Salaries in public sector to be adjusted with inflation

Belgrade, Oct 29, 2007 - Serbian Minister of Finance Mirko Cvetkovic said that the Ministry today proposed that the Socio-Economic Council of the Republic of Serbia adjust salaries in the public sector with inflation next year and not to raise them beyond that rate.

Speaking at a press conference held after the meeting with Council members which dealt with macro economic policy of prices and salaries in the public sector, Cvetkovic said that the Ministry proposed that salaries remain within the pay freeze level, which is in accordance with inflation.

He explained that differentiation will be applied within the public sector, with the aim of harmonising and approximating salaries, and added that Council members agreed that this proposal is a solid base for further talks.

At least two meetings should be held next week with representatives of trade unions.

The Minister said that the reduction of public expenditure within GDP next year will be 1%, and the state budget will participate in public expenditure with less than 0.7%.

Cvetkovic said that the interim surplus in the budget for nine months of this year is RSD 37 billion and added that there is a possibility that this year will end without the planned budgetary deficit.

The reason for that is a reduced level of expenditure, first of all in the field of the National Investment Plan.

Austrian investors interested in investment in construction, tourism

Belgrade, Oct 26, 2007 – Serbian Minister of Economy and Regional Development Mladjan Dinkic met today with a delegation of businesspeople and investors from Salzburg, who expressed interest in investment in the construction and tourism sectors.

Dinkic spoke with Vice-Governor of Salzburg Wilfried Haslauer and representatives of the Salzburg Chamber of Commerce and interested investors on the business climate and investment opportunities in Serbia.

Representatives of Austrian Kronospan announced the building of a new plant of floor coverings in Lapovo, which will be a greenfield investment.

The visit of the Salzburg delegation comes after the Munich fair Expo Real 2007, in which Dinkic presented investment opportunities in Serbia as well as master plans for Stara Planina and Palic.

Conclusion of cooperation with Hague Tribunal in Serbia’s interest

Belgrade, Oct 26, 2007 – Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica met today with Hague Tribunal’s Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte and said that there is determination and political willingness on behalf of Serbia to conclude cooperation with the Hague Tribunal.

Kostunica stressed at the meeting that fulfilment of all international obligations is primarily in Serbia’s interest, as well as the conclusion of cooperation with the Tribunal.

Del Ponte emphasised it is important for the Tribunal to have indictees stand trial as soon as possible.

Also present at the meeting were President of the National Council for Cooperation with ICTY Rasim Ljajic and Secretary of the National Security Council Miodrag Rakic.

Kosovo status should be resolved in a way that reflects European values

Belgrade/Rome, Oct 16, 2007 - Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said today in Rome that the European future of the Balkans is guaranteed only if Kosovo-Metohija status is resolved through an approach that reflects European values.

After the talks with Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema, Jeremic said that it is not possible to resolve Kosovo status in a non-European way and then hope that such a solution will bring a European future to that area.

Jeremic stated that this issue must be resolved through compromise.

D'Alema said that Italy supports the negotiating process for Kosovo-Metohija conducted by the Contact Group's troika and a compromise solution that will be acceptable for both sides.

In Rome this morning Jeremic also met with President of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Umberto Ranieri.