The Most Carnivorous Countries in the World

Every year, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), whose mission is to “promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world,” releases of data on more than 200 member countries, including the amount of meat consumed by each. On the other hand, vegans and vegetarians try to promote non-meat diets, and environmentalists say that cows damage the climate the most! Forbes and Statis- ta built a handy chart to track which countries consume the most beef, poultry, pork, veal, and sheep. Here are some data: the veal-producing countries like Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina are at the top, with 72kg, 78kg (the Brazilians invented churrascarias gauchas, right?), 83kg, and 85kg (both Uruguay and Argentina are known as “Gauchos,” meaning “cowboys”). Residents of New Zealand, a country renowned for its lamb, eat about 73kg of meat per year, whereas Aus- tralians, for the same reason, eat 93kg. Interestingly enough, Americans eat some 91kg per year, which is not the top spot. It belongs to the Spaniards with a stunning 101kg per year! The other Europeans eat quite a lot of meat too: the Lithuanians 91kg, Belarusians, Icelanders, Portuguese, and Poles some 90kg per year. In our region, the Hungarians and Croatians lead with 83 and 80kg. The Serbians are not near the top, meaning the love for meat is not transposed into purchase power.

JULY 2023

COLOMBIA

20

Declaration of Independence from Spain in 1810

21

BELGIUM

Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld takes the oath as the first King of the Belgians in 1831

EGYPT

Revolution Day, the revolution of 1952

LIBERIA Proclamation of the Republic, independence from the United States in 1847

23

26

PERU Declaration of independence from Spain in 1821

28

MOROCCO Independence Day 30

AUGUST 2023

SWITZERLAND

01

National Day, alliance between Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden against the Holy Roman Empire in 1291

NORTHERN MACEDONIA Republic Day

06

02 BOLIVIA Proclamation of Republic (independent from Spain) in 1825

JAMAICA Independence Day 06

INDIA

Independence Day

H.E. ANDREAS PHOTIOU New ambassador of Cyprus to Serbia

Andreas Photiou, born in Nicosia, has been appointed the new Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Serbia as of July 2023. Photiou has a rich diplomatic career, starting in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). His roles included serving in Vienna, leading the EU Department of the MFA, coordinating the Foreign Affairs Council, and heading the EU - Turkey Department. He was also the Director of the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the MFA before his new role. Photiou, a graduate of the University of Cardiff and Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, is fluent in Greek, English, and French. His extensive diplomatic experience and deep understanding of EU affairs are expected to strengthen Cyprus-Serbia relations.

H.E. JØRN EUGEN ERLING GJELSTAD Outgoing Ambassador of Norway to Serbia

Ivica Dačić, the First Vice-President of the Serbian Government and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a farewell meeting today with the departing ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway, Jørn Eugen Gjelstad. During the interaction, Dačić expressed deep appreciation for Ambassador Gjelstad’s significant role in augmenting political dialogue and fostering cooperation between Serbia and Norway. The discussion underscored the excellent bilateral relationship the two nations currently share and affirmed their mutual commitment to deepen their ties further. An agreement was reached to reinforce the collaborative dialogues, extend the frequency of official visits across all ranks, and foster interconnectivity between the two nations in a variety of sectors, with a particular emphasis on the energy sector. On his part, Ambassador Gjelstad expressed gratitude towards Minister Dačić for the exceptional working relationship. Reflecting on his tenure, he shared that he would carry forward many cherished memories of Serbia and its people.

H.E. EDWARD FERGUSON New British Ambassador to Serbia

Renowned diplomat Edward Ferguson is set to assume his new role as the British Ambassador to Serbia, bringing with him a wealth of experience. His most recent tenure was as Minister Counsellor Defence at the British Embassy in Washington DC, where he led the British Defence Staff across 28 states and served as the UK’s senior policy adviser on defence relations with the US. Prior to this, Ferguson was the British Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, crafting an international strategy that invigorated Euro-Atlantic integration and economic growth. An alumnus of Trinity College, Oxford, and the LSE, Ferguson’s career highlights include managing a programme consolidating the MOD estate in Greater London and serving as Private Secretary to three Defence Secretaries. Known for his ability to navigate complex defence relations and policies, Ferguson’s appointment is a promising development for UK-Serbia ties.

H.E. ALCINO DOS PRAZERES IZATA FRANCISCO DA CONCEIÇÃO Outgoing Ambassador of Angola to Serbia

Ivica Dačić, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, received H.E. Alcino dos Prazeres Izata Francisco da Conceição, the outgoing Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Angola in Belgrade, in a final meeting ahead of his departure at the end of June 2023. The conversation underscored the strong bilateral relations between the two nations, indicating a desire to fortify these ties through high-level meetings and engagement. Dačić and Francisco da Conceição affirmed the significance of maintaining strong diplomatic rapport between Serbia and Angola. Expressing his gratitude for the support and warm welcome he received throughout his tenure in Serbia, the departing Angolan diplomat pledged his continued commitment to enhancing the bilateral relationship even after his formal mission concludes. The ambassador extended his congratulations to Serbia on its recent appointment as the host for EXPO 2027, remarking that Angola is delighted to see a friendly nation like Serbia given the prestigious opportunity to stage such a globally significant event.

About The Serial

This serial is based on the intriguing book “Diplomacy at the Table,” written by the Croatian diplomat Hidajet Biščević, who reviewed and edited the original manuscript and selected the most interesting records, especially for our magazine. His Excellency, Mr. Biščević, is the ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Serbia. He lives with his family in Belgrade.

THIRD CHAPTER