Serbia

Official negotiations between Serbia and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) began today in Belgrade. The talks concern the EUR 2.9bn loan and the country’s budget for 2010. These are the first meetings concerning the second and third revision of the loan arrangement, and see participation from IMF delegation members and …

FM Vuk Jeremić says that after the visit of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Serbia is “stronger economically, politically and regionally”. “The unconditional support from Russia makes Serbia stronger than other countries in the region,” the foreign minister said on Sunday.

Three Albanian political groups in southern Serbia have joined to form a united political party. The party, dubbed the Democratic Union of Albanians, DUA, was formed when a Bujanovac party with the same name, led by Mejdi Zeqiri, merged with Ramiz Zulfiu’s Citizens’ Group, from the town of Presevo, and …

Foreign Affairs Minister Ilir Meta, declared on Monday that Albania would move to strengthen its ties with Serbia, describing the country as an important partner for regional stability in the Balkans. “The strengthening of our relationship with Serbia is an important priority for our regional policy,” said Meta, speaking during …

Montenegro believes that one consulate in addition to the embassy in Podgorica would be sufficient for Serbia, reports say. Belgrade daily Večernje Novosti says that this came in reaction to Belgrade’s request to have three consulates in that country – in Herceg Novi, Nikšić and Bijelo Polje.

President of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo Ramush Haradinaj thinks Priština and Belgrade should continue dialogue as there are many unresolved issues. ’’We should have a conversation with Belgrade. We have a lot to talk about and a lot to solve. Gievn that Belgrade is now on its …

The Hague Tribunal says that the trial of former Republic of Srpska President Radovan Karadžić will begin on October 26 as planned. It comes after Karadžić notified the court yesterday that he would not be in attendance. ’’The prosecution is ready to begin. I hope we’ll soon be concentrating on …

The Hague Tribunal trial chamber has turned down a prosecution motion to impose a defense counsel on Vojislav Šešelj. “The trial chamber, given the new information, has decided to reject the motion to impose a defense counsel… So, you’ll continue representing yourself?” Judge Jean-Claude Antonetti (presiding) asked the Serb Radical …

Russian Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shoigu says that Serbia, as a part of Europe, will be part of a common European security concept. He refused to get into details regarding the concept after his meeting with Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić, and advised journalists to them to ask Russian President …

Hague Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz says he expects former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadžić’s trial to last “between two and a half and three years”. “We want a trial that will reflect a majority of the committed crimes, which gives space for victims to tell their stories and for that …