Regional leaders gather in Belgrade

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic will chair today’s meeting of regional leaders in Belgrade. Representatives from six countries (Macedonia, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Croatia, Albania, Montenegro, and the host, Serbia) will participate in the regional meeting, called “Southeast Europe’s European Perspective in Challenging Times—Confronting the Economic and Energy Crisis,” to be held in the Palace of Serbia. Regional leaders gather in Belgrade Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic told the conference that stimulus measures for investment in infrastructure would be adopted at the next cabinet meeting. Budget funds and loans from international institutions would encourage quick development of infrastructure, above all of road and train routes on the pan-European Corridor 10, that would help create new jobs in the construction industry, he said. Cvetkovic announced that a program for the implementation of infrastructural projects in 2009 would be debated at Thursday’s cabinet meeting. The prime minister said that this program would determine what was to be built in Serbia this year and how much money would be allocated for the purpose. Cvetkovic informed businessmen from countries in the region about the top priority infrastructural projects, as well as about projects in the energy sector. The prime minister repeated that a tender had recently been called for the construction of new thermo-electric power plants in Serbia. He also outlined plans for building the Buck Bijela hydroelectric plant on the Drina, and the capacities for using alternative sources of energy, whose construction would be subsidized by the state. Meanwhile, Delic said that the European Commission (EC) had prepared a EUR 120mn solidarity package for Southeast Europe. He told the meeting that the EC had recognized the economic importance of Southeast Europe and was offering solidarity, as the region was economically tied to the EU. The minister also highlighted the significance of cooperation between the countries in the region in weathering the economic crisis, but also in restoring energy stability, stating that the CEFTA agreement and trade between the countries proved that cooperation could bring major results. Those attending the meeting include Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Ivica Bocevski, Bosnian Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Mladen Zirojevic, State Secretary for EU Integration in the Croatian Foreign Ministry Davor Bozinovic, Secretary General at the Albanian Ministry for EU Integration Arben Kasahu, Montenegrin Deputy Finance Minister Milorad Katnic, and Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council Hido Bisevic. They will discuss the prospects for EU expansion in view of today’s economic and energy crisis conditions and the approaching European elections; regional cooperation in the EU integration process; and total visa liberalization for Southeast European countries. As announced, the aim of the meeting will be exchanging experiences, finding a common solution for the future, and strengthening regional cooperation. Today's conference (FoNet)

Regional leaders gather in Belgrade

Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković told the conference that stimulus measures for investment in infrastructure would be adopted at the next cabinet meeting.

Budget funds and loans from international institutions would encourage quick development of infrastructure, above all of road and train routes on the pan-European Corridor 10, that would help create new jobs in the construction industry, he said.

Cvetković announced that a program for the implementation of infrastructural projects in 2009 would be debated at Thursday’s cabinet meeting.

The prime minister said that this program would determine what was to be built in Serbia this year and how much money would be allocated for the purpose.

Cvetkovic informed businessmen from countries in the region about the top priority infrastructural projects, as well as about projects in the energy sector.

The prime minister repeated that a tender had recently been called for the construction of new thermo-electric power plants in Serbia. He also outlined plans for building the Buck Bijela hydroelectric plant on the Drina, and the capacities for using alternative sources of energy, whose construction would be subsidized by the state.

Meanwhile, Delić said that the European Commission (EC) had prepared a EUR 120mn solidarity package for Southeast Europe.

He told the meeting that the EC had recognized the economic importance of Southeast Europe and was offering solidarity, as the region was economically tied to the EU.

The minister also highlighted the significance of cooperation between the countries in the region in weathering the economic crisis, but also in restoring energy stability, stating that the CEFTA agreement and trade between the countries proved that cooperation could bring major results.

Those attending the meeting include Macedonian Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Ivica Bocevski, Bosnian Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Mladen Zirojević, State Secretary for EU Integration in the Croatian Foreign Ministry Davor Božinović, Secretary General at the Albanian Ministry for EU Integration Arben Kasahu, Montenegrin Deputy Finance Minister Milorad Katnić, and Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council Hido Bišević.

They will discuss the prospects for EU expansion in view of today’s economic and energy crisis conditions and the approaching European elections; regional cooperation in the EU integration process; and total visa liberalization for Southeast European countries.

As announced, the aim of the meeting will be exchanging experiences, finding a common solution for the future, and strengthening regional cooperation.