Government announces it is "united on all crucial issues"

BELGRADE The Serbian government is "of one mind on all the most important issues and, despite complex internal and international circumstances". This was announced late on Monday in Belgrade after a cabinet session, that came as opposition parties were calling on PM Ivica Dacic to step down over revelations that he on several occasions met with a member of a crime gang. Government announces it is "united on all crucial issues" However, Dacic denied that he was aware of the man's involvement in crime when the meetings took place. A statement issued this evening said that the government "will not miss a historic chance to join the European Union, defend its national interests and ensure the prosperity of its people". Over the past six months, the Serbian government has achieved excellent results in realizing almost all of the goals set out when it was formed, the government said at the meeting analyzing its work to date. "The Serbian government has made progress in the dialogue with the provisional institutions of government in Pristina in order to achieve an equitable solution that will ensure the survival of Serbs in Kosovo and lasting peace in the region," the government's press office said in a release. "Bringing the transparent dialogue on Kosovo-Metohija into the institutional framework and showing will to find a stable solution and implement agreements in line with the state and national interests have enhanced Serbia's international credibility and stepped up its progress towards the EU," it was said at the government's meeting. "The European Union can count on Serbia as a reliable partner on the road of reforms and improvement of relations and as a bearer of new values in the region," the release said, adding that Serbia expects that the EU entry talks would begin soon. Serbia has never been closer to the EU and the government will continue implementing crucial reforms and meeting its international obligations, it was said at the meeting. The Serbian government "stabilized the public finances, stopped a slump in economic activity, and is speedily working on securing conditions for an increase in foreign investments. It is expected that Serbia would attract EUR 2 billion in foreign investments in 2013." The industrial production saw a slight growth, and a rise in unemployment was halted. It is expected that Serbia's budget deficit would be halved, and export increased in 2013 which would result in job creation, the government concluded at its meeting. according to the statement, the government launched "a decisive fight against crime and corruption. The coordination has been established between security services and other state bodies, strong teams formed, the work of police and independent judiciary encouraged". The criminal charges have been brought against 77 people suspected of having siphoned off over RSD 35 billion, and unlawfully gained the assets amounting to RSD 17.5 billion, the release reads. Comprehensive inquires were opened into alleged abuses in 24 privatizations, the cases relating to the firms Sartrid, Luka Beograd, Nuba, Nibens, Azotara among others, as well as privatization of the state-owned agricultural land in the territory of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. The investigations were also launched into the abuses in the Agrobanka case. As part of this case, the proceedings against 33 people are ongoing. The authorities are also investigating financial machinations in the Habit company and the pharmaceutical company Galenika. The Serbian government voiced "readiness to carry out the fight against crime and corruption in a consistent, systematic way and in line with the law. No one will be protected in that fight, the release reads". (Tanjug) Tanjug

Government announces it is "united on all crucial issues"

However, Dačić denied that he was aware of the man's involvement in crime when the meetings took place.

A statement issued this evening said that the government "will not miss a historic chance to join the European Union, defend its national interests and ensure the prosperity of its people".

Over the past six months, the Serbian government has achieved excellent results in realizing almost all of the goals set out when it was formed, the government said at the meeting analyzing its work to date.

"The Serbian government has made progress in the dialogue with the provisional institutions of government in Priština in order to achieve an equitable solution that will ensure the survival of Serbs in Kosovo and lasting peace in the region," the government's press office said in a release.

"Bringing the transparent dialogue on Kosovo-Metohija into the institutional framework and showing will to find a stable solution and implement agreements in line with the state and national interests have enhanced Serbia's international credibility and stepped up its progress towards the EU," it was said at the government's meeting.

"The European Union can count on Serbia as a reliable partner on the road of reforms and improvement of relations and as a bearer of new values in the region," the release said, adding that Serbia expects that the EU entry talks would begin soon.

Serbia has never been closer to the EU and the government will continue implementing crucial reforms and meeting its international obligations, it was said at the meeting.

The Serbian government "stabilized the public finances, stopped a slump in economic activity, and is speedily working on securing conditions for an increase in foreign investments. It is expected that Serbia would attract EUR 2 billion in foreign investments in 2013."

The industrial production saw a slight growth, and a rise in unemployment was halted. It is expected that Serbia's budget deficit would be halved, and export increased in 2013 which would result in job creation, the government concluded at its meeting.

according to the statement, the government launched "a decisive fight against crime and corruption. The coordination has been established between security services and other state bodies, strong teams formed, the work of police and independent judiciary encouraged".

The criminal charges have been brought against 77 people suspected of having siphoned off over RSD 35 billion, and unlawfully gained the assets amounting to RSD 17.5 billion, the release reads.

Comprehensive inquires were opened into alleged abuses in 24 privatizations, the cases relating to the firms Sartrid, Luka Beograd, Nuba, Nibens, Azotara among others, as well as privatization of the state-owned agricultural land in the territory of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina.

The investigations were also launched into the abuses in the Agrobanka case. As part of this case, the proceedings against 33 people are ongoing. The authorities are also investigating financial machinations in the Habit company and the pharmaceutical company Galenika.

The Serbian government voiced "readiness to carry out the fight against crime and corruption in a consistent, systematic way and in line with the law. No one will be protected in that fight, the release reads".