URS becomes party, Dinkić chosen as first leader

BELGRADE The United Regions of Serbia (URS) was established as a single party on Sunday and coalition leader Mladjan Dinkic was elected the party's first leader. Addressing the delegates following his election, Dinkic said the main goals of the URS will be fighting for modernization of the political and territorial organization of the country and for economic recovery. URS becomes party, Dinkic chosen as first leader "I want to invite all coalition partners and all disillusioned Democrats and Liberal Democratic Party members to join us, because we must be united in order to lift up Serbia," said Dinkic, who serves as minister of economy and finance in the current cabinet. He said it is time to reach consensus in the country regarding regionalization and regional development. The URS proposes the formation of seven administrative regions, the establishment of a council of regions, direct elections for municipal presidents and mayors, and a smaller number of representatives in the national parliament, said Dinkic. He said the party will launch an initiative for changing the Serbian Constitution, because some of its proposals cannot be realized otherwise, and that communities of municipalities should be formed as an interim solution. The URS developmental policy will be based on reindustrialization and investments, in which local administrations need to take on a greater role, and the point of the party's existence is the need to create jobs for the unemployed and raise the living standard of those already working, Dinkic explained. Speaking about the work of the Serbian government, Dinkic said its main trait is that it tackles problems head on, which it proved by keeping the country from going bankrupt and decisively combating corruption. As far as the agreement with Pristina, Dinkic noted the government made a compromise which creates much-needed stability and the conditions for entire Serbia to move forward, while at the same time fighting for its people in Kosovo. The URS leader said balanced regional development and attracting investors are the hardest problems the government needs to face, because Serbia cannot be strong unless all of its towns and municipalities are strong. Serbian Prime Minister and leader of the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) Ivica Dacic, who attended the electoral assembly, supported the idea of equal opportunity promoted by the URS. He said the idea is good because it means the right and possibility for every part of Serbia to develop equally, noting that "only a strong Serbia is good for the whole nation." Nebojsa Stefanovic, Serbian parliament speaker and vice president of the Serb Progressive Party (SNS) main board, said local government must be the driving engine of Serbia's development, and must show initiative in attracting investments. Former Prime Minister of Slovakia Mikulas Dzurinda also attended to say his country and people believe in Serbia's strength and courage and will wholeheartedly support its European integration. (Tanjug) Tanjug

URS becomes party, Dinkić chosen as first leader

"I want to invite all coalition partners and all disillusioned Democrats and Liberal Democratic Party members to join us, because we must be united in order to lift up Serbia," said Dinkić, who serves as minister of economy and finance in the current cabinet.

He said it is time to reach consensus in the country regarding regionalization and regional development.

The URS proposes the formation of seven administrative regions, the establishment of a council of regions, direct elections for municipal presidents and mayors, and a smaller number of representatives in the national parliament, said Dinkić.

He said the party will launch an initiative for changing the Serbian Constitution, because some of its proposals cannot be realized otherwise, and that communities of municipalities should be formed as an interim solution.

The URS developmental policy will be based on reindustrialization and investments, in which local administrations need to take on a greater role, and the point of the party's existence is the need to create jobs for the unemployed and raise the living standard of those already working, Dinkić explained.

Speaking about the work of the Serbian government, Dinkić said its main trait is that it tackles problems head on, which it proved by keeping the country from going bankrupt and decisively combating corruption.

As far as the agreement with Pristina, Dinkić noted the government made a compromise which creates much-needed stability and the conditions for entire Serbia to move forward, while at the same time fighting for its people in Kosovo.

The URS leader said balanced regional development and attracting investors are the hardest problems the government needs to face, because Serbia cannot be strong unless all of its towns and municipalities are strong.

Serbian Prime Minister and leader of the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) Ivica Dačić, who attended the electoral assembly, supported the idea of equal opportunity promoted by the URS.

He said the idea is good because it means the right and possibility for every part of Serbia to develop equally, noting that "only a strong Serbia is good for the whole nation."

Nebojša Stefanovic, Serbian parliament speaker and vice president of the Serb Progressive Party (SNS) main board, said local government must be the driving engine of Serbia's development, and must show initiative in attracting investments.

Former Prime Minister of Slovakia Mikulaš Dzurinda also attended to say his country and people believe in Serbia's strength and courage and will wholeheartedly support its European integration.