Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Nikola Selaković at the meeting of the UN Security Council on the report on the work of UNMIK

Mr. President,
Madam Special Representative,
Ladies and gentleman,

It gives me honor to address this distinguished body once again and to discuss the latest report of the Secretary-General on the work of the UNMIK.

I would like to thank the Secretary-General and the Special Representative for submitting the report. We take note of the efforts that Ms. Ziadeh makes in performing this very responsible duty, especially bearing in mind the necessity of a comprehensive overview and the complexity of the situation on the ground.
I also take this opportunity to underline that the Republic of Serbia highly values the activities of UNMIK in Kosovo and Metohija, established under UN Security Council Resolution 1244. We advocate for its continued operation in an unchanged and undiminished scope and capacity, especially bearing in mind that the Mission has not yet achieved the main goal of its mandate - a peaceful and normal life for all citizens of our southern province.

Belgrade to get Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic attended today in Geneva the signing of the Agreement on the Establishment of the World Economic Forum Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Serbia, the first of its kind in the Western Balkans.

The agreement was signed at the headquarters of that forum by Director of the Office for Information Technologies and eGovernment Mihailo Jovanovic and Managing Director and Head of the Forum's Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Jeremy Jurgens.

The centre in Serbia will be the 16th in the network of centres of the World Economic Forum in the world and the first in the region of the Western Balkans.

The new centre will start operating on 1 March and will function as a non-profit organisation and a platform for public-private partnership and cooperation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, while the focus of work will be on artificial intelligence and bioengineering.

UNESCO’s role extremely important for preservation of Serbian heritage in Kosovo and Metohija

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic stated today that severe examples of endangering the Serbian cultural, historical and spiritual heritage in Kosovo and Metohija are proof of the important role of UNESCO in protecting and preserving heritage.

At the 41st session of the General Conference of UNESCO in Paris, Brnabic emphasized that four jewels of the Serbian medieval cultural heritage in Kosovo – Visoki Decani, Pec Patriarchate, Gracanica and Bogorodica Ljeviska, have been preserved thanks to the fact that they are inscribed on the endangered world heritage list. Hundreds of other sites and monuments are endangered.

The Serbian heritage in Kosovo and Metohija is of immeasurable importance, not only for the national identity of Serbia, but also as a part of the esteemed European and world heritage, she underlined.

Source/Photo: www.srbija.gov.rs

Address of the President of the Republic of Serbia at the United Nations climate change conference COP26 held in Glasgow

"Your Excellences,
distinguished delegates,
dear Sarah,

At the very beginning, I feel obliged to thank Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Her Majesty’s Government for exceptional hospitality.

I feel privileged to represent the Republic of Serbia at this important place and at the highest-level world forum, in working on the most important topic of today – promoting climate awareness.

We all agree that we must make investment into climate and environment.

We all, likewise agree, that future generations must be educated in order not to repeat the mistakes we made, by hurting the only Planet that makes life possible.

Selaković in UNSC: Dialogue and the implementation of the agreements reached are the only right way to resolve all open issues

Distinguished President of the Security Council,

Esteemed members of the Security Council,

Distinguished Special Representative,
I would like to thank Secretary-General of the United Nations Mr. Guterres and Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMIK Mr. Tanin for the report submitted and for their efforts made towards the implementation of the UNMIK mandate. I would also like to thank the members of the Security Council for the continued attention they have devoted to the issue of Kosovo and Metohija. The Republic of Serbia highly values the activities of the Mission of the United Nations in Kosovo and Metohija and supports it in carrying out its work as efficiently as possible, pursuant to the UN Security Council Resolution 1244, and undiminished in scope, aiming to build and preserve lasting peace, stability and security in the Province.

Telephone conversation of President Vučić and NATO Secretary General

President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, have discussed today over the phone, as the Secretary General said, the worrisome situation in northern Kosovo and Metohija.

President Vučić pointed out that Serbia had, in no way, violated either Brussels Agreement or Resolution 1244, not a single action of Serbia has jeopardized preservation of peace.

“The complete occupation of northern Kosovo and Metohija conducted by armored vehicles of Priština has lasted for seven days and everyone in the international community “has been thunderously silent”, said Serbian President. “However, everyone is, all of a sudden, worried when they spot Serbian helicopters and airplanes over the territory of central Serbia, because apparently they should not exist, or should not take off until they receive the approval from Kurti or someone from the international community”, says President Vučić.

Serbia observes all international agreements it signed and will always conduct responsibly and seriously, but Serbia is still asking when the formation of CSM will start and when Kurti’s armored units will be withdrawn from northern Kosovo and Metohija.

Finally, with gratitude to Secretary General Stoltenberg for the fair relation and wish to listen to the Serbian side, President Vučić asked which norms and international regulations Serbia has violated, today, yesterday or any time.

The two interlocutors agreed to stay in constant touch due to necessity of the preservation of peace and stability in the entire region.

Selaković in New York with 28 foreign ministers on economic successes of Serbia and K&M situation

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Nikola Selaković, has stated that in New York he introduced foreign ministers of 28 countries to economic success of Serbia but also to the situation in Kosovo and Metohija, which he also discussed with the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sergey Lavrov, who told him that we could count on the support of the Russian Federation, with regards to Serbian interests in K&M.

Summarizing results of his visit to New York within the session of the UN General Assembly, Minister Selaković says that one of the last meetings was with Minister Lavrov, which was their third meeting in the previous nine months.

The Serbian Foreign Minister says that he surely used this opportunity, too, to introduce Minister Lavrov to the latest events in northern Kosovo and Metohija, the situation of the dialog between Belgrade and Priština and very clear and unambiguous attitude of President Aleksandar Vučić regarding the continuation of the dialog and subsequent events in K&M.

Pristina seriously jeopardised regional stability

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic warned today that Pristina has seriously jeopardised local and regional stability after sending heavily armed special units to the north of Kosovo who are exerting ` against the peaceful Serbian population.

Brnabic spoke at the general debate of world leaders, as part of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Prime Minister Brnabic at Global COVID-19 summit organised by White House

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic participated today at the Global COVID-19 summit, organised by the White House, which was opened by US President Joseph Biden.

The video messages are attended by a large number of world leaders and officials of international organizations, including UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, British and Canadian Prime Ministers, Boris Johnson and Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and many others.

In the message, the Prime Minister pointed out that Serbia was among the first European countries to procure a covid vaccine, and that she was the first European Prime Minister to receive the vaccine.

Ambassador Vladisavljevic met with Bakhtiyar Asgarov

The Head of the Permanent Representation of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Bakhtiyar Asgarov, visited the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Baku and, on that occasion, he met with the Ambassador of Serbia to Baku, Dragan Vladisavljević.

The colocutors discussed the bilateral relations between Serbia and Azerbaijan and expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

Also, an interest was expressed in launching joint economic projects, as well as potential official visits in the coming period.

Ambassador Vladisavljević met with the Director of the State Tourism Agency

Ambassador Dragan Vladisavljević visited the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, where he met with the director of that institution, Mr. Fuad Nagiyev.

Ambassador Vladisavljević used the opportunity to inform his interlocutor in more detail about the significant tourist potentials of the Republic of Serbia in almost all branches of tourism and the ample opportunities for cooperation in that area.

Vladisavljević also drew attention to the necessity of  more active promotion of Azerbaijani culture and its natural beauties in Serbia, where this beautiful country is still little-known.

The interlocutors also exchanged views on the possibilities for increasing joint investments in the field of tourism, taking appropriate steps to open a direct flight between the two capitals and planned activities for the renewal of tourism in the post-pandemic period.

The ambassador expressed his belief that the tourist exchange between the two countries would increase significantly in the coming years and that relations in that sector would further develop.

Selaković: The exhibition "Non-Aligned World" is an introduction to the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Nikola Selaković, together with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information Maja Gojković and Director of the Museum of African Art Marija Aleksić, opened the exhibition "Non-Aligned World" and on that occasion, announced a series of events that Serbia will organize as part of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the emergence of the Non-Aligned Movement.

President Vučić received the credentials from the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan

The President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, received the credentials of the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Kamil Khasiyev today, and wished him a successful diplomatic mandate in Belgrade.

Online app for type D visa application

We kindly inform you that an app for online application for type D visa has started functioning.

In the first phase, via this app, it will be possible to submit an online application for issuing type D visa, solely for the purpose of employment in the Republic of Serbia. You can submitt your application via the banner below, which is also posted on the home page of the Embassy's website.

Marking the Remembrance Day of all Serbs who died and were expelled in the armed operation "Storm"

The President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, attended the marking of the Remembrance Day of all the victims and expelled Serbs in the armed operation "Storm" and said that Serbia remembers!

"Today, when we remind ourselves again of what happened in August 1995, the terrible pogrom, the expulsion of more than 250,000 Serbs, the exodus and ethnic cleansing, we, at the same time, and finally, remind ourselves of who we are, what we are, where we come from and where we are going. Thank you all for being here together tonight and for showing how much we love our people", said President Vučić, adding that we will not forget any of the things that the Krajina people had to go through.

To intensify cooperation with Azerbaijan in agriculture, tourism and construction

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikola Selaković, participated in the business forum held in Baku, and on that occasion, said that the potential for cooperation between Serbia and Azerbaijan is great, but that it is necessary to identify specific areas and projects in which we will cooperate.

After the forum, Selaković said that it had been agreed to work especially on intensifying cooperation in agriculture, tourism and construction, emphasizing that it was very important that representatives of ten Serbian companies were present at the forum, which were interested in strengthening contacts with Azerbaijani colleagues and exchanging experiences.

To raise economic cooperation between Serbia and Azerbaijan to the level of political relations

On the third day of the official visit of Minister Selaković to Azerbaijan today, the sixth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Economic Cooperation and Trade was held, which was co-chaired by Minister Selaković and the Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Azerbaijan, Sahil Babayev.

After the meeting, Selaković pointed out that bilateral political relations and strategic partnership are at a very high level, and especially underlined that the excellent friendly relations between the two presidents make a significant contribution to such cooperation.

Selaković and Guliyev on cooperation between Serbia and Azerbaijan in the field of defense industry

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikola Selaković, met in Baku with the Minister of Defense Industry of Azerbaijan, Madat Guliyev, with whom he discussed the possibilities of deepening cooperation in this area.

Minister Selaković expressed satisfaction with the excellent bilateral relations, especially thanking Azerbaijan for its principled position when it comes to non-recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of the so-called Kosovo, and the support they provide to our country in preserving its territorial integrity and sovereignty. The head of Serbian diplomacy confirmed Serbia's position on the issue of respect for international law and the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan.

Intensify economic cooperation between Serbia and Azerbaijan

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Nikola Selaković, met with the Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan, Mikayil Jabbarov, in Baku.

Minister Selaković stated that bilateral relations are very good, that they are characterized by meaningful political and friendly ties and mutual support for territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as that there is a significant space and potential for improving economic cooperation.

Selaković: Serbia attaches special importance to the strategic partnership with Azerbaijan

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Nikola Selaković, met today in Baku with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov.

At the press conference, Selaković said that the conversation was very successful and that the mutual desire to intensify cooperation at the bilateral and multilateral level was confirmed. He pointed out that the excellent friendly relations between the two presidents, Vučić and Aliyev, also make a significant contribution to the strategic bilateral cooperation.

Selaković laid a wreath on the grave of Heydar Aliyev in Baku

On the second day of his official visit to Azerbaijan, the head of Serbian diplomacy, Nikola Selaković, laid a wreath at the grave of former president and father of the nation, Heydar Aliyev, who headed the country for a whole decade.

He was succeeded by his son Ilham Aliyev, with whom Selaković met yesterday, at the beginning of his three-day visit to Azerbaijan.

Today, in the presence of the Serbian ambassador to Baku, Dragan Vladisavljević and members of the Serbian delegation, Selaković also laid flowers on the grave of Heydar's wife Zarifa and on the graves of those buried in the Alley of Martyrs.

The Minister also laid a wreath at the memorial complex "Eternal Fire".

Selaković: Strategic partnership between Serbia and Azerbaijan based on mutual understanding

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Nikola Selaković, began his three-day visit to Azerbaijan with a meeting with President of that country, Ilham Aliyev.

After the meeting, Minister Selaković stated that the talks confirmed the excellent relations between the two countries bound by the Strategic Partnership Agreement, but also by mutual understanding and mutual commitment to the values of the international legal order, and mutual support for territorial integrity and sovereignty. In that sense, the head of Serbian diplomacy especially underlined his gratitude to Azerbaijan for its clear position on non-recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of the so-called Kosovo and the support it provides us in international organizations.

President Vučić: We have decided – our goal is the EU, but China is an important partner

We have decided – our goal was and remains the EU, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said in an interview with the German daily "Handelsblatt", adding that there is no alternative for Serbia, but also stressing that China is an important partner for Serbia, and that the task of the state is to take care about the interests of its citizens.

He thus answered the question of what Serbia will choose once it has to choose between close relations with Beijing or the EU. Vučić emphasized that Serbia wants to become a full member of the EU.

Selaković invited representatives of members of the NAM to gather in Belgrade in October

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Nikola Selaković, spoke at the Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) today and on that occasion sent an invitation to the representatives of the members to gather in Belgrade on 11 and 12 October, when the 60th anniversary of the first Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement held in Belgrade in 1961 will be marked.

Selaković informed the participants of the conference that Serbia would organize this important jubilee of non-aligned countries together with Azerbaijan – which is currently chairing the NAM.
 

Ambassador Vladisavlјević met with Minister Madat Guliyev

On June 18, 2021, the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia in Baku, Dragan Vladisavljević, met with the Minister of Defense Industry of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Madat Guliyev.

In a very cordial and constructive atmosphere, the interlocutors discussed the previous cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense industry and the possibilities for its improvement.

In that regard, the ambassador informed the minister about the elements of the upcoming visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Nikola Selaković to Baku, during which a Business Forum will be held, which will gather the most successful representatives of the Serbian and Azerbaijani business communities. In that context, the ambassador asked the minister to ensure the presence of relevant representatives of the institution he is in charge of in the upcoming forum, which the minister readily confirmed.

The interlocutors also referred to similar challenges and problems that our two countries faced in preserving their sovereignty and territorial integrity, and confirmed their mutual support in resolving these issues.

Ambassador Vladisavljević met with the Ambassador of the State of Israel to Azerbaijan

Ambassador of the State of Israel to the Republic of Azerbaijan, George Deek, paid a courtesy call to the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia today.

During the very constructive meeting, the interlocutors discussed the possibilities of enhancing the strategic relations between the two countries and Azerbaijan.

The two ambassadors exchanged experiences of their countries in the fight against the pandemic and the process of vaccinating citizens.

Ambassador Vladisavljević met with the non-resident ambassador of Montenegro to Azerbaijan

Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia in the Republic of Azerbaijan Dragan Vladisavljević welcomed today, in the premises of the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia, the Ambassador of Montenegro in Turkey, Periša Kastratović, recently accredited to Azerbaijan as well, and the Honorary Consul of Montenegro in Azerbaijan Vugar Aliyev.

In a pleasant atmosphere, Ambassador Vladisavljević informed Ambassador Kastratović about bilateral relations between Serbia and Azerbaijan. The Ambassador of Montenegro spoke about tourist potentials of his country and its cooperation with Azerbaijan in the field of tourist exchange.

During the meeting, the ambassadors also exchanged experiences of their countries in fighting coronavirus and the consequences of pandemic on both regional and global level.

Ambassador Vladisavljevic visited liberated Agdam district

Together with other heads of diplomatic missions and military delegations accredited in Azerbaijan, on June 13, 2021, the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia in Baku, Dragan Vladisavljevic, visited Agdam, one of the liberated districts of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Address by the President of the Republic of Serbia at the session of the United Nations Security Council

Ambassador Vladisavljević met the Head of the Permanent Mission of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in Baku

Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia in the Republic of Azerbaijan Dragan Vladisavljević paid a courtesy call today to the Head of the Permanent Mission of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in Baku Bakhtiyar Asgarov.

In a very cordial atmosphere, ambassador Vladisavljević reminded Mr. Asgarov of the historical ties between the peoples of Serbia and Azerbaijan and the lives that Azerbaijan soldiers laid down in the fights for liberation of Serbia during the World War II.

Vladisavljević informed his collocutor of his firm intention to focus his activities in Baku to the strengthening of the existing friendly relations and strategic partnership between Serbia and Azerbaijan.

The meeting also discussed the promotion of political, economic, cultural relations and cooperation between the two countries, situation in the region, mutual official visits and other topics of common interest.

Minister Selaković presented the new e-Consulate service

A new service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs "e-Consulate" was presented in Belgrade today, intended for foreign citizens who apply for a visa and aspire to come to Serbia to work.
 

Ambassador Vladisavljević met the Ambassador of Morocco in Baku

Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia in the Republic of Azerbaijan Dragan Vladisavljević paid a courtesy call to Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco in Baku Mohammad Adil Embarch.

In a friendly atmosphere, ambassadors discussed the content of traditionally good relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Kingdom of Morocco, characterized by mutual understanding and trust. Ambassador Vladisavljević also informed his interlocutor about the state of affairs concerning the fight against coronavirus and the process of vaccination in Serbia.

Vladisavljević used the opportunity to express gratitude for the principled position of Morocco concerning non-recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo and for Morocco's active support to Serbia’s efforts to preserve its territorial integrity and sovereignty. He pointed out that Serbia highly appreciates the support extended by Morocco in international organizations on the issue.

Ambassador Dragan Vladisavljević presented his credentials

The Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to Azerbaijan Dragan Vladisavljević presented his credentials to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, thereby officially assuming his duty.

Need to raise the level of economic cooperation between Serbia and Azerbaijan

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Nikola Selakovic had talks today, via video link, with Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Population of Azerbaijan Sahil Babayev, and the main topic of the meeting of the two co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation was the organization of the next session of this body.

Minister Selakovic pointed out that Serbia attached great importance to the work of the Intergovernmental Commission for Trade and Economic Cooperation and that it wished its results to be more tangible and to have a more significant impact on the increase in the volume of trade in goods between the two countries.

Selakovic expressed his belief that the newly-appointed Serbian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Dragan Vladisavljevic would make a significant contribution to the promotion of our economic relations.

According to the Serbian Foreign Minister, there is a need to encourage the business communities of Serbia and Azerbaijan to diversify economic cooperation and intensify direct contacts, and the abolition of visas for Serbian citizens as well as the establishment of direct flights would give a strong impetus to economic cooperation.

Selakovic proposed that the sixth session of the Intergovernmental Commission be held during his upcoming visit to Azerbaijan, as well as that the practice be established of holding regular meetings of the commission once a year.

The Minister announced that, at the next session of the Intergovernmental Commission, Serbia would present certain proposals in the fields of tourism, telecommunications, construction, transport, defense industry, infrastructure, finance, mining, energy, agriculture, forestry, water management, culture, information, schools and education, youth, sports and environmental protection.

The two Ministers also discussed a number of political topics and the Head of Serbian diplomacy pointed out that we highly appreciated the correct position of Azerbaijan concerning non-recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of the so-called "Kosovo", as well as that we hoped that we would be able to count on support on this issue in the period ahead as well.

President Vučić met via video link with representatives of the IMF delegation

President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić talked today via a video link with the representatives of the delegation of the International Monetary Fund led by the Head of the Mission, Jan Kees Martijn. The interlocutors concluded that Serbia's main goal remains to preserve the hard-earned reputation of a fiscally secure country, as well as to continue with a responsible fiscal policy so that public debt does not exceed 60 per cent of GDP, whereby Serbia continues to work on further economic growth.

During the conversation, President Vučić and Jan Kees Martijn especially referred to the incentive measures and adopted three packages of measures to help the economy and citizens, which preserved macroeconomic stability and even achieved a higher employment rate. Martijn commended the responsible economic policy of Serbia and the successful crisis management during the pandemic.

"Serbia achieved one of the best results last year despite the challenges of the pandemic", Martijn said, noting that Serbia was one of the few countries to which the IMF did not adjust the initial projection of the 5% growth rate it gave last year.

President Vučić added that following the first quarter of 2021, Serbia is well on its way to achieving the planned growth of 6% as planned, since one of the main focuses of the Government is investing in large infrastructure projects and intensifying work on attracting foreign direct investments.

"In 2020, Serbia was at the very top in terms of economic growth in Europe, and I am convinced that this year we can enter the first three or four countries in terms of growth", said President Vučić, adding that he was satisfied that Serbia still, despite the pandemic situation, has an extremely strong inflow of investment.

President Vučić and Jan Kees Martijn also discussed a new advisory arrangement, which is of special importance in light of the improvement of the general investment climate in Serbia, as well as in the context of even greater investor assurance.

"Given Serbia's tremendous progress over the past eight years, the priority goal of this arrangement will be to preserve the results achieved, but also to provide support for further implementation of structural reforms aimed at even faster, stronger and more sustainable growth", said President Vučić and thanked the IMF and the personal engagement of Jan Kees Martijn in the professional and expert support that Serbia is counting on.

President Vučić pointed out that Serbia will pay special attention to reforms in public companies, and that priorities will continue to be investments in infrastructure, creating an even better climate for investments, greater investments in the environment, science and capital projects, which will further contribute to the long term stable financial growth in the coming years.

Source: www.predsednik.rs
Photo: www.predsednik.rs

WHO describes immunisation process in Serbia as impressive

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic talked today with World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge about the epidemiological situation and the course of immunisation of citizens in Serbia.

Brnabic expressed gratitude for the cooperation in the fight against the pandemic, technical assistance and expertise, emphasising that the support of this organisation is very important for our country.

She informed the WHO Regional Director for Europe about the course of immunisation of citizens in Serbia, expressing her belief that, thanks to the large number of vaccinated people, we will be able to create collective immunity and return to normal life.

Kluge assessed the immunisation process in Serbia as impressive, and added that Serbia has made a good decision to offer citizens all available vaccines used in the fight against coronavirus.

Expressing concern over the emergence of new strains of the virus, he stressed the need to speed up the immunisation process and show mutual solidarity.

The WHO Regional Director for Europe praised Serbia for the humanity it has shown by donating vaccines to the countries of the region and enabling vaccination for those who do not have a sufficient number of vaccines for their citizens.

The Prime Minister said that Serbia will continue to cooperate with the countries of the region and help in accordance with its capabilities.

When it comes to the project "Roadmap for Health in the Western Balkans 2021-2025", it was stated that, if epidemiological conditions allow, a regional meeting will be held in Belgrade at the end of the year, important for future improvement of cooperation between countries in the field of health challenges.

Selakovic: Pristina persists in its campaign of hatred against the Serbian people (19 Аpril 2021)

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Nikola Selakovic stated today that Pristina further persisted in its campaign of hatred against the Serbian people, which was most drastically seen in the unfounded accusations of mass rapes and genocide.

At the UN Security Council meeting discussing the Report of the UN Secretary-General on the work of UNMIK, Selakovic emphasized that the efforts of the provisional institutions in Kosovo and Metohija to create a narrative about mass rapes of Albanian women were obvious, and that propaganda methods and lies were used for that purpose.

"It is clear that there were victims on all sides in the conflict, as well as that our side has evidence of numerous Serb victims. But the precondition for ensuring the protection of rights that belong to each individual victim is a rational and well-argued approach", Selakovic said responding to the slander of the Pristina representative.

Selakovic underlined that, contrary to the claims of politicians from Pristina about 20,000 raped Albanian women, the information provided by the Commission for the Verification and Recognition of Sexual Violence Victim Status indicates 912 raped persons, however, failing to include in this number the Serb women who were victims of violence.

"Let me emphasize that Serbia condemns every act of sexual violence in conflicts and is committed to achieving justice for all victims. The number of victims certainly does not diminish the horrific effect of this type of violence on each victim individually, but also, speculating on numbers does not contribute to justice being served and leads to politicization and slowing down the reconciliation process", Selakovic said.

Regarding the genocide accusations, Minister Selakovic stated that they only went to prove that Pristina further persisted in its campaign of hatred, propaganda and open hostility towards the Serbian people.

"Through statements given on a daily basis, they attempt to paint a picture that Serbia is to blame for everything and that genocide was committed against Albanians, all in order to hide their own responsibility for the committed crimes", the Serbian Foreign Minister said.

He underlined that anyone who knew what the definition of genocide implied would understand that it was not Serbia that committed something, but that the Serbian people was instead a victim of the "state-building" project of the Kosovo Albanians, based on the dangerous idea of ethnically clean territories, as evidenced by more than 200,000 expelled Serbs from Kosovo and Metohija.

"We are convinced that the civilized world will not agree to be their accomplice in concealing and covering up their crimes, and that a clear message will be sent to them that they must take responsibility for their actions", Selakovic said.
He reminded that until 1999, around 40,000 Serbs lived in Pristina, and that today there were only about twenty of them, that around 17,000 Serbs lived in Pec, and that today there were only the Serbian nuns in the Patriarchate of Pec, that around 12,000 Serbs lived in Prizren before the war, and that today only 17 families remained there, and that in Urosevac, out of 10,000 Serbs who lived there before the war, only the family of a Serbian priest remained.

Selakovic: Political extremism of Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija is becoming stronger (19 April 2021)

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Nikola Selakovic warned, at the United Nations Security Council meeting, that the political extremism among Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija was not decreasing, but on the contrary, was becoming stronger.

At the meeting discussing the Report of the UN Secretary-General on the work of UNMIK, Minister Selakovic recalled that the obligation to form the Community of Serb Municipalities  remained unfulfilled for 2,917 days now and that, in fact, 19 April marked eight full years since the agreement was reached in Brussels, while Pristina still refused to follow up on its commitment and enable the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities.

The Minister reminded that the current Prime Minister of the provisional institutions of self-government in Pristina repeatedly threatened to unite the self-proclaimed Kosovo and Albania, and that he also stated that the dialogue with Belgrade was low on the list of his priorities.

Minister Selakovic pointed out that it was high time for Albanian leaders in Pristina to show responsibility in fulfilling their commitments, but also a sincere commitment to reaching a compromise solution and building mutual trust.

"Serbia is determined and will not give up on identifying a compromise solution, which will be sustainable for future generations as well. The only way to build lasting peace and stability in our region is by working to build trust and insisting on positive political agendas", Selakovic concluded.

According to the Minister, lasting peace and stability can only be achieved if none of the participants in the dialogue pursued maximalist demands and insisted on the complete humiliation of the other.

He pointed out that the Serbian and Albanian peoples, as the two most numerous peoples in the Western Balkans, needed to find a way to reach reconciliation and a basis for cooperation, both in terms of the economy and in achieving shared prospects for membership of the European Union.

"Belgrade has made sincere steps in that direction, by being one of the initiators of the idea of relaxing the flow of people, goods, capital and services, popularly referred to as "mini-Schengen", the Minister underlined.

Pointing out that Serbia had time and time again demonstrated its commitment to dialogue as the only way towards a peaceful, political solution to the problem in Kosovo and Metohija, Selakovic underscored that the recent elections in the Province confirmed that political extremism among Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija was not decreasing, but on the contrary, was becoming stronger, which could be seen during the recent pre-election process.
Minister stressed that political pressures on Serbs continued even after the election process was completed, by denying Serbs fair representation in provisional institutions as the new so-called government in Pristina decided to assign only one ministry to the Serb community.

"Serb returnees represent a particularly vulnerable category, who spend their every day in fear of being attacked. I remind you that the southern Serbian province is still an area with the lowest return rate of displaced persons in the world", the Minister said and emphasized that, in the last year alone, more than 80 attacks and incidents took place in our southern province, targeting Serbs, their property and religious sites.

It is particularly worrying for the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, Selakovic noted, that in the previous period, and especially in March this year, there were frequent physical attacks on the property of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

"A striking example of the disrespectful attitude towards Serbian cultural and religious monuments in the Province, whose exceptional universal value UNESCO confirmed by inscribing them on the World Heritage List, is the case of the Visoki Decani Monastery", the Minister underlined.

Furthermore, the Serbian Foreign Minister assessed as concerning the breaking into the Health Center in Strpce by police inspectors and officers, in January this year, who conducted a search aiming to discover Covid-19 vaccines there, originating from central Serbia.

"Although we consider this to be an intrusion into a health care institution, our reaction was restrained this time as well. We did not want our decisions to cause escalation and politicization of activities that are solely aimed at protecting public health. We organized the vaccination of citizens from Kosovo and Metohija at three locations in central Serbia and thus clearly demonstrated that people's lives are the top priority to us", the Minister stressed.

Minister Selakovic stated that Serbia highly valued the activities of UNMIK mission in Kosovo and Metohija and that it supported it in carrying out its work as efficiently as possible and undiminished in scope, aiming to build and preserve security in the Province.

Selakovic said that the international missions in Kosovo and Metohija - UNMIK, KFOR, EULEX and the OSCE mission, under the administration of the United Nations and in line with UNSC Resolution 1244, played a key role in the preservation of peace and protection of the population.

"We support and respect their engagement and efforts made in the framework of their mandates, with the common goal of creating conditions for a peaceful and safe coexistence of the inhabitants of Kosovo and Metohija. The Serb and other non-Albanian population in Kosovo and Metohija have the utmost confidence in the international presence and consider it a guarantor of security and a barrier against the arbitrariness of the provisional institutions in Pristina", the Minister emphasized.

He said that this demonstrated the need that international missions remain engaged in an undiminished scope, in order to consistently implement UNSC Resolution 1244.

Selakovic further emphasized the importance of KFOR international forces and pointed out that any unilateral attempt to assign to someone else or that someone else assumes a part of KFOR's mandate and responsibilities constitutes a violation of UNSC Resolution 1244.

The Minister also noted as unacceptable the unilateral decisions on the formation of the Pristina "Ministry of Defence" and launching the process of transforming the so-called "Kosovo Security Forces" (KSF) into the so-called "Kosovo Army".

At the beginning of his statement, Minister Selakovic lodged a protest against the abuse of the video format of the session by the representative of Pristina as she had a flag of the self-proclaimed "Kosovo" placed behind her, and the representative of Russia did the same.

Below is an integral version of the speech of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Selakovic

Distinguished President of the Security Council,

Distinguished Special Representative,

Esteemed members of the Security Council,

At the outset, I have no choice but to lodge a protest against the abuse of the video format of this session on the part of the representatives of Pristina in order to promote the symbols of the so-called statehood of Kosovo. Despite the fact that the representatives of Pristina were warned on several occasions, including by the President of the Security Council at the previous session, that such abuses of Security Council sessions are absolutely unacceptable and constitute a flagrant violation of the Security Council rules on participation of representatives of the provisional institutions of self-government in Pristina, under Rule 39 of the UN Security Council Rules of Procedure, we are again faced with their reckless disregard for the rules of this distinguished body. Let me reiterate our call for the necessary steps to be taken to prevent such abuses.

It is my great pleasure to address this august body at the meeting on the work of the Mission of the United Nations in Kosovo and Metohija. At the outset, I would like to thank Secretary-General of the United Nations Mr. Guterres and Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMIK Mr. Tanin for the report submitted and for their efforts made towards the implementation of the UNMIK mandate, and also to the members of the Security Council for the continued attention they have devoted to the issue of Kosovo and Metohija. The Republic of Serbia highly values the activities of the Mission of the United Nations in Kosovo and Metohija and supports it in carrying out its work as efficiently as possible and undiminished in scope, aiming to build and preserve security in the Province.

Mr. President,

In the previous period we have faced political instability in Kosovo and Metohija. We recently had elections in the Province, which unfortunately confirmed that political extremism among Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija is not decreasing, but on the contrary, is becoming stronger. We have witnessed Albanian leaders competing among themselves in efforts to find the best way to provoke an incident in Serb communities, in order to score political points of the Albanian electorate. Under the pretext of amending the voter list, a large number of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija were deprived of one of their fundamental political rights - the opportunity to elect their political representatives. Out of approximately 140,000 of citizens of Kosovo and Metohija who were removed from the voter list in the latest election process, 85% are Serbs.

Despite numerous challenges and problems, the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija have shown, by high turnout and a convincing victory of the Serb List which won all ten seats reserved for Serbian representatives, that nothing can stop them from resolutely defending their position. Political pressures on Serbs continued even after the election process was completed, by denying Serbs fair representation in provisional institutions as the new so-called government in Pristina decided to assign only one ministry to the Serb community.

Distinguished members of the Security Council,

Unfortunately, it was not only during the election activities that we witnessed the unreasonable anti-Serb policy being pursued by the provisional institutions in Pristina. This goes to the length of breaking into the Health Center in Strpce, in the south of Kosovo and Metohija, by police inspectors and officers from Pristina, in  January this year, who conducted a search aiming to discover Covid-19 vaccines there, originating from central Serbia, which they did not find. In doing so they demonstrated force and threatened to arrest the director of the Health Center, medical staff and doctors. At a time when the whole world is fighting the pandemic with vaccines being the only way to end this challenge, while Serbia is showing support and solidarity by donating vaccines and medical equipment to all in need in the region, Pristina wants to destroy vaccines only because they originate from central Serbia. As the whole world expresses gratitude to medical doctors, who have made great and heroic sacrifices in combating the virus, the provisional institutions in Pristina are attacking Serbian doctors for doing their job.

Although we believe that intrusions into health care institutions are inadmissible, our reaction was restrained this time as well. We did not want our decisions to cause escalation and politicization of activities that are solely aimed at protecting public health. We organized the vaccination of citizens from Kosovo and Metohija at three locations in central Serbia and thus clearly demonstrated that people's lives are the top priority to us. Serbia continues to be ready to help all in need of assistance, and we call for reason and responsibility, especially in such difficult times.

Mr. President,

Attacks targeting Serbs and their property have been on the rise. In the last year alone, more than 80 attacks and incidents took place in our southern province, targeting Serbs, their property and religious sites. According to the information provided by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and Metohija, in the second half of last year, the number of incidents increased by more than 30% compared to 2019. Therefore, we cannot agree with the assessment that the "security situation in Kosovo remained stable, with a few incidents reported affecting non-majority communities". Last weekend, for example, an entirely unprovoked physical attack by a group of Albanians on two Serb young men took place in the northern part of Kosovska Mitrovica.

Serb returnees represent a particularly vulnerable category, who spend their every day in fear of being attacked. The fact that one family of returnees was the target of seven attacks clearly indicates the persistence of those who do not want Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija. There is absolutely no trace of political will in Pristina for 212,995 displaced Serbs who have been living outside Kosovo and Metohija for 22 years to return to their homes. Since 1999, the rate of sustainable return of internally displaced persons in Kosovo and Metohija has been only 1.9%, which according to the UN data is officially the lowest percentage of return of expelled population after a conflict anywhere in the world.

At the same time, while arresting internally displaced persons, Pristina authorities are exerting the strongest of pressures on the Specialist Chambers in The Hague. The aim is to completely prevent the further processing of a number of cases against members of the terrorist KLA, on charges of serious crimes committed during the conflict in Kosovo and Metohija against both Serbs and persons belonging to other nationalities. President of the Specialist Chambers Madam Trendafilova recently warned that, should the pressures continue, this would have very dramatic consequences to the trials in progress. President Trendafilova underlined as highly problematic the phenomenon of witness intimidation, who are key for conducting proceedings successfully and rendering a proper verdict.

Although the wait to raise indictments was far too long, we consider it commendable that efforts have finally been made to punish the perpetrators of numerous serious crimes which were committed during the armed conflicts a little over two decades ago, but also upon the arrival of the international forces to Kosovo and Metohija. For example, no one has been held accountable to this day for the killings and abductions of 17 journalists in Kosovo and Metohija, which is currently the largest number of unsolved cases of murdered and kidnapped journalists in Europe. Furthermore, the perpetrators of any of the mass crimes committed against Serb civilians after 1999 have not been brought to justice. I will remind you of only a few of these cases: 14 Serb farmers were killed in the village of Staro Gracko, 12 displaced Serbs were killed and 43 wounded in the attack on the "Niš Express" bus in Livadice near Podujevo, and in Gorazdevac near Pec unknown persons fired automatic weapons on children who were swimming in the Bistrica river. Two Serb children were killed then, and four were seriously injured.

We expect the EULEX Mission to continue to support the Specialist Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor's Office, as well as its additional engagement in the field of the rule of law. Special attention needs to be devoted to witness protection, and determining the fate of missing persons.

International missions in Kosovo and Metohija - UNMIK, KFOR EULEX and OMIK are an integral part of the international civilian and security presence in our southern province, under the administration of the United Nations and in line with UNSC Resolution 1244 (1999), and play a key role and make an outstanding contribution to the preservation of peace and protection of the population. We support and respect their engagement and efforts made in the framework of their mandates, with the common goal of creating conditions for a peaceful and safe coexistence of the inhabitants of Kosovo and Metohija. The Serb and other non-Albanian population in Kosovo and Metohija have the utmost confidence in the international presence and consider it a guarantor of security and a barrier against the arbitrariness of the provisional institutions in Pristina. This further demonstrates the need that international missions remain engaged in an undiminished scope, in order to consistently implement UNSC Resolution 1244.

I would like to further emphasize the importance of KFOR international forces and point out that any unilateral attempt to assign to someone else or that someone else assumes a part of KFOR's mandate and responsibilities constitutes a violation of the UNSC Resolution 1244, while also being a potential source of instability and tensions. I will remind you that Pristina, contrary to international law and completely ignoring the interests and positions of the Serb community in the Province, would not abandon its plans to install a new security actor in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija. We consider the unilateral decisions on the formation of the "Ministry of Defence" and launching the process of transforming the so-called "Kosovo Security Forces" (KSF) into the so-called "Kosovo Army" to be unacceptable. I would like to reiterate that such unilateral moves on the part of Pristina constitute a gross violation of the UNSC Resolution 1244 and the Military Technical Agreement, according to which only the International Security Forces, that is KFOR, have the mandate for all military aspects of security in the territory of Kosovo and Metohija.

In this context, an additional reason for concern is the announcement of the construction of the largest base of the "Kosovo Security Forces" in the southern part of Kosovska Mitrovica, which Serbs in the north of Kosovo and Metohija perceive as the most open provocation and threat to their physical safety.

Distinguished members of the Security Council,

It is particularly worrying for the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija that in the previous period, and especially in March this year, there were frequent physical attacks on the property of the Serbian Orthodox Church. In just two weeks, as many as seven Orthodox landmarks in the province were targeted by vandals, at a time when we all remember the March 2004 pogrom against Serbs and Serbian holy sites in Kosovo and Metohija. The condition of the Serbian cultural and spiritual heritage in Kosovo and Metohija is humiliating, including the four monuments that are inscribed on the UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger (Visoki Decani, Holy Virgin of Ljevisa, Gracanica and the Patriarchate of Pec). Numerous administrative and technical barriers are imposed on priestly and monastic communities, which makes it more difficult or even impossible for them to survive on church property.

A striking example of the disrespectful attitude towards Serbian cultural and religious monuments in the Province, whose exceptional universal value UNESCO confirmed by inscribing them on the World Heritage List, is the case of the Visoki Decani Monastery.

Distinguished members of the Security Council,

The reason for the nervous behaviour of Pristina is all too obvious, as the project of the so-called independence today fails to be recognized by more than a half of the United Nations Member States, including five members of the European Union. However, it is high time for Albanian leaders in Pristina to show responsibility in fulfilling their commitments, but also a sincere commitment to reaching a compromise solution and building mutual trust.

I will remind you that the current Prime Minister of the provisional institutions of self-government in Pristina has repeatedly threatened to unite the self-proclaimed Kosovo and Albania in the past. A member of his party publicly said last weekend that the self-proclaimed Kosovo and Albania would be united, I quote, "with rifle and gunpowder, or referendum boxes".

I need not explain why such dangerous ideas constitute a direct threat to peace and stability. They violate Resolution 1244, while continuously destabilizing not only our southern province, but the entire region as well, and in no way contribute to the dialogue process, but instead hamper it again.

We have demonstrated time and time again our commitment to dialogue as the only way towards a peaceful, political solution to the problem in Kosovo and Metohija. Even today, after many years of negotiations, but also failure to fulfill what was agreed and constant unilateral moves and provocations on the part of the provisional institutions in Pristina, we are still ready to sit down at the table and talk.

We are ready for dialogue but not to be blackmailed and threatened and especially not for ultimatums recently presented by Prime Minister of the provisional institutions of self-government in Pristina. I will remind you of his statement that the dialogue will be low on the list of priorities of the Pristina authorities. It is bewildering how Pristina refers to ultimatums completely undermining any chance of dialogue, as the European Union also pointed out, as "principles" and how it persistently insists that Belgrade should recognize the unilaterally declared independence of "Kosovo", upon which, they believe, all else would be resolved. What is the purpose of the dialogue then, if Belgrade is only expected to recognize the so-called Kosovo? Does the dialogue imply that one side should give up everything only for the other to win it all? And does the dialogue, in Pristina's opinion, imply that what was agreed should not be fulfilled?

I will remind you that Pristina still refuses to follow up on its obligations arising from the agreements reached so far and does not agree to discuss their implementation within the dialogue. And the situation is quite simple - in April 2013, the first agreement was signed in Brussels, which envisaged four obligations: one for Pristina and three for Belgrade. Belgrade has fulfilled all obligations, while the only obligation that the provisional institutions in Pristina had - to form the Community of Serb Municipalities - has remained unfulfilled for 2,917 days now. In fact, 19 April marks eight full years since the agreement was reached in Brussels, and of Pristina's failure to fulfill the obligation to form the Community of Serb Municipalities.

Distinguished Mr. President,

Regardless of the discouraging messages heard from Pristina and the fact that the dialogue has been in progress for many years, Serbia is determined and will not give up on identifying a compromise solution, which will be sustainable for future generations as well. Lasting peace and stability can only be achieved if none of the participants in the dialogue pursues maximalist demands and insists on the complete humiliation of the other. The Serbian and Albanian peoples, as the two most numerous peoples in the Western Balkans, need to find a way to reach reconciliation and a basis for cooperation, both in terms of the economy and in achieving shared prospects for membership  to the European Union.

Belgrade has made sincere steps in that direction, by being one of the initiators of the idea of relaxing the flow of people, goods, capital and services, popularly referred to as "mini-Schengen".

As far as Serbia is concerned, we are convinced that the only way to build lasting peace and stability in our region is by working to build trust and insisting on positive political agendas. The inhabitants of Kosovo and Metohija, of any nationality, whether they are Serbs or Albanians, do not deserve anything less.

Thank you for your attention.

22 YEARS SINCE NATO AGGRESSION ON FRY

President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic made a statement on the occasion of marking the Day of Remembrance of the victims of the NATO aggression.

"Your Holiness, distinguished Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, distinguished Speakers of the National Assemblies of the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Srpska, distinguished Prime Ministers of the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Srpska, distinguished Ministers of both Governments, dear guests and friends, representatives of the Serbian People from Montenegro, North Macedonia, Croatia, thank you for the fact that we are all together tonight and that the Serbian spirit is unbreakable and invincible.

One child a day and a little more than that. That is the most difficult, sickening and painful number of the NATO aggression from 1999. Killed, stopped, guilty of nothing, having committed no sin, without the right to defence, without the right to justice and without the right to life.

No one has ever been held accountable for this crime, a crime greater than a crime. No one, for the 2,500 killed civilians, but also soldiers and policemen who were only guilty of guarding, protecting themselves and their homes. No one has ever been held accountable for more than 6,000 persons injured.

Even today, 22 years after the aggression, it is not possible to explain that, there is no universal justification, despite all the work done to that end, there is no reason, it makes no sense, and only names remain, as eternal as sin.

Miljana Milic, fifteen years old,
Vladimir Milic, twelve years old,
Miomir Mladenovic, fourteen years old,
Dragan Dimic, three years old,
Julijana Brudar, ten years,
Olivera Maksimovic, twelve years old,
Miroslav Knezevic, thirteen years old,
Dajana Pavlovic, five years old,
Stevan Pavlovic, eight years old,
Marko Simic, two years old,
Milica Rakic, three years old,
Ivan Ivancic, seven years old,
Marko Ivanovic, three years old...

And the list goes on, eighty nine names, not only Serbian ones...

The senselessness of sheer killing did not choose. Sixteen children, aged two to seventeen, from the Ahmetaj and Hasani families, were killed in a convoy returning home to Prizren.

In one headline in the West, this was simply explained as a "tragic mistake". The deaths of Marko Roglic, Milan Ignjatovic, Gordana Nikolic, Irena Mitic, Milica Stojanovic, Bojana Tosovic, Branimir Stanijanovic, our Sanja Milenkovic...could not expect or get even such an explanation.

Those deaths were not tragic, for those who caused them, much less a mistake. It was just an excuse, a miserable excuse.

They were a result of intent and a clear decision, as a severe judgment against one country, its people, its children.

And that is why today we will refrain from speculation in giving a name to everything that happened during the spring of 1999. Because a crime happened, a heinous and terrible one. And it was an aggression, not a bombing, not an intervention, not a campaign, not an operation. An aggression is what happened. An attack on a sovereign country, without a decision of the United Nations, without a sufficient reason that would justify attacking the then Yugoslavia or a neighbouring or NATO country.

No one was attacked by Serbia or the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia at that time. They attacked us, with one goal. To defeat us, to keep killing us, and in the end to take away a part of our territory.

And no matter how much we analyze things today, no matter how harsh and critical we are towards ourselves, our policy and leadership at the time, it is clear that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Serbia were left with almost no choice then. The choice was horrible, either the loss of territory and people on the one hand, or the complete disappearance of the Serbian state, morals, honour, Serbian spirit, names and surnames. And we could not help but lose. Nineteen big ones attacked one small country, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. They attacked both Serbia and Montenegro. And even when they don't talk about it today, in one of the two independent countries, those are the facts. And that small country, and that small nation, to all nineteen of them so great and powerful, held a lesson in what matters most - honour, morals and love for freedom that a nation can have.

Yes, justice, lest we forget justice. All those nineteen great ones today still silently talk about their military success, avoid answering questions, while - can you imagine, one small, only numerically small Serbian people, that small but magnificent nation, with sadness, tears in their eyes, proudly remembers their resistance and struggle against the nineteen cruel and arrogant ones.

We lost a lot, we lost our fathers, brothers, spouses, children, but the honour and Serbian heart are still there, to protect Serbia, which is eternal and indestructible.

We lost children, we lost people, we lost control over a large part of the territory, we lost billions because of the destroyed infrastructure and economy.

And all that was left for us was the body of a tortured, destroyed country, a country in disintegration, mutilated, looted, wounded, deserted, and guilty, condemned for everything that happened not only in the 1990s, but throughout history.

A country that, even ten years after the aggression, did not have the strength to stand up, rise to its feet, and do anything but be silent, or bow its head and obediently apologize, for everything, even for its dead, even for its murdered children.

Today, it is no longer that failed, tortured, devastated, mutilated Serbia.

Today, it is Serbia, which has found its strength and its pride again.

Serbia, which calls things by their real names.

Serbia, which turned its back on war and defeats, and started working.

Serbia, which rose to stand on its own feet and has a voice of its own.

Serbia, which, even when they don't believe it, they listen to. Which is capable, which is growing, and is no longer part of the problem. Serbia, which is and will be, at least we will do our best to this end, the very solution that enables the entire region to live in peace and understanding.

And that Serbia, today, when there are still many more bombs in the world than vaccines, sends not bombs, but precisely those vaccines to the region. Today, it is ready to produce them as well, and in just a few months we will do just that, but not only for ourselves, but also for others, for the entire Balkans.

We are ready, and we are willing to help.

We are not ready to be and we will not be silent, nor be humiliated again.

We draw the right to that not only from the victims we had, but also from the fact that we stopped looking at others only a long time ago, and looking for fault and guilt only in them, and not sometimes in ourselves as well.

We looked at each other and admitted. Every loss, every defeat and every crime that someone committed in our name, every failure and every wrong policy.

And we are no longer doing anything that could endanger anyone.

We continue to work and work, and grow more and more, gaining strength with only one goal - to be the best in economy and education, health, in culture, science, sports...

And we want to be safe, on our own. We want our army to be much stronger than it was in 1999. So that we never again face a situation that someone is killing our children, destroying the country, or expelling our people.

We want to remain free, to decide our own destiny, and for no one to take everything away from us ever again, and give us nothing.

And that nothing today, and I will repeat it as much as necessary, is the idea of some great, powerful ones, but also those who serve them, the idea that "Kosovo" should recognize us, so that we could recognize "Kosovo".

We do not need that recognition. And Serbia will not allow you to walk over our victims, our history, our past, but also to walk over our future. You will get the answer of reasonable, kind and responsible people. We need a compromise. We need all the obligations that we and Pristina have assumed to be fulfilled, but only we have fulfilled them so far.

And this is not our whim. It is not a phantasmagoria about a Serbian world that we want to create.

Even today, when they threaten us with the formation of a Greater Albania, when they say that the Community of Serb Municipalities is not going to happen, it is ours to be calm, to take care of our people in Kosovo and Metohija, but to send a clear message to all those great, powerful ones that we are not as weak as we were, that we will be able to preserve what is our own, not touching anything that belongs to anyone else. After all, Serbia is not and will not be but a handful of oats that every crow from the whole wide world can eat. As for those who used the strength and power of the nineteen arrogant and cruel ones, I only ask them not to threaten us. Please, please, don't threaten us. They should not think that Serbia is broken and that it will not have the strength to respond. Please, please, our Albanian neighbours, do not threaten us. And we ask all others, who have demonstrated their cruelty towards Serbia, not to help you in that. That is all we are asking and nothing more.

And we will respond to calls for peace, calls for compromise, and always with good will, because we do not want to have children killed again. And we do not want the children of others to suffer again. But do not underestimate Serbia, and do not look at Serbia with the same eyes as you did in 1999.

Today, Serbia is much stronger, much more powerful. Today, Serbia is a united country of togetherness, not a divided one. Today, Serbia is incomparably stronger and better in every aspect than it was in 1999, from the economy to our army. And we will never threaten anyone, we just ask you and request from you to respect us and nothing more.

Today, we are building roads that will connect us, among ourselves, with the region and with the world. Until the end of the year, we will work on eight motorways, on eight routes in the entire Balkans, not only Serbia, eight roads of peace and cooperation.

Only a crazy person would trade this for war, for dead children, for demolition and new loss. And yes, we want to have the closest relations with everyone who took part in the aggression against our beautiful Serbia, we have forgiven a long time ago, but no, we will never forget. And don't ask us to. That one day, every year, we will remind both ourselves and you. The nineteen of you, the most powerful, strongest, greatest in terms of might and force, but not so much when it comes to honour and morality. We will keep remind you and ourselves, just so it would never happen again. Not to us only, but to none other freedom-loving people in the world.

And if we have an offer, today it reads as follows: we are ready to make the whole Balkans a winner, for everyone to win, as long as no one tries to make Serbs the only losers.

And the path to this goal is not difficult at all.

We just need to respect and understand each other and not try to humiliate each other.

And not to touch into what everyone paid the highest and bloodies price for. Freedom. And we, Serbs, know the price of freedom.

Into our right to have it, to keep it and to remember all the victims who are part of it.

And our defeats, our lives and our children are built into ours. And the lives of our heroic pilots, and our giants from Kosare and Pastrik, and our children, innocent, completely innocent, and only guilty of living in Serbia.

This is too high a price to be quiet about it.

Because that would mean that we are ready for another defeat, for another humiliation.

And we are not.

And when all go quiet, we will keep repeating.

A child a day, and a little more. This was how much you killed us. In an aggression that even you did not understand why you carried it out.

And we will keep repeating this, just so it does not happen to us again.

With special reverence, we are fulfilling our obligation to pay tribute to all innocent Serbian victims who laid their lives on the altar of the homeland, both civilians and our heroic soldiers and policemen, the heroes of Kosare, Prizren, Mitrovica.

Today, for us Serbs, life in Kosovo and Metohija is like Via Dolorosa, using their last strength on the road to Golgotha, but we would not be Serbs if we were not capable to "exist in a terrible place".

And today, tonight, I can conclude with one important sentence. On the soil of Europe, there was, and today is stronger than ever, an indomitable, unwavering, unconquerable and never conquered Serbia.

May eternal glory be to all the victims of the NATO aggression and let us all exclaim together - long live free and proud Serbia", President Vucic said.

24 March 2021

Source: www.predsednik.rs
Photo: www.predsednik.rs

Commemorating Remembrance Day of 17 March 2004 - Pogrom in Kosovo and Metohija (18 March 2021)

President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic participated today in the commemoration of the Remembrance Day of 17 March 2004 - Pogrom in Kosovo and Metohija. He said that exactly 17 years ago, a pogrom took place in Kosovo and Metohija, and that pogrom surpassed all other crimes.

"There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest, these words of Elie Wiesel, a camp survivor and Nobel laureate, make it forever incumbent upon us not to remain silent against crime, regardless of who and for what reason committed it", President Vucic stated and added that we remembered and learned every lesson in which we were losers, each one in which we were silent to our own victims, and each one when we were ready to forget.  

"Serbia is no longer weak today, nor is it a country of losers, it does not threaten, but it does not forget either, it is ready for talks, but not for humiliation. Serbia, just like everyone else, has the right to take care of its people, their safety and well-being. The right to life is a fundamental human right and we will always defend it", President Vucic said.

President Vucic said that pogrom surpasses all other crimes, because it is not only an act, but an intention, a policy, a premediated attempt to forcibly cleanse persons belonging to other peoples and faiths from a region or a country.

"We have no right to remain silent to that", said the President of Serbia, emphasizing that we have an obligation to be winners without blood spilled and war, to be the best in the economy, healthcare, sports, education and everything else that implies development and progress.

"We also wish others to work on themselves and be successful, because we are aware that crime is a tool for losers that winners do not need, as they remember, but forgive and move on, while the losers keep spinning in the same vicious circle. We Serbs do not want to be that anymore, we want a future in which we will remember, but from which we will not return. We know what happened and we call it by its real name", President Vucic concluded.

Republic of Serbia in the Month of Francophonie

The Republic of Serbia, as an associate member of the Francophonie, together with the entire Francophone community in the world, marks the "Month of Francophonie". For all lovers of Serbian culture and the French language, the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Serbia has prepared a rich program, and the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Sofia invites you to discover the diversity and richness of Serbian culture in French.

http://www.baku.mfa.gov.rs/odrzavanje/uploads/Serbie_au_Mois_de_la_Francophonie_2021.pdf

Selakovic: Fight against all forms of crime is a priority of the Serbian Government (9 March 2021)

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Nikola Selakovic said today that the fight against all forms of crime was a top priority of the Serbian Government and an integral part of the EU accession process.

"It is also our moral duty, in order to leave a better world for the generations to come", Selakovic said participating via video-link at the 14th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, held in Kyoto.   

Minister Selakovic emphasized that Serbia, in its Second Serious and Organized Crime Threat Assessment from 2019, identified as its goal to eliminate cybercrime, human trafficking, terrorism and irregular migration.

The Serbian Foreign Minister pointed out that our country had established in a timely manner a normative and institutional framework that regulates prevention of abuse in this area, as well as that the Office of the Special Prosecutor for Cybercrime, a special court department and a special police unit were established.

The Minister underlined that, in the field of the fight against corruption, Serbia was guided by the postulates set out in the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the UN Convention against Corruption.

Selakovic pointed out the efforts made by the Anti-Corruption Agency, as an independent state body, to protect the public interest, build individual and institutional integrity, strengthen transparency and accountability of the public administration.

"We strongly condemn all forms of terrorism, including extremism and radicalism, and call for them to be fully eradicated, while implementing the relevant UN resolutions and conventions and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy", the Head of Serbian diplomacy underscored.

In order to combat these complex phenomena efficiently and successfully, Selakovic said, it was of vital importance to build capacities of our societies and states, while exchanging experiences at the regional and global levels.

Minister Selakovic thanked Japanese Ambassador Hikihara for the skill he showed in conducting the talks on harmonizing and adopting the Kyoto Declaration, which, as he stressed, was an important indicator of the commitment to creating and maintaining the institutional framework for crime prevention as one of the main preconditions for promoting sustainable development goals.

"Back in 1970 when Japan hosted this event for the first time, we demonstrated strong political will to draw attention to the problem. Today, it is incumbent upon us to reaffirm this willingness and resolve and translate it into concrete steps", the Serbian Foreign Minister said.

18 February 2021 Metropolitan Porfirije of Zagreb and Ljubljana elected as the new Patriarch of Serbia

The Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church elected His Eminence Metropolitan Porfirije of Zagreb-Ljubljana, PhD, as the new Serbian Patriarch, in its convocation in Memorial Cathedral of Saint Sava in Belgrade on 18 February 2021.

Immediately after the election a thanksgiving service was officiated and Many Years was chanted to the Archbishop of Pec, Metropolitan of Belgrade-Karlovci and Serbian Patriarch Porfirije. Bells at Saint Sava Cathedral in the Vracar district of Belgrade rang a few minutes before 4:00 pm indicating that the 46th Patriarch of Serbia was elected.

Newly-elected Archbishop of Pec, Metropolitan of Belgrade-Karlovci and Serbian Patriarch Porfirije (Peric) was born on 22 July 1961 in Becej, to father Radivoje and Mother Radojka. He was baptized as Prvoslav. He finished primary school in Curug, and the “Jovan Jovanovic Zmaj” Grammar School in Novi Sad. He was ordained a monk according to the rite of small schime by his spiritual father, then hieromonk Dr. Irinej (Bulovic), at Decani Monastery on Sunday of St. Thomas in 1985.

He graduated from the Faculty of Orthodox Theology in Belgrade in 1986, when the then Bishop of Raska-Prizren Diocese, future Serbian Patriarch Pavle of blessed memory, ordained him a hierodeacon at the monastery of Holy Trinity in Musutiste.

He attended postgraduate studies in Athens from 1986 until 1990. That year, upon the blessing of Bishop Dr. Irinej of Backa, he joined the monastery of Holy Archangels in Kovilj, where he was ordained as hieromonk and became its abbot.

Many young monks and novices came to the monastery following him. These were the years when the Kovilj Monastery became a spiritual center for many young people: intellectuals, artists, popular actors and rock musicians, especially from Novi Sad and Belgrade. Since then abbot Porfirije has particularly dealt with drug-addicted patients. In 2005, he formed for this purpose a therapeutic community called “The Land of the Living”, which is recognized as the most successful drug-addiction therapy project and, under the leadership of Bishop Porfirije, it has more than a hundred residents in camps throughout Serbia today.

During the ordinary meeting of the Holy Assembly of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Belgrade on 14 May 1999 he was elected as Bishop of Jegar, Vicar of the Diocese of Backa.

He defended his PhD thesis Possibility of knowability of God in St. Paul’s understanding according to the interpretation of Saint John Chrysostom at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Athens in 2004.

He became a lecturer at the Faculty of Orthodox Theology - Department of Pastoral Psychology - succeeding famous psychiatrist, academician Dr. Vladeta Jerotic. His lectures have been attended not only by students of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology, but other Belgrade faculties as well.

Together with a group of experts: psychologists, doctors, criminologists, sociologists, Bishop Porfirije founded a civic association that deals with the resocialization of victims of destructive religious sects and cults.

Bishop Porfirije has not been just president of the Steering Board for a decade, but a real spiritus movens of the Humanitarian Fund “Privrednik”, which has provided scholarships for a great number of gifted, but poor pupils and students, regardless of their nationality or religious affiliation.

In 2005, the National Assembly elected him as representative of all Churches and religious communities, to be a member of the Council of the Republic Broadcasting Agency, and in 2008 the RBA elected him its president. As President of the Council of the Republic Broadcasting Agency, Bishop Porfirije supported the long-term interests of society and citizens, unaffected by political influences.

Since then, church radio stations have been heard in the broadcasting spectrum of Serbia. He has made a key contribution to launching of a series of radio and television shows dealing with religious topics.

In 2010, The Holy Assembly of Bishops entrusted him to establish military chaplaincy in the Serbian Armed Forces. The fruits of his labour in that field include not only the suitable legal regulations, but also the selection of military chaplains, the organization and equipping of churches at barracks and performance of the first religious services.

His expert theological works Bishop Porfirije published in magazines both in Serbia and abroad. He participated in a large number of scientific conferences and symposia across the globe.

Bishop Porfirije, as one of the most prominent contemporary Serbian clergymen and intellectuals, has an extremely wide circle of friends, not only in the Homeland, and he fosters personal friendship and close cooperation with priests and representatives of other Churches and religious communities.

He speaks Greek, English, German and uses the Russian language, while his style of communication is always adapted to his interlocutors.

He was enthroned as the Metropolitan of Zagreb and Ljubljana on 13 July 2014 in the Cathedral Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Zagreb. The solemn Hierarchal Liturgy was served by Serbian Patriarch Irinej, accompanied by a large number of archbishops of the Serbian Church and other sister Churches, as well as priests and monks, and pious people.

Source: SPC/Serbian Orthodox Church

Statehood Day of the Republic of Serbia

15 February 2021

Video message prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia on this occasion can be seen here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh6idN_HKsQ&ab_channel=MFAoftheRepublicofSerbia

President Vucic: Serbia is ready for dialogue on Kosovo and Metohija, but will refuse being humiliated

President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Serbian Army Aleksandar Vucic attended a demonstration of capabilities of one part of Serbian Army units in the "Rastko Nemanjić" barracks in Pancevo. On this occasion, President Vucic stated that Serbia was ready to continue the EU-facilitated dialogue with Pristina at any point, while respecting also the position of the United States as well as the positions of Russia and China.  

The President said that he would rather put his "head on the chopping block" than sign any document with a recognition and reminded that he had already once refused to do so in Washington, where there were two versions of the agreement.

He stated that he immediately had his delegation leave the meeting, that he told the U.S. delegation that Serbia would not sign such an agreement, while conveying that Serbia would always endeavour to hold peaceful talks in order to preserve peace, but that it would not take any humiliation.

The Serbian President thanked the U.S. President Joe Biden for the letter of congratulations on the occasion of the upcoming Statehood Day, in which, in addition to the usual emphasis on commitment to promoting economic cooperation, regional stability and democratic values, he unequivocally called for mutual recognition of Serbia and "Kosovo" as a result.

Mutual recognition between Serbia and "Kosovo" is not part of any act of any world organization, the President pointed out and reiterated that Serbia was ready to continue the EU-facilitated dialogue with Pristina at any point, while respecting also the position of the United States as well as the positions of Russia and China.

According to the president, the situation is difficult and will only be increasingly difficult.

"As I told you three days ago, I can see it and I expect it, I can see the situation slowly tightening, because the conflicts between them at the global level have been increasing and intensifying, and then we have to pay the price", the President said.

President Vucic said that said that it was up to our state to continue strengthening the country in the economic sense.

The President added that the role of the army was very important in the highly complex security and political conditions of the modern world, and that was why Serbia needed to do everything it could to deter any potential aggressor and attacks on citizens and the country.

"The policy of strengthening the armed forces will continue at a faster pace", the President emphasized, adding that the goal was for the Serbian Army to play a stabilizing role with regard to the political developments in the region.

According to him, it should be clear to everyone that Serbia was not a punching bag and that not everyone could attack and threaten it like it was the case in the past.

Vucic said that he was pleased with what he saw and that a lot had been done in the previous period, pointing out that the salaries of military personnel would be significantly increased as of April.

President Vucic also stated that investments in the Serbian Army would continue, whom he told that he expected the Army to continue to be the guardian of our country, its integrity and freedom.

"We expect you to be the guardians of our country, its integrity and freedom, the defenders of our people, the guardians of the homeland, the protectors of the interests of the state of Serbia and to be a deterrent factor for every aggressor and anyone who might consider attacking Serbia", Vucic said.

The military exercise called "Spearhead" demostrated the capabilities of the 72nd Special Operations Brigade, and the event, which the President of Serbia and the Supreme Commander of the Serbian Army assessed as very good, was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Nebojsa Stefanovic and Chief of General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, General Milan Mojsilovic.

Photo: Presidency of Serbia / Dimitrije Goll

Belgrade,
7 February 2021

Serbia is proud of its strategic partnership with Azerbaijan

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Nikola Selakovic met today with Chargé d’Affairesa.i. of the Embassy of Azerbaijan in SerbiaElnurGuliyev.

Minister Selakovic stated that bilateral cooperation was traditionally good and friendly and that the excellent relations between President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic and President of Azerbaijan IlhamAliyev additionally contributed to that.

Selakovic said that Serbia was proud of the strategic partnership with Azerbaijan, especially bearing in mind that it was based on mutual understanding in terms of the respect for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Minister said that Serbia wasadvocating respect for the territorial integrity of all UN Member States, including Azerbaijan, and stressed its commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, taking intoaccount that our country called for such a solution forthe issue of Kosovo and Metohija as well.

Selakovic stated that Serbia welcomed the joint statement issued on9 November 2020 by the President of Azerbaijan, Prime Minister of Armenia and the President of the Russian Federation on the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Head of Serbian diplomacy also discussed the intensification of political dialogue at the top and high levels, emphasizing that the top officials of Azerbaijan had open invitations to visit Serbia.

Minister Selakovic assessed that the current level of economic cooperation does not match the potentials and interests of the two countries, and that there was room for its improvement, especially in the fields ofagriculture, mining and energy, but also tourism. The Minister invited Azerbaijani entrepreneurs to invest in Serbia.

Belgrade,
5 February 2021

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic pointed out that Serbia is the first in Europe in terms of economic growth, which will be officially confirmed at the end of March, and that this was possible owing to the reform measures taken since 2014 and the rapid opening of the country after the first wave of corona virus.

The President pointed out that Serbia had a growth of 5.2 percent in the first quarter, while the Eurozone was at minus 3.2 percent, in the second quarter Serbia had a minus of 6.3 percent, while the Eurozone was at minus 14.7 percent, and in the third quarter, when the Eurozone was at minus 4.3 percent, Serbia's figure was only minus 1.4 percent.
Vucic stated that Montenegro, for example, recorded as much as 26 percent minus in the third quarter.

Furthermore, the President emphasized that hospitals were built and renovated in our country, and that two hospitals were built from the ground up in just four months.

He said that the state made significant efforts to procure respirators, masks, gloves, protective suits, medicines, everything that was needed, and pointed out that work was being done on 10 general hospitals throughout Serbia, adding that all these were major achievements that were only possible owing to the success of the 2014 reforms, the enactment of the Labor Law, which yielded excellent results, and also through fiscal consolidation measures.

"These are unprecedented results for Serbia. Was Serbia ever before the first in Europe in terms of growth rate? We will get the results on 31 March that will confirm that Serbia is number one in Europe. All that was possible thanks to people who believed in difficult changes", Vucic said.

According to the President, this year, as many as six highways will be built in Serbia at the same time, and in this regard, he noted that Bulgaria has announced that the highway from our border to Sofia will be completed by the end of the year, after which it will be possible to use motorway to travel to Istanbul, which is very important to ensure that our country is on a transport route.

President Vucic emphasized that in 2020, the so-called year of corona, our country had a net inflow of foreign direct investment amounting to EUR 2.9 billion net, and three billion gross, which means that many foreign companies such as Toyota Tires, Boysen, ZTF and Brose have invested in Serbia even in this year of crisis.

The President said that Serbia has the highest average wages in the region, amounting to 511 or 512 euros, and that in February, due to the January increase, the average wage will be 535 or 536 euros, and that only in Belgrade in the last seven years the average wage increased by 180 euros or 40 percent.

That President said that Serbia was fourth in the region in terms of salaries before, and that today we are officially the first, and that the difference in relation to other countries will only increase faster. He also pointed out that the employment rate is growing in Serbia as well as that our public debt increased less than in most European countries. This is illustrated by the data that in Italy the public debt surged to 156 percent, in Germany to 87 percent, in France to 114 percent, in Croatia to 88 percent, while in Serbia it is at 57 percent.

The Serbian President announced that by Sretenje, 15 February, an additional package of assistance to the economy will be earmarked, and as he explained, it will be a new capital injection for companies, the trade, entrepreneurs, small, medium and large enterprises which, as he said, concerns 1,052,000 people within that system.

Vucic specified that it will most likely be help in the form of two or three payments amounting to half a minimum wage each, and that there will also be sectoral aid for tourism, hotel owners, travel agencies, guides, for bus carriers, through another half minimum wage payment.

The President added that efforts will be made to extend the guarantee schemes as well, which proved to be excellent, amounting to 1.5 billion, and this time, through the same system, two more portions amounting to 500 million each could be provided.

Vucic said that the first agreements with DFC worth 300 to 400 million dollars are expected in seven days.

He also stated that the state will endeavour to help pensioners further, in addition to increasing pensions by 5.9 percent in January, which will be reflected in their first checks in February, and added that pensioners should by March receive symbolic aid in the form of packages with vitamin C, D and zinc, which, as the President said, are small things, but they reflect the state's care and efforts made to protect health.

The President announced that negotiations on the procurement of the Chinese vaccine would be completed in the next seven to eight days, after the first quantities of the Pfizer and Sputnik V vaccines have arrived in Serbia, and pointed out that the Chinese vaccine was of exceptional quality, but probably the most expensive, which is why he wrote to the Chinese President and asked for a discount for our country.
Vucic thanked the Americans for deciding to sell the vaccine to our country and noted that no one in the region other than Serbia has received it, except for the small quantity that Albania got.

He pointed out that our state relied on itself and its own capacities, and that our state leadership anticipated that vaccines within the European COVAX plan would arrive late.

The President rejected the claims about bad results of Serbia in the fight against the corona virus and stated that our country has recorded the lowest corona virus mortality rate in the region.

He presented statistical information indicating that Slovenia had 144 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, North Macedonia 126, Bosnia and Herzegovina 123, Bulgaria 115, Montenegro 115, Hungary 110, Croatia 107, Romania 85, and Serbia 51.

"The mortality rate in the region is as follows: Bulgaria 3.9, Bosnia and Herzegovina 3.7, Hungary 3.11, North Macedonia 3.03, Romania 2.48. Slovenia 2.15, Croatia 1.99, Montenegro 1.4, and Serbia 1.0. This can be seen in the graphs and is no fabrication", the President stressed.

He said that the state will fight for vaccines, and that only Serbia, in the Western Balkans, received significant quantities of vaccines, other than a smaller quantity that Albania received, and added that in one day since the registration for vaccination opened, as many as 63,000 persons have registered.

President Vucic expressed his belief that the year ahead will be better than the previous one as well as that the corona virus will be defeated through vaccination of citizens.

Belgrade,
12 January 2021

2 January 2021 Minister Selakovic: New ambassadors will be appointed this year, but the goals remain the same

This year, Serbia could finally have Ambassadors and Consuls General appointed to about a third of the currently vacant positions in the country's diplomatic and consular missions in the world, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Selakovic is convinced that most of these positions will be filled, as he points out, by the best possible people.

"In the next year, I am convinced that the majority of these vacancies will be filled", Selakovic told Tanjug, emphasizing that the work is being done gradually, because the state wants to show that is has a quality staff who will represent Serbia's interests in the best possible way.

The Head of Serbian diplomacy reminded that in a number of diplomatic missions, the four-year mandate of Ambassadors and Consuls General has already expired, so that the procedure for appointing new ones will follow, after their recall.

One of the "vacant" spots is the post of the Serbian Ambassador to China.

"We are working hard to find the best possible solution for our new Ambassador to China and as we appointed one of the best people in the state system as Ambassador to the United States, who, I am sure, will perform his duties in the best possible way, I am convinced that it will be the same for the Ambassador in Beijing", Selakovic said.

The Minister, who took over the foreign policy sector in the Government a little over two months ago, points out that circumstances in the world, as well as Serbia's position in it, have changed, but that Serbia's foreign policy goals do not change: the country remains strategically committed to European integration and, while pursuing the EU path, it will also strengthen traditional friendships with Russia and China, as well as promote and strengthen new partner relations with the United States.

"Relations in the region, good-neighborly relations, regional cooperation are also important for Serbia, because this fits into the set of requirements on the European path. But, even regardless of the European path, it is always important who you live next to, who you live with, what your neighbors are like and what the relations are like in the neighborhood", Minister Selakovic said.

He also points out that the issue of Kosovo and Metohija is of inestimable importance, it being the main national and state issue for Serbia and the Serbian people.

"When I say that circumstances are changing, but not the goals - the EU and European integration was our goal seven years ago as well, but look at what our room for maneuver was then, in terms of economic aspects, and look at it today. Circumstances changed, and then you adjust your actions to these changed circumstances, to the best extent possible", Minister Selakovic said.

He reminds that foreign policy priorities for 2021 were also outlined by the President of the Republic, and that maintaining peace and stability in the region is the absolute priority.

"Only in a peaceful and stable region of the Western Balkans and Southeast Europe can Serbia thrive economically, culturally and scientifically - in every respect. Peace and stability in the region  are “sine qua non” without which there is no development and progress. Serbia has acted, is acting and will act as a factor that stabilizes the entire region and maintains peace in the region, showing that it is the region that benefits everyone the most", Minister Selakovic said.

Relations in the region have always been complex, and the region, Minister Selakovic noted, is to our great regret, burdened with issues that we cannot have a bearing on, and which concern
the past.

Serbia's approach is to seek room to influence what is happening today and what will happen
happen in the future.

In this context, he states that the so-called "mini-Schengen" initiative for market unification of the region, which originated from Aleksandar Vucic and was met with a positive response from the Prime Ministers of Albania and North Macedonia, is one of the opportunities to do much more for the region.

"To show how much more we can do if we act together and if we seek our common denominators, and not what separates and divides us ", Selakovic points out.

When it comes to relations with the United States, Selakovic said that one should not expect the great powers to change their positions the way we would like, want or imagine, but that it is important that the Ambassador in Washington, Marko Djuric, also emphasized that his task, among other things, will be to make efforts to change the climate in bilateral relations with the United States - the most important country in the world, as our lacking communication with them in the past seriously affected the position of the Serbian people and Serbia.

"I am convinced that Djuric will work seriously on that, together with President Vucic, Prime Minister Brnabic and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and contribute to a large extent to changing that climate", Minister Selakovic said.

He points out that it is extremely important for Serbia to promote its partner relations with the United States to a higher level.

"This is a country with which we cooperate closely in many areas and a country with which we must strive, and not give up in doing so, to find what we have in common, our common ground and good examples of our cooperation in the past, and to create space for such cooperation in the future as well", Minister Selakovic concluded.

 
Every Serb in the diaspora is potentially a lobbyist
3 January 2021

Our compatriots living abroad are one of the great potentials that the state has not recognized in the right way so far, which is why a different approach is needed to the issue of how to strengthen our diaspora and use the good will of people who are potential lobbyists for the interests of Serbia and the Serbian people, Foreign Minister Nikola Selaković said.

"When it comes to Serbs in the diaspora, and especially in the region, this issue has been a kind of an unattended crop which requires a lot of work, and even when a lot is done at once this is not apparent immediately ", Minister Selaković stated in an interview with Tanjug.

He emphasized that the appointment of the Director of the Office for Cooperation with the Diaspora and Serbs in the Region for the first time after almost seven years since this body was formed within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shows that it is one of the priorities of the Ministry he is at the helm of.

Selaković notes that intensive efforts have been long underway on forming a plan to make the diaspora more visible both outside the borders of Serbia and in the mother country itself.

"Every person in the diaspora is a potential lobbyist for the interests of our country and people, and we need to find the right way to use that", he said.

That much can be done in that regar Selakovic illustrates with the fact that only in Switzerland, in 24 cities, there are Serbian cultural and artistic associations which amounts to more than 3,000 young people who get together in order to preserve our tradition, culture, the Serbian language and history.

"If they were able to set up such associations in 24 cities, it speaks volumes about the enthusiasm of these people. There is so much enthusiasm, energy and love in these people. We need to explore ways to help them and use their good will and potential", the Minister points out.

He also cites the example of an emigrant family in Canada, the Varaklic family from southwestern Serbia, who sends Christmas packages for children in the Raska region every year. He adds that they have so far donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to non-governmental organizations for those needs alone, but he says that we do not see that here.

"The state does not recognize this, and these are people who gained success as entrepreneurs working in a distant country, who can be serious lobbyists for Serbia, for Serbian interests, someone who represents us in the best possible way", Minister Selakovic said.

Minister Selakovic also pointed out that Arnaud Gouillon has been appointed as head of the Office for Cooperation with the Diaspora and Serbs in the Region and described him as a man of extraordinary energy, great love for the Serbian people, which he showed in his engagement towards Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija, where they were seriously endangered.

"By doing so, he showed and set an example to many of our compatriots of what an individual can do. And when one such individual focuses energy, enthusiasm and love for people, on work done within the state administration system, I think that the preconditions have been created for such activities to yield good results", Minister Selakovic said.

President Vucic: Serbia to remain on the course of a winning policy of stability

Preservation of peace, taking care of the health and better living standard are key for Serbia in 2021, underlined President of the Republic Aleksandar Vuic, convinced that even though the completion of this ambitiuous and by no means easy task will be anything but straightforward, best results can be achieved by working in concert with Government, while ensuring security and a future of certainty for the citizens.

The President said that Serbia has set for itself great and ambitious goals for the next year, not with standing the complec international and regional circumstances, and that it will endeavour to fully preserrve peace and stability in the region and the country, while safeguarding the vital national and stte interests.

"Serbia will remain on the course of a winning policy - the policy of stability" President Vucic said and stressed that our country remains on the European integration path and that it will carefully foster its friendship with Russia and China, while building a friendship with the United States as well.

According to the President, Serbia will continue to pursue a winning policy, with the country itself as a top priority, i.e., a policy that will enable Serbia to continue being one of the top three countries in Europe in terms of growth rate in the next two years.

A precondition for that, the President noted is to crack down on criminal groups, but also to ensure even bigger investments in the police and army forces.

"Serbia is the country that recorded the highest growth in Europe in 2020" the President pointed out at the annual press conference and added that he expects to concluce anew arrangement with the IMF, as well as that Serbia by the end of next year or early 2022, will raise its credit rating to an "investment" one, which will put our conutry's rating on par with the most developed EU countries.

As the greatest success in 2020, Vucic noted that Serbia will end the year with the highest growth rate in Europe, which as he said, is expected to be from minus 0,75 percent to minus one.

"I am proud to be the President of a country that is the European champion in terms of GDP" Vucic ponted out and added that German Chancellor Angela Merkel was also pleased with Serbia'a success.

According to President Vucic, this result will encourage Serbia to accelerate its European path, while continuing friendships with those who did not turn their backs on Serbia when it was at its darkest hour, namely Russia and China.

The President pointed out that the activities to attract foreign investors will continue, then that work will be done on investments in agruculture, primarily the food industry, new machineri, and digitalization of agriculture.

President Vucic also emphasized that the goal is for alaries in the public sector to average between 560 and 570 euros by the end of the year. Only in Belgrade, the average salary would be around 700 euros.

Presidetn vucic reminded that the salaries of health care workers will increase by 5 percent from January 1, while the salaries of others in the public sector will increase by 3,5 percent and an additional 1,5 percent as of April 1, while corporal, private first class and non-commissioned officer army ranks will get an increase of an additional 10 percent. He noted that the minimum wage will be increased by 6,6 percent and so will pensions from January 1, by 5,9 percent, with the plan that the average pension amounts to 270 euros by the end of 2021. The President especially pointed out investments in health care, reminding that two new covid shospitals have been opened and that the renovation and construction of health facilities continues though out Serbia, while stressing that Serbia is by far the first in the region in terms of hospitalized persons per 100.000 citizens, which is why it has recorded a low mortality rate, and also that Serbia this year has been among the top three countries in the region according to the number of PCR tests performed.

Speaking about tourism, the President said that, next year, efforts will be made on the development of the Danube basin region, from Apatin to Kladovo, that the Ovcar-Kablar gorge will be developed as well as our mountain centers.

Discussing the field of culture and information, President Vucic said that the implementation of the media strategy and the completion of the reconstruction of the National Theater in Subotica are importnt for next year, and he announced investments in museums, especially emphasizing the reloaction of the History Museum to the train station building. He also stated that the floor heating in the Church of Saint Sava will be completed next year.

He pointed out that the state will continue to take care of our citizens in Kosovo and Metohija, that no one can forbid Serbia to help its people, and that Serbia will not give up on helping our people.

As je emphasized, Serbia is ready to send medicines and vaccines to the Albanian population as well, and pointed out that in the upcoming period our country will pursue a policy of peace in the region and will ende avour to cooperate with Zagreb, Sarajevo, Podgorica and others.

Serbian Prime Minister the first PM in Europe to receive a Covid-19 vaccine

Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia Ana Brnabic received today the first vaccine against the coronavirus made by Pfiyer company, at the Torlak Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera.

Brnabic, who is the first European Prime Minister to receive the vaccine, pointed out that this day may be the first since 6 March that we have a reason for a smile on our faces as it marks the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in Serbia, but also in Europe and the world.

As Prime Minister and as soeone who leads the COVID-19 Crisis Response Team, I felt obliged to be the first to receive the vaccine, to show that we beleive in it, as well as in our institutions - the Medicines and Medical Devices Agency of Serbia and expert who worked round the clock to test the vaccine, she said.

Underlining that it was an honour to do this for her country and be the first to pave the way for all citizens, the Prime Minister said that she agreed with President of the Republic Aleksandar Vucic that the two of them receive different vaccines, so he will most likely receive the next one that arrives, most probably the one produced by China.

At the moment we have the Pfizer-BioNTech consortium vaccine, and the vaccines from the Chines Sinopharm are expected in the near future, as well as certain quantities of the Russian vaccine Sputnik V.

She expressed her believe that at the end of the first quarter or the beginning of the second quarter of next year we will have the vaccine of the company AstraZeneca, and after that the vaccine manufactured by Moderna.

As we promised, all vaccines licensed in their countries and approved by relevant international agencies will be available to our citiyens, and of course they will be tested by all of our agencies and institues as wll, the Prime Minister pointed out.

She said that prior to the vaccination of health care workers, Minister of Health Zlatibor Loncaar will also receive a vaccine shot as we endeavour to serve as an example and show confident we are in the vaccines and institutions.

Brnabic pointed out that Serbia, not counting Great Britain, is the first country in Europe to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and the third to start a mass immunization and campaign for giving the vaccine - after Great Britain and Switzerland.

We achieved something very important and we will not stop even for a moment until the immunization of the population is completed, the Prime Minister said.

She specified that our country will receive another 16.000 doses of Phizer-BioNTech vaccine in January, as well as that together with other vaccines we will have a total of one million doses in January, and a total of approcimately two million doses during the first quarter of next year.

There is a dynamic on which Phizer delivers vccines and it varies depending on the production, and this is the case with deliveries to both Serbia and all other countries worldwide, We expected to receive 10.000 doses form Phize-BioNTech in December, however 4,807 doss arrived, the Prime Minister explained.

Serbia demonstrated that it is able to fight and succees if we all work as a team, Brnamic said and calle on all not to see the beinning of vaccination as the end of the fight already, but to continue to apply all measures instead.

This is to be certain and to be able to help our health care workers, and once the immunity is asquired we will be able to slowly start taking off the masksin 2021, but until then we should not see this as a victoru but as the beginning of the end , the Prime Minister concluded.

After the Prime Minister, vaccine shotswere also administered to the Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs and a member of the COVID-19 Crisis Response Team darija Kisic Tepavcevic and to Predrag Kon who is also on the COVID-19 Crisis Response Team.

Furthermore, vaccine shotswere also given to Head of the MMA Department for the Prevention and Control of Nosocomial Infections prof. Dr. Vesna Suljagic and academician Predrag Pesko, professor of Belgrade and Heidelberg universities and full member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts.

The first quantities of the vaccine arrived in Serbia on 22 December, and today they will be administered to patrons of nursing homes in Belgrade and Novi Sad.

Serbia is the first country in the region to receive a shipment of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

In addition to procuring the vaccine among the first countries in the world, even before EU countries, Serbia is one of the rare countries that managed to build and open two covid hospitals in record time The hospitals with 930 beds in Batajnica and 500 beds in Krusevac are a major contributin to the expancion of capacities and strenghtening the health care system in the fight against coronavirus and, as President Vucic said, represent a monument of the future, that will talk about the accomplishments the state made in a short time.

aslo, we recall that investments in health infrastructure have been large in Serbia, and since 2016, 80 health centers and clinics have been renovated, and worksare underway onsix large health centers. This way more than EUR 200 million was invested in the reconstrucion, construction and equipping of hospitals and more than 300 million in the renovation of clinics and specialized hospitals, and many have already been completed such as the University Childrens Hospital Tirsova, and KBC Zemun and KBC "Dragisa Misovic" hospitals.

The absolute priority of the Serbian Government is the successful completion of health infrastructure project that are underway, but great attention is also paid to health workers, whose salaries have, by 2020, been increased by 56,8 % for specialist doctors and 66,9 % for nurses, while significant fundingis invested in the education of health professionals, as well as in equipment and working conditions.

Like other countries, Serbia has faced great challengs this year, most notably health challenges, and all factors in the state were focused on preventing the spread of the virus and safe guarding the lives and health of citizens. Serbia has faced these challenges better than many wealhier and more developed countries in Europe and the world.

Belgrade,

24 December 2020

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

On the occasion of 10 December, the international Human Rights Day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia reaffirms its commitment to the principles and values of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted on this day in 1948.

The principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights have been the foundation for the development of international law in this field, and of the international system for the promotion and protection of human rights, as a unique achievement of modern civiliyation. It is incumbent upon us today to safeguard and strengthen the international system ensuringrespect for human rights, to develop human rights standards, control the implementation of commitments, and also to continue cooperating with international and regional institutions on the protection of human rights.

Serbia is fully committed to the universal values of human rights and implementing in practice the international legal instruments relating to human rights. Our continued cooperation with the Human Rights Council mechanism sin the framework of the United Nations, with the Council of Europe and the mechanisms of the OSCE human dimesion, represents an important commitment to the implementation of international human rights standards.

The international Human Rights Day is an opportunity to point out once again that Serbs and other non-Albanian populations being deprived of its rights in Kosovo and Metoija and to call again on the international community to creating conditions for the return of internally displaced perosns and giving them back teier usurped property.

Important notice - restarting the work with foreigners

We would like to inform that the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Baku will start to accept requests for all consular actions from 22.05.2020. in accordance with measures taken to prevent the spread of the virus COVID 19.

Upon arrival, it is necessary for all persons to have a protective mask ang gloves, their own ballpoint pen, with the obligatory keeping of the prescribed distance of 2 meters. Only a person whoi needs to perform consular work, exceptionally minors, persons deprived of legal capacity, as well as disabled people who cannot move unaccompanied, will be able to enter the Embassy.

IMPORTANT NOTICE! 

In order to combat the spread of infectious disease caused by the COVID-19 virus, the Embassy of the Republic of Serbian in Baku informs all citizens of the Republic of Serbia residing in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan that work with the customers shall be limited to emergencies only, starting from Monday, 17 March 2020.

In case of emergency, before arriving at Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Baku, citizens are kindly requested to contact us by e mail at serbianembassy.baku@azeurotel.com or by the telephone number of the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Baku 012 492 5080.

Thank you for your understanding. 

Agreement on Release of Visa Obligations between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Republic of Suriname

The Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Republic of Suriname on the visa waiver for holders of ordinary, diplomatic, official and special passports, done at Paramaribo on 10 February 2018, entered into force on 16 September 2019.

In accordance with Article 1 of the Agreement, a national of either Contracting Party, who holds one of the above types of passport, is allowed to stay in the territory of the other Contracting Party, without a visa, for a period of 30 days.

More about candidacy here

Decision on termination of the validity of the Decision on the abolition of visas for entry into R. Serbia for citizen of IR Iran, holders of ordinary passports

Goverment R. Serbia, at a session held on October 8, 2018, adopted a Decision on termination of the Decision on the abolishment of visas for entry into R. Serbia for citizen of the Islamic Republic of Iran, holders of ordinary passports. The decison comes into force on October 17, 2018.

Serbiya Hökuməti 24 May 2018-ci il tarixli iclasında, ümumvətəndaş pasportlarına sahib Azərbaycan Respublikası vətəndaşlarının vizadan azad edilməsi haqqında Qanun qəbul etmişdir. Qanun 2 iyun 2018-ci il tarixində qüvvəyə minəcək. 

Bu Qanuna uyğun olaraq, Xarici vətəndaşlar haqqında Qanunla qadağan olunan halların olmadığı təqdirdə Azərbaycan Respublikası vətəndaşları 180 gün müddətində 90 gündən artıq olmayaraq, Serbiya Respublikası ərazisinə girə, ölkə ərazisindən keçə və ya ölkədə qala bilərlər.

At its meeting on 24 May 2018, the Government of the Republic of Serbia adopted the Decision on visa exemption for the nationals of the Republic of Azerbaijan, holders of ordinary passports, which will enter into force on 2 June 2018. Under the Decision, the nationals of the Republic of Azerbaijan can enter, transit through and stay in the territory of the Republic of Serbia without a visa, during a period not exceeding 90 days from the date of entry, within period of 180 days, if there are no hindrances defined in the Law on Foreigners.

Delegation of the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia, consistin of Tmislav Banovic, Vice President and Biljana Pejovic, Associate in the International Department of the Confederation, who attended a conference held by the International Labor Organization in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The delegation members visited our Embassy and had a pleasant conversation.

At the request of the Ambassador on September 13, was made a visit and was held a conversation with the Director of the National Archives of the Republic of Azerbaijan Atakhan Pashayev and hisassociates. Looking for historical data on the visit or residence of citizens of Serbia to the city of Baku or Azerbaijan, in the past, was made a look into the original minutes of 1947, when our Nobel laureate Ivo Andric was in Baku.

At its meeting of 6 October 2017, the Government o the Republic of Serbia adopted the Decision on visa exemption for the nationals of the Republic of Indonesia, holders of ordinary passports.

The Decision is published in the "Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia" No. 090/2017 of 6 October 2017 and enter into force on 14 October 2017. Under the Decision, the nationals of the Republic of Indonesia can enter, transit through and stay in the territory of the Republic of Serbia without a visa, during a period not exceeding 30 days from the date of entry, within period of one year, if there are no hindrances defined in Article 11 of the Law on Foreigners.

The AGreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and Government of the Royal Thai on visa free travel for holders of diplomatic and official passports, signed in Belgrade, on 4 December 2015, will take effect on 8 September 2017.

Based on this Agreement, nationals of both States, who are holders of diplomatic and official passports, will have the right to enter into, transit through and stay on the territory of the other Party without a visa within a period not exceeding 90 days from the date of entry.

At its meeting of 22 August 2017, the Government of the Republic of Serbia adopted the Decision on visa exemption for the nationals of the Republic of India, holding ordinary passports. The Decision is published in the "Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia" No. 79/2017 of 25 August 2017 and enter into force on 2 September, 2017.

Under the Decision, the nationals of the Republic of India can enter, transit through and stay in the territory of the Republic of Serbia without a visa, during a period not exceeding 30 days from the date of entry, within period of one year, if there are no hindrances defined in Article 11 of the Law on Foreigners.

At its meeting of 22 August 2017, the Government of the Republic of Serbia adopted the Decision on visa exemption for the nationals of the Islamic Republic of Iran, holding ordinary passports. The decision is published in the "Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia" No. 79/2017 of 25 August 2017 and enter into force on 2 September 2017.

Under the Decision, the nationals of the Islamic Republic of Iran can enter, transit through and stay in the territory of the Republic of Serbia without a visa, during a period not exceeding 30 days from the date of entry, within period of one year, if there are no hindrances defined in Article 11 of the Law on Foreigners.

From August and by the end of 2017, 20 years will be marked of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Azerbaijan. Signing of the Declaration on Friendship Relations and Strategic Partnership between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, relations between our countries have received a strong confirmation of mutual friendship and cooperation. 

Delegation of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia arrives to the Republic of Azerbaian, for preparing the exhibition "Golgotha and the Easter of Serbia in the First World War" and today they visited our Embassy. On that occasion, Lieutenant Colonel Dragan Nusic and Ms. Anjelia Radovich presented their impressions about the gallery space  where the exhibition will be set up in autumn, in agreement wih the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Serbia.

Be informed that the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic on visa free travel for holders of diplomatic and official passports, signed in Belgrade on December 2, 2015, entered into force on July 13, 2017. From that date, holders of diplomatic and official passports are entitled to enter, transit and stay in the territory of the other country without a visa, for a period of up to 90 (ninety) days within a period not exceeding 90 days from the date of entry.

After the visit of the delegation from the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan, headed by the President of the Court, Ferhad Abdullayev, to the Constitutional Court of Serbia, he was the guest of our Embassy. President Abdullayev thanked for the organization of the visit and hospitality that they were surrounded during their stay in Belgrade. He particularly thanked the President of the Constitutional Court, Vesna Ilic Prelic, for the visit which took place in the spirit of friendly relations between our two countries. The next year, the Constitutiona Court of Azerbaijan will mark the 20th anniversary of its work with an international gathering where the presence of the judges from our Constitutional Court is expected.

At its session held on May 11, 2017 the Government of the Republic of Serbia issued a Decision on the abollition of visas for citizens of the Republic of Peru, holders of ordinary passports, for entry, transit and stay in the territory of the Republic of Serbia, no longer than 90 days within a period of six months, if there are no interferences under Article 11 of the Aliens Act.  The decision was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, No. 46/2017 dated May 12, 2017 and enters into force from May 20, 2017.

Since its opening, the Embassy of Serbia is located in one of the most beautiful parts of Baku, in IcheriSheher (Old city), which is under the protection of UNESCO, and regarding the preparation of this year's exhibitions planned to be realized, a meeting was held with the president of the Administration of IvheriSheher. Mr. Asgar Alakbarov expressed his willingness by IcheriSheher to help every activity of the Embassy that contributes to familiarizing the cultures of Serbia and Azerbaijan. By appreciating the specificity of IcheriSheher as a tourist and cultural center, was initiated to realize the cooperation with the area of Skadarlia, as a recognizable tourist center of Belgrade.

Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan Abulfas Garayev opened in Baku XVI International Tourism Fair. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and the first lady Mehriban Aliyeva have also viewed the fair at the first day. None tourism organization from our country took part at this fair, but there was one from the surrounding area - Slovenia, Rogashka Slatina.

Ambassador Rodich signed the Book of Condolence at the Embassy of Columbia to the Republic of Azerbaijan, in tribute to the tragedy in the city Mocoa in the province of Putumayo near Colombia, which is claimed in a day more than 250lives, 40 from which are children.

Ambassador Rodich has officially handed over to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Aliev, the Order of the Republic of Serbia, awarded by the President of the Republic of Serbia, Tomislav Nikolic. President Ilham Aliev thanked for receiving the high award, and congratulated Aleksandar Vucic, the Prime Minister of the Repubic of Serbia on the election for President of the Republic of Serbia, and invited him to visit Azerbaijan this year.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia met today with the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Lieutenant General Zakir Hasanov, and discussed with him the further improvement of cooperation in the military field.

On the occasion of the Statehood Day of the Republic of Serbia on February 15, the President of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Tomislav Nikolich, awarded the director and owner of the company Azvirt Mr. Kamil Aliev and also Fikrat Nacafov for outstanding merits, the results in the economic activities  of the cooperation between Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. Tamsel Pekdemir was also awarded on the same basis. The presentation of awards will take place on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 in Belgrade, in the building of the President of the Republic of Serbia. Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Republic of Azerbaijan visited Azvirt today and congratulated Mr. Kamal Aliev, who due to his obligations will not be able to attend the ceremony.

The Statehood Day - 15th February was marked among our diaspora in Azerbaijan Republic. In the new building of our Embassy was very cheerful with our citizens who enjoy hospitality of the Azerbaijan people. That is why our people in this country are extremely appreciated and especially respected. With the dishes and drinks of our Homeland cuisine, they wished to held the upcoming holidays, Easter and 1st May at home.

Today Ambassador visited Zulfali Aliev, soldier of the Red Army, who took part in the liberation of Belgrade in 1944, as a member of the famous 223th Belgrade brigade, in his house in Sabirabad with the wishes good and bold health. On this occasion, were presented gifts, and Aliev evoked a very detailed reminder of the liberation of our capital city. He sent his congratulations to all citizens of our homeland for the Statehood Day - 15th February.

Together with a number of accredited ambassadors to the Azerbaijan Republic in the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Baku at this year's celebration of Diplomatic Workers' Day took part also the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia. After the pronunciation of the letter sent to the employesss of the MFA, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Mr. Lavrov, an outsanding musical program was performed by the Azerbaijani artists.

PUBLIC AD
for candidates for voluntary military service with weapons and candidates for the listeners of the course for reserve officers of the 
Army of Serbia

The right of registration of candidates for voluntary military service with weapons and candidates for participants course for reserve officers 

On the voluntary military service in the Army with weapons Serbia can apply candidates male and female, which in 2017 turning 19 to 30 years of age.

General terms:

To be a citizen of the Republic of Serbia;

it was not sentenced to a juvenile prison or unconditionally to imprisonment for a criminal offense (until the sentence has been served or been released on parole);

that no criminal proceedings for a criminal offense prosecuted ex officio;

that is medically fit for military service;

that he completed his military service with weapons and

to have a place of residence in the territory of the Republic of Serbia.

Besides the general, a candidate for the listener course for reserve officers must meet thefollowing requirements:

- Finished studies

- That fulfills the requirements for recruits to be sent to special units of the Army of Serbia and

- have a positive security check.

2. Submission of the application and the required documents for registration of candidates for voluntary military service with weapons and candidates for the listeners of the course for reserve officers of the Army of Serbia

Notification of candidates submitted to the Ministry of Defence Center for Local Government, by place of residence.

The candidate who resides abroad the application can be submitted to the competent diplomatic or consular mission of the Republic of Serbia abroad.

The application form, the candidate receives in the center of the Defence Ministry for Local Government.

The candidate who applied for voluntary military service under arms, is obliged to fulfill the application form and attach:

photocopy of the diploma on completion of education (original document for inspection) and biography.

The candidate for the listener course for reserve officers attached to the application and the following evidence:

contract with the Ministry of Defense scholarship if he was a military scholarship and written consent to security clearance for placement in special units of the Army of Serbia

3. The selection of candidates for voluntary military service with weapons and candidates for listeners Course for reserve officers in the Army of Serbia

Determination of the final ranking list of candidates perform regional centers of the Ministry of Defense, on the proposal of the Ministry of Defense centers for local self-government, following the medical and other examinations and psychological testing of candidates in authorized military medical institutions.

The selection of the required number of candidates from the set of the final ranking list pots Commission regional centers of the Ministry of Defense, in accordance with the Plan guidance of candidates for voluntary military service with weapons of training centers and the Plan grip the listener course for reserve officers for a particular referral hands.

4. Conclusion of the contract

Selected candidates sign in a contract with the Defense Ministry, which regulates mutual rights and obligations, which must contain the beginning and end of the voluntary military srvice, living and working  conditions, incomes, conditions of termination of voluntary military service and compensation costs in the event of unjustified termination of voluntary service military service.

Any additional information may be obtained at the center of the Ministry of Defense for the local government in the place of residence, the competent diplomatic or consular mission of the Republic of Serbia abroad and on the website of the Ministry of Defense www.mod.gov.rs.

The advertisement for candidates for voluntary military service with weapons and candidates for the listeners of the cours for reserve officers of the Army of Serbia in 2017, is permanently open, a ranking of candidates will be made periodically in accordance with the deadlines advisable.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic met today with the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Serbia, Eldar Hasanov.

In the meeting, they discussed current issues related to bilateral cooperation and the prospects of its promotion. Particular attention was devoted to the continuation of regular dialogue at high and top levels, as well as to the promotion of economic relations. The officials assessed as positive the overall cooperation conducted in 2016.

The Serbian side underlined its gratitude to Azerbaijan for their principled position on the respect of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia. Both sides pointed to the necessity and common interest to fully engage in the context of further visa liberalization in the coming period, thus giving impetus to the promotion of trade and the development of tourism between the two countries.

We inform that the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the mutual abolition of visa requirements for holders of ordinary passports, signed in Riga on November 5, 2016, shall enter into force on January 15, 2017.

Starting from that date, the citizens of both countires, holders of ordinary passports are eligible for entry, transit and stay on the territory of the other Party without a visa, for a period of 30 (thirty) days from the date of entry.

Ambassador Rodich today signed in the Condolence Book opened at the Embassy of the Republic of Germany in Baku on the occasion of a terrorist attack that took place in Berlin on December 19 this year.

Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to Baku Rodic today signed in the Condolence Book opened at the Embassy of the Russian Federation on the occasion of the tragic death of Amassador Andrew Karlov.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Neboysha Stefanovich, visited the Republic of Azerbaijan from Decemer 4 to 6, 2016, during which he met with the highest state officials, President Ilham Aliyev, Parliament Speaker Ogtay Asadov, Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov, Minister of the Interior Ramil Usubov and Minister for Emergency Situations Kamaladdin Heydarov.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior of the Republic of Serbia Neboysha Stefanovich visited the monument to national leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev where  he laid a wreath and visited the monument to the Eternal Flame and Martyrs' Lane, as well as monument to Nikola Tesla where he also laid flowers.

Belgrade, November 7th, 2016 - Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said that over 100 kilometers of roads were built during the term of this government, with the expectation that another 200 km of roads will be opened by the end of the mandate.

In an interview with Radio-Television Serbia (RTS), Vucic said that we need to develop the construction industry in order to achieve the best possible results.

During the conversation when it came to the highway from Ljig to Prelina, he explained that this road was made accordig to world standards and in the first three hours since the release, more than 2000 vehicles, has passed in both directons.

Three more sections are still need to be done, two of which have already been agreed with the Chinese company "Shandong", the prime minister explained, adding that Obrenovac-Ub, Lajkovac-Lig and Obrenovac-Surcin are under the question.

Vucic announced that a section of Corridor 10 from Proseka to Bantsarevo, with the length of 12 kilometers, will be opened in ten days, as the section Pirot-Dimitrovgrad.

He expressed the expectation that the rest of the road will be completed in less than a year, adding that the therefore insists on the construction of the Nish-Prishtina highway, because Nish would become the center of the region.

The next year, he added, the project of the highway Novi Sad-Ruma-Shabats will be completed, after which the construction of this road will begin.

At the same time, the Prime Minister specified that at this time we have a surplus of 34.3 million euros, but we planned to have a deficit.

The Serbian Parliament has announced that this year we have 122 billion dinars, or 1 billion euros of deficit. With what the IMF was pleased. At the moment we have a surplus of 34.3 million euros, and we paid all the interests, the hardest ones, in March, July and October, he said.

According to him, all debts, including 100 million euros to the London Club, and 20 million euros to our banks were settled without any delay.

Public debt is in nominal terms for 240 million less than in 2012, th prime minister pointed out, and noted thatboth the IMF and the World Bank estimate that public debt is under the control.

Also, as he added, as of January of the next year, 74 percent of pensioners will be higher than they had ever had.

Increasing salaries in the public sector in some categories will bring 36,000 to 40,000 dinars higher earnings annually, which is what the state can really allocate, while everything else is in the realm of promises that can not be realized in real terms.

Vucic pointed out that the increase of pensions from 1.5 to 1.7 percent, public sector salaries by 5.2 percent on average, one-time payments of five to six thousand dinars to pensioners, and an increase in the minimum is only possible through the fact that we have healthy public finance.

Belgrade, November 7, 2016

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Zorana Mikhailovic talked today with the Minister of Economic Development of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev on the cooperation of two countries on the implementation of infrastructure projects.

In his interview with Mustafayev, co-chair of the Intergovernmental Comission for Trade and Economic Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Serbia, Prime Minister Vucic pointed out that Azerbaijan and Azvirt have proved themselves to be a reliable partner in the construction of the Lig-Prelina highway, which is why Serbia is grateful.

We are open to cooperation with Azerbaijan on new projects in Serbia and the region. This project will be an important reference because "Azvirt" has made difficult part - Lig-Prelina, very good, despite problems with domestic subcontractors, Vucic said.

Mikhailovic expressed gratitude to the Azerbaijani Minister for the good cooperation during the construction of the 40 km highway on Corridor 11, stressing that the succesfull realization of this project guarantees that all future projects that Serbia will work with partners from Azerbaijan will be done equally efficiently and with high quality.

During the talks, it was emphasized that good political relations were  a prerequisite for succesful cooperation in the field of economy, with the belief that cooperation with Azvirt will continue, given that Serbia expects the realization of new major infrastructure projects in the coming period.

According to a statement of the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, Mustafayev will lead the delegation from Azerbaijan at the ceremony on the occasion of the opening of this highway. 

The newly appointed Amassador of Romania to the Republic of Azerbaijan Dan Iancu, visited our Embassy at the stage of acquaintance with the diplomatic corp. According to Ambassador Iancu, with his visit he wanted to show his respect to the Repuplic of Serbia as a neighboring and friendly country.

In the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum has opened an exhibition of Pirot carpets. For the first time in its history the Museum opened its space for a foreign cultural institution. This honor was given to us - the Belgrade Etnographic Museum. The guests presented 26 exhibits, some of them from the nineteenth century. The exhibition caused a proper interest, and with the large number of citizens and cultural representatives of Azerbaijan, as well as our citizens living in Baku, there was an unusually large number of ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps. The exhibition will be available to visitors by November 6th.

Before the opening of the exhibition of Pirot rugs in the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum prepared by the Belgrade Ethnographic Museum, the director and representatives of the museum visited the Embassy. On this occasion, was highlighted the significance of the exhibition , by which the Pirot carpets are represented in the country which is a symbol of the art of making carpets. For the first time since its existence, the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum opens its space for the foreign cultural institution. And this privilege has come to our country, namely, the Belgrade Ethnographic Museum. 

Fifth Baku International Humanitarian Forum, which today began its two-day work, and which attend participants from our motherland, i.e. from "RRS Serbia" and "Studio B". Around two thousand participants the work of forum was begun with the speech of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. The International Forum was attended by the thirteen holders of the Nobel Prize.

Defense Minister Zoran Djordjevic, with his colleagues, visited the Republic of Azerbaijan and the International exhibition of military equipment and armaments "ADEX-2016". During the visit of the exhibition Minister Đorđević visited the stand of Serbian producers who have got together under the auspices of "Yugoipmprt SDPR JP". The stand was very interesting with its content and its size for almost every visitor. Meetings, which had minister held, especially with President Ilham Aliyev, and Minister of Defense and Minister of Defense Industry of Azerbaijan presents the great reputation of our homeland in this area. Together with colleguaes Minister Đorđević visited the Embassy, which is located in a new area, which is significantly larger and more functional than the old one.

The new building of the Embassy in Baku firstly was visited by the members of the NA, who were the guests of the NA of Azerbaijan for the monitoring of the referendum to be held on Monday, September 26. Citizens of Azerbaijan in the referendum will vote on changes to the Constitution, adopted in 1995, which should contribute to "improving the management of the Earth, the strengthening of state power, ensuring human rights and freedoms".
Members of the NA Aleksandra Tomić, Dubravka Filipovski, Aleksandar Marković and Marko Blagojevic after visiting the new Embassy building stressed the belief that the new space will contribute our homeland to be even better and better represented in friendly Azerbaijan

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium Bert Schoof, after the presenting credential letters, visited our Embassy. On this occasion, Ambassador Schoof remembered the beginning of his diplomatic career, which started in Belgrade and where bears most beautiful memories of his professional work, but also the beauty and hospitality of the citizens of Serbia.

The chess team of the Serbian Chess Federation, which will participate in the 42nd Chess Olympiad, which will be held from 01 to 14 September 2016 in Baku, was met by the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia at the airport Heydar Aliyev.
Our chess players will compete for best performance between 2500 chess players representing 180 countries.

Cooperation between  the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Azerbaijan is richer and more intensive cooperation is observed in the field of defense, so Lieutenant Colonel Nenad Pejin submitted today his documents to the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan and became a member of the military diplomatic corps, who realize his duties on non-residential basis. Lieutenant Colonel Pejin during an interview at the Embassy was informed about the activities undertaken by the Embassy in the preparation of this year's International Arms Trade Fair, which will be held on 27-30 September.

The director and regional manager of "Turkish Airlines" Elnur Huseynov and Ilyas Seyfullah visited the Embassy in Baku and the Ambassador discussed the possibilities of increasing the number of Serbian nationals traveling from Azerbaijan to the homeland, under the conditions that will be acceptable at the price and the connections to the airports. The company "Turkish Airlines" has an interest to keep clients traveling to Belgrade, as it became a regional aviation center so this month there will be opened cheap flights to the United States, as now to New York.

Implementation of the Law on Administrative Procedure ("Official Gazette of RS", no. 18/2016 - hereinafter: GAPA) will be applied from June 1, 2017, except the provisions of Article. 9, 103 and 207, which will be applicable upon the expiry of 90 days from the date of entry into force of this Act, that on June 8, 2016.  Those provisions of the Act provide that he Authority shall, ex officio, in accordance with the law, is reviewing, acquires and processes data on facts on which official records are kept, which are essential for decision-making.

The Agreement between the Government of Serbia and the Government of Lebanon on the abolition of visas for holders of diplomatic, special and official passports, signed in Beirut on 22 July 2015, will enter into force on 28 May 2016. Since that date, the citizens of both countries, holders of the mentioned types of passports, have the right to enter, transit and stay on the territory of the other party without a visa for up to 90 days.

At the embassy, was organized an event for the members of our diaspora living in Azerbaijan, who marked International Women's Day - the Eighth of March. In the exemplary atmosphere was once again pointed indispensable contribution of women to the prosperity of the family and society as a whole, but also the obligation to engaging all absolutely every day improves the position of women in our society.

Ambassador of Israel Dan Stav visited our embassy and held a friendly conversation reminding the sincere and long lasting friendship between our peoples and states.

Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia, met on February 24 with Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan and held a friendly conversation.
Both sides expressed interest in further development of cooperation between Serbia and Azerbaijan.

On the occasion of the tragic death on Friday 19, February, colleagues Sladjana Stanković and Jovica Stepic, who died while the US air strike on a terrorist base in the Libyan city of Sabraty, the Embassy has opened a book of condolences.
Colleagues were killed after a three-month kidnapping, that occurred in November 2015 and since they were searched by the competent authorities.
The Note, received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs R. Serbia was immediately forwarded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan and all diplomatic missions and international organizations who work on a bilateral and multilateral basis.
The book of condolences was signed by the dozens of ambassadors and charge d'affaires, and a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Head Office the Mission of the International Organization for Migration Serhan Aktoprak visited the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Baku and was interested in the current state of the country passing through southern Europe and, in particular the Republic of Serbia, refugees are moving towards Western Europe. He is aware of the successes achieved by the organizations and the national authorities of the Republic of Serbia, from the meetings he had in Europe. He praised the work of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and expressed interest in personally acquainted with the effects of the work to be achieved on the ground.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Macedonia, the Republic of Slovenia, and the Republic of Serbia – as the sole Successor
States to the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (hereinafter “the SFRY”) – and the co-owners of diplomatic and consular property of the
SFRY, as the previous title owner, hereby issue an invitation to tender for the provision of the service of brokering the sale of the following immovable
property1 :
a) Permanent Mission of the SFRY to the UN, New York, USA (854 Fifth Avenue, N.Y. 10065); additional indicative data: block 1391, Lot 6, site area 3,600
sq. ft./30 x 120, gross living area 16,125 sq. ft, est. 1910;
b) Residence of the Permanent Representative of the SFRY to the UN, New York, USA (730 Park Avenue, N.Y. 10021); additional indicative data: Apt.
16/17B, cooperative interest, 718/30.000 shares, block 1385, Lot 37, project name: Park 71st St. Corp., gross living area above grade 4,294 sq. ft., Act.
Age: 1929;
c) Embassy and residence of the SFRY in Tokyo, Japan (7-24, 4-chome, Kitashinagawa Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo); additional indicative data: land 316-37
Kita Shinagawa 4-Chome, Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, registered total area 995.27 m2 (app. 28 m x 30 m), building 316-37 Kita Shinagawa 4-Chome,
Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, total floor area 1,725.70 m2 (size in building design document), time of completion 1965;
d) Embassy of the SFRY in Bonn, Germany (Schlossallee 5, 5300 Bonn 2), additional indicative data: land register Mehlem, entry no. 2,865, building and
garden/courtyard area 5,441 m2, Schlossallee 1 and 5, floor area 1,565 m2 (ground floor, cellar, attic, underground garage with 14 parking spaces);
e) Embassy and residence of the SFRY in Berne, Switzerland (Seminarstrasse 5, 3006 Bern), additional indicative data: estate: nr. 199 Bern 4, land area:
total 1,760 m2, building gross area 540 m2, garden area/courtyard 1,220 m2, construction year: 1978.
The Successor States underline the following:
• The service of brokering the sale of all the immovable property listed above will be awarded to a single real estate agency, which will be awarded the
contract by the Successor States;
• The deadline for submitting tenders is 30 days from the day following the issuing of this invitation to tender, while the Successor States will notify
tenderers of their decision within 50 days from the deadline for submitting tenders;
• Among the references qualifying them to successfully broker the sale of the listed property, interested tenderers will submit the following documents,
and define their conditions for providing brokerage services. In their offer, the interested tenderers will include:
a) Documents certifying that the tenderer is a registered company;
b) Documents proving that the tenderer has offices, branches, or partner organisations in the countries where the property on sale is located, operating in
the listed cities (New York, USA; Tokyo, Japan; Bonn, Germany; Bern, Switzerland);
c) Documents showing the tenderer’s turnover amounted to at least US$ 100 million in the last three years;
d) Guarantee for the offer in the amount of US$ 50,000.00 (the guarantee will be returned to the tenderer upon the signing of the brokerage contract);
e) Performance guarantee in the amount of US$ 100,000.00 (the performance guarantee will be returned to the tenderer upon the completion of the
contract);
f) Evidence of financial and business solvency;
g) Evidence of technical and professional capacities and references proving the successful provision of brokerage services;
h) Certificate of no conviction of the tenderer/legal entity and its CEO, in accordance with the legal provisions of the country of the registered seat of the
tenderer and permanent residence of its CEO;
• The period of validity of the tender shall be at least 90 days from the date of submission;
• Interested tenderers will specify their tenders as a brokerage fee, which is a percentage of the total gross sales price of the property listed above;
• The lowest brokerage fee shall be the decisive criterion in selecting the successful tenderer, provided that the tenderer meets all the above conditions;
• Interested tenderers will submit their tenders (in a sealed envelope, marked with the designation ‘Do not open’) by registered mail addressed to:
Stanislav Vidovič, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, SI-1001 Ljubljana, Prešernova cesta 25.
• The Successor States will provide appraisals of the market value of all the listed immovable property to the successful tenderer; the property’s
appraised market value will represent the minimum asking price for the property concerned, unless otherwise decided by the Successor States;
• The sale of the immovable property will be conducted preferably by way of public auction or by any other method in accordance with the local real
estate market practice for each immovable property concerned, as advised by interested tenderers in their tenders;
• The Successor States reserve the right not to select any tenderer, even if all conditions are met;
• The immovable property listed in this invitation to tender may be sold separately or not. Each Successor State must confirm the sale of each immovable
property under the terms to be negotiated with the best offer/potential buyer prior to concluding the sale if the purchase price offered is below the
appraised market value or the minimum asking price.
1 The information on property in this invitation to tender are only indicative. The Successor States accept no responsibility for their accuracy. Precise information may be obtained by consulting public
databases of the countries where the immovable property is located. The Successor States will submit relevant data in their possession regarding the immovable property listed in this invitation to
tender to the successful tenderer after the completion of the selection process.
2 Or the equivalent in €, CHF, or ¥.
INVITATION TO TENDER FOR THE PROVISION OF REAL ESTATE SALES SERVICES
THE SALE OF DIPLOMATIC REAL ESTATE IN
NEW YORK (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA), TOKYO (JAPAN),
BONN (GERMANY), AND BERNE (SWITZERLAND)
Contact details for additional information: gp.mzz@gov.si or sekretariat.mzz@gov.si.
2
DAOSP1 FULLPAGE.indd 1 25/10/2016 16:06

At the celebration of the Statehood Day of Serbia this year there was a traditional collection of our citizens who live and work in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Taking in consideration that all work on the Holiday day, celebration was carried out on Sunday. In this way the doors of the Embassy was open from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. The event was attended by about forty - as small as adult citizens. According the telling of the guests, cheerful, but also an educational speaking about the Sretensky Constitution from 1835, with our national and Azerbaijani cuisine, made that day for him the best day of the year.
We express our gratitude’s for the guests who marked Statehood Day with us and Collective "Hemofarm AD" from Vrsac, member of the "Shtada" group, which helped to fund the event costs.

Office of the Council of Europe, the European Union Delegation in Baku and the International Organization for Migration held the first seminar in February, which the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia in Baku has attended as a guest by call. Intended for young people, primarily from the South Caucasus and the Caspian Sea, brought together about two hundred listeners who were able to hear the most responsible representatives of organizations that have developed and funded this seminar.

Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Azerbaijan Janghiu Kim visited the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Baku and held a friendly meeting with our ambassador.
Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Kim Janghiu started his mission in Azerbaijan on October of the last year, he has pointed that he gives priority in our conversation among the another diplomatic representatives. It stands out with the work of the new Representative for economic cooperation between Serbia and Korea -KOTRA in Belgrade, which began operating at the end of the last year. He pointed that Korea is very interested in investing to the Serbian companies. Investment from Korea to Europe are going in the majority to Slovakia, but he believes that Republic of Serbia can also be very interesting.
Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia thanked for the assistance that Korea provides to our country in covering expenses incurred with refugee crisis, as well as for the humanitarian aid about one million USA dollars. Neutrality of the R. Korea in the UNESCO vote on “admission” Kosovo and Metohija in this organization is for appreciation, but in terms of international law it should continue to be so in the interest of all States. Friends of the Republic of Serbia should always deny accepting any statehood for membership of so-called Kosovo in international organizations and institutions.

As part of activities to mark Armistice Day in the First World War, Ambassador realized the visit to the Military History Museum. On that occasion, ühile sighning the guestbook for visitors, highlighted the importance of this day in the history of Serbian people. Ambassador was accompanied by almost all the professional composition of the Military Historical Museum (about thirty persons).

Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to Azerbaijan Republic sighned today the book of condolences at the Embassy of France in Baku, which was opened on the occasion of the terrorist attacks on 13 November in Paris.

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajic met in Baku with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on improvement of bilateral relations between the two countries.
The interlocutors noted on that occasion that the relations between the two countries are at the level of strategic partnership, and need further promote cooperation in the economic plan so that she followed the excellent results in the political field.
The first steps in this direction, as indicated, there could be the establishment of airline Belgrade-Baku, as well as the continuation of visa liberalization.
The interlocutors assessed that it would significantly contribute to establishing closer and more regular contacts among business people and companies of Serbia and Azerbaijan.
During the meeting was discussed the projects in the fields of energy, infrastructure, agriculture and telecommunications, in which, as it is estimated there is enough opportunities for further improvement of cooperation and new Azerbaijan investments.
President Aliyev in this regard said that some Azerbaijani companies interested in the privatization of Serbian companies from the food industry, noting that major infrastructure projects in Serbia can be funded from a very favorable loan the Oil Fund of Azerbaijan.
Vice President of the Government Rasim Ljajic during the day, together with the Minister of Economy and Industry of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev, chaired the meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. At the meeting participated four state secretaries, representatives of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, the Agency for Privatization, and from the Azerbaijani side nine deputy ministers.
At the same time there was a meeting of businessmen from the Republic of Serbia, with eight public and private company representatives from over thirty Companies of Azerbaijan Republic.
In addition, he also met with Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, Minister of Communications and High Technologies Ali Abbasov and Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfaz Garajev.

Delegation of the National Library of Serbia in the composition of the director Laslo Blašković, and deputy director of the National Library Dragan Puresic, attended the opening ceremony of the IV International Book Fair in Baku, held from 16 to 18 September, in organization of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the National Library of Azerbaijan, as well as all other events which are organized on this occasion. About a hundred publishers from the Republic of Azerbaijan and more than thirty from foreign countries presented their books at the fair.
Stand of the publishers of the Republic of Serbia, was setted in the centre place of the Baku sports hall and caused it appropriate interest of numerous visitors.
In addition to the editions in Serbian and English, has attracted the attention the book in Azerbaijani language "On the shore of Khazar Sea", by Jasmina Mihajlovic, which is exposed at the stand on the last day of the Fair.
Director of the National Library of Serbia, Laslo Blašković and deputy director Dragan Puresic, also visited the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Baku and were familiarized with the library fund of the Embassy.

Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia, Juris Maklakovs, who last week presented his credentials to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, visited today the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Baku. Paying special tribute to our State and the diplomatic mission, Ambassador Maklakovs held a friendly and cordial conversation with our Ambassador.

Before the second meeting of the football clubs “Čukarički” and “Gabala”, on 23 July 2015 in Baku, and within the qualification competition for the Europe League, Charge d'Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Baku, Milorad Crevar visited the coaching staff “Čukarički” in the hotel, where they were staying and had a longer and friendly conversation. Milorad Crevar wished the players and coaching staff success in qualifying.

On July 20, in one of the ancient cities of Azerbaijan, 380 km northwest of Baku, - Sheki, wrapped up the second International Festival of National Sweets. Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan brought together pastry chefs from 12 countries along with confectioners from 21 regions of Azerbaijan. The festival had been organized by the Sheki City Executive Power  and the Azerbaijan National Culinary Association. Pastry chefs from Turkey, Russia, France, Greece, Romania, Moldova, Northern Cyprus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Korea and Indonesia demonstrated their works. The festival concluded with a program of performances by various music and dance groups. By the support of the Serbian Culinary Association, Serbia was represented by Marko Petrovic and his wife Elena M.Petrovic Bickova, Danilo Curovic, members of the Serbian diaspora, employed in the elite culinary institutions Baku. Pastry chefs of the Serbian diaspora took the Second place (shared it with Russia), which is a great success.
The stand of Serbia, marked with our national flag, attracted much attention of the visitors of the festival. Festival was also attended by Charge d'Affaires a.i. of the Serbian Embassy in Baku Milorad Crevar and his wife Slavica Crevar.

• Because the request for its membership is a serious breach of the international law, the Constitution of UNESCO' The legally binding UN Security Council resolution 1244 (1999) and the Charter of the UN whose Article 25 says that "The Members of the UN agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council in accordance with the present Charter".
• Because according to the UN Security Council resolution 1244, which reaffirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (now Serbia), Kosovo and Metohija is an integral part of the Republic of Serbia, under the administration oBf the UN. Since Kosovo cannot be considered a State, it does not fulfill the basic requirement for membership set out by the UNESCO Constitution.
• Because unilateral attempts such as this one seriously harm and disrupt the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, under the auspices of the European Union in which mutually acceptable solutions for many complex issues  have been devised so far. The issue of the Serbian cultural heritage and the property of the Serbia Orthodox Church has not yet been discussed within the dialogue where it belongs.
• Because this is an unacceptable politicization of UNESCO which should not overtake the competences of the UN. Security Council as the highest authority for the preservation of the international peace and security. UNESCO should not serve as an instrument for the affirmation of an illegal and unilaterally declared independence of a part of the territory of one UN member state. The primary goal of UNESCO is to promote universal values of humanity through education, science and culture not to make political decisions with regard to the statehood.
• Because this would be a dangerous precedent, harmful for many states. This would open the door for other entities to follow the same path thus threatening territorial integrity and sovereignty of other member states.
• Because this issue is polarizing the membership of UNESCO.
• Because, besides not being a state, Pristina does not have moral credibility for membership. Anyone aspiring to UNESCO membership must prove not only in words but as well in deeds its commitment to the goals of the UNESCO Constitution, which certainly is incompatible with deliberate, systematic, vandal demolition of Serbian cultural and historic monuments with  the aim to remove the traces of centuries-long existence of Serbs in this area as well as the impunity of the perpetrators of  such barbaric acts unworthy of the 21st century. These acts are comparable only to the acts of destruction of cultural heritage by terrorist groups in the Middle East and elsewhere that the world is witnessing and UNESCO is strongly condemning.
• Because four Serbian orthodox monasteries  are inscribed on the UNESCO List of World Heritage in danger although the armed conflict in Kosovo is over for many years now. In danger from whom?
• Because the inclusion of this item in the provisional agenda of the 197th  session of the UNESCO Executive board raises serious concerns about the compliance with procedure and the respect of the established UNESCO rules. Just to mention that that even publishing of the document on the unacceptability of Kosovo's application for UNESCO membership from the standpoint of the international law, prepared by Serbian Delegation to UNESCO, as an official document, as we requested, was refused. And the only intention was the voice of Serbia also to be heard.
• Because we all would have to live with the negative consequences of such an irresponsible decision from the lesioning of the international law up to the fate of the Serbian cultural heritage in the province of Kosovo and Metohija which not only belongs to the Serbian people but also represents a part of the historical and civilizational heritage of modern Europe and the world.

On 11.06.2015, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic met in Baku with President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Alijev. Before the conversation, President Tomislav Nikolic presented to Azerbaijan`s first lady, president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva Sretenski Order of the second degree , a high state award of the Republic of Serbia, for special merits for the Republic of Serbia and its citizens for the activities in the public, cultural and humanitarian areas.

The two presidents expressed satisfaction with the successful development of the relations between Serbia and Azerbaijan in a variety of fields, including politics, economy and energy. They agreed that the two countries can achieve significant results together. Also, presidents Nikolic and Aliyev discussed several joint projects that should be realized by the two countries. President of the Republic of Serbia Tomislav Nikolic invited the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan to visit Serbia.
On 12.06.2015, After the meeting, Nikolic had talks with Azerbaijani Minister of Trade and Economic Cooperation Shahin Mustafayev. The discussion covered the construction of the beltway around Belgrade, privatization of companies MKS from Kikinda and the Agricultural Combine PKB, as well as Azerbaijan's investments in the spa tourism in Serbia. Nikolic presented Mustafayev with documentation on the projects and underscored that Serbia wants the projects to be realised within the shortest possible deadline, according to a statement from the meeting.
During his stay in Baku, Nikolic visited Serbian athletes participating in the first European Games due to begin on Friday, which will last until June 28.

Dear Sirs,
We are pleased to inform you that the Serbian Post Office has introduced money transfer services with foreign countries on the basis of contracts concluded with the postal administrations of France, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, using softer Universal Postal Union.
The service is intended for all citizens who live or are temporarily working abroad, who wish to send money to Serbia.
In order to facilitate the transfer of remittances, which are directed to individuals below inform you about the benefits of these services:
- Maximal availability in more than 1,200 post office, which covered the entire territory of the country;
- Simplicity of sending and receiving money-no additional documentation only with a valid identification document and without obligation opening a bank account,
- money is available for the payment of a rule on the same day and at the latest within 2 working days depending on the country;
- secure transmission over a secure network Universal Postal Union (www.upu.int)
Mail Serbia will thus soon enable connectivity with other countries: Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Portugal.
The reasons that led the Serbian Postal Service to develop a modern service of international money transfer services are:
- as the public and the socially responsible company, it is necessary to develop modern services according to the needs of citizens and contributes to the development of the country,
- Every year about five billion dollars inflow in Serbia, just on the basis of remittances from the diaspora, which accounts for about 14 percent of the gross domestic product of the country.
The Republic of Serbia is among the top of 15 countries in terms of volume of remittances,
- one of the goals of the Strategy of preserving and strengthening relations between the mother country and the diaspora and the mother country and Serbs in the region is to improve the transfer of money and create a climate that will be conducive to attracting foreign remittances in the home country financial system, so as to facilitate the transfer of foreign currency remittances by encouraging cheaper, faster and safer ways of delivery of remittances.
- that most of the remittances from the diaspora carries by illegal / informal channels and that why it is necessary to introduce them in the legal financial flows. This fact is supported by an expert study of the European Union Terence Donovan of formal and alternative ways to transfer money (made within Moly Project), which showed that about 83% of all international transfers carried out through informal channels.
For information about the prices, transfer deadlines, payment currencies, limits for sending and receiving, additional services, as well as the necessary data for the out-payment call +381 11 3644 745, send an e-mail to novcano@ptt.rs or visit site: http://www.posta.rs/struktura/eng/posalji/medjunarodna-postanska-uputnica.asp

Sincerely,
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC COMPANY "SERBIAN POST"
Milan Krkobabić
 

Ambassador of the United Mexican States to the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Juan Flores Rodrio Labardini, on June 4, presented his credentials to President Ilham Aliyev and after a day visited the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Baku.

In a friendly and frank discussion Ambassador Labardini stressed the traditionally friendly relations between our countries and expressed willingness to support the development of the relationship during the work in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

On June 2, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia in Azerbaijan attended the opening ceremony of the 22nd International exhibition "Caspian oil and gas" and then the two-day international conference on the same subject. The exhibition was opened by President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev, and the conference was attended by representatives of state authorities of the European countries as well as the largest oil companies in the world.

With his visit to Azerbaijan, today, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic – in his capacity as OSCE Chairman-in-Office – started his three-day visit to OSCE Missions in the South Caucasus where he will also be visiting Georgia, on 2 June, and Armenia, on 3 June. I.Dačić was received by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan I.Aliyev and the Chairmanof the Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan O.Asadov. Also he had a special conversation with E.Mammadyarov, MFA of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He held talks with representatives of political parties and the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh.

During the talks in Baku I.Dačić said that he would like to indicate that this region is of great importance for the stability of Europe as a whole, and that it is customary for the Chairman-in-Office to visit the region, i.e. to visit Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia. He stressed that by paying a visit, they also wish to provide assistance, meaning that they would like to see how they may contribute to the resolution of the conflict. “Based on our own experience, the experience of Serbia, I sure that the only way to address problems is through dialogue, requiring the political will of all parties to reach a solution.” The Minister underlined that the good will of Serbia, i.e. the OSCE Chair, to give good offices, both through the efforts of Personal and Special Representatives, and Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group, in order to reach solutions acceptable to all parties. The situation requires commitment of other, bigger countries as well, for it is important to honour the ceasefire agreement, the truce that has long been reached, but unfortunately, there is still a grim record of victims and casualties.
The Serbian Foreign Minister also pledged to Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Mammadyarov that he would discuss with Armenian Minister Nalbandian the issues related to imprisoned and missing persons, as well as initiatives concerning the possibility of a more liberal concept of freedom of movement in the region.
The Minister stressed his belief as OSCE Chairman-in-Office, the OSCE should be a partner of all the countries, wherever it is present, and that it should assist in addressing conflicts and supporting reforms in order to be a valuable factor there. “The OSCE has been present in Serbia for as many as 20 years now and we had different experiences in that respect. Serbia is one of the countries having its own experience with the issue of double standards, and has for some time even been suspended from OSCE activities, and it is currently chairing the Organization. It is therefore necessary to seek the best possible ways for genuine practical implementation of the OSCE principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act, without double standards.”
Speaking about the experience of Serbia, Dacic said that she was sure his country particularly sensitive to the issue of the territorial integrity and sovereignty, as Kosovo was an example for a lot of double standards.
He particularly underlined that it is important that there is the political will to resolve all these issues on all sides, and if it exists. The organization, which currently presides over Serbia will do everything to assist in the operationalization of all these different ideas and try to develop a permanent solution to this conflict, which would be in the interest of all.
Minister Dacic emphasized in Baku that Serbia and Azerbaijan are friendly countries and strategic partners, and that there is a mutual willingness to develop bilateral relations, in the political and economic areas, including sports and culture.
The Serbian Foreign Minister particularly drew attention to the fact that Azerbaijan would be hosting the first European Games, where Serbia would have 132 athletes, and that the attendance of President Nikolic at the opening ceremony was expected.

Today, 21th of May, President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev opened the International Food Industry Exhibition. In addition to representatives from 151 food companies from the whole world, after years was presented the food from Serbia. The company "Zlatiborac" from Machkat reappears in this market, with the goal to continue its expansion from the point, where it was a few years ago. The presence in the neighboring countries (Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan), confirms the correctness of these management decisions. In preparation for his appearance at the exhibition, Dushan Knezevich, General Manager and Tanaskovich Dzordze, Director for export to South Eastern Europe, visited the embassy and had a talk about the need for the realization of the meeting with the holders of state powers and prominent businessmen in Azerbaijan who are responsible for supplying food.

Minister of Culture and Information Ivan Tasovach participated in the Third World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue, which has held on 18-19 May in Baku, in order to promote tolerance, confidence building and eliminating the disagreements between different civilizations, cultures and religions.

The Forum was attended also by Mira Nikolich - Assistant Minister for East Multilateral cooperation, and Asya Durres Muntean - Assistant for International Cooperation, European Integration and Projects of the Ministry of Culture and Information and Elena Marinkovic - Chief of the Minister of Culture and Information.
Minister Tasovach and forum participants from the Republic of Serbia visited the embassy and had a longer and stimulating conversation.

On Saturday, the 30th of May, Jasmina Mihajlovic, renowned Serbian writer and literary critic, author of many travel prose books, essays, and novels, visited the Embassy of Serbia in Baku. Her visit to Azerbaijan followed the visit to the capital of Georgia – Tbilisi, where she had opened the International Book Fair and where she had been a guest of many literary events. She had presented her works and the works of the academician Milorad Pavic, because she is also the trustee of the Bequest of this famous writer whose works have been translated into numerous languages.

The novel ‘’On the Shores of the Khazar Sea’’ – a love story of two writers, written by Jasmina Mihajlovic, was translated into Azerbaijani at the beginning of the year.  
 

On May 5-6, National Assembly Deputy Speaker of Serbia Igor Becic visited the Republic of Azerbaijan, where as head of the permanent delegation of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation attended the forty-fifth meeting of the Committee on Legal and Political Affairs.

During his stay in Baku, National Assembly Deputy Speaker of Serbia Igor Becic, visited the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia, where he met with the Ambassador and staff.
 

Today has started the international conference "Restoring of confidence in the new world order" organized by the International Center Nizami Ganjavi, in Baku, by order the President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev.

From the Republic of Serbia the event attended by former Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovich, members of the National Assembly Dubravka Filipovski and Marija Obradovich, as well as a number of experts and influential individuals, by invitation of the event organizers.

Members of the National Assembly Dubravka Filipovski and Marija Obradovich, the President Trilateral Commission in Serbia Jovan Kovacich visited the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia.

The two-day international conference on " Islamic education and the modern period" which has started today, 16 April, organized by the Administration of Muslims of the Caucasus and the Azerbaijani Academy of Sciences, attended by Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia in the Republic of Serbia Neboysha Rodich.

The conference is attended by scientists and Islamists from neighboring countries as well as from Europe, Africa and Asia.
 

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said today, 15 April, he was very pleased with friendly relations with Azerbaijan, and emphasized that the visit of the country opened up opportunities for better cooperation, new investment and infrastructure projects.

Vucic spoke to journalists at the end of a two-day visit to Baku, where he met with state officials of Azerbaijan and representatives of big companies from this country, said that the Serbian delegation made a good impression.

He stressed that our country has a great chance to make a good job and to develop better cooperation with this country, but also noted that it primarily depends on us and our responsibility and commitment.

Serbian delegation came to Baku with a list of companies for privatization by major Azerbaijani companies, which was discussed during the visit, and to some of them have shown interest, said the Prime Minister.

He announced that the part of the representatives of Azerbaijan will arrive next week to Belgrade, and pointed out that Serbia gives a great importance to any of the projects, realization of which are being discussed.

According to him, issues of chemical companies have already begun, and they also discussed Azerbaijan's participation in the privatization of Serbian agricultural companies.

Vuchich pointed out that companies from that country very successful in building roads, and also pointed out that the construction of the road in Lig-Prelina is the only project in Serbia which builds firm "Azvirt" and which can be completed before the planned deadline.

The Prime Minister said that during the two-day visit also discussed future infrastructure projects, and expressed confidence that the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will visit Belgrade till the end of the year, and will together be able to visit the final works on the highway section Lig-Chachak.

Serbia capital investments raises the gross of the domestic production, and troubleshooting infrastructure faults is one of the preconditions for a healthy economy, he reiterated.

Vuchich earlier today met with the leadership of the company "Azvirt", which works on the construction of the 11th Corridor in Serbia.
 

To Mr. Vlade Divach

Congratulations on the 105th anniversary to all sports associations, clubs, sports organizations, all athletes, to Vlade Divach, Chairman of the Serbian Olympic Committee, to Secretary Shoshtar.
It is symbolic that the establishment of the Olympic Committee of Serbia, on 23 February 1910, under the name of Serbian Olympic Club, at the hotel Moskva in Belgrade, historically associated with the initiative of the young officers of the Kingdom of Serbia trained just in France, where the Olympic movement have started.
In just two years, the club has got a name that is still recognizable around the world - the Olympic Committee of Serbia.
Since, from 1912, our athletes participating in the Olympics.
This year, our athletes will participate at the First European sport Games that will be held from 12-28 June in Baku, Azerbaijan.
We are here to support you all, and looking forward for every athlete's participation in the contest and each medal, which you will earn.
Happy Anniversary and good time in Baku.
We are waiting for you.

Neboysha Rodich
Ambassador

Ambassador Neboysha Rodich visited the Constitutional court of the Republic of Azerbaijan and met with the Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan Farhad Abdullayev, who informed him about the constitutional provision of the court and the experience that they have gained in his previous work. He said that the Constitutional Court of Azerbaijan is a member of international associations of constitutional courts in Europe and Asia where it already cooperating with Court from Serbia on individual issues.

During the interview with the Ambassador was expressed hope for corporation with the Constitutional court of the Republic of Serbia in the future and in this regard the Chairman Farhad Abdullayev was invited to visit Constitutional court of the Republic of Serbia

Ambassador Neboysha Rodich with Milorad Crevar, the counselor of the Embassy visited the Translation Centre of Azerbaijan nunder the Cabinet of Ministers on the invitation of the Afag Masud, Director of the Centre. The Centre is founded in accordance with Decree of the President of the Azerbaijan Republic, Ilham Aliyev, as an executive body which centralizes translation work and develop the culture of the learning Azerbaijani language. This year the Centre has published the Serbian-Azerbaijani dictionary with 7000 words, authored by Aynur M. Garayeva,  edited by novelist – critic Yasmina Mixaylovich from Serbia and Academician Kamal Abdulla from Azerbaijan , is designed for people willing to learn Serbian and Azerbaijani.

In the current year the Centre has prepared and published the work of Yasmina Mixaylovich “At the Caspian seaside”.
The appearance of these works at the beginning of the year talking about the interest in the work of our autors and learning Azerbaijani language.
The director of the Centre and  associates expressed particular interest in the experiences, realization of translation services in Serbia as a special kind of intellectual author works.

ADA University hosted the round-table discussion on “Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan diplomatic relations”. To the discussion were invited Heads of the diplomatic missions accredited in Baku. The event was attended by more than twenty of accredited ambassadors. Among them was Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia Neboysha Rodich too.

Friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan today is the key to the development of relations in the future. The importance of having lands on the Caspian region obligates them to develop multilateral relations. Joint projects in the fields of energy, energy security, transport, tourism are the projects which they use on all the institutions of the state headed by their presidents.

On the 17th of February Ambassador N.Rodich met with K.Aliev, Director of Azvirt LLC (Azerbaijan-German partnership in the field of construction, founded in 1995 in Baku). Both sides expressed satisfaction with the work of this company in Serbia, the construction of part of Corridor 11, from Lig to Prelina

On the 17th of February Azerbaijani Defense Minister, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Serbia to Azerbaijan. During the meeting the sides exchanged views due to the mutual interest in development of relations between Azerbaijan and Serbia in all directions especially on the military-economic sphere.

On Sunday, 15 February, the doors of the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Baku, was wide open for all of our citizens who live and work in this friendly and beautiful country. It was a common way to celebrate the National Day holiday and remind the beginning of the First Uprising in 1804 and when the first constitution was adopted in modern Serbia in 1835.

A large number of our citizens, with their families, spent, according their own telling an unforgettable day in the company and mutual understanding. Part of the atmosphere is visible in the photographs that were taken on this occasion.

Preserving the security of citizens, is one of the absolutely most important tasks of a democratic State. It operates as the most direct and most important course and it is responsible for the essential and indispensable services.

After a warm welcome in the Republic of Azerbaijan, our specialists visited our embassy too.
In a conversation with the Ambassador guests gave information about the purpose of their visit to Azerbaijan and the work done in the framework of a great sporting event "The First European Sport Games Baku 2015".

Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia in Azerbaijan, Nebojsa Rodic, has received the Ambassador of Austria in Azerbaijan Mr. Axel Wech with a protocol visit.

Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia in Azerbaijan, Nebojsa Rodic, signed the book of condolences opened at the Embassy of France in Azerbaijan, in Baku.
He expressed deepest condolences on the occasion of the brutal terrorist act, to bereaved families of journalists, policemen and all citizens of France.

Former Serbian President Boris Todich from 17 to 21 December 2014, was on a visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan. During his stay in Azerbaijan, B. Todich had many activities. He visited the Center Nizami Gandjavi and gave a lecture for students of the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy. The lecture was attended by the ambassadors of Morocco, the OSCE, Moldova, Palestine, as well as several representatives of the diplomatic corps in Azerbaijan.
During the visit, the former president of the Republic of Serbia met with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. He also met with the Minister for Emergency Situations Kemaladdin Haydarov and the head of the State Committee for Diaspora Nazim Ibrahim. During his stay in Baku, former President of the Republic of Serbia met with the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia in the Republic of Azerbaijan Neboysha Rodic.

19 December 2014 Ambassador Neboysha Rodich, during his visit to the Sabirabad region visited Zulfali Aliyev Husein oglu, member of the 223rd Division of the Belgrade (Caucasian) which is participated in the liberation of Belgrade from occupation in October 1944. Ambassador Rodich had a lengthy and friendly conversation with Zulfali Aliyev, within his family. Ambassador wished him health and thanked him for his participation in the struggle against fascism and the liberation of Belgrade. The meeting was attended by the Chief of the Sabirabad region Nazim Ismailov and counselor of the Embassy M. Bajčeta.
Zulfali Aliyev has evoked memories of his war time from Guba in Azerbaijan, where the division was formed, to Bratislava in Slovakia. Especially emotionally spoke about the room divisions in Serbia, the liberation of Belgrade and attention with which he had greeted by the Serbian people on the war path.

From November 8, 2014, foreign citizens with all type passports excepting temporary return certificate and travel documents issued in accordance with international conventions, having a valid Schengen visa, UK and other EU Member States’ visa, or USA visa may enter, transit and stay in the Republic of Serbia without Serbian visa up to 90 days during a six-month period.
From November 8, 2014, foreign citizens with all type passports excepting temporary return certificate and travel documents issued in accordance with international conventions, having residence permit in the countries of the Schengen area, EU or the United States of America may enter, transit and stay in the Republic of Serbia without Serbian visa up to 90 days during a six-month period.
 

On October 23, 2014, President Ilham Aliyev received the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia Neboysha Rodich.
After reviewing the Guard of honor Ambassador Rodich handed his credentials to Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Afterwards, the Azerbaijani President had a conversation with the Ambassador. The parties expressed satisfaction with the current state of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Serbia, and noted that there was good potential for the expansion of cooperation in various areas.

On October 20, 2014 the Minister of foreign issues of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov received the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Republic of Azerbaijan, Neboysha Rodich.

During the meeting Ambassador Neboysha Rodich presented a copy of his credentials to the Minister Elmar Mammadyarov.

Minister Elmar Mammadyarov noted that Azerbaijan-Serbia relations are rapidly developing, also wished Rodich success in his diplomatic mission.

The Ambassador Rodich said he would spare no efforts to contribute to strengthening traditional friendly ties between Serbia and Azerbaijan.

The International Forum for young scientists was held in Baku from 26th May until 31st May 2014 with participants from 93 countries. Representatives from the Republic of Serbia participated with their work: Marko Marinković and Jelena Dragaš from the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Sanja Arežina from the Faculty of Political Sciences from the University in Belgrade. 
Slobodan Radičev, President of the Student Association for post graduate studies and young scientists from Novi Sad and honorary member of the Managing Board of EURODOC in Brussels was present at the Forum as one of the Organizers.
The young scientist visited the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Baku accompanied by their colleagues from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia and shared their impressions about the conference with the Charge d'Affaires, M. Bajčeta.

Donors who wish to provide humanitarian help in Serbia can receive relevant information in the Ministry of Commerce, Tourism and Telecommunication through following phone numbers: +381 11 3619691; +381 11 3610273; 381 11 3621690 and  +381 113620385 or contact persons (communication in English and Serbian ):
- Zeljko Rakic (zeljko.rakic@mtt.gov.rs)
- Vesna Novakovic (vesna.novakovic@mtt.gov.rs)

Contributions for flood relief and help to the victims of floods in the Republic of Serbia can be paid through PayPal by using the link of the General Office of the Government of the republic of Serbia  http://gensek.gov.rs

At this moment the Red Cross needs the following items the most to help the endangered population from the floods in the Republic of Serbia:
  Mattresses, bed linen, portable beds, dippers for children and adults, socks, underwear, children’s clothes, battery lamps and batteries, sanitary articles (soap, toilet paper, paper cloth, sanitary pads, tooth brushes, tooth paste...), rubber boots, article for disinfection, protection suits, gloves, food, drinking water…
Contact for the announcement of humanitarian help:
- Serbian Red Cross – Belgrade, Simina Street 19, phone +381 11 3281086, +381 11 30302119 ( 217), fax +381 11 2622830, e-mail: indep@redcross.org.rs
Contact persons:
- Jelena Andjelic, phone +381 62 880-1519, (jelena@redcross.org.rs)
- Marija Cukic, phone +381 62 880 1520, (marija@redcross.org.rs)
- Ruza Petrovic, phone +381 62 880 1529, (ruza@redcross.org.rs)
- Biljana Cvetkovic, phone +381 62 880 152, (bilja@redcross.org.rs)
- Ljubomir Miladinovic, phone +382 62 880 1502 (indep@redcross.org.rs)

Floods in Serbia, unrecorded in the last 120 years have caused numerous casualties and enormous property damages. Thousands of people have lost their homes and entire belongings. 
The effects of the natural disaster will be remediated for years to come.
The embassy of the Republic of Serbia in the Republic of Azerbaijan is asking all citizens of the Republic of Serbia, our friends, citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan and all good willed people to help the people of Serbia at this difficult moment.   
Money donations can be given in cash or paid into an account. All information is available at the embassy or on the web site: http://www.baku.mfa.gov.rs
The embassy of the Republic of Serbia in the Republic of Azerbaijan is grateful to all individuals and organisations that helped or offered to help.

Due to the catastrophic floods in Serbia in which people lost their lives, the Serbian Embassy would like to inform that three days of national mourning have been declared in the Republic of Serbia and a Book of Condolences will be opened at the Serbian Embassy, on the following days:

- May 22, from 11:00 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 5 pm
- May 23, from 11:00 am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 5 pm.

The humanitarian aid was sent to Serbia by the country's Emergency Situations Ministry at the order of President Iof the Republic of Azerbaijan lham Aliyev.
First lady of Serbia Dragica Nikolic, Deputy Premier, Public Administration and Local Self-Government Minister Kori Udovicki, Adviser to the President Jasmina Mitrovic Maric, deputies of Belgrade Mayor Irena Vujovic and Goran Vesic, staff members of the Azerbaijani Embassy, and others received the aid at a ceremony in Belgrade's airport.
Speaking at a press-conference held afterwards, Serbian first lady praised Azerbaijan's humanitarian aid and thanked the Azerbaijani people and President Aliyev.
The aid included 12 motor boats of various sizes, 260 tents, 300 camp beds, 1,500 blankets, 40 power generators, 20 water pumps, and so on.

In order to care for the vulnerable population of the Republic of Serbia and floods the Government of the Republic of Serbia has opened a bank accounts in which you can pay cash help the suffering population and elimination of consequences of floods:

Dinar bank account - Removal extraordinary circumstances of flood,

No 840-3546721-89

Transfer account:

For transactions in USD
Ministry of Finance, Treasury, 11000 Belgrade
SWIFT: BKTRUS33
Account Number: RS35 9085 0461 9019 3230 80
Purpose: support for eliminating the consequences floods

For transactions in EUR
Ministry of Finance, Treasury, 11000 Belgrade
SWIFT: DEUTDEFF
Account Number: RS35 9085 0461 9019 3230 80
Purpose: support for eliminating the consequences floods

PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS:

PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS - USD
SWIFT MESSAGE FIN 103
FIELD 32A:                  VALUE DATE-CURENCI AMOUT
FIELD 50K:                  ORDERING CUSTOMER
FIELD 56A:                  BKTRUS33
/INTERMEDIARY/
FIELD 57A:                  /04415465
/ACC,WITH BANK/    NBSRRSBG
FIELD 59:                    /RS35908504619019323080
(BENEFICIARY)         MINISTARSTVO FINANSIJA
                                      UPRAVA ZA TREZOR
FIELD 70:                    DETAILS OF PAYMENT    

PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS - EUR
SWIFT MESSAGE FIN 103
FIELD 32A:                  VALUE DATE-CURENCI AMOUT
FIELD 50K:                 ORDERING CUSTOMER
FIELD 56A:                  DUTDEFF
/INTERMEDIARY/
FIELD 57A:                  /DE20500700100935930800
/ACC,WITH BANK/     NBSRRSBG
FIELD 59:                    /RS35908504619019323080
(BENEFICIARY)         MINISTARSTVO FINANSIJA
                                     UPRAVA ZA TREZOR
FIELD 70:                   DETAILS OF PAYMENT   

Dacic born in 1966, Prizren. He received his BA degree from the School of Political Science, University of Belgrade.

He served on the Delegation of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. He chaired his party's Parliamentary Group in the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and in the Assembly of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. From 1992 to 2004 he was delegate in the Chamber of Citizens of the Federal Assembly of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Deputy of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, 2004 to present.

He was appointed Minister of Information in the so-called transitional Government of the Republic of Serbia, October 2000 - January 2001. He became the Leader of the Socialist Party of Serbia in December 2006. He was the President of the Basketball Club Partizan Belgrade and Vice President of the Yugoslav Olympic Committee.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, July 2008 - July 2012. He was Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, July 2012 - April 2014.

On 27 April 2014, he was appointed First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Recipient of The Best European award in 2009.

On 27 April 2014 Members of Serbian parliament elected the new Serbian government with Aleksandar Vucic in the office of the Prime Minister, consisting of 16 ministries and two ministers without portfolio. The cabinet was voted in by roll call. A total of 198 MPs backed the cabinet, 23 were opposed and six abstained from voting.
Aleksandar Vucic born on 5 March 1970. In 1988 he graduated from the Zemun high school and the Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade in 1994.
He joined the Serbian Radical Party in 1993. He was elected an MP into the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 1993. He was elected Secretary General of the Serbian Radical Party in 1994. He stayed in that position until 2008.He became director of the Pinki business and sport centre in Zemun in 1996. With his knowledge, management skills and abilities he reconstructed these neglected sports facilities, and with successful operation he multiplied the incomes of the employees. He was appointed Minister of Information in the Government of National Unity in 1998.He was an MP in the Federal Assembly of Yugoslavia in three terms of office: the Council of the Republics as of February 1998, Council of the Republics as of May 2000, and in September 2000 he was elected an MP in federal elections. In Belgrade mayoral elections “Vucic for the Metropolis” he won 29% of the votes in the first round, i.e., 48% of the votes in the second round. In Belgrade mayoral elections held in May 2008, he won 316,357 votes, i.e., 34, 7%.
Together with Tomislav Nikolic, he founded the Serbian Progressive Party, and at the Founding Convention in October 2008, he was elected the party’s vice president.
After the general parliamentary elections, held in 2012, he was appointed Minister of Defence and the First Deputy Prime Minister, in charge of fight against crime and corruption.
After Tomislav Nikolic resigned from the position of the president of the Serbian Progressive Party, on 24 May 2012, Vucic became acting president of the Serbian Progressive Party. At the Second Party Congress, held on 29 September 2012, he was unanimously elected President of the Serbian Progressive Party.
He served as Defence Minister from 28 July 2012 until the government’s reshuffle on 2 September 2013.
Since September 2013, he kept only the position of the First Deputy Prime Minister in charge of fight against corruption and crime. After the Serbian Progressive Party won in the elections held on 16 March 2014, Vucic became Serbian Prime Minister.

The Serbian parliament MPs on April 23 elected Maja Gojkovic, a member of the Serbian Progressive Party Presidency, as parliament speaker. She was backed by 194 MPs, 14 were against, while nine abstained from voting.
Gojkovic said that she would persevere in facilitating the equal rights and responsibilities of all MPs, regardless of whether they were from the ruling coalition or the opposition. In her first address to the parliament in her capacity as speaker, Gojkovic said it was a great privilege to be "the first among equals", but that it was also a huge responsibility. Gojkovic added that her goals were no different from those of her predecessors, which were primarily to promote democracy in the Serbian parliament and a spirit of tolerance. "I take this opportunity to pledge that I will persevere in facilitating the equal rights and obligations of all MPs, regardless of whether they belong to the ruling majority or the opposition. The image of the parliament cannot be created by one person, but by all of you who will be working with me", she said.
According to Gojkovic's CV delivered to MPs and reporters, she was born in Novi Sad on May 22, 1963, graduated from the Novi Sad Law School in 1987 and passed her bar exam, two years later. Gojkovic has been active in parliamentary life since 1992. She was an alderman in the Vojvodina assembly from 1996 to 2000, a minister without portfolio from 1998 to 1999 and the Yugoslav deputy prime minister from 1999 to 2000. In the 2004 local elections, she was elected Novi Sad mayor. Gojkovic was a member of the Serbian Radical Party since its foundation in February 1991 until March 2008, when she was excluded from the party. In October 2008, she founded the People's Party. In May 2010, the People's Party joined the United Regions of Serbia, from which it was excluded on June 26, 2012. Several months later, the People's Party joined with the Progressives, with Gojkovic becoming a member of the party's Presidency.

On 9-10 April 2014 between the aeronautical authorities of the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Azerbaijan held a negotiations. The negotiations held in a friendly and constructive atmosphere.

The two sides agreed the conditions for conducting regular air services between the two countries. Authorized representatives initialed the draft of the agreement on air services between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan. A protocol of negotiations was signed as a result of the meeting.

The conclusion of the above documents is established the basis for the establishment of regular direct air services between the two countries, as well as the ability to enter into commercial arrangements type division code, which opens wide opportunities for commercial air carriers from the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Representatives of the two sides confirmed that the agreement represents a major step in the improvement of economic relations in the field of civil aviation, and general relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The delegation visited the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Baku.
 

'The XIII International Tourism Fair (AITF-2014) and the VIII Caucasian International Fair of hotelier and hospitality equipment were held from the 3rd to 5th April in Baku.
At the same time with the Fair dates the 57th Conference of the European Commission hosted by the World Tourist Organization (UNWTO) was held as well as a seminar on the topic „Development of effective touristic clusters“.
The Delegation of the Republic of Serbia took part in the Commission and seminar with following Representatives: Gordana Radosavljevic, Deputy Minister, Renata Pindzo, Special Ministry Advisor and Stela Petrovic, Advisor in the Ministry of Economy.
Members of the Delegation and the Charge d' Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia, Milanko Bajceta attended the Fair.
The Delegation visited the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Baku.

On 18th March 2014 the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia to the Republic of Azerbaijan hosted a farewell reception for Ambassador Mr. Zoran Vajovic.
The event was attended by state and government officials, ambassadors of foreign countries accredited to Azerbaijan, and public figures.

On 13th March 2014 Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr.Elmar Mammadyarov received Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia Mr.Zoran Vajovic, who is completing his diplomatic mission in the country.
Minister Mammadyarov noted with satisfaction developing bilateral ties between Serbia and Azerbaijan and praised Ambassador Vajovic’s efforts in expanding this cooperation. Minister wished him well in his future diplomatic activities.

Ambassador Vajovic thanked for the environment created for his diplomatic missions in Azerbaijan.

The Bishop thanked Ambassador Vajovic and the Embassy of Serbia for their cooperation, and highly praised the contributions of Ambassador Vajovic to the development of closer relations between Serbia and Azerbeijaan, and his contribution to the glory of the Holy Church. Bishop of Baku and Azerbaijan Eparchy emphasized the close relations between the Diocese and the Serbian Embassy, as well as the numerous Serbian believers in Baku who regularly attend the church services in the Diocese in Baku.

With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Cyril, the Bishop on this occasion in the Diocese presented the Gold Medal of St Bartholomew the Apostle to Ambassador Vajovic, for his merits in development of relations in the glory of the Holy Church.  

On 06th March 2014 President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev received Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia Mr. Zoran Vajovic, who is completing his diplomatic mission in the country.
Mr. Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan and Serbia had achieved great successes in developing relations in a variety of fields.
President Aliyev stressed the significance of reciprocal visits in developing the bilateral ties. The Head of State said the two countries became closer to each other in a short period of time.
Hailing the contribution of Zoran Vajovic to developing the bilateral ties, the Azerbaijani President wished him successes in his future activities.
Mr. Zoran Vajovic praised relations between the two countries, saying they had been rapidly developing over the last years. He described his diplomatic tenure in Baku as one of the bright and unforgettable parts of his life.

For more details: http://azertag.gov.az/en/node/1200685

Ambassador Mr. Zoran Vajović spoke about the historical origin of the Statehood Day of Serbia, and emphasized the strategic partnership between Serbia and Azerbaijan.

The Minister of Economy and Industry of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Shahin Mustafayev, delivered the congratulations from the President Mr. Ilham Aliyev and Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Minister Mustafayev said that bilateral relations between the two countries are developing and the partnership is based on friendship ties. Mr. Mustafayev expressed the hope that traditional relations based on friendship and cooperation will be further strengthened.

Ambassador Zoran Vajovic was presented the Medal of the Serbian flag in the third degree to the President of Space TV and Radio Company Mr. Vagif Mustafayev, who was awarded by the President of the Republic of Serbia Mr. Tomislav Nikolic.

The event was attended by state and government officials, members of parliaments, ambassadors of foreign countries accredited to Azerbaijan, and public figures.

Predsednik Republike Srbije Tomislav Nikolić je, 29. januara 2014. godine, potpisao Ukaz o raspuštanju Skupštine Republike Srbije i Odluku o raspisivanju parlamentarnih izbora koji su zakazani za 16. mart 2014. godine (Službeni glasnik RS br. 8 od 29.01.2014.).

U skladu sa zakonom o jedinstvenom biračkom spisku (Službeni glasnik RS br.104/09 99/11) i «Obaveštenjem za upis u birački spisak podataka o tome da će birači glasati u inostranstvu» Ministarstva prvde i državne uprave Republike Srbije

pozivamo sve državljane Republike Srbije koji imaju boravište u Republici Azerbejdžan, da se prijave za glasanje u Ambasadi Republike Srbije u Republici Azerbejdžan i podnesu zahtev za davanje obaveštenja o podacima koji su o njima upisani u Jedinstveni birački spisak u Republici Srbiji, koji Ambasada prosleđuje opštinskoj odnosno gradskoj upravi u zemlji po mestu njihovog prebivališta.

Napominjemo da birači , moraju podneti Ambasadi Republike Srbije u Republici Azerbejdžan u pisanoj formi zahtev za upis podataka o tome da će glasati u inostranstvu. Ukoliko birač koji ima prebivalište u Republici Azerbejdžan nije upisan u Jedinstveni birački spisak u Republici Srbiji, mora Ambasadi podneti istovremeno i zahtev za upis u birački spisak i prijavu za glasanje u inostranstvu. Uvid u Jedinstveni birački spisak možete izvršiti elektronskim putem na internet stranici Ministarstva pravde i državne uprave:
www.mpravde.gov.rs

Sve relevantne informacije za sprovođenje izbora možete naći na sajtu Republičke izborne komisije:
www.rik.parlament.gov.rs
U skladu sa zakonom, minimum 100 birača se mora prijaviti Ambasadi Republike Srbije u Bakuu, kako bi se u Ambasadi otvorilo biračko mesto. Zahtev za upis podataka o tome da ćete glasati u inostranstvu morate podneti Ambasadi najkasnije pet dana pre dana zaključenja Jedinstvenog biračkog spiska, odnosno 22. februara 2014. godine, zaključno.

Pozivamo sve državljane Republike Srbije koji imaju boravište u Republici Azerbejdžan, da podnesu Ambasadi Zahtev za upis u birački spisak i prijavu za glasanje u inostranstvu.

On 17th February 2014 Minister of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan Lieutenant General Mr. Zakir Hasanov paid official visit to the Republic of Serbia and met with his counterpart Mr. Nebojsa Rodic. Two ministers signed the “Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the  Republic of Azerbaijan on cooperation in the field of defence”.
 
During the visit to Belgrade Lieutenant General Mr. Zakir Hasanov met with the President of the Republic of Serbia Mr. Tomislav Nikolic and First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić.

On 14th February 2014 the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr.Zoran Vajović, held a press conference on the occasion of the perspectives of Serbian-Azerbaijani mutual cooperation and of the Statehood Day of the Republic of Serbia.
At the conference Ambassador addressed the 2014 key events regarding the Serbian-Azerbaijani relationship, and future partnership perspectives.
Journalists from more than 25 Azerbaijani TV stations, news agencies and newspapers, attended the conference.

On February 11, 2014 the Ambassador of Serbia Mr. Zoran Vajovic visited Baku Higher Oil School. The Rector of Baku Higher Oil School Mr. Elmar Gasimov told that the educational institution was established on November 29, 2011 via a decree of President Mr. Ilham Aliyev and was assigned the status of a state institution under SOCAR. Mr. E. Gasimov noted that, despite the fact that the Baku Higher Oil School was established in 2012, it became an absolute leader in terms of enrollment of students, according to the ranking of higher education institutions prepared by the State Students Admission Commission. Gasimov said that last year the BHOS offered two enrollment programs - 'Petroleum engineering' and 'Chemical engineering', whereas starting this year the third program - 'Process Automation Engineering' will be introduced as well.

Ambassador Vajovic appreciated the international projects of State Oil Company of Azerbaijan, and noted that the oil and gas industry of the country developing very successfully. During the meeting were discussed future prospects of cooperation between universities in the sphere of exchange students and teachers and implementation of various programs.

The diploma "Honorary Guest of Baku Higher Oil School " was awarded to the Ambassador Zoran Vajovic.

On February 07, 2014 the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia Mr. Zoran Vajovic met the Minister of health of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Oqtay Shiraliyev. During the meeting two officials talked about the developing bilateral cooperation in the field of healthcare and medical science between Serbia and Azerbaijan, promoting mutual exchanges of information and experience through specialists visits.

On January 30, 2014 the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Zakir Hasanov and the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia Mr. Zoran Vajovic had a meeting and talked about the developing bilateral military cooperation between Serbia and Azerbaijan, the military-political situation in the region and the Armenian-Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov expressed his gratitude to Ambassador for the support in resolving the conflict in accordance with international law and relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.

Ambassador Zoran Vajovic stressed the importance of strategic cooperation between the two countries, the existence of friendly relations and noticed that Serbia will always support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

At the award winning ceremony of the prominent Azerbaijani periodical Business Time, held on December 14, 2013, in the luxurious Baku hotel Fairmont, the head of the periodical, Mamad Hajiev, bestowed upon the Serbian Ambassador in Azerbaijan, Mr. Zoran Vajović, the “Azeri Business Award 2013”, for his contribution to the advancement of economic, business and trade relations between Serbia and Azerbaijan. The award winning committee had pointed out that during the two and a half years since Ambassador Vajović opened the Embassy of Serbia in Baku, the business deals, the infrastructure projects and loans,and deals in the defense industry between Azerbaijan and Serbia amounted to cca. 450 million Euros, while the trade between the two countries, which in 2010 was only a few millions of Euros, exceeded 100 million Euros. There have been several business forums between the two countries, attended by over 600 people, and more than 200 businessmen from Serbia participated in trade fairs and business meetings in Azerbaijan, and contracted deals with Azerbaijani partners.

More than two hundred guests – government officials, business and diplomats were present at the award winning ceremony. Accompanying Ambassador Vajović at the diplomatic table were Ms. Melahet Ibrahimgizi, MP and head of the Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group between Serbia and Azerbaijan in the Parliament of Azerbaijan, Dr. Asim Molazade. MP and Chairman of the Democratic Reform Party of Azerbaijan, Ambassador Pervin Mirzazade, Director of the State Protocol Department from the MFA of Azerbaijan, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates H.E. Mr. Salem K. Al Eghfeli, Ambassador of Morocco Dr. Hassan Hami and Ambassador of Moldova H.E. Mr. Igor Bodiu.

Business Time magazine, annually awards prizes to successful companies, innovators, exporters, public figures and ambassadors of foreign states accredited in Azerbaijan for development of business relations between the states they represent and Azerbaijan.

For more details http://btime.az/page.html?id_node=375&id_file=4772

http://btime.az/page.html?id_node=390&id_file=4773

In the live program the Ambassador of Serbia Mr. Zoran Vajovic talked about the Serbian cuisine, traditions, customs and culture. Mr. Vajovic said: “Serbian food is characterized not only by ingredients from Serbia, but also by ingredients from the former Yugoslavia. During the centuries under Ottoman rule, the Balkans were influenced by the rich oriental cuisine and some of the most traditional Serbian dishes have common roots with Turkish and Middle East cuisine".

The President of the Culinary Federation of Serbia Mr. Dragan Lukic cooked  Serbian national dishes ćevapcici (grilled minced meat), Mućkalica (mixed meat and vegetables) and puneni biftek (beef filed with cheese and vegetables).
This year at the one of the leading European and world Culinary Competitioms in Istanbul, (Turkey) Mr. Lukic won silver medal.

During the show some videos about Serbian tourism and cuisine were shown.

Xezer TV is one of the most popular channels in Azerbaijan.

The Honorary Consulate of Montenegro in Baku was opened by the Ambassador of Montenegro to the Republic of Turkey and Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ramo Bralic, the Honorary Consul of Montenegro Mr. Vugar Aliyev and the Foreign Minister envoy on special affairs Ambassador Mr. Mammad Aliyev.

The members of Milli Mejlis, the Ambassador of Serbia Mr. Zoran Vajovic and the Serbian Embassy staff, other diplomatic represetnatives and public representatives were attended the official ceremony of the opening ceremony and the reception.

The Conference was organized by the Scientific and Methodical Center for Cultural Studies of the Ministry of Cultural and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in cooperation with the National Comission of Azerbaijan for UNESCO, and the Academy of National Economy and Public Administration under the President of Russian Federation.
Republic of Serbia was represented by the Director of the Center for Cultural Development Studies, Ms. Marina Lukic-Cvetic and representative of the Department for International Projects and International Cooperation of the National Library of Serbia, Mr. Dusan Zlokolica. Ms. Lukic-Cvetic presented a report about cultural policy and sustainable development in Serbia.
The delegation visited the Embassy of Serbia and had a meeting with the Ambassador Mr. Zoran Vajovic.

During the visit meetings with Azerbaijani colleagues were held and prospects of bilateral cooperation were discussed.
The delegation visited the Embassy of Serbia and had a meeting with the Ambassador  Mr. Zoran Vajovic and Counselor Mr. Milanko Bajceta.

On 21st November, 2013 “Young Democrats Reformers” Public Union with the support of Youth Foundation under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the UN-HABITAT Youth Fund organized “The International conference of young women leaders”. The conference attended by representative from the Government office for cooperation with the diaspora and serbs in the region Ms. Masa Misic.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia Mr. Zoran Vajovic participated the opening ceremony of the Conference.

Mr. Boris Tadic took part at the III Baku International Humanitarian Forum. During his visit Mr. Tadic met with H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and congratulated the Head of State on his re-election at the Presidential elections. President Aliyev and Mr. Tadic had stated that bilateral ties between Azerbaijan and Serbia are developing successfully in various fields and expressed their confidence that they will develop even further.
Mr. Boris Tadic visited the Embassy of Serbia and had a meeting with the Ambassador Zoran Vajovic.

Delegation of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Ms. Aleksandra Curovic, Head of the delegation, and General Secretary Ms. Jana Ljubicic, is on its visit to Azerbaijan to take part at the III Baku International Humanitarian Forum. The forum is an annual event comprising of outstanding representatives of political, scientific and cultural elite of the world community, including well-known statesmen, Nobel Prize winners and heads of influential international organizations.

The delegation had visited the Embassy of Serbia and had a meeting with the Ambassador Mr. Zoran Vajovic and Counselor Mr. Milanko Bajceta.

Delegation of the Serbian-Azerbaijani Frienship Society: Mr. Zoran Sam, President of the Society, Mr. Vladan Skoric, Vice-president, Mr. Dejan Vukicevic, Vice-president and Ms. Ljiljana Stosic, scientist of the Institute of Balkan studies of the Serbian Academy of Sciences visited Azerbaijan. The delegation was welcomed by the Ambassador H.E. Mr. Zoran Vajovic and Councellor of the Embassy Mr. Milanko Bajceta.

Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of the people of the Republic of Serbia and on my own I am pleased to convey to Your Excellency my warm congratulations on the occasion of your reelection as President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and best wishes for the progress of your country and the welfare of your people.

The discussions we have carried out in Baku this year regarding comprehensive ties between our peoples, which are based on the traditional friendship, mutual support and understanding, gave me the confidence that we will successfully continue to expand these relations to develop mutually beneficial cooperation in all fields.

Mr. President, I take this opportunity to wish you every success in your high state office and happiness. Please accept my assurances of highest consideration.

Tomislav Nikolic
President of the Republic of Serbia

The delegation of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Ms. Irena Vujovic, Head of delegation, Ms. Katarina Rakic, Mr. Vladimir Ilic and  Ms. Stefana Miladinovic, is on its visit to Azerbaijan to observe the presidential elections, which will be held on October 9th 2013. The delegation has visited today the Embassy of Serbia and had a meeting with the Ambassador H.E. Mr. Zoran Vajovic and Counselor Mr. Milanko Bajceta.

During its visit, the Parliamentary delegation will hold a meeting with the Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Republic of Azerbaijan Milli Mercilis.

The opening ceremony of the exhibition was held on 1st  October 2013 in Heydar Aliyev Center. The exhibition exposed paintings as well as tapestry, created by the famous artist in different years. Some of these paintings include such famous works by Salakhov as portraits of the national leader Heydar Aliyev, Gara Garayev, Shostakovich, Mstislav Rostropovich, “Aidan”, “Morning. Absheron”, “Koroglu”, Absheron triptych – “Ateshgah”, “The Caspian Sea today”, “Maiden Tower”, and other paintings. The opening ceremony of the exhibitions attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. Elmar Mammadyarov and other high government officials and members of diplomatic corps.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia in Baku H.E. Mr. Zoran Vajovic and Counsellor of the Embassy Mr. Milanko Bajceta participated the opening ceremony of exhibition.
 

The Forum, aims to support the development and the implementation of the campaign ”No hate Speech Movement” in Azerbaijan and other Council of Europe countries as well as to strengthen the cooperation between national campaign committees and activists.

Organizers of the Forum are the Ministry of Youth and Sport of the Republic of Azerbaijan, National Assembly of Youth Organizations of Azerbaijan (NOYORA) and Council of Europe.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia participated at the opening ceremony of the Forum.

The international book fair devoted to the 90th birthday of Heydar Aliyev has been held in Baku on 24-25th September 2013

The event was organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The Fair attended by 120 local, 35 foreign representatives of printing and polygraph businesses.
The Republic of Serbia has been presented at the Exhibition by Coordinator for international projects and international Cooperation of National Library of Serbia Ms. Tamara Butigan-Vucaj.
Mrs. T.Butigan-Vucaj visited Embassy of Serbia in Baku and met  with H.E. Mr. Zoran Vajovic. The cooperation between the National libraries was discussed during the meeting as an one of the important element of overall bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Ambassador Zoran Vajovic presented to Ms. Tamara Butigan-Vucaj the miniature book "Ramadan Nights” of prominent Serbian writer, playwright and diplomat Branislav NUŠIĆ, which was published by the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Baku.

Ambassador Z.Vajovic met with the Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Mr.Vasif Talibov. During the meeting the Chairman reminded Armenia`s military aggression against Azerbaijan, which, he underlined resulted in blockading Nakhchivan for a long time.
He stressed that all fields of economy, including agriculture, industry, education, health and culture are being developed in the Autonomous Republic. 
The chairman said a technical base of the scientific-educational institutions has been strengthened, adding important steps were taken towards integration into world education system.
He stressed the importance of Serbian Ambassador`s visit to Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in terms of development of bilateral relations, and wished him success in his diplomatic activity in Azerbaijan.
Zoran Vajovic hailed the rapid development of Nakhchivan, the ancient land of Azerbaijan. The Ambassador noted national leader Heydar Aliyev importance in the foundation of independence and development of Nakhchivan and Azerbaijan prosperity and increasing its political and economic power. The Ambassador expressed satisfaction with the existing relations between Azerbaijan and Serbia, including economic and cultural ones, and said he will make every effort towards development of mutual relations with Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
Two sides have also exchanged views over the issues of mutual interest.
During two-days visit Ambassador Z.Vajović met with Mr. Asgar Ismayilov, the Head of the Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Mr. Famil Saidov, Minister of Economic Development of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, and Mr. Elshad Aliyev, Minister of Agriculture of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Rector of Nakhchivan State University Mr. Saleh Maharramov.
The Serbian diplomat visited number of industrial enterprises and places of interest – historical monuments, cultural institutions in Nakhchivan and Ordubad.
Mr. Milanko Bajceta, Counselor of the Embassy of Serbia in Azerbaijan participated at the meetings.

The Ambassador of Serbia first visited the monument of national leader Heydar Aliyev in Xojavend district and laid flowers. Then Ambassador Vajović has welcomed by the Head of Xojavend Executive Authorities Mr. Eyvaz Huseynov. Mr. Huseynov informed the Ambassador of Serbia on the Armenian-Azerbaijani, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and its consequences, told about the done works on improvement of living conditions of the refugees and IDPs. He noted that Xojavend district was occupied by Armenian armed forces in 1992. 145 inhabitants from Xojavend became shehids in Karabakh War, more than 300 people lost their health. Now Xojavend's inhabitants are displaced in 36 regions of the country as IDPs. In recent years in the Beyleqan district was built the family settlement for the refugees from Xojavend district, a lot of things are made for improvement of their living conditions. But the biggest dream of Xojavend people are eager to return to the motherland. E.Huseynov with regret noted that Armenia doesn't observe the norms and principles of international law, implementation of 4 UN Security Council resolutions.
Ambassador of Serbia Mr. Z.Vajovic thanked for the warm welcome and information on the Armenian-Azerbaijani, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. “The purpose of my today’s visit - to meet with IDPs from Xojavend district on the eve of the 21st anniversary of occupation of the region, to get information on the activities in improving the living conditions and strengthening social protection of IDPs and get more detailed information on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict”. "Serbia and Azerbaijan endured the similar destinies, both states faced separatism. Serbia recognizes territorial integrity of Azerbaijan”.
Then the Ambassador has visited homes of some shehid’s families, was curious about their life, visited high school of Salaketin village and regional central hospital.

The new appointed Representative of UNICEF to the Republic of Serbia Mr. Michelle Saint-Lot, the Chief of UNICEF office in Belgrade has visited Embassy of the Republic of Serbia and has the meeting with Ambassador H.E. Mr. Zoran Vajović. Mr. M.Saint-Lot informed Ambassador Vajović about new projects in Serbia and activities of UNICEF Ambassadors Ms. Ana Ivanović and Mr. Novak Djoković.

A delegation of Serbian students – Mr. Dusan Dimic, Ms. Milica Zlatic, Mr. Mihailo Tosic and Mr. Ana Nikolic are visiting the Republic of Azerbaijan on September 10-16th, 2013 within the framework of cooperation of ATGTI (UAYO - Union of Azerbaijani Youth Organizations and SKONUS (SCSU - Student Conference of Serbian Universities). Students arrived from the Belgrade University, Nis University and the Singidunum University.

Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia H.E. Mr. Zoran Vajovic and Counsellor of the Embassy Mr. Milanko Bajceta welcomed the delegation in the Embassy of Serbia and talked about further cooperation in youth policy between two countries.
Also the Serbian students will have meetings at Azerbaijani Presidential Youth Foundation, Ministry for Youth and Sports, Presidential Council for State Support of NGOs, Union of Azerbaijani Youth Organizations, Azerbaijani Student Association, Ireli Public Movement, National Council of Azerbaijani Youth Organizations.
The Union of Azerbaijani Youth Organizations visited Serbia on September 2-9th, 2013.

Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and Head of the Parliamentary Friendship Group in the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia with the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr.Vladimir Cvijan paid a visit to Azerbaijan and met  with Ambassador of Serbia in Baku H.E. Mr. Zoran Vajovic.

During the visit Mr.Cvijan met with the Head and members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Milli Meclis with the Republic of Serbia.

On July 22-28th, 2013 in the course of  WTA Baku Cup 2013 tournament  Serbian tennis players  Aleksandra Krunic and Vesna Dolonc have visited the Embassy the Republic of Serbia in Baku. Ambassador of Serbia Zoran Vajović welcomed the Serbian delegation in the UNESCO historical heritage Old Town – Icheri Sheher, where the Embassy building is located.

On July 24th, 2013 the Chairman of the Clerical Office of Caucasus Muslims, Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazade, has hosted the Iftar ceremony on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan at his residency. The Iftar ceremony attended by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Mr. Ilham Aliyev.

The head of the Baku-Azerbaijan diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, Alexander, noted that the tolerance observed in Azerbaijan was highly regarded internationally and expressed his best wishes to the people of Azerbaijan.The chairman of the Baku Religious Community of Mountain Jews, Milikh Yevdayev, and the high priest of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan, Vladimir Fekete, pointed to the constructive relationship between the state and religious communities in the country.

Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia H.E. Mr. Zoran Vajovic participated this event.

With the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Baku, the miniature book "Ramadan Nights” by Branislav NUŠIĆ, a prominent Serbian writer, playwright and diplomat, was published. The book was translated into Russian by Gulara Agasiyeva, associate of the Institute of Literature of the National Azerbaijan Academy of Sciences, and the foreword was written by Ambassador Zoran Vajović

They had meeting with the Minister of culture and tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Aboulfas Garayev and People's artist director Vagif Mustafayev. During the meeting discussed various projects in the culture and cinema sphere and prospects of further cooperation. Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia Mr. Zoran Vajovic has received Mr. Lazar Ristovski and Mr. Jovan Markovic in the Embassy of Serbia in Baku and discussed about week of Serbian film in Azerbaijan.

On 05th of February, 2013 the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr.Zoran Vajović, held a press conference on the occasion of the forthcoming official visit of the President of the Republic of Serbia Mr.Tomislav Nikolić to the Republic of Azerbaijan on 07-09 February 2013; of the perspectives of Serbian-Azerbaijani mutual cooperation and of the Statehood Day of the Republic of Serbia.
At the conference Ambassador addressed the 2013 key events regarding the Serbian-Azerbaijani relationship, and future partnership perspectives.
Journalists from more than twenty Azerbaijani TV stations, news agencies and newspapers, attended the conference.

The State Secretary of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia Mr.Vladimir Đukić paid working visit to Baku. On 17th of November 2012 Mr.Vladimir Đukić had the meeting with Ambassador of Serbia Mr.Zoran Vajovic and discussed the development of the bilateral relationship between the Ministries of Health of the Republic of Serbia and Republic of Azerbaijan.

On 08th of October 2012 the University of Belgrade and the Baku State University signed a Memorandum of cooperation. The Memorandum was signed by the rector of the University of Belgrade Mr.Vladimir Bumbasirević and the rector of the Baku State University Mr.Abel Maharramov. The Memorandum envisages the exchange of students, researchers and doctoral candidates, the organization of joint symposiums, seminars and conferences. Speaking prior to the signing ceremony, Mr.Maharramov highlighted BSU`s activity and foreign relations. Stressing the importance of education in a globalizing world, Mr.Maharramov touched upon the necessity of inter-university relations. Bumbasirevic spoke of the University of Belgrade`s history and activity. They also discussed prospects for cooperation between the two higher educational institutions. The Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia Mr.Zoran Vajovic also participated at the meeting.

On 23rd of October 2012 Ambassador of Serbia Mr. Zoran Vajovic met with Mr. Fuad Mammadov, professor of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, doctor of sciences, academician of the IAS PID & RAPSS, President of Association of Culture of Azerbaijan. During the meeting they exchanged the opinions in the sphere of culturology and science and the current bilateral relations between Serbia and Azerbaijan.

On 08th of October 2012 the University of Belgrade and the Baku State University signed a Memorandum of cooperation. The Memorandum was signed by the rector of the University of Belgrade Mr.Vladimir Bumbasirević and the rector of the Baku State University Mr.Abel Maharramov. The Memorandum envisages the exchange of students, researchers and doctoral candidates, the organization of joint symposiums, seminars and conferences. Speaking prior to the signing ceremony, Mr.Maharramov highlighted BSU`s activity and foreign relations. Stressing the importance of education in a globalizing world, Mr.Maharramov touched upon the necessity of inter-university relations. Bumbasirevic spoke of the University of Belgrade`s history and activity. They also discussed prospects for cooperation between the two higher educational institutions.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia Mr.Zoran Vajovic also participated at the meeting.

The Director of The Diplomatic Academy “Koca Popovic” of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ambassador Mr. Bozin Nikolic attended this event.
Within the Forum between the Diplomatic Academy “KOCA POPOVIC” of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia and the AZERBAIJAN DIPLOMATIC ACADEMY was signed the Memorandum on cooperation. The Memorandum was signed by the Director of the Diplomatic Academy “Koca Popovic” of the MFA of the Republic of Serbia Ambassador Mr. Bozin Nikolic and Rector of Azerbaijani MFA Diplomatic Academy Mr.Hafiz Pashayev.
This forum is established in 1972. In 2013 the Forum will be organized in Vienna (Austria) and Belgrade (Serbia).

On 27th of September, 2012 the Serbian Delegation of Jat Airways a.d. Joint-Stock Airline Company has visited the Embassy the Republic of Serbia in Baku. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Serbia to the Republic of Azerbaijan Zoran Vajović welcomed the Serbian delegation in historical heritage UNESCO the Old Town – Icheri Sheher, where the Embassy building is located.
The Serbian delegation during the visit to Baku had meetings with the Azerbaijani counterparts and discussed perspectives of development in the relations between Serbia and Azerbaijan.

Company management has received COMMENDATION for extraordinary contribution on development of the relationship between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Azerbaijan from the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia to the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The Serbian delegation, led by State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water Management Mr.Ljubisa Dimitrijevic, as well Chief of the Unit for Multilateral International Cooperation Mrs. Jelena Scepanovic is participating on the 28th Regional Conference of UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for Europe, which started on 19th of April, 2012 in Azerbaijani capital, Baku.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr.Ilham Aliyev has welcomed the delegates at the opening ceremony of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s 28th Regional Conference for Europe. It follows the 37th session of the FAO European Commission on Agriculture, which was held on 17th of April, 2012.
The Republic of Serbia is a FAO member since 2001.

At this conference the Republic of Serbia was represented by delegation headed by Director General of the Customs Administration of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia Mr.Predrag Petronijević, Director of Department, Mrs. Gordana Vidanović and Customs Adviser in Mission of the Republic of Serbia in European Union, Brussels, Mrs. Milena Budimirović. In the course of the event strategic plan, WCO budget, issues connected with activity of global customs network were discussed and report of the workgroup of WCO’s Political Commission has been presented. The Serbian delegation has visited the Embassy the Republic of Serbia in Baku. The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Serbia to the Republic of Azerbaijan Zoran Vajović welcomed the Serbian delegation in the UNESCO historical heritage Old Town – Icheri Sheher, where the Embassy building is located.

Ms.Jevtimijević-Drinjaković conveyed Serbian President Boris Tadić's greetings to the Azerbaijani President. She said the Serbian President thanked his Azerbaijani counterpart for the constructive policy in the Eastern Europe and Balkan regions. President Aliyev emphasized that his meetings with Serbian President played an important role in strengthening ties between two countries. President Aliyev said there is a good ground for the development of economic relations between Azerbaijan and Serbia. The Azerbaijani President thanked the guests for the Serbian leader's greetings, and asked them to reciprocate his greetings to President Tadić.

Head of Azerbaijani state indicated that bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Serbia were developing successfully.
Saying that the countries have established a strong partnership, President Aliyev recalled with satisfaction the visit by Serbian President Boris Tadic to Azerbaijan and his own visit to Serbia, noted the importance of mutual high-level visits for the expansion of ties. The President stressed the need for a broader cooperation between the two countries in the field of sports.
Expressing satisfaction with his first visit to Azerbaijan, Vlade Divac thanked President Ilham Aliyev for the work our country is doing to develop the region he represent. He emphasized the importance of expanding humanitarian cooperation between the Azerbaijan and Serbia.
 

The Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Baku hosted a reception at the Hilton Hotel Baku on the occasion of the Statehood Day of the Republic of Serbia.

The event was attended by high Azerbaijani officials. The Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Zoran Vajović, spoke about the historical origin of the Statehood Day of Serbia, and emphasized the excellent relations between Serbia and Azerbaijan. The Minister of Economic Development of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr.Shahin Mustafayev, delivered the congratulations from the President of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliyev, on the occasion of the Statehood Day of the Republic of Serbia, emphasized the importance of intensive dialogue on the highest level, and the establishment of special relations between the heads of two states. More than 250 officials and guests attended the reception.