UK report: Serbia will not catch up with EU in 50 years

sensationalist nonsense. What are EU living standards? Germany or Romania?

Azir

You have serious problems. Serbia is behind the EU for sure but ahead of both Romania and Bulgaria. And lightyears ahead of sheepherders in albania. You have many children because of your muslim religion who forces women to stay home and give birth. If they had the choice to chose they would leave you big eared alien faces in a heartbeat.

How much damage caused by NATO bombs? How many with lung cancer? The quality of life in the U.K. is not all that.

The remarks about 50 or 60 years being needed to catch up with EU living standards came from an EBRD official, while the World Bank forecast puts this time range at between 40 and 200 years.
--
What are "EU living standards"? There is a huge difference between members and the standards in Serbia are not too different from those in the region, including those of EU members. Serbia's economic growth is impressive with lots of investments coming from non-EU entities. This report sounds like complete nonsense.

The UK better look at it's own living standards, I was just in Hounsley near Heathrow Airport in London. It looks like a slum and apparently this is a "middle class" area. Trash all over the main street, terrible smell and it looked like you were in India or Pakistan. The worse area in Belgrade does not come close to this trash heap.

(Azir, 17 July 2018 11:23)

Sadly, for your Albos Germany and China are investing, but it would be pointless to explain it since your concept reasoning is far from being untainted. These countries tries are investing because of THEIR interests. Let’s try that one again. Germany and china are investing in Serbia because of their interests. They make money.

You may want to list all the countries that invest in Kosova – Waiting a return call on that.
Now you’re a suicide rate and reproductive – stick to cleaning malls.
Serbia is the only part of the former Yugo that has the POTENTIAL to achieve good standards of living but only if they work and plan properly.
Lets se Albos from Albania over 1 million have gone from there in the last decade. Kosovo; well they had 1.9 million 1999 but now it 1.5 or even less. Better go back to Kosova and start replenishing the ranks LOL.
These reports are a dime a dozen. Look at Bulgaria and Romania, they are in the EU and don’t have good living standards.
If I was you I would not give up my job at the mall. Your predictions are very lame.

It took Germany only some 20 years after they were ravaged and in total shambles in 1918 after WW1 to get their economy back on track by the time of WW2. And only 6 years from the time Hitler came to power in 1933 to when they became the powerhouse of Europe by 1939.


So with the right leadership, strength and determination anything is possible.

Being under the ottoman dome for 500 years had some bad sides but also some good. serbs were never part of the advancements of the west but they were also never part of the abominations that were many. lets say they are one of the least spoilt people in europe in many ways. let's hope they never 'catch up' with that.

This can’t be true !

Sj and other serb propagandist have led many to believe Serbia is the center of the universe where Germany,China and other powerful nations competing to invest in these up and coming power house called Serbia 🇷🇸!

Reality is suicides are on the rise throughout Serbia and women are having less and less children partially due to chronic ugly Serbs , and immigration,wars of aggression,AIDS,etc...

Serbia is falling apart and all non-serbs want out of this failed regime.

Sj welcome to the real world 😝

We all know how much the English love Serbia. Sadly their main goal right now is to make sure that the EU doesn't get any bigger. That's what happens when you've tripped over your own feet and fell out of the EU doorway. Quite honestly, I hope that Serbia halts the accession talks and looks away from the EU anyways.

Putting things into perspective: Serbs were far better off before the wars of the 1990’s than they are today. This is a fact no one can dispute! Furthermore, Romania and Bulgaria are far better off today than they were in 1990.

Sorry guys, but both Romanian and Bulgaria are ahead of Serbia at the moment (GDP nominal per capita, GDP PPP per capita, GNI per capita Athlas method and so on... :s Of course, it may change in the future as nothing lasts forever. You are working on it.

sure ,its started to get better already.UK and EU are collapsing as you see and Russia,china,india amd others are investing big in Serbia....the rest like Albania ,Bosnia yea they wont....Croatia is EU and they have collapsed...

Well. I guess we should fire all the consultants working for the benefit of Serbia, we've hired from Britain once they leave.

Rapers and pillagers of the world will bring us no good.

Have you been to India? Obviously not
(jugoslavija, 18 July 2018 16:08)

Been to Belgrade, Niš, Leskovac, Vladičin Han and Vranje.

Does this count!?

@ sj

"Serbia is the only part of the former Yugo that has the POTENTIAL to achieve good standards of living but only if they work and plan properly."

Um....Slovenia already has that good standard of living. We have potential, they have reality. I wonder which is more desirable.

@ it took Germany only some 20 years after they were ravaged and in total shambles ...


without the US Marshall plan country would still be in ruins....

Its actually a shame. People of the Balkans excel in the diaspora. I've seen it over and over again. Serbs, Albanians, Bosnians, Macedonians, etc. They work hard. They save. And they are risk takers, which is extremely beneficial in entrepreneurship. They quickly move up the ladder in the US, Germany, Switzerland, etc. Unfortunately, this successful "mentality" in "foreign" lands is unable to flourish in our home countries because of the constant ethnic rivalry, the politicians who feed off of it, and the never ending historical injustices we love to play out over and over....and over...and over.

@ Tom

"Have you been to India? Obviously not
(jugoslavija, 18 July 2018 16:08)

Been to Belgrade, Niš, Leskovac, Vladičin Han and Vranje.

Does this count!?"

LOL.

I can't believe that anyone would look up to India in terms of standard of living. Only a person with absolutely no clue about the meaning of the word 'India' would say such a thing. We should strive to reach their 'standard of living'? Poor person. Where were they educated?

No No
Serbia will join EU in 2022
LOOOOOOOL
Change the mentality serbia, kosovo is indipendent and gone. Focus on your corrupted and unemloiment state, try to solve your real problema. Who are Poor, no free media, and hate speech.
You are 50 years behind from joing EY,, serbia you need to reflect and Change

I THINK 100 YEARS THEY CAN'T JOIN EU IF THEY DON'T MAKE PEACE WITH KOSOVA.AND THEIR NEIGHBOURS.

It depends what they mean by “catching up.”

If Serbia followed the British model for economic advancement, then they could reach “EU standards” very quickly. In Belgrade property sells for 1200 Euros a sq metre. If the government manipulated the property market and forced prices up to 12,000 Euros a sq metre, then Serbia’s GDP would magically rise to EU levels. This would of course be a fake economic revival, but it would be no different to the UK today. Real long-term prosperity only comes from education and production. In this regard Serbia is doing better than many would have expected. If things continue to improve, then Serbia will outstrip most of the EU, but not Germany. The Germans understand economic growth better than the British.

"It could take the region 50 or 60 years catch up with EU living standards, a report of the UK Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee has stated."

The region, not only Serbia. Unfortunately, that's probably true.

This is something we all know

"the prospects of the the six countries of the Western Balkans, when it comes to EU membership, are pretty glum."

The GDP per capita (at PPP) of the worst EU member in the region is still about $5200 higher than Serbia's. So if, according to you, that means that Serbia is not that different compared to EU members in the region, it also means that Kosovo is not too different compared to Serbia, either, since Serbia's GDP per capita is only about $4300 higher than Kosovo's.
(icj1, 18 July 2018 03:32)

Kosovo's growth last year was 4%, but this year it is projected to be 4.8%. On face it looks great until you scratch the surface and find out that about 20% is EU aid and 80% is people like you working ordinary jobs and sending money back to your relatives in Kosovo to keep them going.

EU is winding back its monetary committment and if it was not for money being sent to relatives they would be in sever trouble.

If Serbia followed the British model for economic advancement, then they could reach “EU standards” very quickly. In Belgrade property sells for 1200 Euros a sq metre. If the government manipulated the property market and forced prices up to 12,000 Euros a sq metre, then Serbia’s GDP would magically rise to EU levels.
(Michael Thomas, 18 July 2018 07:02)

Sure, Serbia's government could, for example, issue 10 new RSD to replace each old RSD and there you go... Belgrade property will sell for 12000 Euros a sq metre very quickly. However, the GDP per capita (at PPP) will remain exactly the same. Magics only works in fairy tales, dear, not in the real world :)

@ sj

"The Albo pretending to be a Serb who came back to till Serbian soil."

I am the real Serb living in Serbia, not the cranky old wanna-be Serb sitting in his business chair hypocritically enjoying the benefits of the western country he continuously derides.

"I was in that part of the world in April this year and the people are not that happy about their lot in Slovenia. They are still demanding to know where that better life they were to have after breaking from Yugoslavia."

How large was your survey? I would be surprised if it is in the double-digits. Did you already forget the man who killed himself in Jelasnica about a week ago? The people are desperately poor despite all the "massive" investments you talk about.

"I’m not surprised you left out Croatia."

Don't have much experience there. And no need to provoke all the Croatia-haters here. I already hear enough nonsense.

"The middle eastern “refugees” are all asking to go to Germany, Sweden and Switzerland, but not one is bashing on the Slovenian doors. I wonder why, but you seem to know more about that than I so I’ll leave it to you."

If they were given two options...Slovenia and Serbia...what percentage would choose Serbia?

@ chi

"Oh JSaj, you mean that India with the 7th strongest economy in the world?!?!? The one with only a few Doctors, Scientist, and Business People?!?!? Global investment, in particular the US?!?!? Yeah, pretty crappy country and people...."

7th largest, not the 7th strongest. There's a big difference. You have to divide GDP by the 1.324 billion people that live there! With a per capita GDP of $7200 that puts it in 157th place! That is 18 places behind Kosovo and 46 places behind Serbia!

Have you ever been to India? Have you ever felt the lifestyle?

Totally insane comment.

(JS, 17 July 2018 20:00)

The Albo pretending to be a Serb who came back to till Serbian soil.
I was in that part of the world in April this year and the people are not that happy about their lot in Slovenia. They are still demanding to know where that better life they were to have after breaking from Yugoslavia. Serbia was bombed had sanctions and economy destroyed, but Slovenia went onto the EU gravy train from the start and they are no better off.
I’m not surprised you left out Croatia.
The middle eastern “refugees” are all asking to go to Germany, Sweden and Switzerland, but not one is bashing on the Slovenian doors. I wonder why, but you seem to know more about that than I so I’ll leave it to you.

(JS, 17 July 2018 20:00)
“….but Slovenia went onto the EU gravy train from the start and they are no better off.”

This does not compare with Serbia. It simply means that Slovenia has not moved far from the day they broke away from Yugo. For Slovenia it’s the best its ever going to get, but with EU fiscal problems their economy will contract, and standard of living will drop further. However, Serbia has room to move and expand.
Given the right management and planning Serbia can be a highly desirable place to live and work in the future.

Trash all over the main street, terrible smell and it looked like you were in India
(Jugoslavija, 17 July 2018 16:09)

That must be great because, according to the most patriotic of Serbs, India is one of the best countries on Earth that Serbia's aspires to become similar to :)
(icj1, 18 July 2018 03:20)

Have you been to India? Obviously not
(jugoslavija, 18 July 2018 16:08)

You are correct; I've never been to India. But the most patriotic of Serbs who consider India as an example for Serbia to follow must have been there.

However, the GDP per capita (at PPP) will remain exactly the same. Magics only works in fairy tales, dear, not in the real world :)
(icj1, 18 July 2018 14:51)

——

Perhaps icj1 may also wish to learn that real world uses integers and not delusional symbols such as crosses to represent whole numbers.
Does icj1 now also claim to understand the concept of GDP? In many previous posts icj1 was thoroughly mocked by others for his lack of understanding the concept and common descriptors of GDP.

@ peggy

"Are you forgetting that Slovenia was always the most prosperous republic and didn't have a war to set it back?
Serbia was bombed mercilessly for nearly three months and huge damages to come back from."

Why was Slovenia "always the most prosperous"? I agree that the bombing set Serbia back a lot. But why isn't the country moving forward very quickly? I could offer reasons but I don't want to offend the many folks who sit in front of every local grocery store drinking beer, smoking cigarettes, and talking trash.

"Still, Serbia is on the road to a bright future. It's doing a lot better than other republics except for Slovenia because of the investments that have come in."

I'm not sure its better than Croatia. That's not to say that Croatians are better people but that the seaside makes a big economic impact.


"It takes time and there will never be total eradication of poverty in ANY country so mentioning that poor man who killed himself is not helping your point."

But this single example points to a trend: lots of people in central and southern Serbia are struggling to pay for electricity and put food on the table.

"For a "Serb", your posts are mostly anti Serb. That's weird."

I'm anti-"Serb nationalism," that's all. If that's weird to you, so be it.

@ sj

"My little fake Serb I feel Serbian regardless of where I live. At least I support my people unlike you, since you claim to be a Serb, you support the other side. Can anyone imagine it, a real Serb having a go at me for supporting Serbs regardless of my stance. That’s why you are fake."

Your problem is that the only person you consider a true Serb is a cranky ultranationalist like you and your "uncle" Dragoljub.

"I was in Slovenia on business close to a month and for me talking to people is the best way to find things out. I also walk with my eyes open unlike the vast majority of people."

You are so wise and perceptive. I only wish I could be as wise and perceptive as you.

"An interesting point is that in December 2017 Employees at Slovenia's intelligence and security agency SOVA went on strike demanding higher wages and better working conditions with strikers complained that they are understaffed and underpaid. When was the last time you heard something like that in a wealthy country?"

I heard about that when I missed my train connection between Marseille and Nice because of the French railway strike. It also ruined my schedule.

"If they were given two options Slovenia and Serbia they would choose neither and ask to go Germany, Sweden and Switzerland."

You just avoided the question. People ususally do that when they know they are wrong.

This is a tendentious article without lot of knowledge but with prejudices. There is true: when a Grate Britain stops interfering in the policies of the Balkan countries, all countries in the region will be get better. Britain has had undermining and hypocritical policy towards the Balkans for 100 years. Serbia is a wonderful country. The question is whether Serbia wants to join the EU and why should it join. It's ridiculous that GB - country leaving the EU "cares" about new EU members. When will GB stop looking for excuses for attacking, bombing, to organize and arrange a groups of terrorists and call them "democratic opposition" ..so many evil and lies, so many propaganda? So pity.

Dear sj,

"I like to support my people unlike you who is a “Serb” but would knife them."

I am ethnically Serb. I have Serbian citizenship. I live in Serbia. Though not at a kafana (because I never go there) or in front of a grocery store, I socialize with them. And I hire them on my farm.

Who supports them more? Me or the educated keyboard warrior from Australia?

Last time I check,the people of UK voted to leave EU...Oppinion of their parliaments is irrelevant ...Instead of honoring the decision of their own people and leave EU,They are waisting their time on talking about if Serbia can become the member....Beyond ridiculous

it looked like you were in India
(Jugoslavija, 17 July 2018 16:09)

That must be great because, according to the most patriotic of Serbs, India is one of the best countries on Earth that Serbia's aspires to become similar to :)

What are "EU living standards"? There is a huge difference between members and the standards in Serbia are not too different from those in the region, including those of EU members.
(Zoran, 17 July 2018 11:14)

The GDP per capita (at PPP) of the worst EU member in the region is still about $5200 higher than Serbia's. So if, according to you, that means that Serbia is not that different compared to EU members in the region, it also means that Kosovo is not too different compared to Serbia, either, since Serbia's GDP per capita is only about $4300 higher than Kosovo's.

That must be great because, according to the most patriotic of Serbs, India is one of the best countries on Earth that Serbia's aspires to become similar to :)
(icj1, 18 July 2018 03:20)

Have you been to India? Obviously not

If they were given two options...Slovenia and Serbia...what percentage would choose Serbia?
(JS, 18 July 2018 21:07)
=====================
Are you forgetting that Slovenia was always the most prosperous republic and didn't have a war to set it back?
Serbia was bombed mercilessly for nearly three months and huge damages to come back from.
Still, Serbia is on the road to a bright future. It's doing a lot better than other republics except for Slovenia because of the investments that have come in.
It takes time and there will never be total eradication of poverty in ANY country so mentioning that poor man who killed himself is not helping your point.
For a "Serb", your posts are mostly anti Serb. That's weird.

If Serbia followed the British model for economic advancement, then they could reach “EU standards” very quickly. In Belgrade property sells for 1200 Euros a sq metre. If the government manipulated the property market and forced prices up to 12,000 Euros a sq metre, then Serbia’s GDP would magically rise to EU levels.
(Michael Thomas, 18 July 2018 07:02)

Sure, Serbia's government could, for example, issue 10 new RSD to replace each old RSD and there you go... Belgrade property will sell for 12000 Euros a sq metre very quickly. However, the GDP per capita (at PPP) will remain exactly the same. Magics only works in fairy tales, dear, not in the real world :)
(icj1, 18 July 2018 14:51)

In many previous posts icj1 was thoroughly mocked by others for his lack of understanding the concept and common descriptors of GDP.
(Zhukov, 18 July 2018 17:18)

Feel free to sort that out with those "others", if you're interested, and let us know if you managed to cure their hallucinations lol

(JS, 18 July 2018 21:07)

My little fake Serb I feel Serbian regardless of where I live. At least I support my people unlike you, since you claim to be a Serb, you support the other side. Can anyone imagine it, a real Serb having a go at me for supporting Serbs regardless of my stance. That’s why you are fake.
You came back to till the soil of his grandfathers usually that a euphuism for someone who fails to achieve and returns home with this nice and warm story.
I was in Slovenia on business close to a month and for me talking to people is the best way to find things out. I also walk with my eyes open unlike the vast majority of people.
An interesting point is that in December 2017 Employees at Slovenia's intelligence and security agency SOVA went on strike demanding higher wages and better working conditions with strikers complained that they are understaffed and underpaid. When was the last time you heard something like that in a wealthy country?

Serbia has to start from scratch and it will take time to lift living standards. Are those investments massive? Yes when you compare the rest of the former Yugoslavia republics. Its fact.

If they were given two options Slovenia and Serbia they would choose neither and ask to go Germany, Sweden and Switzerland.

(JS, 19 July 2018 20:08)

Not at all. I am not in agreement all that Dragoljub has to say, but I support him because he puts Serbs first. I’m not bitter since I don’t have to do any of this as I live far away from Serbia.
I like to support my people unlike you who is a “Serb” but would knife them. I have never seen you question any Albo yet, but where Serbs are concerned your at the front. That’s why you’re a fraud.
Yes, I have abilities and well educated and that is why I am where I am. I don’t hold on my job because I have connections; its because of my abilities that keeps me there. Observation is a key element and I observe wherever I go.
When an agency like SOVA goes on strike that simply means its big budgetary problems – I have NEVER heard of this happening before - NEVER.
If I must choose between Slovenia and Serbia, on paper its Slovenia, but refugees do not want to go to Slovenia. You have no idea how savvy these people are. They know the places they want to go to.
If EU funds were not available Slovenia would disappear down the sink hole of Europe. Croatia is the same.

But the most patriotic of Serbs who consider India as an example for Serbia to follow must have been there.
(icj1, 21 July 2018 03:32)

Who are these “most patriotic of Serbs”? Can you provide their names? Or is this another fictional group that you’ve concocted in your delusional mind?

real world uses integers and not delusional symbols
(Zhukov, 18 July 2018 17:18)

Congratulations for finally learning that, as well! You are continuing to make progress. Feel free to continue sharing your learning of basic concepts with the readers of these forums :)

Ah, mighty Slovenia. On the verge of bankruptcy and only saved by the European Central Bank in 2013. Having one of the world's largest casinos across its borders didn't help. Really smart.

http://www.troikawatch.net/the-slovenian-banking-and-debt-crisis/

B92:
https://www.b92.net/eng/insight/opinions.php?yyyy=2017&mm=12&dd=21&nav_id=103094

Don't forget Slovenia's epic human rights abuses either:

Slovenia's "erased" have right to compensation
https://www.b92.net/eng/news/region.php?yyyy=2013&mm=07&dd=10&nav_id=86899

Mekina noted that over 26,000 citizens had their residence rights taken away in Slovenia on February 26, 1992, thus having been denied the right to work, social protection, so their status at the time was worse than that of refugees.
*

Yes, what an example.

I can't believe that anyone would look up to India in terms of standard of living. Only a person with absolutely no clue about the meaning of the word 'India' would say such a thing. We should strive to reach their 'standard of living'? Poor person. Where were they educated?
(JS, 18 July 2018 21:47)

Oh JSaj, you mean that India with the 7th strongest economy in the world?!?!? The one with only a few Doctors, Scientist, and Business People?!?!? Global investment, in particular the US?!?!? Yeah, pretty crappy country and people....

E.U. standard sucks serbians remember the song zemljo moja forget the pipe dream of vucic...srbija...

This can’t be true !

Sj and other serb propagandist have led many to believe Serbia is the center of the universe where Germany,China and other powerful nations competing to invest in these up and coming power house called Serbia 🇷🇸!

Reality is suicides are on the rise throughout Serbia and women are having less and less children partially due to chronic ugly Serbs , and immigration,wars of aggression,AIDS,etc...

Serbia is falling apart and all non-serbs want out of this failed regime.

Sj welcome to the real world 😝

Azir

You have serious problems. Serbia is behind the EU for sure but ahead of both Romania and Bulgaria. And lightyears ahead of sheepherders in albania. You have many children because of your muslim religion who forces women to stay home and give birth. If they had the choice to chose they would leave you big eared alien faces in a heartbeat.

(Azir, 17 July 2018 11:23)

Sadly, for your Albos Germany and China are investing, but it would be pointless to explain it since your concept reasoning is far from being untainted. These countries tries are investing because of THEIR interests. Let’s try that one again. Germany and china are investing in Serbia because of their interests. They make money.

You may want to list all the countries that invest in Kosova – Waiting a return call on that.
Now you’re a suicide rate and reproductive – stick to cleaning malls.
Serbia is the only part of the former Yugo that has the POTENTIAL to achieve good standards of living but only if they work and plan properly.
Lets se Albos from Albania over 1 million have gone from there in the last decade. Kosovo; well they had 1.9 million 1999 but now it 1.5 or even less. Better go back to Kosova and start replenishing the ranks LOL.
These reports are a dime a dozen. Look at Bulgaria and Romania, they are in the EU and don’t have good living standards.
If I was you I would not give up my job at the mall. Your predictions are very lame.

How much damage caused by NATO bombs? How many with lung cancer? The quality of life in the U.K. is not all that.

The UK better look at it's own living standards, I was just in Hounsley near Heathrow Airport in London. It looks like a slum and apparently this is a "middle class" area. Trash all over the main street, terrible smell and it looked like you were in India or Pakistan. The worse area in Belgrade does not come close to this trash heap.

The remarks about 50 or 60 years being needed to catch up with EU living standards came from an EBRD official, while the World Bank forecast puts this time range at between 40 and 200 years.
--
What are "EU living standards"? There is a huge difference between members and the standards in Serbia are not too different from those in the region, including those of EU members. Serbia's economic growth is impressive with lots of investments coming from non-EU entities. This report sounds like complete nonsense.

It took Germany only some 20 years after they were ravaged and in total shambles in 1918 after WW1 to get their economy back on track by the time of WW2. And only 6 years from the time Hitler came to power in 1933 to when they became the powerhouse of Europe by 1939.


So with the right leadership, strength and determination anything is possible.

I THINK 100 YEARS THEY CAN'T JOIN EU IF THEY DON'T MAKE PEACE WITH KOSOVA.AND THEIR NEIGHBOURS.

Being under the ottoman dome for 500 years had some bad sides but also some good. serbs were never part of the advancements of the west but they were also never part of the abominations that were many. lets say they are one of the least spoilt people in europe in many ways. let's hope they never 'catch up' with that.

sure ,its started to get better already.UK and EU are collapsing as you see and Russia,china,india amd others are investing big in Serbia....the rest like Albania ,Bosnia yea they wont....Croatia is EU and they have collapsed...

No No
Serbia will join EU in 2022
LOOOOOOOL
Change the mentality serbia, kosovo is indipendent and gone. Focus on your corrupted and unemloiment state, try to solve your real problema. Who are Poor, no free media, and hate speech.
You are 50 years behind from joing EY,, serbia you need to reflect and Change

The GDP per capita (at PPP) of the worst EU member in the region is still about $5200 higher than Serbia's. So if, according to you, that means that Serbia is not that different compared to EU members in the region, it also means that Kosovo is not too different compared to Serbia, either, since Serbia's GDP per capita is only about $4300 higher than Kosovo's.
(icj1, 18 July 2018 03:32)

Kosovo's growth last year was 4%, but this year it is projected to be 4.8%. On face it looks great until you scratch the surface and find out that about 20% is EU aid and 80% is people like you working ordinary jobs and sending money back to your relatives in Kosovo to keep them going.

EU is winding back its monetary committment and if it was not for money being sent to relatives they would be in sever trouble.

(JS, 19 July 2018 20:08)

Not at all. I am not in agreement all that Dragoljub has to say, but I support him because he puts Serbs first. I’m not bitter since I don’t have to do any of this as I live far away from Serbia.
I like to support my people unlike you who is a “Serb” but would knife them. I have never seen you question any Albo yet, but where Serbs are concerned your at the front. That’s why you’re a fraud.
Yes, I have abilities and well educated and that is why I am where I am. I don’t hold on my job because I have connections; its because of my abilities that keeps me there. Observation is a key element and I observe wherever I go.
When an agency like SOVA goes on strike that simply means its big budgetary problems – I have NEVER heard of this happening before - NEVER.
If I must choose between Slovenia and Serbia, on paper its Slovenia, but refugees do not want to go to Slovenia. You have no idea how savvy these people are. They know the places they want to go to.
If EU funds were not available Slovenia would disappear down the sink hole of Europe. Croatia is the same.

sensationalist nonsense. What are EU living standards? Germany or Romania?

Sorry guys, but both Romanian and Bulgaria are ahead of Serbia at the moment (GDP nominal per capita, GDP PPP per capita, GNI per capita Athlas method and so on... :s Of course, it may change in the future as nothing lasts forever. You are working on it.

it looked like you were in India
(Jugoslavija, 17 July 2018 16:09)

That must be great because, according to the most patriotic of Serbs, India is one of the best countries on Earth that Serbia's aspires to become similar to :)

What are "EU living standards"? There is a huge difference between members and the standards in Serbia are not too different from those in the region, including those of EU members.
(Zoran, 17 July 2018 11:14)

The GDP per capita (at PPP) of the worst EU member in the region is still about $5200 higher than Serbia's. So if, according to you, that means that Serbia is not that different compared to EU members in the region, it also means that Kosovo is not too different compared to Serbia, either, since Serbia's GDP per capita is only about $4300 higher than Kosovo's.

(JS, 17 July 2018 20:00)

The Albo pretending to be a Serb who came back to till Serbian soil.
I was in that part of the world in April this year and the people are not that happy about their lot in Slovenia. They are still demanding to know where that better life they were to have after breaking from Yugoslavia. Serbia was bombed had sanctions and economy destroyed, but Slovenia went onto the EU gravy train from the start and they are no better off.
I’m not surprised you left out Croatia.
The middle eastern “refugees” are all asking to go to Germany, Sweden and Switzerland, but not one is bashing on the Slovenian doors. I wonder why, but you seem to know more about that than I so I’ll leave it to you.

(JS, 17 July 2018 20:00)
“….but Slovenia went onto the EU gravy train from the start and they are no better off.”

This does not compare with Serbia. It simply means that Slovenia has not moved far from the day they broke away from Yugo. For Slovenia it’s the best its ever going to get, but with EU fiscal problems their economy will contract, and standard of living will drop further. However, Serbia has room to move and expand.
Given the right management and planning Serbia can be a highly desirable place to live and work in the future.

We all know how much the English love Serbia. Sadly their main goal right now is to make sure that the EU doesn't get any bigger. That's what happens when you've tripped over your own feet and fell out of the EU doorway. Quite honestly, I hope that Serbia halts the accession talks and looks away from the EU anyways.

@ sj

"Serbia is the only part of the former Yugo that has the POTENTIAL to achieve good standards of living but only if they work and plan properly."

Um....Slovenia already has that good standard of living. We have potential, they have reality. I wonder which is more desirable.

@ it took Germany only some 20 years after they were ravaged and in total shambles ...


without the US Marshall plan country would still be in ruins....

If Serbia followed the British model for economic advancement, then they could reach “EU standards” very quickly. In Belgrade property sells for 1200 Euros a sq metre. If the government manipulated the property market and forced prices up to 12,000 Euros a sq metre, then Serbia’s GDP would magically rise to EU levels.
(Michael Thomas, 18 July 2018 07:02)

Sure, Serbia's government could, for example, issue 10 new RSD to replace each old RSD and there you go... Belgrade property will sell for 12000 Euros a sq metre very quickly. However, the GDP per capita (at PPP) will remain exactly the same. Magics only works in fairy tales, dear, not in the real world :)

That must be great because, according to the most patriotic of Serbs, India is one of the best countries on Earth that Serbia's aspires to become similar to :)
(icj1, 18 July 2018 03:20)

Have you been to India? Obviously not

If they were given two options...Slovenia and Serbia...what percentage would choose Serbia?
(JS, 18 July 2018 21:07)
=====================
Are you forgetting that Slovenia was always the most prosperous republic and didn't have a war to set it back?
Serbia was bombed mercilessly for nearly three months and huge damages to come back from.
Still, Serbia is on the road to a bright future. It's doing a lot better than other republics except for Slovenia because of the investments that have come in.
It takes time and there will never be total eradication of poverty in ANY country so mentioning that poor man who killed himself is not helping your point.
For a "Serb", your posts are mostly anti Serb. That's weird.

Putting things into perspective: Serbs were far better off before the wars of the 1990’s than they are today. This is a fact no one can dispute! Furthermore, Romania and Bulgaria are far better off today than they were in 1990.

However, the GDP per capita (at PPP) will remain exactly the same. Magics only works in fairy tales, dear, not in the real world :)
(icj1, 18 July 2018 14:51)

——

Perhaps icj1 may also wish to learn that real world uses integers and not delusional symbols such as crosses to represent whole numbers.
Does icj1 now also claim to understand the concept of GDP? In many previous posts icj1 was thoroughly mocked by others for his lack of understanding the concept and common descriptors of GDP.

(JS, 18 July 2018 21:07)

My little fake Serb I feel Serbian regardless of where I live. At least I support my people unlike you, since you claim to be a Serb, you support the other side. Can anyone imagine it, a real Serb having a go at me for supporting Serbs regardless of my stance. That’s why you are fake.
You came back to till the soil of his grandfathers usually that a euphuism for someone who fails to achieve and returns home with this nice and warm story.
I was in Slovenia on business close to a month and for me talking to people is the best way to find things out. I also walk with my eyes open unlike the vast majority of people.
An interesting point is that in December 2017 Employees at Slovenia's intelligence and security agency SOVA went on strike demanding higher wages and better working conditions with strikers complained that they are understaffed and underpaid. When was the last time you heard something like that in a wealthy country?

Serbia has to start from scratch and it will take time to lift living standards. Are those investments massive? Yes when you compare the rest of the former Yugoslavia republics. Its fact.

If they were given two options Slovenia and Serbia they would choose neither and ask to go Germany, Sweden and Switzerland.

I can't believe that anyone would look up to India in terms of standard of living. Only a person with absolutely no clue about the meaning of the word 'India' would say such a thing. We should strive to reach their 'standard of living'? Poor person. Where were they educated?
(JS, 18 July 2018 21:47)

Oh JSaj, you mean that India with the 7th strongest economy in the world?!?!? The one with only a few Doctors, Scientist, and Business People?!?!? Global investment, in particular the US?!?!? Yeah, pretty crappy country and people....

Well. I guess we should fire all the consultants working for the benefit of Serbia, we've hired from Britain once they leave.

Rapers and pillagers of the world will bring us no good.

"It could take the region 50 or 60 years catch up with EU living standards, a report of the UK Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee has stated."

The region, not only Serbia. Unfortunately, that's probably true.

This is something we all know

"the prospects of the the six countries of the Western Balkans, when it comes to EU membership, are pretty glum."

Its actually a shame. People of the Balkans excel in the diaspora. I've seen it over and over again. Serbs, Albanians, Bosnians, Macedonians, etc. They work hard. They save. And they are risk takers, which is extremely beneficial in entrepreneurship. They quickly move up the ladder in the US, Germany, Switzerland, etc. Unfortunately, this successful "mentality" in "foreign" lands is unable to flourish in our home countries because of the constant ethnic rivalry, the politicians who feed off of it, and the never ending historical injustices we love to play out over and over....and over...and over.

It depends what they mean by “catching up.”

If Serbia followed the British model for economic advancement, then they could reach “EU standards” very quickly. In Belgrade property sells for 1200 Euros a sq metre. If the government manipulated the property market and forced prices up to 12,000 Euros a sq metre, then Serbia’s GDP would magically rise to EU levels. This would of course be a fake economic revival, but it would be no different to the UK today. Real long-term prosperity only comes from education and production. In this regard Serbia is doing better than many would have expected. If things continue to improve, then Serbia will outstrip most of the EU, but not Germany. The Germans understand economic growth better than the British.

Have you been to India? Obviously not
(jugoslavija, 18 July 2018 16:08)

Been to Belgrade, Niš, Leskovac, Vladičin Han and Vranje.

Does this count!?

If Serbia followed the British model for economic advancement, then they could reach “EU standards” very quickly. In Belgrade property sells for 1200 Euros a sq metre. If the government manipulated the property market and forced prices up to 12,000 Euros a sq metre, then Serbia’s GDP would magically rise to EU levels.
(Michael Thomas, 18 July 2018 07:02)

Sure, Serbia's government could, for example, issue 10 new RSD to replace each old RSD and there you go... Belgrade property will sell for 12000 Euros a sq metre very quickly. However, the GDP per capita (at PPP) will remain exactly the same. Magics only works in fairy tales, dear, not in the real world :)
(icj1, 18 July 2018 14:51)

In many previous posts icj1 was thoroughly mocked by others for his lack of understanding the concept and common descriptors of GDP.
(Zhukov, 18 July 2018 17:18)

Feel free to sort that out with those "others", if you're interested, and let us know if you managed to cure their hallucinations lol

Last time I check,the people of UK voted to leave EU...Oppinion of their parliaments is irrelevant ...Instead of honoring the decision of their own people and leave EU,They are waisting their time on talking about if Serbia can become the member....Beyond ridiculous

@ sj

"The Albo pretending to be a Serb who came back to till Serbian soil."

I am the real Serb living in Serbia, not the cranky old wanna-be Serb sitting in his business chair hypocritically enjoying the benefits of the western country he continuously derides.

"I was in that part of the world in April this year and the people are not that happy about their lot in Slovenia. They are still demanding to know where that better life they were to have after breaking from Yugoslavia."

How large was your survey? I would be surprised if it is in the double-digits. Did you already forget the man who killed himself in Jelasnica about a week ago? The people are desperately poor despite all the "massive" investments you talk about.

"I’m not surprised you left out Croatia."

Don't have much experience there. And no need to provoke all the Croatia-haters here. I already hear enough nonsense.

"The middle eastern “refugees” are all asking to go to Germany, Sweden and Switzerland, but not one is bashing on the Slovenian doors. I wonder why, but you seem to know more about that than I so I’ll leave it to you."

If they were given two options...Slovenia and Serbia...what percentage would choose Serbia?

@ Tom

"Have you been to India? Obviously not
(jugoslavija, 18 July 2018 16:08)

Been to Belgrade, Niš, Leskovac, Vladičin Han and Vranje.

Does this count!?"

LOL.

I can't believe that anyone would look up to India in terms of standard of living. Only a person with absolutely no clue about the meaning of the word 'India' would say such a thing. We should strive to reach their 'standard of living'? Poor person. Where were they educated?

real world uses integers and not delusional symbols
(Zhukov, 18 July 2018 17:18)

Congratulations for finally learning that, as well! You are continuing to make progress. Feel free to continue sharing your learning of basic concepts with the readers of these forums :)

Ah, mighty Slovenia. On the verge of bankruptcy and only saved by the European Central Bank in 2013. Having one of the world's largest casinos across its borders didn't help. Really smart.

http://www.troikawatch.net/the-slovenian-banking-and-debt-crisis/

B92:
https://www.b92.net/eng/insight/opinions.php?yyyy=2017&mm=12&dd=21&nav_id=103094

Don't forget Slovenia's epic human rights abuses either:

Slovenia's "erased" have right to compensation
https://www.b92.net/eng/news/region.php?yyyy=2013&mm=07&dd=10&nav_id=86899

Mekina noted that over 26,000 citizens had their residence rights taken away in Slovenia on February 26, 1992, thus having been denied the right to work, social protection, so their status at the time was worse than that of refugees.
*

Yes, what an example.

This is a tendentious article without lot of knowledge but with prejudices. There is true: when a Grate Britain stops interfering in the policies of the Balkan countries, all countries in the region will be get better. Britain has had undermining and hypocritical policy towards the Balkans for 100 years. Serbia is a wonderful country. The question is whether Serbia wants to join the EU and why should it join. It's ridiculous that GB - country leaving the EU "cares" about new EU members. When will GB stop looking for excuses for attacking, bombing, to organize and arrange a groups of terrorists and call them "democratic opposition" ..so many evil and lies, so many propaganda? So pity.

Dear sj,

"I like to support my people unlike you who is a “Serb” but would knife them."

I am ethnically Serb. I have Serbian citizenship. I live in Serbia. Though not at a kafana (because I never go there) or in front of a grocery store, I socialize with them. And I hire them on my farm.

Who supports them more? Me or the educated keyboard warrior from Australia?

@ peggy

"Are you forgetting that Slovenia was always the most prosperous republic and didn't have a war to set it back?
Serbia was bombed mercilessly for nearly three months and huge damages to come back from."

Why was Slovenia "always the most prosperous"? I agree that the bombing set Serbia back a lot. But why isn't the country moving forward very quickly? I could offer reasons but I don't want to offend the many folks who sit in front of every local grocery store drinking beer, smoking cigarettes, and talking trash.

"Still, Serbia is on the road to a bright future. It's doing a lot better than other republics except for Slovenia because of the investments that have come in."

I'm not sure its better than Croatia. That's not to say that Croatians are better people but that the seaside makes a big economic impact.


"It takes time and there will never be total eradication of poverty in ANY country so mentioning that poor man who killed himself is not helping your point."

But this single example points to a trend: lots of people in central and southern Serbia are struggling to pay for electricity and put food on the table.

"For a "Serb", your posts are mostly anti Serb. That's weird."

I'm anti-"Serb nationalism," that's all. If that's weird to you, so be it.

@ sj

"My little fake Serb I feel Serbian regardless of where I live. At least I support my people unlike you, since you claim to be a Serb, you support the other side. Can anyone imagine it, a real Serb having a go at me for supporting Serbs regardless of my stance. That’s why you are fake."

Your problem is that the only person you consider a true Serb is a cranky ultranationalist like you and your "uncle" Dragoljub.

"I was in Slovenia on business close to a month and for me talking to people is the best way to find things out. I also walk with my eyes open unlike the vast majority of people."

You are so wise and perceptive. I only wish I could be as wise and perceptive as you.

"An interesting point is that in December 2017 Employees at Slovenia's intelligence and security agency SOVA went on strike demanding higher wages and better working conditions with strikers complained that they are understaffed and underpaid. When was the last time you heard something like that in a wealthy country?"

I heard about that when I missed my train connection between Marseille and Nice because of the French railway strike. It also ruined my schedule.

"If they were given two options Slovenia and Serbia they would choose neither and ask to go Germany, Sweden and Switzerland."

You just avoided the question. People ususally do that when they know they are wrong.

@ chi

"Oh JSaj, you mean that India with the 7th strongest economy in the world?!?!? The one with only a few Doctors, Scientist, and Business People?!?!? Global investment, in particular the US?!?!? Yeah, pretty crappy country and people...."

7th largest, not the 7th strongest. There's a big difference. You have to divide GDP by the 1.324 billion people that live there! With a per capita GDP of $7200 that puts it in 157th place! That is 18 places behind Kosovo and 46 places behind Serbia!

Have you ever been to India? Have you ever felt the lifestyle?

Totally insane comment.

Trash all over the main street, terrible smell and it looked like you were in India
(Jugoslavija, 17 July 2018 16:09)

That must be great because, according to the most patriotic of Serbs, India is one of the best countries on Earth that Serbia's aspires to become similar to :)
(icj1, 18 July 2018 03:20)

Have you been to India? Obviously not
(jugoslavija, 18 July 2018 16:08)

You are correct; I've never been to India. But the most patriotic of Serbs who consider India as an example for Serbia to follow must have been there.

E.U. standard sucks serbians remember the song zemljo moja forget the pipe dream of vucic...srbija...

But the most patriotic of Serbs who consider India as an example for Serbia to follow must have been there.
(icj1, 21 July 2018 03:32)

Who are these “most patriotic of Serbs”? Can you provide their names? Or is this another fictional group that you’ve concocted in your delusional mind?