traffic pressure. It’s estimated that there were 215 overpasses in the city by the end of 2016. This year marks the 20th anniversary of it becoming the fourth municipality, after Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai.

The five-storey Huangjuewan Flyover structure, connecting more than 20 ramps, is the largest, most complicated, functional hub interchange in China’s southwest area. It has attracted widespread attention since its construction began in 2009.

The flyover, depicted as “the city’s blood vessel”, links roads in eight directions, including Guangyang Isle, Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, Grand Buddha Temple Bridge, Chaotianmen Bridge, Danzishi, Sigongli and the Tea Garden area.

E GY P T

ANCIENT EGYPTIANS SHARED GENES WITH EUROPEANS

RUSSIA

BEST PLACE TO LIVE IN RUSSIA ▶ Tyumen, a city in Siberia (2,000 km to the east of Moscow), ranks first in the fresh ranking of Russia’s best places to live, released by the Russian Reporter magazine in May 2017.

The research focused on cities with populations over 600,000.

The ranking is informed by the life quality statistics, and also by the results of a popular vote on the SuperJob job vacancy aggregator.

The authors decided against including Moscow and St. Petersburg, explaining that both cities have their budgets formed differently from elsewhere in Russia.

Tyumen is the capital city of an oil-rich region, meaning that the municipal budget is awash in cash. Russian Reporter notes however, that Tyumen was propelled to the top of the list thanks to the popular vote. The magazine also praises the city administration for the recent boost in Tyumen’s social and economic performance.

▶The first ever full-genome analysis of Ancient Egyptians shows they were more Turkish and European than African.

Scientists analysed ancient DNA from Egyptian mummies dating from 1400 BC to 400 AD and discovered they shared genes with people from the

Mediterranean. They found that ancient Egyptians were closely related to ancient populations in the Levant - now modern day Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Israel and Lebanon.

They were also genetically similar to Neolithic populations from the Anatolian Peninsula and Europe.

The groundbreaking study used recent advances in DNA sequencing techniques to undertake a closer examination of mummy genetics than ever before.

POLAND

ALUMINUM FOIL TRAIN IN POLAND ▶ Looking like something out of a long forgotten version of the future, Polish artist Piotr Janowski is the man behind the foil train.

Dubbed Get off (Łódź Fabryczna), Janowski especially designed this piece for the opening of the new train station. It is a reflection of the turbulent history of the city and its bright future. Piotr gained international fame last year when he covered his Florida home completely in aluminum foil. The windows, doors, walls, driveway, and even the palm trees were covered in glittering metal.

Piotr and his team of 14 assistant–students from the local academy of fine arts–covered the 13,5 metres long locomotive with approximately 360 square metres of Reynold’s heavy duty aluminum foil. The entire process took four days.

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SINGAPORE

WORLD’S LARGEST CAR VENDING MACHINE ▶ In December of last year, Singapore’s Autobahn Motors spared no expense in developing an engineering marvel to build World’s Largest Car Vending Machine. Gary Hong, the designer of the vending machine drew inspiration for the building after going toy shopping with his son. Car is selection via a custom app on an immersive touchscreen and within two minutes, your car appears from a 15-storey building. Among the vehicle choices are some of the most exotic and luxurious cars on Earth. The used car dealership offers Lamborghinis, Bentleys, Ferraris, and more. There is a 2016 Lamborghini Aventador, which can be yours for only $402,000, or Ferrari 512 with a around 15,000 kilometres on the speedometer, could be bought for only $598,900…Since opening in December, sales are up 30%.

N O R WA Y

GLADMAT FOOD FESTIVAL 2017 ▶ Gladmat is Scandinavia’s biggest food festival (19th - 22nd July) and has been a joining point and a resources centre in Norwegian food-rich region of Stavanger. It first appeared in the Matfylket Rogaland network, which saw the UAE

need to share some of what the region has to offer when it comes to food and culture. The professionals in food will fuse together with the amateurs, in both natural and exciting connections. Thits festival is one of the highlights in the summer season in Vågen, Stavanger, and attracts over 200,000 guests during the four days the festival takes place.

FRANCE

QUIETER, COOLER STREETS FOR PARIS ▶ Paris residents and visitors are often heard complaining about the noise from the city’s streets keeping them awake at night.

But there may be a solution on the horizon.

UK

UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE RECRUITS PROFESSOR OF LEGO

ROBOCOP JOINS DUBAI POLICE ▶ A robotic policeman which can help identify wanted criminals and collect evidence has joined Dubai’s police force and will patrol busy areas in the city, as part of a government programme aimed at replacing some human crime-fighters with machines.

If the “Robocop” experiment is successful, Dubai Police says it wants the unarmed robots to make up 25 per cent of its patrolling force by 2030.

Clad in the colours of the Dubai Police uniform, the life-size robot, which can shake hands and perform a military salute, is the lighter side of a government plan to use technology to improve services and security ahead of Dubai hosting Expo 2020.

▶ The University of Cambridge has recruited a Lego Professor of Play. The successful applicant, Professor Paul Ramchandani, will lead a team examining the importance of play in education globally. The Lego Foundation gave the university a €4,6 million grant to help found its centre for research on Play in Education, Development and Learning (Pedal) in 2015. Its research aims to ensure that “children are equipped with 21st century skills like problem-solving, team work and self-control”. The professor of play, who currently leads the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Research Unit at Imperial College, London, will be the head of the centre, and the grant will also help fund this post.

Part of Prof Ramchandani’s role will involve translating research into evidence for international and national bodies as they produce policy around children’s right to play.

The city is to test three new road surfaces that could cut noise from traffic by as much as 50 per cent.

And for those that suffer in the city in summer, the state-of-theart surfaces are also designed to reduce heat during hot periods.

The project, which will cost a total of €2.9m, will test road surfaces with “sound and thermal qualities and acceptable durability”, in an attempt to fight noise pollution as well as battle the effects of climate change. The surfaces are designed to refresh the air by retaining water. The tests will also trial the use of different colours in bouncing back the light from the sun which could cut down on heat.

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CULTURE CALENDAR

Igor Antić and Ulrike Kessel: Paradise of Cars 6 - Goethe Institute - 19:30

The artistic project “Paradise of Cars” by Igor Antić (1962, Novi Sad) and Ulrike Kessel (1962, Rottweil) emerged as a result of considerations regarding the deliberate or accidental corrections of cars in Germany. The intention to arrive as soon as possible in the “perfect future” conceals technical shortcomings, the fixing of which sometimes yields surprising results. Antić’s video “Concert for a silent vehicle” deals with the phenomenon of artificial sounds for electric vehicles in Germany. The problem of silent cars, the presence of which is difficult for pedestrians to detect, where faults are even silent for drivers themselves, also required the subsequent insertion of sounds into the car and a change in traffic laws. Antić investigates the effects of the obscurity of this technical error. Ulrike Kessel’s project consists of a series of automobile ceilings, which in German are called “car skies” (Autohimmel). This artist isolates them from their original context and straightens them.

She covers their interior evenly with fabrics, so that they become a type of monochrome image. Colours and fabric motifs determine the new look and character of the ceiling.

Antić and Kessel met in 1991 at the Institute of Higher Studies of Fine Arts in Paris and began

their long-standing cooperation that continues to this day. From the beginning, the focus of both artists was directed towards sculpture.

And while Kessel continues to explore in that area, mostly working with textiles, Antić has over time increasingly dealt with the social context of artwork. They have presented their works at exhibitions in Rottweil (1992), Solingen, Vršac (where Kessel received the grand prix of the youth biennial) and in Novi Sad (1994), Ratingen (1995), Paris (1995 and 1996), Velbert-Langenberg (1997), Kastel (2008) and elsewhere. The exhibition opens on 6th July at 7.30pm.

Keziah Jones 27 – BitefArt Cafe - 22:00

This July sees the return of an artist who you asked to come back – Keziah Jones. This musical revolutionary, originally from Nigeria, has created his own genre, which he calls “blufunk”, using his unusual technique of playing and mixing raw blues and sharp funk.

“I play guitar like percussions. That’s blues.

That’s funk. Rhythmic. Afro.” says Keziah.

If you haven’t yet planned your summer holiday yet, it’s good that you now know when you need to be in Belgrade. If you have, reschedule, because this is a gig not to be missed.

BELEF Until 23rd July The 26th annual Belgrade Summer Festival - BELEF, under the slogan “Summer of Culture”, starts on 23rd June at 9pm and lasts until 23rd July.

The favourite festival of Belgraders and all those who come to Belgrade, this year it also brings a lot of great contents, confirming once again that BELEF is the best version of summer in Belgrade.

Ahead of us is a month of great concerts, exhibitions, theatre plays and performances.

Apart from distinguished domestic artists, there are also numerous artists from abroad. BELEF’s guests will also include great Spanish star Alba Molina, accompanied by one of the most famous flamenco guitarists, Ricardo Moreno, world star Femi Kuti, and theatre performances from India and Egypt, as well as the World Youth Choir from Hungary.

Only at BELEF will we have an artistic performance that lasts for seven days, and one of the most intriguing contemporary pieces in Friedrich Gulda’s “Concert of

Chick Corea Elektric Band 1 – KomBank Arena – 21.00

Throughout the month - Instituto Cervantes

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the unknown everyday lives of today’s Roma, with contemporary scenes of these people and their way of life. Through historical and contemporary photographs, footage, interactive elements, documents, items and avant-garde technologies, the visitor is familiarised with the history of Roma in Spain, in order to learn about their legacy and numerous influences on Spanish cultural heritage.

tive adventures, culminating in a two-month residency at New York’s Blue Note Jazz Club, where the Elektric Band will complete its tour.

Exit Festival

Exhibition ‘Roma Life’

The Roma people comprise the most important minority group in Europe, but are still largely unknown and neglected by majority communities. Their old wandering way of life, which they have led for centuries, forced them to focus primarily on their community, which also contributed to them being rejected by various societies in which they lived. As such, their reality is still a great unknown, which again leads to the fundamental isolation of these people, who have lived on our continent for more than five hundred years. The Roma Life exhibition sets out to explain in more detail the history of the Roma people and influence the improvement of coexistence with the only pan-European minority today.

The Roma Life exhibition aims to present

Joy”, a humorous and eclectic mix of all possible music genres - classical, rock, blues and jazz - will be performed by world renowned cellist Dragan Đorđević Suzuki, accompanied by the Orchestra of the School for Musical Talents from Ćuprija.

Plesni Nušić, forgotten artists of Dadaism or Schuman’s love story with the works of Mokranjac and “Music without Borders” are just some of the contents that make BELEF a unique festival in Belgrade and Serbia.

The majority of programmes of the 26th BELEF will be held in the garden of the Students’ Culture Centre, which is definitely the most interesting place in Belgrade this summer.

BELEF culminates on 23rd July, with the concert entitled “The Moon Is Young, and the Night Is Hot”, representing the most romantic and intimate concert of Bajaga and Instructors in their career to date.

Programme: belef.rs

The Chick Corea Elektric Band is one of very few jazz ensembles to truly revolutionise this art form.

Their eponymous debut album came like a bolt from the blue in 1985, marrying the freight-train velocity of jazz, rock, latino and funk, with sonic inventions that still sound futuristic.

This is a classic quintet — Chick Corea on piano, Dave Weckl on drums, John Patitucci on bass, Eric Marienthal on sax and Frank Gambale on guitar — that produced an untouchable string of albums in the 1980s.

The shockwave of their influence runs from hip-hop to EDM to today’s most essential jazz searchers, like Snarky Puppy.

This exclusive tour is one of the highlights of Chick’s continuing 75th Birthday celebration, with a full year of globe-spanning crea-

5-9 – Petrovaradin Fortress EXIT is an award-winning summer music festival that is held annually at the Petrovaradin Fortress in the city of Novi Sad and is considered by many as one of the best festival venues in the world. EXIT is unique in the festival world, having started as a student movement to fight for peace and democracy in Serbia and the Balkans. Even today, EXIT has a strong social mission to help youth in the Balkans and it is run by a non-profit organisation. EXIT won the ‘Best Overseas Festival’ award at the UK Festival Awards in 2007, and was shortlisted for the category of ‘Best Major European Festival’ at European Festival Awards in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, and for ‘Best Overseas Festival’

at the UK Festival Awards 2013. So far, EXIT has received huge global media attention and recognition. One such example of recognition came from the international edition of CNN, which included EXIT on the list of the world’s nine best festivals. The Guardian declared EXIT the best festival in the world in 2006, and the best tourist destination in 2008.

Programme: exitfest.org

Art to Science-Science to Art 7-14 – Progres Gallery

Gallery Progres and the Tesla Science Foundation USA-Serbia are organising this international exhibition of modern sculpture, paintings and installations inspired by the influence of art on science and science on art.

We are happy to introduce artworks of modern visual artists: Viktor Kiss, Gala Čaki, Mihailo Stosovic, Aleksandra Grbovic, Luka Radojevic, Ivana Milev, Brian Yetzer, Tajana Kajtez, Natasa Budimlija, Velizar Krstic, Angel Korunovski, Luka Radojevic, and many more...

Science and art naturally overlap. Both are a means of investigation. Both involve ideas, theories, and hypotheses that are tested in places where mind and hand come together—the laboratory and studio. Artists are scientists, like scientists, they study— materials, people, culture, history, religion, mythology— and learn to transform information into something else.

Science growth and expansion of the art forms, transforms human ideas from impossible to possible. Art and technology are one in the same.

RECOMMENDS

Šabac Summer Festival 28 July - 1 August – Šabac Fortress

THE STREETS OF ANKH MORPORK

The fifteenth edition of the Šabac Summer Festival will be held from 28th to 30th July at the Šabac Fortress, under the slogan OAZA (OASIS) - Oasis of positive energy, music, culture and good atmosphere.

The artists who will mark this year’s Šabac Summer Festival are: Goblini, Darko Rundek, Urban&4, Mostar Sevdah Reunion, E-Play, groups Babe, Bjesovi, Psihomodo Pop and Kal, while performing on the DJ stage will be some of the most in-demand contemporary techno/house/edm DJs: Magdalena, Funkerman, Lehar, Marcus Worgull, alongside numerous domestic techno/house names.

This year you will also hear the three winning bands of the BUNT ROK festival, the aim of which is to promote the reputation of the new domestic rock scene.

The opening of the fifteenth edition of the Šabac Summer Festival, on Friday 28th July, will also be marked by classical music, with a concert of the Children’s Philharmonic, led by conductor Ljubiša Jovanović and soloist Jovan Kolundžija, our most famous violinist, who has performed over 4,000 concerts. In addition to the classical repertoire, there will be recognisable tracks from classic films,

Mark Olson 28 – Dom Omladine - 21:00

Terry Pratchett 2810rsd

which audiences of all generations will be able to enjoy.

The Šabac Summer Festival is a musical event that has been traditionally held at the Šabac Fortress every summer since 2003, and which brings together numerous famous pop-rock-punk bands and DJs from Serbia and the region. It has to date hosted over 150 performers, with a special commitment to affirming young bands.

The organiser of this year’s Šabac Summer Festival is Mikser House, the unique Belgrade-based creative centre, which during the five years of its existence has hosted more than a million people. In addition to a rich musical programme that will take place on two stages, guests will also have the opportunity to enjoy the art zone, gastro zone and theatre, as well as numerous accompanying activities that are being prepared.

Mark Olson, founder, singer and guitarist of one of the most important alternativecountry groups in history - The Jayhawks, will hold a concert at the Belgrade Youth Centre on 28 th July, starting at 9pm.

Olson, an American musician and songwriter, founded both the Jayhawks and the Original Harmony Ridge Creekdippers. Olson founded the Jayhawks in 1985, along with singer and guitarist Gary Louris. The band released the album ‘Blue Earth’ in 1987 and subsequently signed a contract with record label Def American.

Olson released his solo album, “Good-bye Lizelle”, in 2014.

Days of Italian Film

Ankh-Morpork! City of One Thousand Surprises (according to the famous publication by the Guild of Merchants)! All human life is there! Although, if it walks down the wrong alley, often quite briefly!

The city celebrated in the bestselling Discworld series

by Terry Pratchett has been meticulously mapped for the first time. It’s all here - from Unseen University to the Shades, from major landmarks like the Patrician’s Palace to little-known, er, nooks like Dwarf Bread Museum in Whirligig Alley. See the famous streets along which so many heroes have walked, in some cases quite hurriedly!

As leading Ankh-Morpork entrepreneur C.M.O.T. Dibbler would say, A nip at any price - and that’s cutting our own throat. Well, close.

STRANGE THE DREAMER Laini Taylor 2309rsd

The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around - and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old he’s been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the person of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance to lose his dream forever.

What happened in Weep two hundred years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? What exactly did the Godslayer slay that went by the name of god? And what is the mysterious problem he now seeks help in solving?

IDEAS ARE YOUR ONLY CURRENCY Rod Judkins 1650rsd

Yugoslav Cinematheque Film Archives

3 – 20:30 – Vaghe stelle dell’Orsa – Sandra (1965) 5 – 18:00 – Mediterraneo (1991) 9 – 18:00 – Death in Venice (1971) 12 – 18:00 – Dangerous Curves (1962)

12 – 20:30 – Stealing Beauty (1996) 14 – 18:00 (Part I), 20:30 (Part II) – 1900 (Twentieth Century) (1976) 23 – 18:00 – La Dolce Vita (1960)

‘What skills and abilities will a student need to prosper in five, ten, or fifteen years’ time?’

In a world of change, where skills become out of date quickly, it is ideas that last.

We all need to be prepared for a world that is fluid, global and interdisciplinary. Distinctions between specialties will blur and overlap. Change is happening at electrifying speed.

In this vortex there are no maps.

Featuring 100 interactive chapters to inspire groundbreaking new ideas, this is perfect for fans of Keri Smith’s Wreck this Journal, Paul Arden’s It’s Not How Good You Are and Rolf Dobelli’s global bestseller The Art of Thinking Clearly.

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26 MAY

Awards For 30th Belgrade Marathon Presented

An award was also received by the CorD Charity Masters humanitarian race: MAJA VIDAKOVIC, aim Executive Director, and DEJAN NIKOLIC, Director of the Belgrade Marathon

29 MAY

Belgrade the City Hall hosted the awarding of special recognitions, diplomas and letters of thanks on the occasion of the 30th Belgrade Marathon, as well as the declaring of the Heroes of the 30th Belgrade Marathon. Awards were given to individuals and companies who have helped make 30th edition of Belgrade Marathon positive and special experience. Among recipients is CorD Magazine, organiser of humanitarian run which has been part of the Belgrade marathon for 11 consecutive years.

This year’s jubilee 30th Belgrade Marathon had a record number of 7,000 participants in the half marathon (including 400 participants in the half marathon relay event) and Marathon from 70 countries on all continents – which is also a record that extends the record set last year, and then 20,000 participants in the Coca-Cola Fun Run. Three weeks after the jubilee 30th Belgrade Marathon, the 24th Smoki Smokić Children’s Marathon was held in the beautiful ambience of the Belgrade Zoo, with its qualification races having included over 15,000 young Belgraders.

First “Energy Week” Held In Belgrade

MARKO STOJANOVIĆ, acting Belgrade City Secretary for Energy

31 MAY

The representative office of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce in Serbia - ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA Belgrade, together with ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA offices from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia and Slovenia, jointly organised the Second Regional Conference AUSTRIA CONNECT Southeast Europe 2017.

Representatives of Austrian companies, potential investors in Southeast Europe, as well as managers of Austrian companies already operating in these countries, had the opportunity – through individual conversations with trade advisors from the region – to receive more detailed information on the potential of the countries of the region.

The honorary guests of this regional meeting of investors were Serbian Minister without Portfolio in charge of EU integration, Jadranka Joksimović, and President of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia, Marko Čadež.

The day prior to the event saw guests gather in the pleasant atmosphere of the Amsterdam raft bar and take advantage of the opportunity to network with companies from neighbouring countries and Austria, exploring possibilities for joint projects.

“Energy Week”, which is marked under the framework of the European energy days and aims to raise awareness of energy efficiency and sustainability, was held in Serbia for the first time from 29th May to 2nd June.

“Energy Week” officially opened with the conference “High level policy conference: Sustainable energy for all”, as well as workshops for pupils of primary and secondary schools at the Natural History Museum, entitled “Energy efficiency and use of renewable energy in practice”.

During “Energy Week” citizens were able to ride the “Green bus tour” an eco-bus, visit the Nikola Tesla Museum and the Museum of Science and Technology, or visit the thematic exhibition at the French Institute or the exhibition “Rubén Salgado - Solar portraits” at the Cervantes Institute. The event was organised by the City of Belgrade and CEDEF, with the support of the Ministry of Mining and Energy.

31 MAY

Polish Commander’s Cross Order Of Merit Awarded

H.E. TOMASZ NIEGODZISZ (left) and RADOJKO BOGOJEVIĆ

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Austria Connect Southeast Europe In Belgrade

Polish President Andrzej Duda has decorated former Serbian Ambassador to Poland, Radojko Bogojević, with the Commander’s Cross Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland for his outstanding contribution to the development of Polish-Serbian cooperation.

On this occasion, the order was presented to Bogojević, on behalf of the President of Poland, by H.E. Tomasz Niegodzisz, Polish Ambassador to Serbia, during a formal ceremony at the Polish Ambassadorial Residence in Belgrade

31 MAY

Germans seek regional suppliers

This year’s “German initiative for finding suppliers in the region of the Western Balkans” was held outside Germany for the first time, this time – after previous appearances in Dortmund and Munich – taking place in Serbia. Representatives of 142 companies from the region discussed partnerships and opportunities for inclusion in supply chains with 24 German companies.

The gathering was organised by the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (AHK Serbia), in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia and the German Association for Managing Materials and Logistics (BME eV). The event included around 400 individual B2B meetings.

“We are satisfied that this is about long-term and intensive cooperation,” said AHK Serbia President Ronald Seeliger.

Martin Knapp, Executive Director of AHK Serbia, said that this gathering represents a “win-win” situation for both sides, with German companies needing suppliers and Balkan manufacturers needing markets.

German Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Axel Dittmann, said that everyone will benefit from the organising of this gathering, while this area will also be a theme of the July summit of the Western Balkans Six (WB6) in Trieste.

06 JUN

International Belgrade Singers Benefit Concert

The International Belgrade Singers (IBS) spring charity concert, entitled “The Sound of Spring”, was held in the great hall of the Donka Špiček Children’s Culture Centre.

The IBS Choir was founded in February 2012, under the patronage of the Embassy of Canada in Serbia. The choir’s members come from more than 10 countries, reflecting its cultural diversity.

The motto of the choir is “give back to the local community in which we live”, while the guiding idea is the collecting of funds intended for charitable purposes exclusively for children.

Since September last year the choir has been successfully led by conductor Katarina Milošević, who represents the “inspiring spirit” of the IBS choir in the true sense.

Proceeds from the concert were donated to the Home for High School and University Students at 52 Zvečanska Street in Belgrade.

01 JUN

Telenor & UNICEF: Child Safety On The Internet

The latest UNICEF research shows that children begin using the internet under the age of six, with every third child exposed to some kind of disturbing content.

This alarming result prompted Telenor Srbija CEO Ingeborg Øfsthus and director of the UNICEF Office in Serbia, Michel Saint-Lot, to sign a contract with which they announced the official start of the project “Family Safety Net”. This project will run for two years and will focus on the education of children aged four to eight, as well as their parents and teachers.

“As a leading telecommunications company, we are obliged to make sure our services are safe, especially when it comes to the youngest users,” said CEO Øfsthus.

ANAMARIJA VICEK (left), State Secretary in the Government of Serbia, MICHEL SAINT LOT and INGEBORG ØFSTHUS

08 JUN

SBC Working Meeting

The Slovenian Business Club has organised a working meeting in Novi Sad with the President of the Vojvodina Provincial Government, Igor Mirović, President of the Novi Sad City Assembly, Zdravko Jelušić, and the Director of the Development Agency of Vojvodina, Nataša Bajić, on the topic of “The Business Environment of Vojvodina”.

“Vojvodina is a good place to invest. The factors that can attract foreign investors are the general policy, economic stability, good policies of the national government, stable public finances, the construction of infrastructure for foreign investors, as well as efforts exerted at provincial and local levels aimed at ensuring a more favourable investment climate,” said Mirović.

Danijela Fišakov, President of the Slovenian Business Club, noted that the SBC is an organisation that has already spent 15 years supporting economic cooperation between Serbia and Slovenia, while its mission is also to increase activities and cooperation in Vojvodina.

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08 JUN

International Women's Club June Brunch

Members of the International Women’s Club enjoyed the IWC’s End of Term Brunch, organised in the beautiful outdoor setting of the Topčiderac Restaurant.

This gathering also provided the opportunity to celebrate the success of the newly established IWC Spring Festival, which took place on 21st May in Belgrade’s Radisson Blu Old Mill Hotel and which has the ambition of becoming the IWC’s latest tradition in fundraising efforts, whilst also contributing actively to promoting the international cultural variety present in Serbia.

The IWC used this occasion to thank the sponsors, partners and volunteers of the Spring Festival, who were also the guests of honour of this lovely event.

08 JUN

4th Sat-Tract Cee Cee Summer Opens

Belgrade hosted the fourth edition of the most important gathering of operators of telecommunications services in the region, CEE CEE SUMMER, which is organised by company SAT-TRAKT. The two-day event was attended by over 300 representatives of more than 80 companies from 30 countries.

“CEE CEE SUMMER represents a great opportunity to gather in one place a specific group of people that deal with the telecommunications business,” - said SAT-TRAKT representative Miroslav Iković.

The event gave all major domestic and regional operators the opportunity to promote the potential of this part of Europe among representatives of major international companies. Participants in the CEE CEE SUMMER included, among others, Telenor, Telekom Srbija, SBB, Orion, Deutsche Telekom, Tata Communications, TeliaSonera, UPC, Telekom Austria Group, Akton, LinxTelecom, Interoute, HurricaneElectric and many others.

08 JUN

Telekom Wins SRC Award

At the “Business Partner 2017” regional award ceremony, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Belgrade, Telekom Srbija was awarded for showing the highest level of social responsibility and care for the local community (SRC) “We see this award as an additional boost to promote corporate social responsibility even more in the coming years and thus influence other companies operating in this market,” said Petar Popović, Executive Director for Business Customers in Telekom Srbija.

The “Business Partner” regional award ceremony has been organised traditionally for the last 23 years by Mass Media International. The award has a regional character and is given to the companies in the region whose business is guided by high standards and firm ethical norms.

08 JUN

JOHANES HAHN

GORAN KNEŽEVIĆ

The EU-Western Balkans Investment Climate Forum was organised in Belgrade by the EU Commission Directorate General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations.

Aimed at raising the visibility of investment opportunities in the region, the event’s keynote speakers were EU Enlargement Commissioner Johanes Hahn and Serbian Economy Minister Goran Knežević.

The conference brought together economic policymakers from the Western Balkans, EU investors and regional and local businesspeopel to discuss the importance of structural reforms as a means to improving the investment climate, as well as the involvement of the private sector in the formulation and implementation of structural reforms.

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Telekom Srbija award recipient: PETAR POPOVIĆ

TELEKOM SRBIJA winner of corporate social responsibility award

EU-Western Balkans Investment Climate Forum

09 JUN

Unicredit Banka And EBRD Support Women In Business

CSILLA IHÁSZ and DANIEL BERG

09 JUN

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and UniCredit Banka of Serbia presented a programme entitled Women in Business at a press conference attended by Daniel Berg, director of the EBRD office in Serbia, Csilla Ihász, chairwoman of the executive board of UniCredit Banka Serbia and professor Branka Drašković, adviser to the government’s Vice-President for Gender Equality. The aim of the programme is to improve accesss to finance and provide advisory services to female entrepreneurs. Under this programme the EBRD will make avaiilable a credit line of €5 million for loans to SMEs managed by women, covering the risk of first loss together with technical support. UniCredit Banka will also further enable increased credit to such companies in Serbia. The companies will have increased access to finance, lower prices, lower collateral requirements and technical support provided by EBRD’s programme for advice to SMEs.

French Delegation From Bordeaux Visits Šumadija

NIKOLA VULETIĆ (left), prof. BRANKA DRAŠKOVIĆ, CSILLA IHÁSZ and DANIEL BERG

13 JUN

1,000 Women Initiative Launched

The French embassy to Serbia has held a reception under the oenology and wine tourism cooperation programme between the French region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Šumadija. The event presented the best wines from fourteen wineries of Šumadija that have been exhibited at the famous museum of wine culture Cité du Vin in Bordeaux.

The French delegation consisted of Christine Pecastaings, director of Nouvelle-Aquitaine’s agency for international cooperation, professor Stéphane Badet, economic and marketing expert for wine production, and Vesna Pacail, director of the advisory agency ACTYF Conseil and representative for the French market of the Šumadija Winemakers’ Association. This occasion was their first return visit on the invitation of the Šumadija Winemakers’ Association with the aim of discussing the perspectives of future cooperation.

INITIATIVE 1,000 WOMEN

12 JUN

CBC Gathering Before The Summer Break

MARIJA RADULOVIĆ

More than twenty members of the Croatian Business Club gathered at their traditional June meeting at the restaurant Cafe Cafe & Fish in Belgrade. Hosting the event were H.E. Gordan Markotić and President of the Croatian Business Club Marija Radulović. The purpose of the gathering was to sum up the first half of the year, but it was equally an opportunity to get to know future members and to reinforce existing contacts.

In cooperation with Ethno-Network and NALED, the Serbian government’s Coordinating Body for Gender Equality has launched an initiative to employ 1,000 women in rural areas to produce traditional handicrafts.

“With this initiative we wish to contribute to reducing poverty, economic empowerment and affirmation of the role of women in the local community and the rural economy”, said prof. Zorana Mihajlović, PhD, chairwoman of the Coordinating Body for Gender Equality and patron of the action 1,000 Women.

At a ceremony at Belgrade City Assembly the web site www.1000zena.rs was presented, with information on the most beautiful handicrafts from all corners of Serbia.

“Within the year we would like to ensure work for 1,000 women for a duration of at least three months”, said Violeta Jovanović, Chairwoman of Ethno-Network and executive director of NALED. The initiative is supported by Norwegian ambassador H.E. Arne Bjornstad, prof. Vladimir Marinković, PhD, vice-president of the national assembly, Frederic Aubet, general director of the company CRH and other representatives of the business community, institutions and the diplomatic corps.

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AFTER WORK

SEE MORE: WWW.CORDMAGAZINE.COM

14 JUN

Korean Drummer-Acrobat Performance

15 JUN

AHK Sommerfest – Summer Celebration

On the occasion of the coming summer break, the traditional AHK Sommerfest was held in the pleasant atmosphere of Kalemegdanska Terasa restaurant. Dr Ronald Seeliger, President of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce welcomed the guests: member companies of the Chamber, the diplomatic corps and many of the chamber’s partners and friends. Dr Seeliger pointed out that AHK Serbia had organised 30 events in the first half of the year, an absolute record so far, and he thanked members for their support.

He also announced that preparations were underway for the coming AHK Oktoberfest and the multi-congress Serbian Visions, before inviting the guests to spend the rest of the evening enjoying a relaxing atmosphere and socialising, with a wide selection of food, drinks and live music by the famous Belgrade Beatles tribute band.

H.E. AXEL DITTMANN, DR RONALD SEELIGER and Mrs DITTMANN

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The official end of the “Korean Culture Days – Hop to Korea” was marked by a performance of the percussion-acrobat group Tago in Dom Sindikata. The event was organised by the Korean Embassy and ambassador H.E. Dae Jong Yoo. The day before in Knez Mihailova a “flash-mob” action was held on the initiative of Fontana – Ruski Car, in which Tago demonstrated some of their knowledge and skills for visitors to Belgrade.

The members of the Tago group are musicians of a younger generation who combine traditional Korean percussion instruments, from the smallest to the largest, with martial arts.

21 JUN

Austrian Embassy Open Door Day

The Embassy of Austria, in cooperation with the EU Delegation to Serbia and the EU Info-Centre, organised its Open Door Day again this year, with the aim of presenting the European integration process.

Sabine Kroissenbrunner, Deputy Head of Mission at the Austrian SABINE KROISSENBRUNNER Embassy in Belgrade, said that Austria supports Serbia’s European integration, but that progress in this process cannot be measured by the number of open chapters, but rather continuous work on the implementation of that which has been agreed.

On the occasion of the “Open Door Day”, Kroissenbrunner said that the Embassy of Austria regularly opens its doors in order to present good relations with Serbia, as well as noting that the embassy is active in other cities, such as Niš and Subotica. Visitors to the Embassy were presented with the culture of Austria, serving their traditional food and drinks.

22 MAY

“Amchamps – Young Leaders Of Change”

Participants in the fourth generation of the programme “AmChamps - Young Leaders of Change” were formally presented with their diplomas at the residence of Kurt D. Donnelly, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy, thus ending the first part of the programme which this year included 22 students under the mentorship of 22 successful young managers of member companies of the American Chamber of Commerce - the largest independent business association in Serbia.

“It’s an exceptional honour for me to greet and support these young, talented people who show that in a dynamic business environment continuous learning is a prerequisite for success,” said Donnelly.

“One of the key priorities of AmCham is education reform, and thus fostering cooperation between universities and business. We are looking for will, enthusiasm and perseverance, and we have recognised all of that in future leaders of the Serbian business community,” noted Vera Nikolić Dimić, Executive Director KURT D. DONNELLY and VERA NIKOLIĆ DIMIĆ of the American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia.

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DAY OF YOGA

he Embassy of India, Belgrade in association with Government of Serbia and United Nations Country Team in Belgrade marked the International Day of Yoga on 17th June at the historic Kalemegdan Fortress by the Victor Statue overlooking the confluence of River Danube and Sava. More than 250 yoga enthusiasts performed yoga as per the Common Yoga Protocol in the presence of local officials & diplomats.

The yoga demonstration was followed by workshops & consultations on Yoga, Ayurveda and Homeopathy in the City Hall of Belgrade which was addressed by renowned Serbian traditional medical experts and attended by large number of participants from the medical fraternity and other stakeholders.

In the run up to the event, the Embassy organised a quiz on Yoga through its official facebook page. This quiz was based on the history and other factoids related to Yoga. H.E. Mrs. Narinder Chauhan, Ambassador of India awarded the winners during the IDY celebrations on 17th June 2017. To raise awareness about yoga as well as benefits of practicing yoga, the Embassy of India is organising an Article writing contest on the topics: (a) Benefits of Yoga for Cancer (b) Benefits of Yoga for Antenatal Care (c) Benefits of Yoga for Depression. The contest will close on 30th June, 2017.

Apart from Belgrade, IDY Celebrations were also held in other cities/ municipalities of Serbia, including in Novi Sad, Šabac, Niš, Kruševac, Inđija, Jagodina, Zrenjanin, Apatin, Subotica, Knjaževac, Sremska Mitrovica, Kula, Aleksinac etc. The Government of Serbia was one among the 177 nations that co-sponsored India’s Resolution in the United Nations to declare 21st June as the International Day of Yoga. ■