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A:
Bogdanovic reiterates Serbs unable to vote at Kosovo elections
Belgrade,
7 October 2009
Serbian Minister for Kosovo-Metohija Goran Bogdanovic said today that the stance of Serbian President Boris Tadic regarding the Kosovo elections is correct and principled, and that the necessary conditions for Serbs to take part in the elections scheduled by the Kosovo institutions for November 15 are not present.
Goran Bogdanovic
Author:
infobiro.tv
Speaking at a press conference, Bogdanovic said that there are no doubts concerning the matter, adding that top state officials made their stance clear on this issue three months ago.
If I thought that these elections would serve the interests of the Serbian people, I would have been the first one to say to the people take part in them, said the Minister, adding that the November 15 elections, unlike the previous elections held by UNMIK, have been announced by a Kosovo government that Serbia does not recognise.
He said that he expects that today’s talks between the representatives of the EULEX police and the Serbian Interior Ministry will result in the implementation of the agreement signed with EULEX in September.
Bogdanovic said that it will concern the coordination of the fight against crime in Kosovo, exchange of information, the chain of command in the Kosovo Police Service and will also help shed light on the Novo Brdo case.
The Minister said that talks between EULEX and the Serbian Interior Ministry reflect a great step forward and show Serbia’s willingness and determination to fight crime in Kosovo in cooperation with the international community.
Bogdanovic said that violation of the basic human rights of Serbs and other non-Albanians in Kosovo is still going on, adding that they do not have the right to freedom of movement and their property rights are jeopardized since they are unable to return to their confiscated houses and other property.
The Minister said that Serbia has excellent cooperation with the UNHCR, which is responsible for ensuring that the property of Serbs is returned to them, stressing that it would be best that Serbia has its own judiciary, police and other state organs in Kosovo.
Unfortunately we have a situation where Serbian authorities are neither present in Kosovo in the way that we would wish nor are they in a position to guarantee the safety of Serbs and other non-Albanians in the province. Because of this it has to rely on cooperation with the international community regarding these matters, said Bogdanovic.
He called on business people to invest more in the southern province because Serbs there cannot go on living on social aid, adding that they must be provided with employment in order to have a future.
The Minister said that on October 8 a public tender will be announced for the distribution of incentive loans and that a sum of RSD 110 million has been set aside for this purpose. He said that the funds are intended for the economic development of Kosovo.
He said that Serbia is firmly committed to strengthening the Serbian community in the province, therefore providing new jobs will be the main criteria for the allocation of funds.
Bogdanovic said that an advantage will be given to those whose programmes will employ more people and will expand, reconstruct and modernise the existing capacities.
The Minister added that even distribution throughout Kosovo will also be taken into account and added that the funds will not be granted to gambling establishments, trading firms, firms operating games of chance or for the purchase of taxis.
Bogdanovic repeated that the aim is to employ more people and make conditions for the revival of Serbs and other non-Albanians in the province, thus contributing to the preservation of the country’s territorial integrity.
He added that 25 companies had applied, nine from the north and 16 from the south of the province, and received a total of RSD 80 million.
Seven projects have already been carried out while 18 projects are underway, he said.
The Minister also called on all companies that operated in the province before 1999 to resume operations and employ more people in Kosovo.
If I thought that these elections would serve the interests of the Serbian people, I would have been the first one to say to the people take part in them, said the Minister, adding that the November 15 elections, unlike the previous elections held by UNMIK, have been announced by a Kosovo government that Serbia does not recognise.
He said that he expects that today’s talks between the representatives of the EULEX police and the Serbian Interior Ministry will result in the implementation of the agreement signed with EULEX in September.
Bogdanovic said that it will concern the coordination of the fight against crime in Kosovo, exchange of information, the chain of command in the Kosovo Police Service and will also help shed light on the Novo Brdo case.
The Minister said that talks between EULEX and the Serbian Interior Ministry reflect a great step forward and show Serbia’s willingness and determination to fight crime in Kosovo in cooperation with the international community.
Bogdanovic said that violation of the basic human rights of Serbs and other non-Albanians in Kosovo is still going on, adding that they do not have the right to freedom of movement and their property rights are jeopardized since they are unable to return to their confiscated houses and other property.
The Minister said that Serbia has excellent cooperation with the UNHCR, which is responsible for ensuring that the property of Serbs is returned to them, stressing that it would be best that Serbia has its own judiciary, police and other state organs in Kosovo.
Unfortunately we have a situation where Serbian authorities are neither present in Kosovo in the way that we would wish nor are they in a position to guarantee the safety of Serbs and other non-Albanians in the province. Because of this it has to rely on cooperation with the international community regarding these matters, said Bogdanovic.
He called on business people to invest more in the southern province because Serbs there cannot go on living on social aid, adding that they must be provided with employment in order to have a future.
The Minister said that on October 8 a public tender will be announced for the distribution of incentive loans and that a sum of RSD 110 million has been set aside for this purpose. He said that the funds are intended for the economic development of Kosovo.
He said that Serbia is firmly committed to strengthening the Serbian community in the province, therefore providing new jobs will be the main criteria for the allocation of funds.
Bogdanovic said that an advantage will be given to those whose programmes will employ more people and will expand, reconstruct and modernise the existing capacities.
The Minister added that even distribution throughout Kosovo will also be taken into account and added that the funds will not be granted to gambling establishments, trading firms, firms operating games of chance or for the purchase of taxis.
Bogdanovic repeated that the aim is to employ more people and make conditions for the revival of Serbs and other non-Albanians in the province, thus contributing to the preservation of the country’s territorial integrity.
He added that 25 companies had applied, nine from the north and 16 from the south of the province, and received a total of RSD 80 million.
Seven projects have already been carried out while 18 projects are underway, he said.
The Minister also called on all companies that operated in the province before 1999 to resume operations and employ more people in Kosovo.
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