Serbia will become attractive investments destination

Serbia will become attractive investments destination

Former national security advisor of Serbian PM, Mr. Ivica Toncev believes that Serbia is on the right path toward stronger and more competitive economy. Numerous reforms are already conducted and Serbia will be more stable in economic terms in coming years, said Toncev.

Toncev stressed that positive and pro-active regulations are very important for attracting of investments. He also thinks that all levels of governing need to give a lot of energy regarding the dialogue with investors who might join Serbian market.

Example of city of Jagodina is very positive regarding the approach toward foreign investors, told Mr. Toncev.

H.S.

Serbian Diplomacy Directed Towards European Integrations and Strengthening of Regional Cooperation and International Reputation of Serbia

Serbian Diplomacy Directed Towards European Integrations and Strengthening of Regional Cooperation and International Reputation of Serbia

Less than six months since he took the Foreign Office of Serbia Ivica Dacic has shown huge commitment and dynamism in fulfillment of his new duties. Minister Dacic holds several meetings every day with numerous foreign representatives and diplomats present in Serbian capital. Topics are various but there is more than obvious commitment of the new Serbian foreign minister.

The main topics occupying Dacic’s attention are related to the continuation of the European integrations process, Serbia’s chairmanship over OSCE in 2015 and dialogue with Western Balkan states and global powers. Creating of better investment climate is also one of the goals proclaimed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia. Minister Dacic is also interested in reforming of the Foreign Service. Primarily it means further professionalization within the Ministry and appointment of Serbia’s ambassadors in some important states in which Serbia still does not have top representatives.

Western Balkans Region

Stability of the Western Balkans represents one of the proclaimed goals of the Government of Serbia’s foreign policy. Therefore it is not strange that continuous dialogue and strengthening of cooperation with its neighbors is one of Serbia’s priorities. Ivica Dacic shows huge will for further dialogue with official Pristina in accordance with the ‘’Brussels Agreement’’ principles. Serbia is willing to continue dialogue and to make easier life of ordinary people in Kosovo and Metohija but it is not ready to recognize self-proclaimed independence of Kosovo*. Serbia is very clear in its stance that Kosovo* is not eligible to become member of regional and other international organizations if it is not in accordance with the ‘’Brussels Agreement’’.  Kosovo* minister of foreign affairs Mr. Enver Hodzaj insists on mutual recognition and peace treaty between Serbia and Kosovo*. The answer of Mr. Dacic who previously negotiated the ‘’Brussels Agreement’’ is that ‘’Serbia clearly stated that the dialogue is not dealing with the status issues and it does not takes any actions which could be understood as the recognition of the self-proclaimed independence of Kosovo*’’. Regarding the Kosovo issues minister Dacic supported lead prosecutor Williamson findings regarding the KLA’s murdering of Serbs and sold of their organs. He told that he expects that the international community will establish the court which will deal with these accusations.  Unfortunately the relations between Serbia and Albania were disrupted during the football game between Serbia and Albania on 13^th of October. The incident caused by the flag of Great Albania caused postponement of the Albanian Prime Minister visit to Serbia. The visit is not canceled. It is only delayed for 10^th of November. The football game incidents didn’t cause canceling of Albanian and Kosovo*’s ministers arrival in Belgrade on informal ministerial meeting. The meeting was held on 23^rd of October only ten days after the incidents on football game. Arrival of Kosovo’s ministers in Belgrade was described as a historic step forward in dialogue between official Belgrade and Pristina. Serbian head of diplomacy Mr. Dacic told that Serbia is not going to react impulsively on irresponsible provocations of some Albanians and that Serbia is dedicated to strengthening of peace and stability within the region. He stressed that it is great news that Albanian Prime Minister will come to Belgrade and that it is more important what he will say than if he is going to visit Albanians in the South of Serbia. Mr. Dacic expressed hopes that Mr. Rama will come with the messages directed toward strengthening of regional stability and good relations between two neighbor states.

Former High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Baroness Catherine Ashton has shown grate gratitude to Mr. Dacic and Prime Minister Vucic for their will to take part in dialogue with Kosovo* representatives. She underlined that there were 230 hours of dialogue between two sides with the EU moderation before the ‘’Brussels Agreement’’ was agreed. During their last meeting hold on 21^st of October in Brussels baroness Ashton said that Mr. Dacic and Mr. Vucic have shown huge courage, statesmanship and will to engage themselves in dialogue which is very important for the progress of Serbia. She also told that she is looking forward to see Serbia as a member state of the European Union. Mr. Dacic also had great words for Baroness Ashton’s contribution in the ongoing dialogue. He stressed that Baroness Ashton was the most objective mediator he had a chance to work with and therefore him and Serbia are grateful to Baroness. Her role in the process of Serbia’s opening of membership negotiations is also huge, told head of Serbian diplomacy.

Regional dialogue is very important for Serbia and minister Dacic has took part in several ministerial meetings starting from July meeting in Kotor and meetings in Berlin and New York on the margins of the this year UN GA session. All of these meeting were focused on several topics related to the strengthening of ties between Western Balkan states and EU assistance in the strengthening of the regional infrastructure as a precondition for the greater economic development. In the previous six months minister Dacic was present at the several important regional conferences such were ‘’Croatia Forum 2014’’ and ‘’Strategic Forum’’ organized in Bled in Slovenia. During the Berlin meeting of regional leaders in late August, Mr. Dacic underlined that it is very encouraging that German Chancellor Angela Merkel strongly supports Western Balkans EU path. Mr. Dacic will visit Germany at least twice in November. He will participate with his colleagues from the South-East Europe on the Aspen Institute event on November 5. Five days after he will be guest at the event dedicated to the 10^th anniversary of the Berlin’s OSCE Declaration against anti-Semitism. Cooperation within the Western Balkans is strengthened by various bilateral meetings of regional officials. One of these meetings was Bosnia and Herzegovina FM visit to Serbia in August. With the support of international partners Former Yugoslavia republics started Regional Housing Programme. In Serbia it will help 17,000 refugee families to get their new homes.