"Serbia is stronger after Medvedev visit"

“stronger economically, politically and regionally”

Economically you are bankrupt, or on loan after loan life support.
Politically, you can't even get your SAA enabled, let alone "defend" Kosova or Srpska.

The region is part of NATO, Russia is frozen out. Even Crna Gora is getting in NATO, that means that you are completely surrounded by NATO or NATO aspiring countries. In case of emergency, the airspace, borders and sea are all sealed. You are an island no one can get to

Indeed Serbia is a regional leader. None of the former republics can function properly without a stable and strong Serbia. Croatia is begging Serbian tourists to vaccation there, Bosnia is the oposite to the successful Republica Srpska and the waste basket Kosovo is nothing wihtout Serbia. 10 years of international rule and now more albanians are leaving the province then during Milosevic. Kosovo is nothing more than an experiment gone horribly wrong!

Not really. Some agreements may have been made, which could be used to argue that Serbia is stronger, but at the end of the day, Medvedev's visit to Serbia is only symbolic strength. Things on the ground won't have changed.
(Ian, UK, 26 October 2009 10:23)

So the billion dollar loan and other multi-billion dollar business dealings won't change anything? Interesting.

then why half milion people in serbia has to avoid eating food for a day to raise money for the poor people in serbia.ask b92 for the proves.serbia and serbs are one leg in the coffin and one leg out of it.white shcengen is their life support machine.
(oliver, 26 October 2009 19:29)

Every country has their poor and every compassionate society raises money to help feed them.
What, no soup kitches in the US? No homeless in America?

At least Serbia is a compassionate society where they try to help the less fortunate ones. What is "Kosova" doing for their poor?

aRTA I think you missed one of the words from your analysis, 'morally'. I wonder why. Are you in denial? and I don't mean swimming in a river in Egypt.

On another point does anyone have any stats on the number of young Albanians wanting to leave Kosovo? If they are leaving in large numbers then in a kind of wierd way the Albanian leadership is cleansing their own from the province with the tools of incompetence, embezzlement, selfish interest, threats of violence etc etc etc. It might be in the interests of Serbian nationalists to demand that the Albanian authoriites be left in charge for a few more years.

A strange world we live in.

"Serbia's priorities remain EU membership, fight for and defense of Kosovo, and achieving a leading role in the region," he emphasized.
1. EU membership= good relations with your neighbors
2. Defense of Kosovo= you can't defend something that is not yours
3. leading role in the region=no chance in hell

Serbia is waiting shivering with fear in its boots that NATO surrounds it. Oh! Not forget it’s bankrupt unlike Albania or Kosovars who are filthy rich and can get loans from IMF – why doesn’t your lot try that, hmmm? They would not let them through the front door. Now just behave and Serbia might, in an act of kindness, throw you a couple of bones to keep you from staving this winter.
(sj, 26 October 2009 11:27) then why half milion people in serbia has to avoid eating food for a day to raise money for the poor people in serbia.ask b92 for the proves.serbia and serbs are one leg in the coffin and one leg out of it.white shcengen is their life support machine.

Economically you are bankrupt, or on loan after loan life support.
Politically, you can't even get your SAA enabled, let alone "defend" Kosova or Srpska.

The region is part of NATO, Russia is frozen out. Even Crna Gora is getting in NATO, that means that you are completely surrounded by NATO or NATO aspiring countries. In case of emergency, the airspace, borders and sea are all sealed. You are an island no one can get to (aRTA, 26 October 2009 10:16)

Russia frozen out eh! NATO sending supplies via Russian territory or air space, but it has less influence than the Kosovars. Me thinks you had better read some of the items on B92 and you might be surprised, especially about Bosnia. You maybe 6 months behind times, eh?

Serbia is waiting shivering with fear in its boots that NATO surrounds it. Oh! Not forget it’s bankrupt unlike Albania or Kosovars who are filthy rich and can get loans from IMF – why doesn’t your lot try that, hmmm? They would not let them through the front door. Now just behave and Serbia might, in an act of kindness, throw you a couple of bones to keep you from staving this winter.

Serbia may be stronger now in relation with Russia, but that unquestionably means weaker in relation to the rest..because NOBODY cares about Russia nor about its relations with its satellites.

Russia is Caput.

1. EU membership= good relations with your neighbors
2. Defense of Kosovo= you can't defend something that is not yours
(Kosova-USA, 26 October 2009 10:42)

My friend, can you act a littlebit less anti-Serbian please.

(1) If you refer to Kosovo: Kosovo is PART of Serbia. Not a neighbour. It is not even a country...

(2) See (1).

Here in Western Europe we are getting sick of these childish Balkan behaviours.

Kosovo is a Serbian province. Like South Tirol is an Italian one. Face reality and get on with your live!

I see many Serbs here have an over inflated image of themselves. It would appear that they are trying to recreate another Yugoslavia?
They have forgotten that Serbia is a pariah in the region. Moving closer to Russia is a huge mistake and a backward one. The free peoples in that region need to take heed and isolate themselves from this country.
Croatia's need for Serbian tourists was just a gimmick to make a quick buck. Let Serbia go towards Russia. She will only hurt herself.

"leading role in the region=no chance in hell"
Kosova-USA

Oh really! This is what your sugar daddy had to say:

"The United States does not, and I emphasize, does not expect Serbia to recognize the independence of Kosovo," Biden said. "It is not a precondition for our relationship, or our support for Serbia becoming a part of the European Union."

"Serbia is central to the southeast European future," he said. "The region cannot fully succeed without Serbia playing a constructively leading role."
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/05/20/politics/main5027469.shtml

You were saying?

The last time Serbia became a "leading power" in the Balkans, Srebrenica happened.

I would be careful if i was Oli Rehn.

Sounds like a lot of jealous people on here.

Serbia has ever growing foreign investment, in addition to raising capital for investment in infrastructure projects in their own country. The country has been experiencing significant economic growth for a number of years.

It just makes me chuckle when I read negative comments about Serbia getting more external debt from loans. Go read a book about economics and then come back and comment about it.

Albania should take a leaf out of the book of great Serbian economists...

"Serbia's priorities remain EU membership, fight for and defense of Kosovo, and achieving a leading role in the region," he emphasized.
These are priorities of a pos-communist regime which is selling itself as a democratic one. The real goals of a real serbian government should be economical reforms, health reforms, administrative reforms, tolerance towards non-serbs, tolerance and regional friendship. EU membership shouldn´t be the priority at any cost. Kosovo is already done. Leading role is archaic. Nobody in EU but especially in the Balkans will accept a leading role of Serbia. Economically? That´s the challenge. Serbs are waiting time with Jeremic&Co.

'Regarding the announced Russian loan to Serbia, Jeremić said that the conditions have yet to be specified, and that the loan would "most certainly be more favorable than all other loans available on the market".'

Are you listening IMF?? :)

… then why half milion people in serbia has to avoid eating food for a day to raise money for the poor people in serbia.ask b92 for the proves.serbia and serbs are one leg in the coffin and one leg out of it.white shcengen is their life support machine.
(oliver, 26 October 2009 19:29

For your information, all first civilised countries have campaigns where you go without food for a day to raise awareness as well as money for the poor. It’s done in the US, Canada, Australia, UK and EU to name just a few. Yes, there are poor in Serbia today and I certainly don’t doubt that there will be poor next week, next year or in twenty years time.

The real problem is that you don’t really understand the issue, but talk off the top of your head. Your read snippets of information from selective media outlets forming an opinion that sits well with your ethnic group. If Serbia has one foot in the grave, then Albania and the Kosovars have been dead and buried for several years now.

I strongly recommend that you stop worrying about Serbia and be a lot more concerned where your Kosovar family and friends are going to find work after this recession is over. You guys rely too much on NATO and that’s all I read, NATO this and NATO that, Serbia surrounded by NATO and one wrong move and NATO will……

Here is some advice for you; NATO will do nothing at all! It will not lift a finger to help Kosovars. You can take this or leave it, but when push comes to shove, NATO will do nothing. Just stay tuned to B92 and you will see the subtle changes – these things do not happen overnight, but slowly. Watch over the next 12 months then come back and tell me I was wrong.

Not really. Some agreements may have been made, which could be used to argue that Serbia is stronger, but at the end of the day, Medvedev's visit to Serbia is only symbolic strength. Things on the ground won't have changed.

Serbia's priorities remain EU membership, fight for and defense of Kosovo, and achieving a leading role in the region," he emphasized.
These are priorities of a pos-communist regime which is selling itself as a democratic one. The real goals of a real serbian government should be economical reforms, health reforms, administrative reforms, tolerance towards non-serbs, tolerance and regional friendship. EU membership shouldn´t be the priority at any cost. Kosovo is already done. Leading role is archaic. Nobody in EU but especially in the Balkans will accept a leading role of Serbia. Economically? That´s the challenge. Serbs are waiting time with Jeremic&Co.
(Tymi, 26 October 2009 19

I suggest that write to the Albanian Government about reforms and boy do they need reforming! I wish I could say the same about Kosovo, but there is no economy to reform – its subsistence living or drug running.

An Albanian talking about tolerance towards other ethnic groups, Jesus! Spare me! Is that why you guys kicked out all the ethnic Turks and Gypsies of the Moslem faith etc from Kosovo?

See how the EU has started to fall over itself to bring Serbia into the EU, but Serbia will not go on their terms. Here is the plan for Serbia, Belgrade will be the financial centre and major controller of the Balkans, not the EU. The Russians and Chinese have a very firm foothold in Serbia because your western friends have gloated for too long on their victory over Serbia and its slipped through their fingers.

Just keep on watching. If you do reply please don’t talk about NATO, its been covered many times by your colleagues.

When did you see South Tirol get hit by propaganda and tanks when they got their full autonomy with their own regional government? So as a historian you are ruled out.

(troika melb, 26 October 2009 13:12)

What about Tibet? Kurdistan? Armenians in Turkey? Need I go on?

Yes, awful things happened! Yes, but what happend in Tibet? In Kurdistan?

And then suddenly for Kosovo we should breach international law? No thank you!

By they way: Georgians burned down houses in Abkhazia in the 90s. Still, the West supported Georgia?

So again: why make an exception for Kosovo?

" I hope you are fully aware where Mr. Biden stand is regarding Kosova."
Kosova-USA

Everyone knows that America is to proud to admit a misstake so no one expects them to take back their recognition of Kosovo. However, don't expect them to accept the status quo either. With more than 130 nations yet to recognize Kosovo they know it is not a done deal.

You can wish anything you want but the fact remains: Serbia is still the largest nation of what used to be Yugoslavia and it has the greatest potential to become a finacial leader in the region.

"Serbia can point to GDP growth rates strong enough for it to have been dubbed the “Balkan tiger” by some, a growing influx of foreign investment, amounting to some $12 billion over the last three years"
http://www.european-american-business.com/2009/2_90.php

"the Index of Economic Freedom, according to which Serbia, after a long period of absence from the list, has been ranked as a regional leader in http://www.seebiz.eu/en/macro/srbija/serbia-regional-leader-in-economic-freedom,38244.htmleconomic freedom."

A prosperous and successful Serbia in nothing our neighbours wish for, simply because they are so jelous full of hatered. Focus more on creation a funtional society from which people don't have to flee rather then pointing fingers at others. You claim to be independent and billions of dollars are pumped into Kosovo every year. Yet more people then ever before are trying to leave the province. What conclusion can be draw from that?

So much noice about natural things that everybody had known. What is the news that made our counterparts so irritated ? Has Vuk said something new ? I guess it was quite a routine statement adressed to Brussels and Columbia. District. There's a reality which we have to get used to. It will sooner bring us to compromising solutions of the existing regional problems. THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL formula is not working any longer.

Having great relations with both Russia and China is a great asset to Serbia. Russia with its huge energy and commodity industries can only serve us well while China will shortly become the world's economic superpower. The biggest thing the West has to offer is debt while its power is diminishing - we not longer have the G7 or G8 but the G20 now - wonder why???

I'm afraid our ethnic Albanian citizens continue to be deluded about their masters and have always backed the wrong horse. You don't buy into something at its peak because once reached it can only go one way - and that's not up.

Mr. Jeremic the EU will also not accept that Serbia put's to them coditions for there integration.

furthermore do Serbia need the permission from Rusia for the EU integration?Just a information,Rusia is not in the EU and the EU has some huge political problems with Rusia.

"(2) See (1).

Here in Western Europe we are getting sick of these childish Balkan behaviours.

Kosovo is a Serbian province. Like South Tirol is an Italian one. Face reality and get on with your live!
(Ron,"

80% of the west has clearly stood up for Kosovo. So that rules you out.

When did you see South Tirol get hit by propaganda and tanks when they got their full autonomy with their own regional government? So as a historian you are ruled out.

Just like the smoking ban in the EU only 20% are in favour of abolishing it, but a few like you will use rediculouse excuses. Smoking is unhealthy, so was Kosovo under Serbia. Yugo was a compromise that was welcomed with Rugova, but somebody didnt listen to that, and that was the first real time when the West got sick and tired of those "balkan games".

"Serbia is central to the southeast European future," he said. "The region cannot fully succeed without Serbia playing a constructively leading role."
-Joe Biden

By playing a constructive role it does not mean that you are the lead player. I don't think you understand what Joe Biden said.
(Kosova-USA, 26 October 2009 14:49)

I think it is you who doesn't understand what Biden is saying... when someone (especially someone that is not exactly friendly) tells everybody that you are CENTRAL to the future of the region and that it cannot succeeed w/o you playing a LEADING role he is saying that you are a lead player...

ME thinks No? Tell/Lie someone else
Serbia is more in debt after the Medvedev visit, plus IMF loan expected.

Better to borrow money from Russia than american controlled organizations - which make you their slave. This was part of american aggression on Serbia - to make us totally dependent on america's money - to forever pay their interest.

"Serbia is central to the southeast European future," he said. "The region cannot fully succeed without Serbia playing a constructively leading role."
[link]

You were saying?
(MikeC, 26 October 2009 13:48)

By playing a constructive role it does not mean that you are the lead player. Any country in Blkans can play destructive role and entire Balkans can g up in flames.
I don't think you understand what Joe Biden said. I hope you are fully aware where Mr. Biden stand is regarding Kosova.

"FM Vuk Jeremić says that after the visit of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Serbia is “stronger economically, politically and regionally”.
Yes, but after the visit of Turkish president Gul, Serbia's strength is going to be on top level

Agree you can be friends with Russia and still be a part of EU.

It's like being friend to both parties when they become divorced. It works! I know.

Settle down Serbian and Albanian children you both have big dady's Russia also U.S. who are very moronic. Your mothers are cheating withe the EU such a dysfunctional families. Some one showed take your weapons away you are nothing but a danger to the neighborhood and to your selves. Poor neighborhood to have suffer neighbors like that trying to steal your neighbors land and kill them also trying to get rid of them pathetic. With all these repetitious arguments until all of hell freezes over.

"Albania should take a leaf out of the book of great Serbian economists..."
(Daveo Dinkum, 27 October 2009 02:11)

Very true, but Albanians are used to dealing only in cash.

In order to have something we all must get into debt. You use other people's money to accumilate assets. Without loans we can't expand our business or even our own assests.

This isn't rocket science.

look whos´s talking, the economic experts from hung(a)ry, little britain and all the flourishing reservates on time bordering serbia or within it ....

one get´s the feeling that america is giving away an extra-can of milk-powder for every comical-ali spitting at mighty russia or mighty serbia arround the i-net...

i´ll give you 2 cans of milk-powder if you sell your "wisdom" where the pepper grows/at home ....

I think albanians are sensing that Russia is coming to power and it scares them. In next 5 years Russia will dominate in Europe for oil gas etc...and this will make Serbia more dominating in Balkan region then we will see how Albanians will turn their page.

Tibor,

You sound like one of those immigrants who have arrived with a qualification of some kind which is not recognised and can only find menial work. Rather than admit you made a mistake and should have stayed at home you praise your situation with statements like free peoples. Have you read this in a superman comic book?

More to the point are you the same Tibor that works with Homer Simpson?

"In next 5 years Russia will dominate in Europe for oil gas etc"

hahaha... just like Saudi Arabia and Iraq can not even dominate Israel with all the oil they have...
(mark, 28 October 2009 21:54)


I suggest that you read up on history and you will then understand why Iraq and Saudi Arabia were never in a position to dominate the Middle East. I’ll help you; it actually started in the 1920s, well before the state of Israel.

Unfortunately for you Russia is not in that position because you’re western friends ‘took their eye of Russia’. In fact the energy war is over and the clear and undisputed winner is Russia. The US and allies are still busy fighting in Afghanistan trying to conquer territory for a pipeline from the Caspian Sea to Pakistan but, meanwhile back at the ranch, the Russians have nearly completed all energy pipelines to Europe.

Ps Another important issue, the Ruskies and their allies have most of the big contracts to rebuild Iraq. I hope you enjoy your day and that I have not disappointed you too much.

Ta Ta!

"In next 5 years Russia will dominate in Europe for oil gas etc"

hahaha... just like Saudi Arabia and Iraq can not even dominate Israel with all the oil they have...

“stronger economically, politically and regionally”

Economically you are bankrupt, or on loan after loan life support.
Politically, you can't even get your SAA enabled, let alone "defend" Kosova or Srpska.

The region is part of NATO, Russia is frozen out. Even Crna Gora is getting in NATO, that means that you are completely surrounded by NATO or NATO aspiring countries. In case of emergency, the airspace, borders and sea are all sealed. You are an island no one can get to

"Serbia's priorities remain EU membership, fight for and defense of Kosovo, and achieving a leading role in the region," he emphasized.
1. EU membership= good relations with your neighbors
2. Defense of Kosovo= you can't defend something that is not yours
3. leading role in the region=no chance in hell

Not really. Some agreements may have been made, which could be used to argue that Serbia is stronger, but at the end of the day, Medvedev's visit to Serbia is only symbolic strength. Things on the ground won't have changed.

Indeed Serbia is a regional leader. None of the former republics can function properly without a stable and strong Serbia. Croatia is begging Serbian tourists to vaccation there, Bosnia is the oposite to the successful Republica Srpska and the waste basket Kosovo is nothing wihtout Serbia. 10 years of international rule and now more albanians are leaving the province then during Milosevic. Kosovo is nothing more than an experiment gone horribly wrong!

ME thinks No? Tell/Lie someone else
Serbia is more in debt after the Medvedev visit, plus IMF loan expected.

Mr. Jeremic the EU will also not accept that Serbia put's to them coditions for there integration.

furthermore do Serbia need the permission from Rusia for the EU integration?Just a information,Rusia is not in the EU and the EU has some huge political problems with Rusia.

"Serbia is central to the southeast European future," he said. "The region cannot fully succeed without Serbia playing a constructively leading role."
[link]

You were saying?
(MikeC, 26 October 2009 13:48)

By playing a constructive role it does not mean that you are the lead player. Any country in Blkans can play destructive role and entire Balkans can g up in flames.
I don't think you understand what Joe Biden said. I hope you are fully aware where Mr. Biden stand is regarding Kosova.

1. EU membership= good relations with your neighbors
2. Defense of Kosovo= you can't defend something that is not yours
(Kosova-USA, 26 October 2009 10:42)

My friend, can you act a littlebit less anti-Serbian please.

(1) If you refer to Kosovo: Kosovo is PART of Serbia. Not a neighbour. It is not even a country...

(2) See (1).

Here in Western Europe we are getting sick of these childish Balkan behaviours.

Kosovo is a Serbian province. Like South Tirol is an Italian one. Face reality and get on with your live!

Settle down Serbian and Albanian children you both have big dady's Russia also U.S. who are very moronic. Your mothers are cheating withe the EU such a dysfunctional families. Some one showed take your weapons away you are nothing but a danger to the neighborhood and to your selves. Poor neighborhood to have suffer neighbors like that trying to steal your neighbors land and kill them also trying to get rid of them pathetic. With all these repetitious arguments until all of hell freezes over.

then why half milion people in serbia has to avoid eating food for a day to raise money for the poor people in serbia.ask b92 for the proves.serbia and serbs are one leg in the coffin and one leg out of it.white shcengen is their life support machine.
(oliver, 26 October 2009 19:29)

Every country has their poor and every compassionate society raises money to help feed them.
What, no soup kitches in the US? No homeless in America?

At least Serbia is a compassionate society where they try to help the less fortunate ones. What is "Kosova" doing for their poor?

Not really. Some agreements may have been made, which could be used to argue that Serbia is stronger, but at the end of the day, Medvedev's visit to Serbia is only symbolic strength. Things on the ground won't have changed.
(Ian, UK, 26 October 2009 10:23)

So the billion dollar loan and other multi-billion dollar business dealings won't change anything? Interesting.

So much noice about natural things that everybody had known. What is the news that made our counterparts so irritated ? Has Vuk said something new ? I guess it was quite a routine statement adressed to Brussels and Columbia. District. There's a reality which we have to get used to. It will sooner bring us to compromising solutions of the existing regional problems. THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL formula is not working any longer.

"(2) See (1).

Here in Western Europe we are getting sick of these childish Balkan behaviours.

Kosovo is a Serbian province. Like South Tirol is an Italian one. Face reality and get on with your live!
(Ron,"

80% of the west has clearly stood up for Kosovo. So that rules you out.

When did you see South Tirol get hit by propaganda and tanks when they got their full autonomy with their own regional government? So as a historian you are ruled out.

Just like the smoking ban in the EU only 20% are in favour of abolishing it, but a few like you will use rediculouse excuses. Smoking is unhealthy, so was Kosovo under Serbia. Yugo was a compromise that was welcomed with Rugova, but somebody didnt listen to that, and that was the first real time when the West got sick and tired of those "balkan games".

Serbia is waiting shivering with fear in its boots that NATO surrounds it. Oh! Not forget it’s bankrupt unlike Albania or Kosovars who are filthy rich and can get loans from IMF – why doesn’t your lot try that, hmmm? They would not let them through the front door. Now just behave and Serbia might, in an act of kindness, throw you a couple of bones to keep you from staving this winter.
(sj, 26 October 2009 11:27) then why half milion people in serbia has to avoid eating food for a day to raise money for the poor people in serbia.ask b92 for the proves.serbia and serbs are one leg in the coffin and one leg out of it.white shcengen is their life support machine.

aRTA I think you missed one of the words from your analysis, 'morally'. I wonder why. Are you in denial? and I don't mean swimming in a river in Egypt.

On another point does anyone have any stats on the number of young Albanians wanting to leave Kosovo? If they are leaving in large numbers then in a kind of wierd way the Albanian leadership is cleansing their own from the province with the tools of incompetence, embezzlement, selfish interest, threats of violence etc etc etc. It might be in the interests of Serbian nationalists to demand that the Albanian authoriites be left in charge for a few more years.

A strange world we live in.

Economically you are bankrupt, or on loan after loan life support.
Politically, you can't even get your SAA enabled, let alone "defend" Kosova or Srpska.

The region is part of NATO, Russia is frozen out. Even Crna Gora is getting in NATO, that means that you are completely surrounded by NATO or NATO aspiring countries. In case of emergency, the airspace, borders and sea are all sealed. You are an island no one can get to (aRTA, 26 October 2009 10:16)

Russia frozen out eh! NATO sending supplies via Russian territory or air space, but it has less influence than the Kosovars. Me thinks you had better read some of the items on B92 and you might be surprised, especially about Bosnia. You maybe 6 months behind times, eh?

Serbia is waiting shivering with fear in its boots that NATO surrounds it. Oh! Not forget it’s bankrupt unlike Albania or Kosovars who are filthy rich and can get loans from IMF – why doesn’t your lot try that, hmmm? They would not let them through the front door. Now just behave and Serbia might, in an act of kindness, throw you a couple of bones to keep you from staving this winter.

"leading role in the region=no chance in hell"
Kosova-USA

Oh really! This is what your sugar daddy had to say:

"The United States does not, and I emphasize, does not expect Serbia to recognize the independence of Kosovo," Biden said. "It is not a precondition for our relationship, or our support for Serbia becoming a part of the European Union."

"Serbia is central to the southeast European future," he said. "The region cannot fully succeed without Serbia playing a constructively leading role."
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/05/20/politics/main5027469.shtml

You were saying?

Serbia may be stronger now in relation with Russia, but that unquestionably means weaker in relation to the rest..because NOBODY cares about Russia nor about its relations with its satellites.

Russia is Caput.

" I hope you are fully aware where Mr. Biden stand is regarding Kosova."
Kosova-USA

Everyone knows that America is to proud to admit a misstake so no one expects them to take back their recognition of Kosovo. However, don't expect them to accept the status quo either. With more than 130 nations yet to recognize Kosovo they know it is not a done deal.

You can wish anything you want but the fact remains: Serbia is still the largest nation of what used to be Yugoslavia and it has the greatest potential to become a finacial leader in the region.

"Serbia can point to GDP growth rates strong enough for it to have been dubbed the “Balkan tiger” by some, a growing influx of foreign investment, amounting to some $12 billion over the last three years"
http://www.european-american-business.com/2009/2_90.php

"the Index of Economic Freedom, according to which Serbia, after a long period of absence from the list, has been ranked as a regional leader in http://www.seebiz.eu/en/macro/srbija/serbia-regional-leader-in-economic-freedom,38244.htmleconomic freedom."

A prosperous and successful Serbia in nothing our neighbours wish for, simply because they are so jelous full of hatered. Focus more on creation a funtional society from which people don't have to flee rather then pointing fingers at others. You claim to be independent and billions of dollars are pumped into Kosovo every year. Yet more people then ever before are trying to leave the province. What conclusion can be draw from that?

I see many Serbs here have an over inflated image of themselves. It would appear that they are trying to recreate another Yugoslavia?
They have forgotten that Serbia is a pariah in the region. Moving closer to Russia is a huge mistake and a backward one. The free peoples in that region need to take heed and isolate themselves from this country.
Croatia's need for Serbian tourists was just a gimmick to make a quick buck. Let Serbia go towards Russia. She will only hurt herself.

… then why half milion people in serbia has to avoid eating food for a day to raise money for the poor people in serbia.ask b92 for the proves.serbia and serbs are one leg in the coffin and one leg out of it.white shcengen is their life support machine.
(oliver, 26 October 2009 19:29

For your information, all first civilised countries have campaigns where you go without food for a day to raise awareness as well as money for the poor. It’s done in the US, Canada, Australia, UK and EU to name just a few. Yes, there are poor in Serbia today and I certainly don’t doubt that there will be poor next week, next year or in twenty years time.

The real problem is that you don’t really understand the issue, but talk off the top of your head. Your read snippets of information from selective media outlets forming an opinion that sits well with your ethnic group. If Serbia has one foot in the grave, then Albania and the Kosovars have been dead and buried for several years now.

I strongly recommend that you stop worrying about Serbia and be a lot more concerned where your Kosovar family and friends are going to find work after this recession is over. You guys rely too much on NATO and that’s all I read, NATO this and NATO that, Serbia surrounded by NATO and one wrong move and NATO will……

Here is some advice for you; NATO will do nothing at all! It will not lift a finger to help Kosovars. You can take this or leave it, but when push comes to shove, NATO will do nothing. Just stay tuned to B92 and you will see the subtle changes – these things do not happen overnight, but slowly. Watch over the next 12 months then come back and tell me I was wrong.

Agree you can be friends with Russia and still be a part of EU.

It's like being friend to both parties when they become divorced. It works! I know.

"Serbia is central to the southeast European future," he said. "The region cannot fully succeed without Serbia playing a constructively leading role."
-Joe Biden

By playing a constructive role it does not mean that you are the lead player. I don't think you understand what Joe Biden said.
(Kosova-USA, 26 October 2009 14:49)

I think it is you who doesn't understand what Biden is saying... when someone (especially someone that is not exactly friendly) tells everybody that you are CENTRAL to the future of the region and that it cannot succeeed w/o you playing a LEADING role he is saying that you are a lead player...

When did you see South Tirol get hit by propaganda and tanks when they got their full autonomy with their own regional government? So as a historian you are ruled out.

(troika melb, 26 October 2009 13:12)

What about Tibet? Kurdistan? Armenians in Turkey? Need I go on?

Yes, awful things happened! Yes, but what happend in Tibet? In Kurdistan?

And then suddenly for Kosovo we should breach international law? No thank you!

By they way: Georgians burned down houses in Abkhazia in the 90s. Still, the West supported Georgia?

So again: why make an exception for Kosovo?

The last time Serbia became a "leading power" in the Balkans, Srebrenica happened.

I would be careful if i was Oli Rehn.

"Serbia's priorities remain EU membership, fight for and defense of Kosovo, and achieving a leading role in the region," he emphasized.
These are priorities of a pos-communist regime which is selling itself as a democratic one. The real goals of a real serbian government should be economical reforms, health reforms, administrative reforms, tolerance towards non-serbs, tolerance and regional friendship. EU membership shouldn´t be the priority at any cost. Kosovo is already done. Leading role is archaic. Nobody in EU but especially in the Balkans will accept a leading role of Serbia. Economically? That´s the challenge. Serbs are waiting time with Jeremic&Co.

'Regarding the announced Russian loan to Serbia, Jeremić said that the conditions have yet to be specified, and that the loan would "most certainly be more favorable than all other loans available on the market".'

Are you listening IMF?? :)

Having great relations with both Russia and China is a great asset to Serbia. Russia with its huge energy and commodity industries can only serve us well while China will shortly become the world's economic superpower. The biggest thing the West has to offer is debt while its power is diminishing - we not longer have the G7 or G8 but the G20 now - wonder why???

I'm afraid our ethnic Albanian citizens continue to be deluded about their masters and have always backed the wrong horse. You don't buy into something at its peak because once reached it can only go one way - and that's not up.

Sounds like a lot of jealous people on here.

Serbia has ever growing foreign investment, in addition to raising capital for investment in infrastructure projects in their own country. The country has been experiencing significant economic growth for a number of years.

It just makes me chuckle when I read negative comments about Serbia getting more external debt from loans. Go read a book about economics and then come back and comment about it.

Albania should take a leaf out of the book of great Serbian economists...

Serbia's priorities remain EU membership, fight for and defense of Kosovo, and achieving a leading role in the region," he emphasized.
These are priorities of a pos-communist regime which is selling itself as a democratic one. The real goals of a real serbian government should be economical reforms, health reforms, administrative reforms, tolerance towards non-serbs, tolerance and regional friendship. EU membership shouldn´t be the priority at any cost. Kosovo is already done. Leading role is archaic. Nobody in EU but especially in the Balkans will accept a leading role of Serbia. Economically? That´s the challenge. Serbs are waiting time with Jeremic&Co.
(Tymi, 26 October 2009 19

I suggest that write to the Albanian Government about reforms and boy do they need reforming! I wish I could say the same about Kosovo, but there is no economy to reform – its subsistence living or drug running.

An Albanian talking about tolerance towards other ethnic groups, Jesus! Spare me! Is that why you guys kicked out all the ethnic Turks and Gypsies of the Moslem faith etc from Kosovo?

See how the EU has started to fall over itself to bring Serbia into the EU, but Serbia will not go on their terms. Here is the plan for Serbia, Belgrade will be the financial centre and major controller of the Balkans, not the EU. The Russians and Chinese have a very firm foothold in Serbia because your western friends have gloated for too long on their victory over Serbia and its slipped through their fingers.

Just keep on watching. If you do reply please don’t talk about NATO, its been covered many times by your colleagues.

Better to borrow money from Russia than american controlled organizations - which make you their slave. This was part of american aggression on Serbia - to make us totally dependent on america's money - to forever pay their interest.

"FM Vuk Jeremić says that after the visit of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Serbia is “stronger economically, politically and regionally”.
Yes, but after the visit of Turkish president Gul, Serbia's strength is going to be on top level

"In next 5 years Russia will dominate in Europe for oil gas etc"

hahaha... just like Saudi Arabia and Iraq can not even dominate Israel with all the oil they have...

"Albania should take a leaf out of the book of great Serbian economists..."
(Daveo Dinkum, 27 October 2009 02:11)

Very true, but Albanians are used to dealing only in cash.

In order to have something we all must get into debt. You use other people's money to accumilate assets. Without loans we can't expand our business or even our own assests.

This isn't rocket science.

look whos´s talking, the economic experts from hung(a)ry, little britain and all the flourishing reservates on time bordering serbia or within it ....

one get´s the feeling that america is giving away an extra-can of milk-powder for every comical-ali spitting at mighty russia or mighty serbia arround the i-net...

i´ll give you 2 cans of milk-powder if you sell your "wisdom" where the pepper grows/at home ....

I think albanians are sensing that Russia is coming to power and it scares them. In next 5 years Russia will dominate in Europe for oil gas etc...and this will make Serbia more dominating in Balkan region then we will see how Albanians will turn their page.

Tibor,

You sound like one of those immigrants who have arrived with a qualification of some kind which is not recognised and can only find menial work. Rather than admit you made a mistake and should have stayed at home you praise your situation with statements like free peoples. Have you read this in a superman comic book?

More to the point are you the same Tibor that works with Homer Simpson?

"In next 5 years Russia will dominate in Europe for oil gas etc"

hahaha... just like Saudi Arabia and Iraq can not even dominate Israel with all the oil they have...
(mark, 28 October 2009 21:54)


I suggest that you read up on history and you will then understand why Iraq and Saudi Arabia were never in a position to dominate the Middle East. I’ll help you; it actually started in the 1920s, well before the state of Israel.

Unfortunately for you Russia is not in that position because you’re western friends ‘took their eye of Russia’. In fact the energy war is over and the clear and undisputed winner is Russia. The US and allies are still busy fighting in Afghanistan trying to conquer territory for a pipeline from the Caspian Sea to Pakistan but, meanwhile back at the ranch, the Russians have nearly completed all energy pipelines to Europe.

Ps Another important issue, the Ruskies and their allies have most of the big contracts to rebuild Iraq. I hope you enjoy your day and that I have not disappointed you too much.

Ta Ta!