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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

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Transitional agreement with EU expected to be unfrozen by Monday

Belgrade, 10 September 2008

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic expressed expectation that EU foreign ministers will unfreeze the application of the Transitional Trade Agreement with Serbia.

Djelic told a press conference that he is not being optimistic but objective and that he expects the decision to be made on Monday.

Objectively, Serbia has done everything in its power to wrap up cooperation with the ICTY and since this is the only condition for the implementation of the Transitional Agreement, I expect that the only a logical and normal decision will be made at that meeting in Brussels, Djelic said.

He said that Serbia has many allies and that he will go to Brussels on Monday for additional contacts.

Speaking about the visit of Hague Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz to Belgrade, Djelic said that all doors are open for him and that he will have the chance to see Serbia fully respects international law.

Djelic said that he discussed today with ambassadors of EU countries ways of securing Serbia’s EU candidacy and admission to the White Schengen List.

The purpose of today’s meeting was for the ambassadors to inform their governments so that they can form a stance on unblocking the transitional agreement at the meeting on Monday, said Djelic.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and Technological Development also spoke about the competition “Best Technological Innovations in 2008” and called on scientists and inventors to enter the competition, thus contributing to the development of the Serbian economy.

Djelic said that the competition will be organised in cooperation with the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, the Faculty of Technical Sciences, Novi Sad and Radio Television of Serbia.

He explained that the aim of the competition is to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship among researchers, students, innovators, creative individuals and all those who can contribute to faster transformation of Serbia’s economy into one based on science.

According to Djelic, the total value of funds for rewards is RSD 8 million, and there are three competition categories – “A Step Forward”, which is for experienced competitors, “Innovative Ideas” is for young innovators and others interested, and “Potential” is for showcasing the transfer of ideas from basic research.

Djelic said that the deadline for submitting works for the first category is September 19, and for other categories it is October 15, 2008.

He said that the top award in the first category is RSD 1 million, the second category RSD 150,000, and in the third category RSD 130,000.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that the competition will be broadcast live on December 23 on state television, adding that this is just the beginning of even bigger efforts that the Ministry of Science and Technological Development will invest in science.

Djelic said that science does not exist in isolation; it must help improve social conditions. He added that Serbia must do a lot more in this area.

He said that many scientists are leaving the country because they cannot turn their ideas into reality in Serbia and expressed his conviction that this will change. He added that it is essential to transform products and services which we will sell on the world market, and this is also one of the conditions we must fulfil in order to become a successful country.

He recalled that in his recent meeting with president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) Thomas Mirow he presented an initiative to set up a Ministry of Science investment fund through which it will be possible to finance even more ideas in Serbia.

This is the third year that the competition for technological innovations has been organised, and the biggest success of the competition was the founding of 35 new companies and employment for 85 people, which has raised awareness about the importance of applied science among scientific institutions.