Q:
A:
State will ensure respect of law, peace, constitutional order
Belgrade,
21 October 2010
Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic said in an interview with the daily Blic that the state will crack down on hooligans and will ensure that law, peace and constitutional order in the country are respected.
Author:
novosti.rs
The government’s official website brings excerpts from the interview.
On the recent violent behaviour of hooligans:
“A group of vandals has not succeeded in jeopardising Serbia, nor will they ever succeed. The state will crack down on them. We will ensure that law, peace and constitutional order in the country are respected. The problem with hooliganism has been neglected for years. It is important now to suppress this phenomenon, which is not characteristic only of Serbia. The Draft Law amending the Code of Criminal Procedure is in parliamentary procedure and it will introduce more severe penalties for offenders.”
Is the behaviour of a group of offenders caused by dissatisfaction with the situation in society?
“No, violence is not in the public interest. The investigating authorities have the task to bring the perpetrators and organisers to justice. The court will determine the identity of the organisers and financiers.”
On the political background to these events.
“It is not good to speculate who stands behind them until investigations are in progress. No doubt, this is organised crime.”
On the Red Star – Partizan derby:
“The state will do everything possible to ensure that the match is played and to ensure safety. I can only advise fan groups not to resort to violence because it will be met with a robust response.”
On the negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina:
“The Resolution of the UN General Assembly established the framework for conversation – these are all issues important to stability in the region. At this point, the theme or format of negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina has not yet been agreed on. It is important that talks are well-prepared and that they result in a compromise and just solution. I believe this is the right way to resolve the historical conflict between Serbs and Albanians.”
When could the dialogue begin? “We want to make it as soon as possible. When – it is difficult to say given the political instability that has occurred in Pristina.
It is certain that the talks on behalf of the Serbian side should be organised and led by the Serbian government, once the format of the talks is agreed on. This is a great responsibility both for the government and myself, and we are ready for this challenge.”
What do you expect from 25 October, when the EU Council of Ministers will decide on the application of Serbia?
“I expect that our candidacy for EU membership will be forwarded then.”
Will Serbia become an EU member between 2014 and 2016?
“This should be a realistic period. Serbia will in all respects be ready by 2016. We will have a legislative framework, the rule of law and a level of economic stability. Regardless of formal membership, the EU is the most attractive model for the life of citizens and as such it has no good alternative. We shall succeed in conducting reforms according to European standards, which is more important than the date of Serbia becoming a member.”
Possible conditioning of Serbia:
“This could postpone our reform process. I think that key European countries do not have a dilemma over whether Serbia should be in the EU.”
On the tender to sell a 51% stake in Telekom Srbija:
“There are buyers who are interested. The legal procedure is underway so I would not want to mention names. There is a possibility that the Greek Ote could sell its 20% stake, in which case we would sell only 31% of the Serbian stake. Our share is estimated to be worth approximately €1.25 billion.”
Where will these funds be invested?
“In infrastructure. The main corridors are already funded from elsewhere. We will build intersections for major cities with connecting corridors, we will invest in the railways, and probably in institutions such as the National Museum, the Philharmonic Orchestra... This money will go into a special account, and will be controlled.”
Can we talk about the end of the recession?
“The average decline in GDP in the region and in Europe was 6% last year, and here it was half of that – 2.8%. And this year there has been an increase of between 1.5% and 2%.
When will the people feel the benefit of this?
“In mid 2011 we expect to reach the level where we were before the crisis. Next year will be much better, among other things, because salaries and pensions will be unfrozen.”
Will the revised budget settle numerous requests for funds from state coffers?
“We have already paid assistance for pensioners with no adjustment in the budget plan. Now we should look at how to cover certain social categories and return transfers to municipalities.”
What is the government doing to prevent shortages of essential goods?
“The only item with which we are currently having any problem is milk. We adopted a decree under which producers are required to sell 40% of milk in the market. It appears that this regulation is not enough – so imports will be allowed.”
A proposal to introduce the euro:
“Most experts believe that it would be bad. Thanks to a flexible exchange rate, Serbia had a smaller decline in production than other countries.”
Will the abolition of visas remain the greatest achievement of this government?
“I hope it that this will be Serbia’s EU candidate status next year. A major achievement for this government was that catastrophic effects of the economic crisis were prevented.”
Possibility of reconstruction of the government:
“I do not exclude this possibility so as to increase efficiency. We would need to do the reconstruction in a consensus of coalition partners.”
On the recent violent behaviour of hooligans:
“A group of vandals has not succeeded in jeopardising Serbia, nor will they ever succeed. The state will crack down on them. We will ensure that law, peace and constitutional order in the country are respected. The problem with hooliganism has been neglected for years. It is important now to suppress this phenomenon, which is not characteristic only of Serbia. The Draft Law amending the Code of Criminal Procedure is in parliamentary procedure and it will introduce more severe penalties for offenders.”
Is the behaviour of a group of offenders caused by dissatisfaction with the situation in society?
“No, violence is not in the public interest. The investigating authorities have the task to bring the perpetrators and organisers to justice. The court will determine the identity of the organisers and financiers.”
On the political background to these events.
“It is not good to speculate who stands behind them until investigations are in progress. No doubt, this is organised crime.”
On the Red Star – Partizan derby:
“The state will do everything possible to ensure that the match is played and to ensure safety. I can only advise fan groups not to resort to violence because it will be met with a robust response.”
On the negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina:
“The Resolution of the UN General Assembly established the framework for conversation – these are all issues important to stability in the region. At this point, the theme or format of negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina has not yet been agreed on. It is important that talks are well-prepared and that they result in a compromise and just solution. I believe this is the right way to resolve the historical conflict between Serbs and Albanians.”
When could the dialogue begin? “We want to make it as soon as possible. When – it is difficult to say given the political instability that has occurred in Pristina.
It is certain that the talks on behalf of the Serbian side should be organised and led by the Serbian government, once the format of the talks is agreed on. This is a great responsibility both for the government and myself, and we are ready for this challenge.”
What do you expect from 25 October, when the EU Council of Ministers will decide on the application of Serbia?
“I expect that our candidacy for EU membership will be forwarded then.”
Will Serbia become an EU member between 2014 and 2016?
“This should be a realistic period. Serbia will in all respects be ready by 2016. We will have a legislative framework, the rule of law and a level of economic stability. Regardless of formal membership, the EU is the most attractive model for the life of citizens and as such it has no good alternative. We shall succeed in conducting reforms according to European standards, which is more important than the date of Serbia becoming a member.”
Possible conditioning of Serbia:
“This could postpone our reform process. I think that key European countries do not have a dilemma over whether Serbia should be in the EU.”
On the tender to sell a 51% stake in Telekom Srbija:
“There are buyers who are interested. The legal procedure is underway so I would not want to mention names. There is a possibility that the Greek Ote could sell its 20% stake, in which case we would sell only 31% of the Serbian stake. Our share is estimated to be worth approximately €1.25 billion.”
Where will these funds be invested?
“In infrastructure. The main corridors are already funded from elsewhere. We will build intersections for major cities with connecting corridors, we will invest in the railways, and probably in institutions such as the National Museum, the Philharmonic Orchestra... This money will go into a special account, and will be controlled.”
Can we talk about the end of the recession?
“The average decline in GDP in the region and in Europe was 6% last year, and here it was half of that – 2.8%. And this year there has been an increase of between 1.5% and 2%.
When will the people feel the benefit of this?
“In mid 2011 we expect to reach the level where we were before the crisis. Next year will be much better, among other things, because salaries and pensions will be unfrozen.”
Will the revised budget settle numerous requests for funds from state coffers?
“We have already paid assistance for pensioners with no adjustment in the budget plan. Now we should look at how to cover certain social categories and return transfers to municipalities.”
What is the government doing to prevent shortages of essential goods?
“The only item with which we are currently having any problem is milk. We adopted a decree under which producers are required to sell 40% of milk in the market. It appears that this regulation is not enough – so imports will be allowed.”
A proposal to introduce the euro:
“Most experts believe that it would be bad. Thanks to a flexible exchange rate, Serbia had a smaller decline in production than other countries.”
Will the abolition of visas remain the greatest achievement of this government?
“I hope it that this will be Serbia’s EU candidate status next year. A major achievement for this government was that catastrophic effects of the economic crisis were prevented.”
Possibility of reconstruction of the government:
“I do not exclude this possibility so as to increase efficiency. We would need to do the reconstruction in a consensus of coalition partners.”
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