B92 News in English

Russia, China reject U.S. human trafficking report

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 10:31:00 +0000

Russia has expressed its indignation and China rejected a U.S. State Department report on human trafficking.

The report "downgrades" the two countries to the bottom of the list of 188 states.

Vivaldi Summer Forum in Mokra Gora opens

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 10:19:00 +0000

The biggest regional gathering of financial leaders and economic experts, the CFO Vivaldi Summer Forum, opened in Mokra Gora, western Serbia.

The event was opened late on Wednesday with a talk given by leading corporate finance and investment analysis expert Aswath Damodaran.

Serbia has highest number of refugees in Europe

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 09:02:00 +0000

Serbia marks June 20, World Refugee Day as "first in Europe and one of five countries in the world with protracted refugee situation," Tanjug says.

Serbian Parliament Speaker Neboj�a Stefanovi� said that parliament may soon discuss the draft resolution on refugee issues.

Croatia and Bosnia sign border traffic agreement

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 08:26:00 +0000

Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina signed inter-state agreements in Brussels on Wednesday to enable unobstructed traffic of people and goods from July 1.

This is when Croatia becomes a member of the European Union, Beta is reporting.

Da�i� and Thaci to meet in Brussels

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 08:22:00 +0000

Ivica Da�i� and Hashim Thaci will meet on Thursday over a working dinner with Catherine Ashton and discuss the progress in the Brussels deal implementation.

The meeting between the heads of governments in Belgrade and Pri�tina was announced on Wednesday by the EU foreign policy's spokesperson Maja Kocija�i�, Tanjug reported.

Pri�tina's liaison officer resigns after two days

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:41:00 +0000

Pri�tina's liaison officer in Belgrade Lulzim Peci submitted his resignation on Wednesday - two days after he assumed the role.

According to Albanian language online media, Peci said that he resigned because "Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci criticized him for telling media outlets that the normalization of relations between Belgrade and Pri�tina can be expected only when Serbia recognizes Kosovo."

Government: Spending cuts in public sector

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:26:00 +0000

The government announced on Wednesday that it will introduce austerity measures in the public sector and reduce the number of employees with the administration.

The government also intends to "stimulate the growth of the private sector, and streamline public companies."

No agreement on energy, other topics on Thursday

Thu, 20 Jun 2013 07:16:00 +0000

The part of the technical talks between Belgrade and Prit�ina dealing with the issue of electric power distribution in the Kosovo north ended Wednesday evening.

Other topics will be discussed on Thursday, Tanjug reported.

Head of Security Council of Russia visits Belgrade

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:57:00 +0000

Prime Minister Ivica Da�i� met on Wednesday in Belgrade with Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Nikolai Patrushev.

The traditionally good and friendly relations between the two countries provide opportunities for strengthening cooperation and developing bilateral ties in all fields, the Serbian government quoted Da�i� as saying during the meeting.

Obama on Prism: Encroachment on privacy "strictly limited"

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 14:06:00 +0000

During Barack Obama and Angela Merkel's press conference, journalists mostly wanted to know about U.S. internet spying tracking of emails of European citizens.

The U.S. president and the German chancellor met on Wednesday in Berlin.

Slovenia in favor of date for Serbia

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:43:00 +0000

Slovenia is in favor of giving Serbia an EU talks start date as soon as possible, Serbian and Slovenian FMs Ivan Mrki� and Karl Erjavec have said.

Slovenia is in favor of giving Serbia an EU talks start date as soon as possible, Serbian and Slovenian FMs Ivan Mrki� and Karl Erjavec have said.

"No consensus" on privatizing Telekom

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:18:00 +0000

Mla�an Dinki� has said that there will be no privatization of Telekom Srbija "until further notice".

The Serbian government has not reached any consensus on the issue, the minister of economy and finance said on Wednesday.

Serbia, Greece could improve economic relations

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:10:00 +0000

Serbia and Greece have traditionally good relations, on a high level, but there are many unused opportunities for better economic cooperation.

This was heard on Wednesday in Belgrade from Serbia's Prime Minister Ivica Da�i� and Greek President Karolos Papoulias.

"Ten important days until decision on start date"

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:25:00 +0000

The next ten days will be crucial for the decision on when to give Serbia the start date for the accession talks with the EU, according to Tanjug.

The news agency further reported on Wednesday that there will be a series of meetings scheduled before the European Council meeting on June 28, "any of which could be decisive for the outcome."

Cannes: Two shortlists for Saatchi & Saatchi and Fund B92

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:01:00 +0000

Saatchi & Saatchi Belgrade and Fund B92 have been shortlisted at the Cannes Festival of Creativity for the most prestigious award � Cannes Lion.

The shortlist came in two categories, for two projects.

Wimbledon: �okovi� top seeded in male competition

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:38:00 +0000

World No. 1, Serbia's Novak �okovi� will be the first and Janko Tipsarevi� the 14th seed at the forthcoming Wimbledon tennis tournament, the organizers stated.

Besides the two, the main draw of Wimbledon's male competition will include another Serb - Viktor Troicki.

Govt. to save RSD 37 billion through budget revision

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:09:00 +0000

The Serbian government will save RSD 37 billion (around EUR 325 million) through a budget revision, Minister of Economy and Finance Mla�an Dinki� says.

It has harmonized the measures for stabilization of the state budget, structural reform of the public sector and structural reform for the improvement of business environment, it was announced on Wednesday.

"Speculation about date lacks seriousness"

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:48:00 +0000

EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule said speculation about the date of Serbia's accession talks "lacks seriousness."

This is because Belgrade has taken major steps in the dialogue with Pri�tina and the European Commission is in favor of opening talks, he told the daily Ve�ernje Novosti.

Technical dialogue resumes in Brussels

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:01:00 +0000

The meeting between Belgrade and Pri�tina working group teams discussing the implementation of the Brussels agreement resumes today.

The talks on Tuesday ended without statements for the media.

Drug-dealing student kills teacher, "member of drug clan"

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:00:00 +0000

A 17-year-old high school student has been arrested on suspicion that he murdered an elementary school's PE teacher on April 23.

The victim has been identified as Sre�ko �iri�.