Diplomacy&Commerce 80

SPREADING

HAPPINESS

DRAGAN NIKOLIĆ

Editor in Chief dragan.nikolic@color.rs

ROBERT ČOBAN

Director robert.coban@color.rs

OGNJEN TRMČIĆ

Advertising Director ognjen.trmcic@color.rs

Design and prepress ISIDORA RISTIĆ

Translation SNEŽANA BJELOTOMIĆ

Photos GORAN ZLATKOVIĆ SRDJAN PAJIĆ SHUTTERSTOCK

Contributors: Dragan Nikolić, Robert Čoban, Bob Garfield, Žikica Milošević, Miloš Mihajilica, Bojana Jakimov, Gilberte Delva-Petrović, BSBA, SPK

Print BIROGRAF COMP D.O.O. Zemun, Atanasija Pulje 22

Do You Know Dorothy Counts

by Robert Čoban, Director

23/2 11000 Belgrade Phone: + 381 11 4044 966

On September 4, 1957, Dorothy Counts (age 15) put on her most beautiful dress and proudly went to her first class at Harry Harding High School, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dorothy was the first black student at this school. At the persuasion of John Z. Warlick, leader of the White Citizens Council, urged the boys “to keep her out”, the figurative lynching of the young Dorothy began, while the girls were encouraged to spit and throw stones at her. Still, Dorothy walked straight and proud, surrounded by the mocking crowd. The abuse continued the next day – she was pushed around the canteen and the tray of food fell out of her hand; two white girls who dared to help her were ridiculed and had to retreat. During that time, her family

received threatening phone calls and their car was broken into. After four days, the father decided to take Dorothy out of school. The photographer Douglas Martin, who happened to be at the school that fated September 4, won the 1957 World Press Photo of the Year award for the photograph of Dorothy. The Counts’ family soon moved to Philadelphia where Dorothy enrolled at Johnson C. Smith University. Half a century later, in 2008, Harding High School awarded Dorothy Counts an honorary degree. In 2010, Dorothy received a public apology from several members of the mob that abused her that September 1957. The school library was named after her. I saw the photo of Dorothy today at the Freedom Fighters exhibition organized by

the Robert F. Kennedy Center at the Palazzo Reale in Milan. Dorothy is today 72 years old and lives in Philadelphia. Perhaps you know a Dorothy Counts in your area? Dark-haired, blonde, a Roma, a refugee, a lesbian, overweight, acne-prone, developmentally disabled? Different?

I wrote this article on my blog in October 2014 in Milan. Last month, when I saw a photo of Dorothy at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, I was reminded of this story and realized that it is just as relevant in 2022 as it was in 1957 and 2014.

© 1957 Douglas Martin / The Charlotte News

Serbia’s Foreign Policy Remains the Same

Serbia has been exercising a clear foreign policy for years

IVICA DAČIĆ

In his interview for our magazine, the new/old Serbian foreign minister, Ivica Dačić, talks about the current topics –changes that happened since his last term in office, whether terrorism is again becoming a global problem, his opinion about the Russian-Ukrainian war, Serbia’s territorial integrity, human rights and complicated international relations.

You have been re-appointed, Serbian foreign minister. Could you tell us how different is Serbia’s current position in the context of international relations (compared to when you were foreign minister the last time)?

Serbia has been exercising a clear foreign policy for years, and it has not changed in that

sense. First and foremost, our foreign policy is focused on preserving our territorial integrity and sovereignty when it comes to Kosovo and Metohija, and of course, there are other priorities, such as joining the European Union, developing relations with neighbouring countries, as well as with all other countries in the

we are trying to respond to these new challenges from the same position.

During the previous term in office, you were very active (and successful) in getting certain countries to withdraw their recognition of Kosovo’s independence. Will you continue with the same practice?

world with which we realize our state interests. Serbia’s position has changed to the extent that the circumstances in the world have undergone a huge change because, from a major health and economic crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, it entered a crisis created by the war in Ukraine. However, our foreign policy remains the same while

That was part of our state policy, through which we wanted and have succeeded in reverting things to their logical beginning and adapting them to the current dialogue that takes place under the auspices of the European Union. Many countries, 19 of them, withdrew the recognition of Kosovo and Metohija’s independence in the previous period, and that was their rational response to the fact that a solution was still being sought and that the recognition was premature. Under the new circumstances, we have been honouring our commitment outlined in the

Washington Agreement, which is to refrain from initiating further withdrawals of recognition. But this is conditioned by Priština’s behaviour, that is, Priština refraining from applying for membership in international organizations. However, Priština has violated that commitment and has announced membership candidacy for several important international organizations, so Serbia will have a clear answer if it really comes to that.

For a long time, we have been receiving information from the authorities that several other countries have withdrawn their recognition of Kosovo’s independence. Why are those countries not disclosed publicly?

We do not want to violate our obligations under the Washington Agreement, but we also do not want to put our friends who are ready to withdraw their recognition in an awkward position. Several countries are ready

SEVERAL COUNTRIES ARE READY TO RECONSIDER THEIR RECOGNITION OF KOSOVO’S INDEPENDENCE

© Photos: Private Archive

First Deputy Prime Minister responsible for foreign policy and security and Minister of Foreign Affairs

to reconsider their recognition of Kosovo’s independence. We have their written notices stating that and that is enough for us at the moment.

Considering that you have been a foreign minister before, what will your position be when Western countries ask Serbia to impose sanctions against Russia?

This is a very important topic and a decision on it must take into account various aspects of our state interests, and therefore assessments from all segments and departments of our policy, not only external ones. So, in answering that question, we have to look very closely at which of our interests can be realized, and especially which can be jeopardized. We must take good care that none of our vital state and national interests is harmed or called into question by any of our decisions. This is a difficult task and everyone is involved in solving it - from the President of the Republic and government departments to our large companies. In any case, whatever our decision might be, it will protect our state interests, ensure the stability of our economic and political environment and of course, protect the best interests and living standard of our citizens in the first place. Every decision we make takes into account, first and foremost, the best interests of our country and our citizens.

The US sanctions in Cuba are still in place, as are the sanctions by Western countries towards Iran and others. As a country that went through that kind of hell in the1990s, how should we view sanctions, as a practice of the modern world?

We are always and everywhere opposed to such practice, because we know very well, better than anyone else, that sanctions are an unfair instrument in international relations, which cause the greatest damage precisely to the citizens of those countries that are under sanctions. This is Serbia’s principled position and it is strongly based on our experience as a country and all our citizens. It is not an arbitrary policy. I must say that our arguments in this regard are always convincing and all international stakeholders we spoke

to regarding sanctions have shown both understanding and respect for our position.

If we oppose the unilateral declaration of independence and the violation of territorial integrity, then why can’t we clearly and loudly condemn Russia in this war against Ukraine? Why is that so difficult? Isn’t the bully always the same, no matter where they come from?

cause our sovereignty and territorial integrity were grossly violated in the case of Kosovo and Metohija. Unfortunately, several countries do not adhere to this principle, but they rather stick to their political interests, and that is what we are trying to instigate change in the international arena, by insisting that the same standards apply to everyone.

As a current Deputy Prime Minister, you are also in charge of security issues. What kind of threats is the world dealing with currently? We saw the resurgence of terrorism in Istanbul. How can we fight against terrorist threats?

I cannot agree with your assessment, because every single time Serbia was the topic of discussion in international organizations, we clearly advocated the protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. This has been our position since 2014, not only since March of this year. Therefore, our position on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine is clear, loud and unchanged. But at the same time, we remind all those who protect this principle in the case of Ukraine to apply the same criterion to Serbia, be-

As the First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, I take part in the activities of the National Security Council and in that respect, my peers from the government and state institutions and I are responsible for all matters that concern security. We are quite worried about the resurgence of terrorism in

OUR POSITION ON THE SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY OF UKRAINE IS CLEAR, LOUD AND UNCHANGED

our surroundings, and the case in Istanbul was particularly unsettling because one of the Serbian citizens, Dragana Ristić, was injured in that attack. Our attention needs to be on point when it comes to fighting terrorism which is the sickness of the modern world and is far from being eradicated. Generally speaking, Serbia is a safe country when it comes to international terrorist actions thanks to, first and foremost, the systematic work of our security services and other state bodies. However, we should not rest on our laurels. We always insist that the fight against terrorism must be done jointly by all countries, accompanied by close cooperation, information exchange and joint action. Terrorists don’t worry much about national borders - they act globally - so we, who fight against them, must also have that approach.

It seems as if ideology no longer exists. For instance, you are a leftist, but you have some conservative views. If you are a sincere leftist, shouldn’t you unconditionally fight for the rights of the marginalised, such as women, migrants and the LGBT community?

In which way my or my political party’s views are conservative? They are actually the complete opposite. I would like to remind you that the Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS) is the first political party in Serbia that had an LGBT member in its top leadership, not to mention that we are always at the helm of our political scene in terms of the number of women and young people in the party leadership, as well as having members from the broadest strata of the population - from pensioners and workers to the unemployed and people with disabilities. I am proud of our attitude towards minority groups and the fact that we have managed to sway the entire political scene in that direction because we deeply believe that the task of the state and all its institutions is primarily to protect the rights of those people who need the society’s support. If you call that an ideology, then I agree, but I think that this is solely implementing a responsible policy which has been continuously trying to change Serbia for the better for a long time.

Living in Parallel Histories as the World Breaks Apart

HIDAJET BIŠČEVIĆ H.E. Croatian Ambassador to Serbia

Currently, Croatia is about to enter the Schengen Zone and start using the Euro as its official currency, whilst Serbia is increasingly moving away from the European Union and turning to Russia, we spoke with the Croatian Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Hidajet Biščević, about the fear that current events, prompted by the growing divisions between European Union and Russia against the background of the war in Ukraine, might create a new “dividing line” in the Western Balkans.

How long have you lived in Belgrade? Have you got used to living conditions here, and how do you spend your days in the Serbian capital?

In a month or so, it will be almost three years since I came

to Belgrade. Somehow I didn’t even notice that I should “get used to”, as you say, the living conditions here. Certainly, it is different when a person lives here permanently when one is not just a temporary guest or a passer-by, which happened to me often in my journalistic and earlier diplomatic career – living permanently allows you to better notice the differences in our cultural habits and mentalities. However, even with that, the fact remains that we are two peoples who know each other well. I am engaged in politics, so I can’t ignore the fact that the jump from knowing to understanding requires a lot of effort.

You have to learn to understand, you have to try to “skip over the past”, so to speak, while not forgetting anything but turning to the future. This “anchorage” in the past, so evident across the region, this recycling of the past, this harmful and unfortunate need by a number of politicians and their media servants to build their superficial careers by conveying the Past even to new generations... I simply do not understand that; I can’t “get

Before coming to Serbia, you served in diplomacy in Tajikistan. In which country is it easier to be a diplomat - in a distant country with a completely different culture or here, in our country, where you are practically at home, in the city that was also your capital not so long ago?

used” to the glorification of war criminals, can’t understand, less so accept wearing black shirts in stadiums, shouting slogans of grandfathers of past centuries…

Of course, it is easier in Belgrade - although, as far as diplomatic work is concerned, the work here is extremely demanding and sensitive. Tajikistan was a completely different story - a completely different culture, a kind of mixture of Persian-Islamic and Russian culture, and a unique example where, for instance, the Tajik variant of Farsi, the Persian language, is written in Cyrillic letters! Furthermore, Tajikistan is the poorest country in Central Asia, it has only seven percent of arable agricultural land, and everything else is covered by mountains from 1,000 to 7,000 meters high, lakes, glaciers,

It’s hard to imagine the future if one is not ready to face the past and move away from its consequences – opposing rhetoric and narratives only widen the gap between the two countries at the time of creeping “great divide” across Europe

AS A PERSON, I SIMPLY CANNOT GET USED TO THE CONSTANT RECYCLING OF THE PAST AND THE UNFORTUNATE NEED OF A NUMBER OF POLITICIAN AND THEIR MEDIA SERVANTS TO BUILD THEIR SUPERFICIAL CAREERS ON TRANSPLANTING THE PAST TO NEW GENERATIONS

and rivers. We are talking about a country that has survived a five-year-long civil war and stands at the crossroads of various external influences and interests, from Iranian to Chinese and Russian. In this regard, the European Union’s development aid for Tajikistan, which, among other things, was dealt with by the EU Delegation I worked for, was of great importance.

Speaking about the relations between Serbia and Croatia, we cannot ignore the so-called small differences syndrome, where intolerance on both sides comes precisely from our similarities. How do you see these small differences? Shouldn’t they bring us closer together?

I think I have already touched on this sensitive topic in my first answer. Once, at least ten years ago, in an interview for the Serbian media, I spoke about these differences. I still remember the title of that interview: “We didn’t break up to go on and keep quarreling”. We need to learn to live like good neighbors, we should not keep shouting old claims and accusations across the fences; we need to overcome that syndrome of mutually feeding extremes that are suppressing the undoubtedly existing energy to get out of the vicious circle of the past. I have already said so many times that, without any doubt, we will continue to live in “parallel histories” for a long time - because our interpretations of history from the creation of the former common state to the 1990s are very different. But, frankly, I do not see the point and the benefit of digging into old trenches. For instance, I do not see the benefit for Serbia if the policy of denying the recent past continues and tabloid campaigns and political targeting at Croatia continue to hold our relations at a standstill. I simply don’t see how social or political life in Serbia could benefit from constantly shouting at “Ustashas”, whilst at the same time, I count dozens and dozens of “Mladic’s graffiti”, just as I don’t see what benefit could possibly Croatia have from black mustaches on the tabloid’s front page. But we live in grave times - thus, we need to look at our differenc-

es and relations from a broader perspective. The question is should we allow, in the context of possible scenarios after the Ukrainian crisis, a possible new dividing line even across the Balkans, with an emerging new “Iron Curtain” in Europe to be erected between us as well? Or should we do everything to prevent it from happening because of our, as you say, “intolerances”? It’s a really small step from unconquered “intolerances” to a grand geo-strategy that may form an entirely new order in Europe. If he were alive, Churchill would probably rub his hands in delight, remembering his “fifty-fifty” principle for the former Yugoslavia. However, I am confident that such a scenario would not be useful for Croatia or Serbia. Hence our interest and effort to make this whole area, our corner of Europe, truly integrated into Europe as a community of freedom, democracy, and rights, contrary to the politics of force, intolerance, and hybrid, even false democracies.

In other words, it is difficult to build and improve these relations if we are talking about neighbors who, at least so far, do not fully share the same and clear strategic goals based on which they would focus on solving the remaining open issues, thus “relaxing” relations and send unequivocal messages to our citizens. In this context, people-to-people contacts and cooperation in culture, sports, and other areas are even more valuable.

Economic relations between the two countries have been improving - has the animosity toward Serbian investments in Croatia decreased, and how do we stand now in terms of economic exchange?

I do not see serious obstacles to Serbian investments in Croatia. I know several examples of very substantial investments, especially in tourism. Trade exchange is on the rise, and it didn’t drop significantly even

What will the transition to the euro and joining the Schengen area mean for Croatia, and how could it affect Serbia?

The official relations between the two countries have been extremely difficult and burdened for a long time, not to say quarrelsome, but when it comes to ordinary life and people, it seems that they have never been better. How do you comment on that?

Sometimes I joke, saying that people are like water - they always find a way. Unfortunately, there seems to be a lack of such “water” in our official relations.

during the coronavirus pandemic. Thousands of Serbian workers stayed or worked in our hotels and restaurants during the tourist season. Thus, looking at the bigger picture, we come to the same conclusion again - a lot of things work well or solidly until we reach the level of those political actors who do not want progress and change because, in my opinion, they would probably have to change themselves as well.

First and foremost, the transition to the Euro and entry joining the Schengen area will mark the completion of all the original strategic goals of the state policy since the establishment of independence, and it will mark the definitive anchoring of Croatia in the western civilizational, political, economical and values space. Considering the obstacles we overcame along the way, including the war – because no other country from the former socialist/communist world had to make a transition whilst simultaneously going through the war - it is undeniably a huge success. In a pragmatic sense, the Euro will also mean a greater degree of economic security and will boost exports and, therefore, production. The Schengen area will be of great benefit to our citizens. For example, here is a simple message to the opponents of EU orientation in Serbia, not related to Big politics, but with a clear benefit for the citizens: take just the issue of “roaming” costs, take the issue of hours on the borders… Will the Schengen regime affect border crossings from Serbia? I don’t believe so, as border crossing controls are already thorough and professional.

Does Croatia have unresolved issues with Serbia that could further stall the process of Serbia’s accession to the European Union?

I don’t like it when people use the phrases like Croatia can “block” or “stop” Serbia’s accession process. I don’t like it because the speed of the EU accession depends first of all on Serbia itself, i.e. on fulfilling all the negotiation criteria which eliminate all “blockades”. For our part, we believe that it is necessary to urgently reactivate and encourage the quick resolution of unresolved issues, from the delimitation of parts of the border, through the remaining issues with the archives and to the most important issue – the issue of missing persons. We still expect the Serbian side to adopt a responsible approach to unblock this immensely sensitive humanitarian issue.

THE SPEED OF THE EU ACCESSION DEPENDS FIRST OF ALL ON SERBIA ITSELF, I.E. ON FULFILLING ALL THE CRITERIA WHICH WILL ELIMINATE ALL “BLOCKADES”

UAE National Day

FINLAND Independence Day

IRAQ National Day

UNICEF UNICEF Day

THE NETHERLANDS Kingdom Day

KAZAKHSTAN Independence Day

The World Cup History peculiarities

The World Cup in Qatar is by far the most expensive one in history, and also the only one happening outside the Northern Hemisphere summer (even Argentina, Chile, Brasil and South Africa had to make it in June/ July, although it meant snowy weather during some matches in Sout Africa 2010). Here are some interesting facts from previous “Mundials” as they are known worldwide.

1) Uruguay claims 4 world titles, though it won only 2. The reason is that in 1924 and 1928, FIFA declared the Olympic football tournaments – the World Championships! Later, the 1st World Cup was indeed played

in Uruguay, which it won, but FIFA just ignored the previous decision, so it was Uruguay’s 1st title. Uruguay does not see it that way – it holds 4 stars above its badge.

2) The national team of Zaire played in 1974, but it lost all 3 matches, the one against Yugoslavia 9-0, so its dictator Mobutu Sese Seko decided to punish the team, dissemble it and punish the players who never played again.

3) In 1994, cartel-infested Colombia was not a good place to score its own goal. A man called Escobar did it, so the cartels ordered his execution “for the national shame”.

4) In 1934 and 1938, there was still a rule, like in handball, that the players could change the national teams. Mussolini wanted the title so badly that he gave citizenships to all players of Italian origin from Uruguay (55% ethnically Italian) and Argentina (35% - 4 in 1934), Brazil (30% - 1 in 1934) and France (1 in 1934). The world champion, Uruguay, hence boycotted the WC in 1934 and 1938, deeming them unfair. Last but not least, no UK team wanted to play prior to WWII since they were “too good for the rest of the world”. It was overturned on the pitch in 1950, when the favourites, England, lost to the outsider USA.

16 November 2022

H.E. Yorgos Diacofotakis

outgoing ambassador of Greece to Serbia

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, received the outgoing Ambassador of Greece Yorgos Diacofotakis at a farewell meeting and thanked him for his special contribution to the relations between the two countries during his mandate. Mr Diacofotakis was also received by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Ivica Dačić.

Mr Diacofotakis has been posted in Serbia since the autumn of 2019. After three years in service as the ambassador of Greece to Serbia, he will leave Belgrade. In his last interview in Serbia, given to our magazine, in the October edition, he underlines the friendship between our nations. The whole team of Diplomacy&Commerce magazine would like to thank him for his excellent cooperation and to wish him success with the new appointment.

JANUARY

QATAR National Day

LIBYA National Day SLOVENIA Independence and Unity Day

CUBA Liberation Day SUDAN Independence Day

SLOVAKIA Independence Day

MYANMAR Students’ Protest Day

UKRAINE Day of Unity of Ukraine

ROMANIA Unification Day of Wallachia and Moldavia

AUSTRALIA National Day

INDIA Republic Day

Belgrade?

In late August last year, I left Belgrade straight for Saint Petersburg, where I took up work as the 45th Swedish representative (Consul General) during the 300 years Sweden has had diplomatic missions here. Saint Petersburg is a beautiful and important city with world-class institutions in culture, science, and – important for me personally – chess… Sadly, recent political and military developments have complicated life here for Western diplomats. I would have liked to engage in bilateral cooperation with Russia. Because of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, this has largely stopped. The same goes for our business ties.

Hej, Jan!

What (and who) do you miss the most from Serbia?

Serbia is, for me, of course, much more than a professional destination since my wife Milica grew up in Belgrade, and my daughter Sonja now lives and works there. I miss many things, mostly my friends, but of course, how well-received Swedish diplomats are wherever they go in your country. The long, warm falls and springs and commendably short winters are great too. And then there is the food…northern countries like Sweden and Russia cannot compete with a country where the sun shines much more and has a great tradition of preparing lovely food. Serbia straddles the Habsburg and the Ottoman food legacy/tradition with fantastic results! Finally, having also been accredited in Montenegro, I must mention the Adriatic coast, which is just as great in both climate and food tradition. Thus, I go back several times a year!

PHOTO STORY

What have you been doing since you left

Recently, we got an interesting mail. The former Swedish ambassador to Serbia, Jan Lundin, had to say some nice words about the memories from our country and his new appointment.

All photos: © Jan Lundin, personal archive

Jan Lundin, former ambassador of Sweden to Serbia (and Montenegro), left his position in September 2021 after five years in Belgrade. He moved then to Russian Federation to be appointed as consul general of Sweden in Saint Petersburg.

SOCIAL PRACTICES AND KNOWLEDGE RELATED TO THE PREPARATION AND USE OF THE TRADITIONAL PLUM BRANDY ŠLJIVOVICA, AN ELEMENT OF THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF SERBIA, HAS BEEN INSCRIBED ON THE UNESCO REPRESENTATIVE LIST OF THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF HUMANITY.

China wants to change, or break, a world order set by others

It may yet succeed, says David

Rennie

FOR MOST of human history, great powers and strong men have been free to inflict horrors on the weak with impunity. For almost eight decades, however, all but a few rogue states have aspired, or paid lip service, to a different world order.

This order was founded in revulsion at the industrialised, racially justified savagery of the Second World War. Guided by the ambition “Never Again”, the winners, led by America, drafted conventions that defined unpardonable crimes against humanity, and sought to impose costs on those committing them. Recalling the economic disasters and human miseries that paved the way to world war, the framers of this order built the UN and other international institutions to promote

co-operation and development. Some arguments were left unresolved after 1945. For decades tensions between national sovereignty and the protection of individuals lurked in the founding documents of this new order, from the UN Charter to the

though hobbled by politics, the UN and other international bodies follow agreed rules when they monitor ceasefires and register refugees, feed the hungry or fight pandemics. Largely in response to pressure from liberal democracies,

vulnerable minorities. This order has been tested since 1945. The most alarming challenges often involved large powers defying international law. Russia offered a shameless example in February, when it used its veto power as one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council to block condemnation of its invasion of Ukraine.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For years, access was also unequal. Too many people languished, powerlessly, under totalitarian regimes or in colonial empires.

Yet this system was an advance on anything before. Al-

more help from multilateral bodies—whether World Bank loans or missions by UN peacekeepers—now comes with conditions attached. Recipient governments are pushed into higher environmental standards or to protect the rights of

This special report will examine China’s challenge to the post-war order. It is more subtle than Russia’s brazen defiance, yet more disruptive. Under Xi Jinping, whose supreme leadership will be extended this month for a third term by the 20th Party Congress, China is working to reshape the world order from within. When its efforts meet resistance, it pushes for vaguer rules whose enforce-

MANY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES SEE NOTHING MAGIC ABOUT THE YEAR 1945, AND HAVE LIMITED NOSTALGIA FOR A TIME WHEN THE WEST DOMINATED RULEMAKING. CHINA IS READY TO OFFER THEM ALTERNATIVES

ment becomes a question of political bargaining. All too often, it seeks to revive old, discredited ways of running the world that put states first, at the expense of individual freedoms.

Some Chinese points sound reasonable. Mr Xi’s China opposes a “cold-war mentality” and those who divide the world into ideological blocs. It says developing countries have a right to focus on feeding, housing and giving jobs to people, rather than fussing about multi-party elections. Its officials liken Western powers to missionaries, bossily imposing their own values, a trait they call particularly alien to Asia, a continent that respects diversity.

Cleverly, Mr Xi casts his country as a defender of the status quo. He pledges support for “true multilateralism” guided by the UN Charter. In 2017 he assured tycoons in Davos that he was a champion of free trade. But observers should not be lulled. Chinese leaders want to preserve elements of the current order that helped their country rise, such as world trade rules that fostered their export champions and encouraged inflows of foreign capital and technology. Principles that do not suit China are undermined. Mr Xi’s calls for a “Global Security Initiative” or “A Community of Shared Future for Mankind” are coded complaints. Some are an attack on alliances, above all America’s defence pacts in Europe and Asia. A “shared future”

is another way of saying “development first”, ie, rejecting any order guided by shared, universal values.

When China says it opposes interference in the internal affairs of countries, this is not rhetoric. In 2017 it joined Russia in wielding its UN veto to shield Syria from sanctions for using chemical weapons against its own people. China does not gain directly when Syrian

tremism, China has demolished mosques, jailed poets and textbook editors and sent a million Uyghurs to re-education camps. Diplomatic success may make China seem less of a wrecker than Russia, but it is more divisive.

Defenders of Chinese ambition argue that communist leaders have a right to reshape global rules written decades ago, when they were not in the room. This

children are gassed with chlorine. But it has an interest in blocking UN sanctions for any atrocities, in case similar tools are used against it. China also seeks to redefine terms so that they no longer mean much. In this way, Chinese officials claim that their country is a superior form of democracy, respects human rights and operates a market economy.

Under Vladimir Putin, Russia is often backed in UN votes by a mere handful of thuggish clients, such as Belarus or Venezuela. In contrast China hates to be isolated, deploying diplomats to lobby and twist arms to build support. Scores of countries now join resolutions praising Chinese rule in Xinjiang, a western region where, in the name of fighting Islamic ex-

is a straw-man argument. It is of course natural for a big country to want to see its views reflected in global governance. The point is that anyone who sees value in today’s world order has a right to fear what China has in mind.

Other analysts question how disruptive China will be. They talk of a slowing economy making it harder for China to recruit supporters, and note that China has never spelt out a complete, alternative order. That is complacent. China does not need to replace every current rule to change the world.

China calls the very notion of universal values a Western imposition. In 2021 Wang Yi, the foreign minister, criticised the Biden administration for saying that the international rules-

based order was under attack. This was “power politics”, Mr Wang retorted: a bid to “replace commonly accepted international laws and norms with the house rules of a few countries”. Nor does Mr Xi accept that the Second World War created a mandate to draw up a liberal order. A China/EU summit in April was clarifying. The European Council president, Charles Michel, explained why Europe’s dark past, notably the Holocaust, obliged its leaders to call out rights abuses, from China to Ukraine. According to a readout shared with EU governments, Mr Xi retorted that the Chinese have even stronger memories of suffering at the hands of colonial powers. He cited treaties forcing China to open markets and cede territory in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and racist bylaws banning Chinese people and dogs from parks in European-run enclaves. Mr Xi recalled the massacre of civilians at Nanjing by Japanese invaders in 1937. Such aggression left the Chinese with strong feelings about human rights, he said, and about foreigners who employ double standards to criticise other countries. Many developing countries see nothing magic about the year 1945, and have limited nostalgia for a time when the West dominated rulemaking. China is ready to offer them alternatives. Seven decades ago, at founding meetings of the UN, Soviet-bloc delegates sought an order that deferred to states and promoted collective rather than individual rights, opposing everything from free speech to the concept of seeking political asylum. In the late 1940s communist countries were outvoted. China now seeks to reopen those old arguments about how to balance sovereignty with individual freedoms. This time, the liberal order is on the defensive.

CHINA NOW SEEKS TO REOPEN THOSE OLD ARGUMENTS ABOUT HOW TO BALANCE SOVEREIGNTY WITH INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS. THIS TIME, THE LIBERAL ORDER IS ON THE DEFENSIVE

© Remko Tanis / Flickr

From The Economist, published under licence. The original article, in English, can be found on © Remko Tanis / Flickr www.economist.com

Unreliable Narrator

Our legacy is not what we have criticized but what we created ourselves.

The contemporary art scene in Serbia seems impressive. As one of its most important contributors, how would you describe the relationship between Serbia and contemporary art, especially in the context of ever-increasing traditionalism in our society, which is also becoming less and less tolerant?

MRDJAN BAJIĆ

Artist, sculptor, professor at the Faculty of Applied Arts and corresponding member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts

While the large-scale exhibition with the unusual name “Unreliable Narrator” is in progress at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MSU) in Belgrade, we spoke with its author, Mrdjan Bajić, a well-known representative of the Serbian contemporary art scene, a sharp opponent of single-mindedness, a leftist and an atheist, a Yugoslav and a harsh critic of contemporary society who knows that changes come only through work.

Judging by the individual exhibitions opening this autumn, I would concur with you - everything seems impressive and condensed, but if you judge by the taste that manifests itself in new monuments, then it becomes clear that the dominant public taste in visual art is quite retrograde. It’s as if the century of modernism didn’t exist at all - both in cemeteries and in public squares. Again, on the other hand, the fact that 10,000 visitors who have come to the MSU in Ušće to see my exhibition, eight weeks since it opened, bought a ticket and perused the contemporary artwork with considerable attention seems to annul the aforementioned judgement. Or maybe there are enough of us to live in parallel worlds and that’s OK.

Now is the time for contemporary art to enter through the big door, without constantly having to tiptoe and apologize – “We are

sorry but we have something to tell you which is maybe important to you too. But we really enjoy it when you ignore us.” In regard to sculpting, my work is partly marked by the tradition that emerges from (Ivan) Meštrović’s pathetic narrative - it was the first art I encountered as a boy. Then came (Olga) Jevrić’s pure plastic dynamism, because it was the first sculptural artwork that I consciously chose to love. The point here is not what shaped me as an

ber of young artists and a big group of middle-aged artists have blazed their own trails that are noticeable on the European gallery and museum scene. They would need selective but more intensive support for projects that make Serbian art visible on a wider scale. Currently, there are no institutional models for that. According to the available information, private galleries also achieve significantly more impressive results than the still unreformed

THE PATHS OF ART HAVE ALWAYS INTERSECTED WITH THE PATHS OF MONEY

artist, but, in their respective eras, both Meštrović and (Olga) Jančić destroyed the traditional and conservative, and today they are considered a tradition in this community, without which it would not be the same, while some die-hard traditionalists from their era have been completely forgotten.

Does the art world recognize the Serbian contemporary art scene and artists?

Yes, but only through the individual activities of individual artists. Even now, a large num-

system of social galleries and institutions. Self-organized art institutions have long been an important link, but the quite active Association of Fine Artists of Serbia (ULUS) represents an unprecedented novelty in the past fifty years.

There is no question about (our country) conducting a serious cultural policy that would present the country’s art scene systematically, just like Croatia or the Czech Republic. I dare not mention Germany or France in this context. Our last appearance in Venice could serve as a good format. A professional

© Goranka Matić

© Vladimir Popović

and competent jury has made a reasonable and fair decision, and then with visible financial support, regardless of incidental problems. Judging by our well-designed and impressive pavilion, all in all, this was an excellent and complete campaign. However, much more is needed outside the context of international biennials. At one point in Paris, during the Days of Croatian Culture event, the Croats exhibited Apoxyomenes from Lošinj in the ancient his-

Marina Abramović Museum, to visit the sites where her early artwork came about, and not just to spend the night away partying at river clubs at halfprice. Italy is rich today because they have not made such mistakes since the Renaissance. They know that creativity is a treasure and they export shoes and not people. Otherwise, I don’t have enough knowledge to validate your statement that performance art is becoming increasingly popular. Certain-

ITALIANS KNOW THAT CREATIVITY IS A TREASURE AND THEY EXPORT SHOES BUT NOT PEOPLE

tory section of the Louvre, Meštrović’s work was exhibited in the Rodin Museum, while the artwork of Picelj, Stilinović and Očko found its way to the most important Parisian institutions of contemporary art. Devising and implementing such a campaign is unthinkable and unattainable for our government. But these are just my lowly confabulations at the time of the Kosovo crisis, mindless reality shows and assassinations. Silly me! Normal activities are not on the agenda here, but now that you have already asked me, let’s not forget that normality should exist.

Performance art is becoming increasingly popular. How do you describe the paradox that global society is increasingly polarized and closed into its microworlds, while at the same time the popularity and understanding of an artistic expression that requires a great mental capacity, openness and tolerance is growing?

Marina Abramović finally became a part of the Serbian tradition. Even the conventional Belgrade had to admit that that was art - intimidated by the success and energy that the artist brought to the exhibition at MSU, for the first time after forty years. If the community here had recognized that, if it hadn’t been so pathetically traditionalist and overbearing, so superior in its inferiority, and if it had acquired the artist’s works on time, people would come to Belgrade to visit the

ly, in the last ten generations of students, with whom I worked, I have found quite a few excellent, mostly female performance artists.

How does sculpting fare today? How different is a modern sculpture from an ancient one? We are not referring here to sculpture as a reflection of society but to techniques, materials, and forms.

An acquaintance of mine, a Dutch woman, has been working on a study of parallels between the development of tools and technologies in relation to the development of art, and she has also demonstrated literal causality. Of course, photography, welding techniques, polyester resins and the latest 3D printing have changed sculptural procedures and enabled a whole range of newly generable forms, but the question of concept and meaning, which is shaped by thought and not technology, remains current. I think that the sculptural scene if by it we mean the parentage of all types of spatial installations and every three-dimensional design, which is what I’m referring to here, is very potent in the current era, and for me, the most interesting.

What is the secret behind the success of your Yugomuzej project? Why is the Slavija Square the ground zero for this project?

From the regional point of view, this is a very unneces-

sary project because, except in Belgrade, it has never been exhibited anywhere in the former Yugoslav republics, which, in a way, speaks to its success in relaying some unpleasant facts, albeit cheerfully. On the other hand, at numerous international exhibitions, there was still a certain limit due to local references. So, in the end, it turns out that the project is intended for the region which really doesn’t need it. However, it seems that numerous people need the current and rather im pressive presenta tion at MSU. As far as Slavija is concerned, I think it is quite logical for this completely utopian and unrealizable project that it wants to make an imaginary mark on the biggest square that has been built in decades, in the largest city of the former Yugoslavia. And what was ac tually built? A singing pool!

Does contemporary art in Serbia have an audience or maybe in this day and age, we should say its buyers and con sumers? Is art today enjoyed or is it con sumed and bought?

Why does your question contain the ‘or’ word? You are asking this question in your capacity as a jour nalist for which you are, of course, paid. Does that im ply that you can’t enjoy your work and do it with strong personal conviction? The paths of art have always inter sected with the paths of money because it is the necessity of its productive existence, but at the same time, it must certainly not become the master who directs or limits the view.

Your ongoing exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Belgrade is called “Unreli able Narrator”. How so?

The title somehow got stuck to the exhibition and the time in which the exhibition takes place. The title also did exact ly what I wanted - it connect ed very different time capsules

and different media statements included in the exhibition. Plus, it attracts attention. So, my answer to your question is quite rehearsed – an unreliable narrator is, first and foremost, intentionally unreliable, while allowing his storytelling to be completely constrained by a strong emotional connection to the subject, his perception therefore potentially skewed, his political views distracting and often wrong, and his ability to see the bigger picture largely

communicate the possible truth. Unreliability is therefore not necessarily discrediting. Despite the omnipresent double-mindedness, it is possible to search independently, by personal deduction, unreliably and waywardly, even if sometimes wrongly, but persistently developing trust in one’s own research.

You recently became a corresponding member of SANU, which is somewhat surprising considering that your political and lifestyle views are quite at odds with the dominant view within the Academy. What is the position of artists and art in general in today’s Serbia, which, unfortunately, is not a good example of human freedom?

You think that because I am a Yugoslav, an atheist, a leftist and a non-Russophile. You know, joining SANU is not like being a member of a political party at all. Why do people expect some consensus of opinion and completely common unison views from a group of such blissfully different people who do their profession with excellence?! The need for uniqueness is a phantasm usually

used by the majority to silence the minority. A better way is to use reasoned dialogue without discrediting. I say yes to decent debating formats, tools of argumentation and paths of rational reasoning based on clarified facts. I have come to be an equal voice in the chorus of different people who excel in their work. Besides, the Academy is not the same as it was thirty years ago. Maybe some elites are reluctant to admit it, but that is simply not the case and that is owing to the current

prove things, which is completely useless. It is easy for me, both as an artist and as a citizen, to say that today’s Serbia is undemocratic, with a terrible parliament, political parties that conduct semi-terror and an authoritarian president. Nothing will happen to me if I say that, but it won’t change anything either, except that maybe I will get applause from others, at a low starting point, who will act the same when they seize power. That’s why I’m bored of all that whining. It’s better for

IS EASY FOR ME, BOTH AS AN ARTIST AND AS A CITIZEN, TO SAY THAT TODAY’S SERBIA IS UNDEMOCRATIC, WITH A TERRIBLE PARLIAMENT, POLITICAL PARTIES THAT CONDUCT SEMI-TERROR AND AN AUTHORITARIAN PRESIDENT. NOTHING WILL HAPPEN TO ME IF I SAY THAT, BUT IT WON’T CHANGE ANYTHING EITHER

SANU leadership. If you live abroad and you ask something about someone, they always start by listing their qualities, while we, on the contrary, are happy to start by putting them down. That’s why our glass is always half empty. In this country, we are all prone to radical criticism without having any plan on how to im-

me to question things, even if no one likes my conclusions. Maybe that’s the freedom we all need. Different life stages bring different insights and therefore different goals - probably that’s why today it seems most important to me to find fields of work in which you can improve something in the community where you live. Our legacy

is not what we have criticized but what we created ourselves. I often reiterate that if you are already living in the ice age, it doesn’t really matter to you whether it is -50°C or -10°C outside. There is still life at -10.

Is lack of freedom in society a fertilizer for art? Do you think that art would die out in a utopian society of absolute freedom?

Unfortunately, this is a completely rhetorical question, because, from the historical perspective, there will be no death of art due to prosperity or in a society of absolute freedoms. After all, such a society will never exist. The fact is that dramatic times produce, or rather encourage, and that great art is refracted through them – to paraphrase the famous sentence, uttered by Welles in The Third Man. The Italians had been warring for centuries and then created the Renaissance, while the Swiss lived in peace for centuries, and all they did was invent a cuckoo clock. This is a complicated topic, fitting more of a dissertation than an interview, but someone already said that interviews are the best way to talk about serious things superficially.

IT

© Vladimir Popović

AUDREY HEPBURN

The epitome of elegance and one of the most iconic Hollywood stars of the last century, Hepburn was born in Brussels.

Belgium

FOCUS ON

COMMUNIST MANIFESTO

Karl Marx lived in Brussels in 1845–1847, where he wrote the Communist Manifesto in the restaurant Le Cygne located in the Grand-Place.

BELGIUM HAS A ROYALS

Belgium has a long monarchy history dating back to 1165! The current king of Belgium is Philippe, who was born in 1960.

BELGIAN FRIES

Not only were fries invented in Belgium, but they are also the largest consumer of fries per capita. They eat about 25 kg each year!

THE SMURFS

The Smurfs were created by Belgian comic artist Peyo (a.k.a. Pierre Culliford) in 1958. Called “Les Schtroumpfs”.

It is Imperative to Overcome the Legacies of the Past

When countries, businesses, and people cooperate, the future always looks bright

H.E. Cathy Buggenhout, the new ambassador of Belgium to Serbia, came back to Belgrade after 30 years and spoke with us about all the differences, Serbian striving to become a member of European family and business that our two countries try to do in this challenging times.

This is not your first time working on a diplomatic mission in Serbia and former Yugoslavia. The first time was during the Yugoslavian wars during the ’90s. What is your opinion on our society after 30 years of distance?

Indeed, it is great to be back again in Serbia, and now for a longer while than the seven months that I spent here in 1996 when we brought the Embassy of Belgium back to full speed after some difficult years. It would be unwise to give an opinion on chang-

days, there is a real “great city” vibe in Belgrade. And there are cycling lanes, albeit still limited. The names of the roads have changed – in 1996, I lived on Bulevar JNA. I like the new “freedom”- name better. Back then, when crossing the bridge over the Sava to Novi Beograd,

prit. Even though this would have never been possible, we still have today’s mainstream narrative about Serbia’s disobedience from the West. What is your personal opinion on this, especially from your experience in the ’90s?

es in society after only three months of tenure as Ambassador, but of course, I am happy to share some first impressions. The Serbian people are still as enjoyable company as twenty-six years ago. There is always time for a smile and a coffee in this country. Nowa-

buildings basically stopped at Palata Srbije until you arrived in Zemun! Now it is full of high risers, reflecting the true international exposure of the city.

Serbia was then chosen as a major (if not the only one) cul-

The current security environment makes it imperative to overcome the legacies of the past. We are confronted with the largest geopolitical threat of our lifetime in Europe following the Russian aggression in Ukraine. So, I would rather not dwell on the nineties, but I would look at the future.

Disobedience is a word I associate with kids, not with a country. Serbia’s place is in Europe. My country is supportive of the EU accession of

WE ARE CONFRONTED WITH THE LARGEST GEOPOLITICAL THREAT OF OUR LIFETIME IN EUROPE FOLLOWING THE RUSSIAN AGGRESSION IN UKRAINE

CATHY BUGGENHOUT H.E. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belgium in Serbia

AMBASSADOR INTERVIEW

by Dragan Nikolić

© Goran Zlatković

Serbia and stands for, just like for all the other EU candidate countries, a strict and fair conditionality in the accession negotiations. It is crucial to make the necessary reforms, especially regarding the fundamentals - this means, amongst others, that further work and political commitment are needed to deepen reforms and that shortcomings in areas of

ties. Do you think that such a supportive and protective system is missing here in Serbia?

For Belgium, LGTBQI+ rights and the fight against discrimination are an integral part of basic human rights. Europride Week 2022 was a milestone for Serbia, as it was the very first time that both the International Conference on Human

missed opportunity for Serbia in terms of public image.

What are your goals in this mandate, especially considering that Serbia has a new government only a few months after your appointment in Belgrade, with a still unclear agenda and the direction in which it will go?

the judiciary, the fight against corruption and organized crime, media freedom and the domestic handling of war crimes need to be addressed. I can understand that Serbia is in a difficult position to take a strong stance towards Russia. But being a candidate country to the EU, Serbia has to align itself to the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy to the fullest possible extent.

The Modern World strives for pluralism, liberty and democracy, but often it has to offer less than expected when it comes to real life. Why is it so hard for liberal ideology to accept differences sometimes?

The core mandate of a diplomat is to diffuse tensions, resolve conflicts, and enable meaningful negotiations, whether it is in the economic or political area. As I have spent many years as a diplomat in the US, I will quote Benjamin Franklin: Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place but, far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.  For the rest, I leave the reply to this question to philosophers, historians and greater minds than mine.

Belgium supported Belgrade’s Europride in September 2022. Have you seen the festivity as it should have been or social tensions as it was? Homophobes exist in Belgium as well, but there you have a system which works to prevent incidents and protect minori-

Rights and the March were held in the Western Balkans. Allow me to remind you that the decision to hold Europride in Serbia was taken in 2019 upon Belgrade’s own candidacy, which was supported by Pride Committees from Zagreb, Thessaloniki, Sarajevo, Pristina, Skopje, Podgorica and Tirana. So, it was a tremendous opportunity for Serbia to have Europride 2022 in Belgrade. Belgian Vice Prime Minister Mrs Petra De Sutter, the Chairwoman of the Senate Mrs Stephanie D’Hose and Brussels Regional Minister for Foreign Trade Pascal Smet all came to Belgrade to take part in the International Human Rights Conference. We appreciate that big steps on LGTBQI rights were taken by Serbia, such as the Law on Gender, or amendments and adaptations in other laws related to birth registration or non-discrimination. On the day of March September 17, Serbia, not only as a candidate country to the EU but also as a Member of the Council of Europe, had a role as an example for the whole region. Therefore, it was all the more regrettable that the march itself was shrouded in uncertainty and controversy. Of course, in a healthy democracy, people are entitled to different opinions – freedom of speech and thought are fundamental human rights too. But respect for human rights implies tolerance and respect for all human rights, also the ones you do not agree with. So, in short, I see the Europride March 2022 as a

I think the new Serbian government would not agree with your words about an unclear agenda and direction. Both direction and agenda are clear, given the energy crisis that we are all facing in Europe. From the Government Declaration proclaimed in Parliament by Prime Minister Ana Brnabic to the first contacts that I had with the government, I see conviction and purpose. As said before, Serbia is an EU candidate country. That will be one of my work areas, as Belgium will hold the rotating Presidency of the European

Union in the first half of 2024. Then, there are economic, commercial, and consular aspects that need attention. For instance, there are, according to Eurostat figures, over 350,000 Serbian citizens working in the EU – so also in Belgium. They are the best “ambassadors for Serbia” in my country, just like our Belgian companies and Belgian people in Serbia are the best “ambassadors for Belgium” too.

Would you support an expressway for Serbia in terms of EU integration as a consolation prize for Kosovo’s recognition?

EU accession is a process based on objective benchmarks laid down in each of the negotiating chapters. It is never a consolation prize. It is my country’s profound conviction that Serbia and Kosovo can work out an agreement with mutual respect – I strongly believe in diplomacy.

THE SERBIAN EXPAT COMMUNITY IN BELGIUM IS SEIZABLE, AND AT THE EMBASSY OF BELGIUM IN BELGRADE, THERE ARE NEARLY 400 BELGIAN CITIZENS REGISTERED WHO OFTEN ALSO HOLD SERBIAN CITIZENSHIP.

Photo: Cathy Buggenhout, H.E. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belgium in Serbia

How is it possible that the unilateral proclamation of Kosovo’s independence is in line with International Law and welcomed by the West, but the same proclamations in Ukraine’s Donbas region are not? Speaking strictly within the legal frames, without historical excuses, where are the differences?

If you can give me facts which fully equal the military aggression of Russia in Ukraine, starting with the illegal annexation of Ukrainian Crimea in 2014, then I will be able to give you a precise reply to your question.

The only way to resolve disputes is through dialogue and negotiations, just like Skupstina Speaker dr. Vladimir Orlic said on November 12th, “we want to return to dialogue, and therefore two parties are necessary”. Belgium fully supports the EU-facilitated dialogue and the work of EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajčak, as well as the initiatives of individual European

Union member states and other well-meaning and helpful countries. Belgium believes all issues should be addressed in the Dialogue, step by step. The focus and end-game should be on reaching a comprehensive normalization of relations

everything during my tenure to enhance them even further where possible. There are frequent bilateral contacts in Brussels because Serbian Government Ministers travel to Brussels for meetings at the European Union institutions. Belgium also always seizes opportunities for major international meetings, such as

are not loud that Brussels looks far away from Belgrade. In all truthfulness, maybe we should be a bit louder and twitter a bit more on all aspects of cooperation between our two countries. Did you know that Mrs Miscevic, the Minister for Europe in the new Serbian Government, studied at the College of Europe in Bruges? Also, our Belgian businesses are manyfold in Serbia, and they have been here for a long time. Maybe it goes unnoticed, but every time you do your shopping in Maxi, there is a sign with a lion figure next to it, mentioning Delhaize, founded by the Belgian entrepreneur Jules Delhaize in 1864 and employing around 10.000 people in Serbia. One must also know that economies in the EU are highly integrated, so often, you do not see the “Belgian part”. Let me give you an example. When you use the window wipers of your car in Belgrade, the odds are that they are produced by the Bosch factory in Tienen, Belgium.

between Serbia and Kosovo, which is essential for your respective European paths.

Serbia and Belgium have no open issues if we’re correct. But what about cooperation between the two? Where, in which fields can you see room for progress? Compared to some other European capitals and major cities, Brussels still looks too far from Belgrade, doesn’t it?

Of course, I happily confirm our excellent and stable bilateral relations and will do

the UN General Assembly or the Francophonie Summit, to set up bilateral meetings with Serbian counterparts. But bilateral relations are more than official meetings. For instance, connecting our people. There are direct flights to Serbia from several Belgian airports – so Belgrade and Brussels are only two hours apart! The Serbian expat community in Belgium is seizable, and at the Embassy of Belgium in Belgrade, there are nearly 400 Belgian citizens registered who often also hold Serbian citizenship. It is not because we, Belgians,

Belgian companies in Serbia are active in many sectors, from renewable (wind) energy with Elicio to more traditional ones such as Carmeuse, Cordeel, or Talent4Blinds. When talking to our business community, it is clear that they are successful and that they are also bringing innovation. Like Puratos d.o.o., a highly innovative Belgian global food company, said to me, and I quote, “Consumers in Belgrade, and in Serbia overall, are absolutely comparable with consumers in developed markets in the sense that they are following global trends and are willing to reward producers that offer good quality or value-added products. Therefore doing business in Serbia is as exciting and rewarding as anywhere else. Furthermore, our business results in recent years led us to the decision to invest in a new factory that is currently under construction and will strengthen our presence in this market in years to come”.

To conclude, when countries, businesses, and people cooperate together, the future always looks bright.

I HAPPILY CONFIRM OUR EXCELLENT AND STABLE BILATERAL RELATIONS AND WILL DO EVERYTHING DURING MY TENURE TO ENHANCE THEM EVEN FURTHER WHERE POSSIBLE

The President of the Senate of Belgium, Mrs. Stephanie D’Hose (in the middle), and the Vice-President of the Government of Belgium, Petra De Sutter (left), with H.E. Ambassador Cathy Buggenhout (right) during their visit to Serbia

© Goran Zlatković

A Caravan from Flanders

That trade and culture go hand in hand were successfully illustrated by the cultural-business event organized by Vlamingen in de Wereld (VIW) – Flemings in the World – in Belgrade on November 29th. Flemings in the World is a Belgian non-profit organization based on a worldwide network of 80 representatives. With an estimated 300.000 Flemings living abroad, VIW aims to be the bridge between the emigrated Flemish community and their neighbors.

If the Flemish community in Serbia is not a large one, it is very diversified indeed. The business community is largely represented by the Belgian Serbian Business Association (BSBA), but what about other Flemings? In order to create an all-inclusive momentum, I decided to approach two pillars of my Flemish culture: its language and its art. Dutch, Netherlandic of Flemish is taught at the Philological Faculty of Belgrade University. It was not difficult to arouse an enthusiastic response from Professor dr. Jelica Novaković-Lopušina, founder of the Department for the Dutch language, nor from dr. Bojana Budimir, assistant professor. As for culture, I discovered the amazing collection of Flemish Masters at the National Museum of Serbia (NMS). Mrs. Jelena Dergenc, council and curator of the Museum and specialist in Flemish and Dutch Masters of the XVI and XVII centuries, agreed to support my eclectic initiative.

Inspired by a caravan that originated from Flanders to Constantinople 490 years ago, with a diverse group of diplomats, artists, and traders, my present-day Caravan from Flanders would start at the atrium of the NMS. Businessmen, translators and writers, editors and artists, professors and students answered my invitation. From Professor Novaković, we would learn about the historical bonds between Serbia and Flanders during Renais-

sance times. However, it was in the 19th century that entrepreneurs from the newly created Belgian state showed substantial interest in Serbia, which had freshly gained independence from the Ottoman empire. Cultural exchanges went in both directions, hence Miloš Crnjanski’s statement, which characterizes Flemings as “those who how

tistics), hence the spotlight on the Flemish trade agency Flanders Investment and Trade. Dr. van Veghel also shared with us recent finesses referring to the evolution of the Dutch language, with gender inclusiveness. In the Great Dictionary of the Dutch language (Van Dale), words can be either masculine (m), feminine (v), or gender neutral (x).

to live and how to enjoy life, food, drink and sleeps…they show a welcoming hospitality, they pay without robbing, but more than anything else, they enjoy laughter”. The hedonistic character of Flanders is confirmed by dr. Budimir’s survey conducted amongst Serbian students after their four-year course. Although admitting not knowing much about Flanders initially, they prefer Flemish authors to Dutch ones since they are “luxurious, exuberant and sensual.”

Mrs. Marijana Milošević-Tufegdžić and dr. Hugo van Veghel, both featured in this issue, would enlighten the audience as to the macro- and micro-economic aspects of Serbian-Flemish trade relations. Of the total Belgian imports and exports to Serbia, about 67% are attributed to the Flemish region (NBB sta-

The editors explain that this is “a consequence of the changing conception of our society, by which the language changes as well.”

The last speaker and guide to the Caravan from Flanders would be Mrs. Dergenc, curator of the National Museum. It is noteworthy that this prestigious house hosts one of the largest collections of European art in the region. If at the end of the 19th century, the NMS acquired its first major work of Flemish art, it would be through diplomatic donations between the two World Wars that the collection would grow to its remarkable 200-piece collection of Flemish and Dutch Old Masters. In the Grand Gallery, Mrs. Dergenc would illustrate three of its finest acquisitions: “Diana presenting the catch to Pan” (1615) by Rubens, a floral

tableau by Jan Breughel the Elder, and an oil on canvas by an anonymous Flemish artist depicting a young girl. Mrs. Dergenc illustrated the “manifactura” or industries of the School of Antwerp. Rubens, both painter, diplomat, and entrepreneur, often employed Snijders to paint animals, fruit, and still life in his own paintings. Moving to the Breughel floral arrangement, the painting should be read as depicting Christic symbolism. Probably the most moving painting would be the Young Child by a Flemish author unknown. It is hard to render in a few words the eagerness with which Mrs. Dergenc captured her audience. Suffice it to say that her presentation incited all participants to return to the Museum. As with all Caravan Sarai, the final stop is often a watering hole. It was not water but a wine that quenched our thirst. Like five centuries ago, the Caravan from Flanders in Belgrade was an amalgam of typical creative activities of Flemish people: negotiation, trade, and art. The Flemish-Serbian bond continues: Mrs. Dergenc will be traveling to the Royal Fine Arts Museum of Antwerp, Flemish students are invited to visit Belgian investments, the NMS will launch the translation by Professor Novakovic of Het Schilder Boeck (Karel van Mander 1604), editors will continue to publish Serbian translations of Flemish literature. Our travels continue.

About author

GILBERTE DELVA-PETROVIĆ

A retired Belgian Trade Commissioner and represents Vlamingen in de Wereld in Serbia

A special thanks to the sponsors: ELICIO (renewable energies), TARA IC (International Consulting), ITCCI (Center for Knowledge and Technology), and the BSBA.

IF THE FLEMISH COMMUNITY IN SERBIA IS NOT A LARGE ONE, IT IS VERY DIVERSIFIED INDEED

Centuries ago, the Caravan from Flanders in Belgrade was an amalgam of typical creative activities of Flemish people: negotiation, trade, and art

Human Interaction is Key for Any Business

If you want to deal with Belgians: Know them!

HUGO VAN VEGHEL Chairman of the Belgian-Serbian Business Association

While Belgian – Serbian cooperation is blooming, we all face many challenges from pandemics, economic crises and the war on European soil. Let’s see what we have learned from our past and what we could do to keep our businesses alive from the interview with Mr Hugo Van Veghel, chairman of the Belgian-Serbian Business Association.

Although pandemics are not over yet, we can speak about the lessons we learned. What do you think? Is there some-

thing good that emerged from this horrible period?

“Forbes” formulated already in mid-2021 five lessons learned on resiliency and strength: be prepared for the unexpected, encourage collaboration and a healthy workspace, renew focus on work-life balance, stay true to your principles while changing your physical presence, and remember: Happy employees and customers are key to getting back into the office. One of the best lessons that we can all learn from the pandemic is a renewed com-

mitment to resiliency. When a business and its employees are tested by a worldwide crisis, they collectively learn their strengths and the areas in which they can improve. We must all be sure to continue to apply those lessons and stay out of the other side of this pandemic stronger. It’s through these difficult situations that we find what matters most in our business and in life. So, if something good emerged from this horrible period it is the increased awareness of the need for a good work/life balance.

How has the global crisis affected the Belgian-Serbian economic relationship?

Not talking about figures, but I cannot say that the pandemic had a negative effect. Even during the periods with travel restrictions, we welcomed new explorative companies. Logical, as the pandemic showed that long supply chains are more vulnerable in most crisis situations. The European logistics sector certainly benefitted from that exercise. BSBA members like Vedeto Plus doo and Storage Systems doo will confirm that. Also, our members from the IT sector have benefitted from this crisis. Metal sheet processing in “Metech” in Smederevo and

ONE OF THE BEST LESSONS THAT WE CAN ALL LEARN FROM THE PANDEMIC IS A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO RESILIENCY

INTERVIEW

“Blockx” in Bački Petrovac are in expansion. It indicates that our Belgian companies have strengthened the economic relationship.

What can you teach Serbian companies to do business with Belgium? Is there interest in the Belgian market here in Serbia?

If you want to deal with Belgians: Know them. Surviving Belgium requires a certain state of mind. Call it Belgian zen: an ability to cope with a way of life that is sometimes disturbing; Belgians tend to be tolerant, flexible, modest, and open-minded. They value privacy, enjoy a safe and comfortable life, work hard, and are self-disciplined. Know this and make sure that you can convince them that you can be a match.

Even in 2021, the trade figures improved in both directions. Serbia increased its supply volume to Belgium by more than 34%. The interest in the Belgian market is certainly alive in Serbia.

BSBA networking events help businesses by providing precious contacts to all. How is it important for businesses to stay socially involved with local communities?

The business will always be driven in a P2P (People to Peo-

ple) context. Human interaction is key. We all know and work with KPIs but read the acronym also differently in time; Keep People Interested, Informed, Involved, Inspired. Personally, people always have been the key to my consulting business. It is what Belgian businesspeople have to learn when coming to the region. You can sometimes do better business over coffee in a ”kafana” than in a luxurious diner. However, real-time networking events allow you to deliver a pitch presentation to more people in a short period of time. If you are not looking for a business deal you might explore faster on your competitors. If neither one is important to you these events deliver a comfortable environment with like-minded people… business people.

What are the main obstacles for Belgian businessmen here in Serbia? Could BSBA identify those problems and make some guidelines for those who are facing them?

As far as my experience can reach, the main obstacle very often seems to be the availability of resources, financial resources. It reminds me of a young Belgian entrepreneurial team with a new product for the fashion sector, looking for a production partner in Serbia. When all seemed to be

developing well the partnership conclusion failed over the financial capacity of the Serbian company. In every new partnership for a new product, there are risks, and partners need to share the risks, something that is not always rightly understood in this region. There are piles of books and articles written on “Doing Business with…”. Theories can be a basis, but real life is often quite different. In the BSBA, we look at each case in an

individual way and try to advise or hint at what could be a good approach at that moment and place. E.g. we would give different hints in preparing a meeting with Flemings than with Walloons, like it is different dealing with business people from Subotica and Vranje.

What’s new from your side since the last December when we spoke for 2021 Focus On Belgium?

We have noted that the shift to online lectures, seminars or meetings resulted in an increase in participants compared to life events. Business people have tight schedules and full agendas; hence being present at an interesting seminar without getting out of the office for half a day became more popular. The BSBA is, to the maximum extent teaming up with other bilateral chambers or business clubs in organising such events. It has also increased the bond between the smaller chambers. With a better and shared cost-benefit, we can join in organising more events with an open character (not only for members). It also serves the networking and results effectively in welcoming several new members.

YOU CAN SOMETIMES DO BETTER BUSINESS OVER COFFEE IN A ”KAFANA” THAN IN A LUXURIOUS DINER

© Vladislav Nikolić

Our Business is to Help Yours

tries and help Belgian and Serbian companies improve cooperation and find new synergies.

You represent three Belgian state agencies in the Serbian market. What can you tell us about them and what are their interests in Serbia?

MARIJANA MILOŠEVIĆ –TUFEGDŽIĆ

In the interview for our magazine, Economic and Trade Counsellor at the Embassy of Belgium in Belgrade, Marijana Milošević – Tufegdžić, spoke about Serbia’s geostrategic position, its appeal to Belgian investors and how the Open Balkan initiative can contribute to the development of economic relations.

Can you explain your position in the Embassy to us? You are not a classic economic attaché, but you are the head of the economic department of the Belgian embassy. What is your role and how important is it for the economic cooperation between our two countries?

Belgium has economic and trade advisors in over 80 countries worldwide and I am a proud member of this big family. Our office in Belgrade provides support to Belgian companies that want to expand their business to Serbia and offer their products and services here. We support them in finding potential local partners, identifying local business opportunities and profitable sectors, establishing connections with the private and public sectors, and facilitating the organization of B2B and B2G meetings. We want to bring Serbia, as a business destination, as close as possible to Belgian business people, as well as to introduce Serbian business people to Belgian know-how, technologies, and products. Also, we support local companies that are interested in expanding their business in Belgium, as their investment

destination. Our mission is to bring local business communities together with companies and partners from Belgium. We also strive to build economic bridges between the two coun-

Each of the three Belgian regions - Brussels Capital Region, Wallonia and Flanders - has its own regional agency focused on export support and promotion. The motto of our parent agency -Brussels Agency for Business Support - hub.brussels (https:// hub.brussels/en/) is “Our business is to help yours” and this best represents the agency and its commitment to support the Brussels-based companies and entrepreneurs at every stage of their development, as well as by being a partner to foreign companies that choose Brussels as their business destination. We also represent two other regional agencies - Wallonia Export & Investment Agency ( https://www.awex-export.be/ ) and Flanders Investment and Trade (https://welcome.flandersinvestmentandtrade.com/ en ) which also provide full support to businesses from their respective regions. Following the Belgian motto – “L’union fait la force” - all three agencies have joined forces under our auspices intending to support Belgian companies that want to expand their activities to Serbia to be as effective as possible. Every year, we carry out various activities such as thematic seminars, presentations and eco-

EVEN THE VERY TURBULENT AND CHALLENGING YEAR OF 2020 DID NOT SIGNIFICANTLY DISRUPT THE LONG-TERM POSITIVE TREND IN THE BELGIAN-SERBIAN TRADE

nomic delegations, all to bring the two countries’ business communities closer together, finding additional opportunities for cooperation and exchanging experiences. Last year, the first Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the City of Belgrade and the Brussels Capital Region, which was presented to the public in September, during the visit of Pascal Smet, State Secretary of the Brussels-Capital Region, responsible for Urbanism and Heritage, European and International Relations, Foreign Trade.

How much has the global crisis caused by the pandemic affected the trade between Serbia and Belgium? Is the current situation balancing out and at what level is the trade?

The pandemic-induced crisis caused was a really big shock for everyone, and although it shook the entire global community, it turned out that the business community is quite resilient and quickly adaptable because crises often create new solutions. Even the very turbulent and challenging year of 2020 did not significantly disrupt the long-term positive trend in the Belgian-Serbian trade. In 2020, the value of Belgian exports to Serbia fell by only 3%. This decline was compensated very quickly, and soon after, in 2021, Belgian exports to Serbia went up by almost 14% and amounted to o 440 million euros. The total trade in goods stood at almost 700 million euros. During the first eight months of this year, the value of exports reached 260 million euros, which is a 30% increase relative to the same period in 2021. We hope that this trend will continue in the future. Economic relations between Belgium and Serbia are constantly progressing, but there is always room for more development. Belgium is a leader in many economic sectors, and there are indeed numerous areas in which it is possible to improve or develop cooperation - from environmental protection, water treatment, waste management and renewable energy sources to biotechnology, IT, smart city solutions and innovation in different sectors. The

IN GENERAL, INVESTORS INVEST IN STABLE COUNTRIES, SO CANDIDATE STATUS IS PROOF OF THAT STABILITY FOR MANY INVESTORS

opportunities for further cooperation, as well as for the transfer of technology and knowhow between the two countries, are truly endless.

Are Serbia’s slow EU accession negotiations harming business? How important is the candidate status for Belgian companies that plan to invest in Serbia?

In general, investors invest in stable countries, so candidate status is proof of that stability for many investors. Also, for emerging countries, such as Serbia, a political risk assessment is very important for investors. Every step forward that Serbia makes in its accession process builds the confidence of foreign investors regarding investing in Serbia because it demonstrates that Serbia is a more stable market for investments. I would like to underline that during the last decade, the EU has been Serbia’s main economic partner, the largest investor and the biggest provider of financial assistance.

What are Serbia’s comparative advantages over other regional countries and does Belgium see Serbia as an entry market for the entire region?

Serbia is the leading market in the Western Balkans region, in terms of economic potential, population and territory. Although it is landlocked, Serbia has an excellent geostrategic position, given that it is at the crossroads of pan-European corridors. Belgian companies that have decided to invest in Serbia come from various sectors - the food industry, metal processing industry, IT, construction and renewable energy sources. Some of these companies use Serbia as a base for doing business in the entire region, while others view each country separately. In any case, the experiences of existing investors are very important for either their further expansion in the Serbian market or for the expansion of business to other regional markets. Existing investors who are successfully operating in the Serbian market are the best recommendation and the biggest “comparative advantage” for attracting new companies.

What do you think about the Open Balkans Initiative and how does it contribute to economic cooperation between Serbia and Belgium?

Regional initiatives aimed at creating a Western Balkan com-

mon market, which would function based on the four economic freedoms (free flow of people, goods, services and capital) are certainly in the best interest of the regional business community. Regional cooperation boosts stability and prosperity, especially in a crisis, because it has the potential to transform the region and further develop its economy. Recently, foreign investors have often been seeing the region as a unique investment destination. Regional initiatives are the best way to strengthen economic cooperation, facilitate the growth of Western Balkan economies, improve the business climate, attract foreign investments, increase employment and provide an effective response to major challenges and crises.

What is your advice for Serbia? What does the country need to fix to further improve its business environment?

In recent years, Serbia has made important steps in creating a stable platform for the country’s economic development and a stimulating investment environment. I think it is very important to continuously work on improving the business environment, reducing and eliminating some administrative barriers and better implementing the rule of law. Of course, we don’t need to especially highlight how important stability, predictability and transparency of the business environment are to Belgian companies, but also to all foreign and domestic companies. These improvements would not only increase the trust of Belgian or other foreign investors in Serbia but, more importantly, would bring benefits to domestic companies. Also, further developing ties between foreign investors and local companies would help maximize benefits for the overall economy. By improving business conditions and increasing the market’s appeal, due to its proximity to EU countries, Serbia will be able to benefit from the reorganization of the global supply chain in terms of nearshoring. Satisfied investors are the best economic ambassadors of a country.

INTERVIEW

Chocolate with Geographical Origin

The secret of

The top-quality baking and confectionery products arrived in Serbia a quarter of a century ago with the entry of the Belgian company Puratos to this market. We spoke with three executives from the company’s branch in Belgrade - Ljubomir Milošević, General Manager, Aleksandra Radičević, National Sales Manager, and Ivan Aničić, R&D Manager - about Puratos chocolate with the geographical origin and the Cacao-Trace project, which benefits the local community of cocoa producers.

Your company has been doing business in Serbia for a quarter of a century. What is your view of the Serbian food industry&market? Is there a noticeable improvement in quality, that is, is Serbia getting closer to European standards when it comes to this industry?

Ljubomir Milošević: The Serbian baked and confectionery product market has changed significantly in the past 10 years. Previously, bakeries and shops usually sold only Sava-type white bread, crescent rolls, simple puff pastry and buns filled with jam. Now, the offer is more diverse – there is a significantly bigger selection of nutritionally better products

and the focus is on products with added value, of a rustic appearance, improved taste, higher fruit content, etc. Of course, these changes were influenced by global trends, with the inspiration for many products coming through social media and from the increasing number of tourists who visit Serbia and have different qual-

ity requirements. The presence of European retailers in our market has perhaps had the greatest impact on the quality of local products. In a certain way, retailers forced domestic producers to bring the quality of local products that are closer to European standards. In recent years, industrial baked goods producers have been investing more and more in new technologies, the latest equipment and process automation to facilitate the daily work of their employees. More and more baked goods-related projects are focused on products that have plenty of seeds, reduced salt and fat content, fewer E-numbers and more fibre and protein.

Confectionery products have

always been quite innovative in terms of taste, shape, and texture. The quality of traditional cakes and pastries has been improved by the constant implementation of new technologies and improved ingredients. Locally made products inspired by global trends are becoming increasingly popular in our market, such as Belgian waffles, Tres Leche, macaroons, pralines, etc.

As a company that invests in the development of new technologies, what do you see as the biggest challenge today related to technological processes in the food industry?

Ivana Aničić: The biggest challenges in food technology are certainly the lack of adequate workforce and investment in new technologies. Numerous industrial producers have ini-

WE ARE A DEVELOPMENT-BASED COMPANY AND INNOVATION IS PART OF OUR DNA

Puratos Belgian chocolate lies in its special taste and the story behind it

tiatives and plans to innovate their existing technologies or to invest in new plants and production lines, however, the financial moment is a hindering factor in most cases. On the other hand, employee education is crucial for working on new equipment and with new technologies and an important element of their motivation to stay with such an employer.

In Belgium, you are known as a family business that has been producing premium chocolates for a very long time. What is the secret of Belgian chocolate and do Serbian consumers recognize its quality?

Ivana Aničić: The secret of Puratos Belgian chocolate lies in its special taste and the story behind it. Our strategy is not mass chocolate production, but rather focusing on top quality and unique taste. Our Cacao Trace initiative benefits local communities. From every kilogramme of our chocolate sold, 0.1 euro is given to the farmers growing cacao trees, mostly in underdeveloped countries. We believe that sustainability is the key to the future of chocolate. In order to differentiate ourselves in the market, we are focusing our development and technology on the research of special types of cacao trees. As a result, we have created a special line of products called Belcolade Origins - chocolate with geographical origins. Thus, we offer chocolate from Mexico, Peru, Papua New Guinea, etc.

Responsible business and environmental protection are imperatives nowadays. Do you participate in projects that fo-

cus on sustainable business and what are you particularly proud of when it comes to your company?

Ljubomir Milošević: In 2021, Puratos became a member of the UN Global Compact and we are committed to embedding its principles into our strategy, culture and day-to-day operations of our company, as well as to engage in collaborative projects which advance the broader development goals of the United Nations, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals. Puratos fully supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We have linked the specific SDGs to our sustainability commitments. We want to inform all our employees, suppliers and customers about our goals and raise their

QUALITY

ing to make the Bakery School project realized in Serbia in the upcoming period.

What makes your production portfolio in Serbia so recognizable? Which products are the most popular here?

Aleksandra Radičević: Puratos Serbia produces margarine and powdered products for the baking and confectionary industry at its production facility in Kragujevac. We are a development-based company and innovation is part of our DNA. Customers have recognized the quality of our products and margarine makes up most of our sales. Nowadays, when opting for healthier food choices is an absolute imperative, it is important to point out that our margarine is hydro-free, i.e.

awareness, so that everyone forming part of our supply chain can contribute to accomplishing the SDGs. We are very proud of the fact that under the 17 points of our commitment, number one is related to ending hunger through our initiatives like the Bakery School and Cacao-Trace. Thanks to our bakery schools, we ensure job security for underprivileged youngsters to help them provide for their families. With Cacao-Trace we brought to life an integrated, sustainable cocoa programme. The goal of our set of initiatives (including education, training, fair and premium pricing) is to create a better life for farmers. We are work-

without trans fatty acids. Our bakery and confectionery mixes offer innovative development solutions for functional and fortified products, like protein bread and pastries, which have high fibre content, less salt and sugar, etc.

What are your plans for Serbia? Are you planning to expand your capacity and production programme?

Ljubomir Milošević: Considering that, in previous years, we have been recording constant growth in both turnover and results, we soon realized that our current production capacity became an obstacle to further development. After careful analysis of the current situation and plans & ambitions for the years ahead, we decided to build a new factory in Serbia. This factory will have the latest equipment and the best working conditions. The factory should become operational in 2023. It will help us to realize our plans and ambitions that will benefit not only us but also our partners and consumers, to whom we will continue to provide both our top-quality products they are used to and completely new products in the years to come.

THE

OF TRADITIONAL CAKES AND PASTRIES HAS BEEN IMPROVED BY THE CONSTANT IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND IMPROVED INGREDIENTS

LJUBOMIR MILOŠEVIĆ General Manager

ALEKSANDRA RADIČEVIĆ

Monsieur Hercule Poirot

Most famous detective in the world

David Suchet is a British actor most famous for his role as Monsieur Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s detective from Belgium origin.

In this photo David Suchet and Ken Grieve, director on the set of - the chocolate box - Hercule Poirot at the Cinquantenaire in Brussels

Brussels, Belgium

August 12, 1992 © CapturePB / Shutterstock

Croatia to join Schengen, Romania and Bulgaria Membership Rejected

Starting from the 1st of January 2023, Croatia will join the Schengen Area, becoming the 27th member of the continent’s borderless travel area. In less than a month, border controls will be abolished at land and sea border crossings, and in the spring, on March 26, at the airports as well. This process started in 2015, when Croatia sent a letter in which it was pointed out that as of July 1 of the same year, it is ready to begin the evaluation in all relevant areas of the Schengen acquis. The evaluation process ended in 2019, with the European Commission confirming that Croatia meets all the technical requirements for Schengen accession. For Bulgaria and Romania, however, there is no consensus at the EU level.

The questions are raised by Austria, which is against the entry of both countries, and there are no indications that this position could change. „It is wrong that a system that does not work properly in many places would get expanded at this point,” Austrian interior minister Gerhard Karner said. According to official data, Austria recorded 100,000 illegal border crossings in 2022.

This caused indignation on the part of the two Eastern European countries, which emphasized that they would do their best to become members of this area in the coming year.

The decision requires the consent of all 22 EU countries that are Schengen members, as well as the four external members (Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland).

The question is, what does this mean to Serbia and its citizens?

Analysts believe that Croatia’s entry into the Schengen area may cause a bit more congestion in the first few months when entering Croatia from Serbia, but by the beginning of the next summer season at the latest, we can expect normal transition at those border crossings. However, Croatia’s entry into the Schengen area will undoubtedly be beneficial for the citizens of Serbia who travel to the countries of Western Europe via its territory.

Until now, citizens of Serbia had to cross two state borders when traveling to countries such as Italy, Switzerland, or Austria. From the 1st of January, there will effectively be only one state border to cross, which will reduce congestion between Slovenia and Croatia,

especially during the tourist season.

In order to enter Schengen, it is necessary to undergo thorough evaluations whether the country can take responsibility for the control of external borders on behalf of other Schengen area countries, cooperate effectively with the police bodies of other Schengen area member states in order to maintain a high level of security after the abolition of border controls, apply Schengen rules, such as control of land, sea and air

borders (airports), issuance of Schengen visas, police cooperation and protection of personal data and connection to the Schengen Information System and its use.

From the 1st of January, Croatia will become the country with the longest external border of the EU, which will pose new challenges for the country. The fate of Romania and Bulgaria remains uncertain, as concerns over organized crime, unauthorized migration, and security have held up their bids.

What does it mean for Serbia and its citizens?

CROATIA’S ENTRY INTO THE SCHENGEN AREA WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE BENEFICIAL FOR THE CITIZENS OF SERBIA WHO ARE TRAVELING TO THE COUNTRIES OF WESTERN EUROPE VIA ITS TERRITORY

Four Pieces of Good News

Inácio Lula Da Silva elected as Brazilian president for the third time

During Da Silva’s first term in office, the number of poor people in Brazil decreased by 27.7 percent. He took over 20 million people out of poverty. He was sentenced to a prison term fraudulently because the court case against him was rigged to prevent him from running for president in 2018, which is why Bolsonaro won. His successor, Dilma, was deposed in a coup d’état in parliament, and Michel Temer, a smug white, rich man, was appointed president. Tensions got so bad that Brazilian sports fans are now asking for the canarinhos (the yellow jerseys of the national football team) to be removed because Bolsonaro’s people wore them at their gatherings. After Bolsonaro’s departure, there is again hope for the Amazon, the planet, the indigenous people in the jungle, economic growth, and a decrease in crime. The Brazilians are exclaiming again - “O Pai voltou!” or “Papa’s back!”

Rishi Sunak is the new UK Prime Minister

There is poetic justice in this ‘Indian Star’ rising over Britain. A man from a former colony now rules the metropolis - symbolically and in spite of racism. Secondly, he can’t be incompetent like the previous two Prime Ministers - Boris Johnson, who thought that he was some kind of a new Churchill, and he thought that the UK was a superpower, together with being a warmonger himself. and warmonger, pushing hard for Brexit with the worst consequences, and Liz Truss, epically incompetent in finance (the “Tin Lady,” as they mockingly called her), also ultra-belligerent. Sunak is primarily interested in stable finances and economic recovery, helping those “left behind” as much as his ideology allows, and is not inclined to war rhetoric, although he will support Ukraine. But he will not be ultra-opposed to negotiations and peace. We do not expect a revolution, but at least a slightly more normal prime minister who does not imagine that it is 1922 all over again.

First of all, it is good that after 34 years, the longest-serving European president (he even beat Lukashenko to it, who has been in power ‘only’ for 28 years), Milo Djukanović, is finally removed from power, and so is his party – the Democratic Party of Socialists of Montenegro (DPS). Changeability is good in every country. Furthermore, this is the man who wisely led the country to independence and prosperity and, after independence, at some point, began to engage in some kind of identity engineering and turn the once idyllic Montenegro into a battlefield of identity conflicts. It’s time for reconciliation in Montenegro, a census to see how many people and voters there actually are in the country, purging through the electoral lists and peaceful life. The presidential elections are scheduled for spring next year, and perhaps, once they are finished, the sweaty, nervous president whom Serbians once adored in the fight against Slobodan Milošević (1997-1999), might even have to face the indictment in Bari, in the worst case scenario. Montenegro is politically dynamical again.

Elon Musk takes over Twitter

Elon Musk is an unpredictable character, so we cannot predict what will his next transformation be. However, Twitter has lost all credibility lately, with censorship on the one hand and turning into a vulgar spitting battleground on the other. In the last five or six years, the atmosphere on Twitter has become unbearable, with users constantly bickering. Musk has already launched a few interesting polls, including whether he should pardon those Twitter users who had been banned from Twitter (Trump...), should all the dissidents who are persecuted in the West (Snowden, Assange...) receive a judicial pardon, etc. Perhaps there will be more free speech, more decency, and less censorship, so this is certainly a step forward for the ruined network. P.S. Still, the anarchic freedom on Twitter is selective – Musk banned Kanye West from using it. P.P.S. We can also expect hidden Twitter data from recent years to be revealed, with the latest one concerning Hunter Biden. The information about Biden is very sensitive, so much so that Musk even said, “If I committed suicide, it’s not real”.

Luis

DPS loses elections in 11 out of 15 municipalities

© All photos: Shutterstock

THEME

Jubilee

175th anniversary of the Matica Srpska Gallery

Jubilee of the Matica Srpska Gallery

The Matica Srpska Gallery Day celebrated on the occasion of the 175th anniversary of its establishment

The Matica Srpska Gallery held a ceremonial session on the occasion of the Matica Srpska Gallery Day and the commemoration of the 175th anniversary of its establishment.

On the occasion of Matica Srpska Gallery Day, Dr Tijana Palkovljević Bugarski, director of the Matica Srpska, gave a welcome speech in front of the guests, followed by Professor Dragan Stanić, PhD, President of Matica Srpska, who gave a speech about the jubilee, while Maja Gojković, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Serbia, delivered the ceremonial address. Dr Tijana Palkovljević Bugarski pointed out the following: “In the year in which the Matica Srpska Gallery celebrates its 175th anniversary, we have created a programme that is a balanced combination of tradition and innovation, thus highlighting the brightest points of our work so far and illustrating the motto we have been following in recent years – by respecting tradition, we create tradition. Today, we are an institution that, thanks to the dedicated work of generations of experts, has become the pride of the nation”.

Professor Dragan Stanić, PhD, President of Matica Srpska, began his address with the following sentence: “Thanks to the constant regeneration of the creative energy of the Serbian people, Matica Srpska continues and will continue fostering hope that it will last until the judgement day.“ He then spoke about the history of Matica Srpska, the first educational and scientific institution in the Serbs, underlining that: “This institution (the Gallery of Matica Srpska) is today not only a leader in Serbian museum and gallery activity but has also become a very respectable player on the international level and has received several extremely important recognitions. The Matica Srpska Gallery constantly expands and promotes the very notion of fine art and visual culture in general so that with such endeavours, our field of creativity and our lives open up to an endless sea of signs that deeply and fundamentally enrich all existence with hidden and obvious forms of meaning itself.”

Maja Gojković, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information, pointed out that it was a great honour and pleasure for her to speak at the Gala Session on the occasion of

Gallery Day: “This is a museum that carefully preserves precious cultural heritage and diligently tries to pass it on to current and future generations. The museum’s vivacious life creates the impression that works of art are living their new life here, bringing the respectable past closer to today and creating prerequisites for a better tomorrow. History is the teacher of life, but it is up to us to be good students. A glorious past is a good foundation for the same or at least a similar future. One of the ways towards it is to expand the best that our ancestors left us with the achievements in the modern world. Only in this way will we be able to properly convey all the value of our cultural heritage to the generations to come.”

The Matica Srpska Gallery is a humanist museum that believes in the power of human creativity and the importance of artistic creativity for improving the quality of life and the well-being of society. As an institution, it originated from Matica Srpska and its Museum, founded in October 1847, following the initiative of Matica’s Secretary General, Teodor Pavlović, while Sava Tekelija, the first and lifelong president of Matica Srpska,

gave the idea for establishing the Museum in 1842. Matica was moved from Pest in 1864, opened to the public in 1933, acquired the status of a unique collection in 1947, moved to the current building on Galerija Square in 1958 and 2022, and became the pride of the nation. The Matica Srpska Gallery’s extensive activities and participation in numerous cultural and social life segments have made it widely and publicly recognisable. Today, the Matica Srpska Gallery reflects the history of the Serbian people, art and culture, mirroring all the socio-historical, cultural and artistic changes that Serbian society has experienced. At the same time, the Matica Srpska Gallery preserves the memory of individuals with exceptional piety – its founders, collectors, artists, administrators, researchers, and especially the donors who, thanks to their charity, became an integral part of the history of our institution and Serbian culture as a whole. Therefore, when we celebrate our jubilee, we would like to thank all the institutions, companies and individuals who have contributed in the past twenty-five years to make the Matica Srpska Gallery what it is today.

The secret of our success is in continuity

On the occasion of the Matica Srpska Gallery Day and the commemoration of the 175th anniversary of its establishment, we spoke with Tijana Palkovljevic Bugarski, director of the Gallery, who underlined the importance of this cultural institution for the Serbian culture and history.

In October, the Matica Srpska Gallery celebrated a great jubilee – 175 years since its inception. How much has the Gallery changed in the past 25 years?

During the past quarter of a century, the gallery has undergone a major transformation from a traditional and conservative museum to a modern and innovative museum open to all. We adapted and modernized the gallery building and thus improved the conditions for storing and displaying artwork. We added 3,330 significant works of Serbian art to the gallery’s collection. Plus, we staged 306 exhibitions and published 224 publications. As a new type of activity, we launched programmes for babies, children and young people and thus caught up with the latest trends in the museum world. We have become a centre of excellence for the protection of movable cultural heritage, digitization of fine art objects and a leader in the implementation of new technologies in museum presentation, as evi-

denced by the last project we realized, called “Hololens - Mixed Reality Platform”. Considering everything we have done, we have become a relevant museum institution in the country and the region, as evidenced by the numerous awards we have received in the past period, including the Sretenje Order of the First Class, the most significant recognition given by the Serbian state authorities, which we received this year.

What are the three most important characteristics of the Matica Srpska Gallery that make it so unique?

Our uniqueness lies in the fact that we operate within the Matica Srpska system, which also includes the Matica Srpska Library. This is a one-of-a-kind example of the joint activities of three large scientific and cultural institutions that have inimitable goals in different spheres of science and creativity. Also, we are a relatively small collective with only 30 employees, which enables us to be operational and make quick decisions. Finally, we sincerely believe in the importance of the permanent education of museum experts, both formal and informal, which

TIJANA PALKOVLJEVIĆ BUGARSKI Director of the Matica Srpska Gallery

means that we are continually improving our knowledge through academic studies but also through professional meetings and workshops in the country and abroad.

You can often hear news about new collaborations between the Gallery and its peers from the country and region. Which collaborations would you highlight, and how important are they to you?

Cooperation with institutions and individuals is extremely important to us because, through it, we improve our work and achieve greater public visibility. I would like to highlight the cooperation with the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, with whom we have been exchanging both know-how and experience in education and conservation. Then there is the cooperation with the National Gallery of Slovenia in Ljubljana. We staged the exhibition called “Serbian Modernism from the Matica Srpska Gallery Collection - 1880-1950”. After Ljubljana, the exhibition was staged at the SANU Gallery in Belgrade and is currently displayed at another important partner of ours - the Museum of Contemporary Art

of the Republic of Srpska in Banja Luka. Also, the National Art Museum in Timișoara is one of our partners, with which we are connected by a common cultural heritage and the fact that our cities have been declared the European Capitals of Culture for two consecutive years.

What is the Gallery currently doing?

We have the “Uroš Predić – Life Dedicated to Beauty and Art“ exhibition currently staged. This is a large-scale retrospective exhibition that comprehensively presents the creativity of this painter through 104 works of art and numerous documentary material. At the same time, it is the first fully inclusive exhibition that is accessible to everyone.

What is the secret of the Matica Srpska Gallery’s success as the oldest national gallery?

The secret is in continuity! For 175 years, we have been pursuing the same goals and cherishing the same values, which is for our nation to be proud of us as a result of the dedicated and innovative work of the museum institution that builds national identity through works of fine art. The collection that we keep, creativity and innovation as a way of thinking and above all, teamwork that we cherish as a modus vivendi are the secrets of our success.

For 175 years, we have been pursuing the same goals and cherishing the same values

OUR UNIQUENESS LIES IN THE FACT THAT WE OPERATE WITHIN THE MATICA SRPSKA SYSTEM

A Letter from Washington

Throughout the world, American politics are an ongoing drama and mystery. This isn’t just because of the sheer scale – and noise –of our election campaigns; for better or worse (and it’s often worse), the U.S. Government touches the lives of citizens in 194 countries north, south, west and east of our snarled, 8-lane motor Beltway.

Our economy, our military, our trade practices, our alliances, our exports, our sanctions, our popular culture and our own domestic politics have a direct impact on everyday lives more or less everywhere. Sometimes it’s tariffs. Sometimes it’s the Marvel Universe of superheroes. Sometimes it’s Kanye. Sometimes it’s the State Department. In fairness, only a handful of countries can boast of actual-

ly being bombarded by our Air Force, so that is a rather exclusive club to which Serbia belongs. Congratulations. So let us first agree that Belgrade has had more US Government attention than other stops on the Orient Express. In fact, in spite of your country’s modest size and limited impact on our own affairs,

in any material way, have you in its thoughts. Sorry.)

One of those historical moments is the present, when the mandarins of NATO, the European Union and other interested parties in the Geopolitical Balance Industry preside over the question of whether Serbia

to mention a potentially lethal winter freeze and the threat of nuclear war.

The third modern inflexion point was Tito’s break with Stalin, subsidized to the tune of billions of US dollars despite Yugoslavia’s minimal strategic importance. The cost was enormous, and the psychological value was immense. Tito’s cobbled-together federation was the wild card of the Communist Bloc, singular if only for its symbolism in the midst of the Cold War.

the Balkan Wars/Kosovo represents but one of four historical moments of the past 119 years when Serbia has been at or near the center of US diplomacy. (As you shall see, that’s not the same as the attention of the American public, which barely knows you exist and does not,

is a Slavic blood brother of Putin’s Russia or a future key eastern outpost of the West – even as President Vucic plays to both blocs at once. That question has taken on extreme urgency with the Russian invasion of Ukraine and potential metastasis in Moldova and the Baltics, not

The remaining episode, which you may have read about somewhere, was the 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by Serb nationalist Gavrilo Princip, triggering the bloodiest war in human history. But that happened in Sarajevo, so….

The conventional political wisdom in the United States is that the vanishing Red Wave represented a vast triumph for the Democratic Party and a dodged bullet for the future of democracy

SO LET US FIRST AGREE THAT BELGRADE HAS HAD MORE US GOVERNMENT ATTENTION THAN OTHER STOPS ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

Preamble to the Constitution of the United States and American Flag © Shutterstock

The question is, in the aftermath of our latest chaotic election, what happens with the US expression of power in Serbia and 193 other nations? There are two possible answers.

Firstly - Not much will change. The Biden Administration and the Democratic-controlled Senate are mainly rational actors. Though, like all previous administrations, its decisions are guided by Realpolitik (resulting in unsavoury alliances, such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia), Biden’s foreign policy is led by career diplomats with a generally pragmatic view to encouraging democracy and free markets while avoiding and tamping down the conflict. The previous administration was, to say the least, more erratic. Trump’s foreign policy hinged on whatever the corrupt, venal sociopath believed that in any particular moment would best serve his domestic image and fundraising. If he knew of Serbia’s existence (I’d bet against that) it was only as a venue for some Trump Belgrade Hotel and Casino. Of course, as we know, he has done some business in Slovenia.

Secondly - Chaos. Serbia, like the United States and the rest of the world, will be interested spectators in the ebb and flow of power within the Republican Party. The GOP entered the campaign widely expected to take control of both Houses of Congress, giving them veto power over administration policy and judicial appointments and –most importantly – control of purse strings and, therefore, the ability to create de facto policy solely by denying or authorizing funds for a given purpose. Yet despite historical trends in midterm elections favouring the party that does not control the White House, and despite the rise of “MAGA” Christian nationalism in the Trump Era, the so-called Red Wave of far-right victories did not occur. Democrats held the Senate, and the Republicans won but a tiny majority in the House.

Nonetheless, one house of Congress, all “Red State” legislatures and many of their governorships and a growing percentage

of judges remain in the thrall of Trump, or some other flavour of rightwing extremism, from QAnon, to anti-government militias, to the (unconstitutional) belief in Christian dominion over laws and national affairs. As a whole, these groups are nationalistic, racist, misogynistic, antisemitic, xenophobic and in an open culture war with the values of liberal democracy that have evolved globally since the end of World War II.

That state of affairs must be very familiar to Serbs. Not only have your neighbours in Hungary and Poland veered sharply rightward under the rule of Viktor Orban and Andrzej Duda, your own experience with Slo-

election and support the insurrectionists currently being prosecuted for the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. It is a force of 100 million Americans that has been able, via shrewd and persistent politics over four decades, to install reactionary politicians in statehouses around the Congress and a large cohort in the United States Congress. Oh, and they own 300 million guns.

Hence the chaos. Though still a minority voting bloc in the House of Representatives, like minority blocks everywhere, the nationalist “Freedom Caucus” has the power to advance or stymy legislation. That means that either the Republi-

the US provides. The other possibility is a sudden outpouring of Congressional love for Vucic as a European leader who has been reluctant to criticize Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Bizarrely – considering, you know, all of modern history – Putin-affinity is running strong among America’s far-right. This is owing again to Biden’s vast and enthusiastic support of Ukraine (if Biden is for it, the Freedom Caucus is against it), to his own fascist conduct, and to the narrative that we are sending a trillion dollars overseas while supposedly neglecting our own. It is ironic that the same people who promoted unlimited military spending to counter the USSR are suddenly concerned about the price of European security.

bodan Milosevic demonstrated the grave dangers of ultranationalism. Much as journalists and historians debate Milosevic’s actual ideology (apart from power), few American observers imagine Donald Trump to be a true believer in any of the hostile, hateful and often unhinged rhetoric that issues from his pathologically-lying mouth. Unfortunately, his core beliefs (if he has any) are immaterial to America’s rightward tilt. His emergence has been fueled by long-suppressed feelings of resentment and hatred that smouldered for decades, even as they became less ‘politically correct” to utter aloud. America was a “bure baruta”.

The conventional political wisdom in the United States is that the vanishing Red Wave represented a vast triumph for the Democratic Party and a dodged bullet for the future of democracy. As I have argued elsewhere, that is merely wishful thinking. Overall, the vote was almost evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. And 30% of American voters cast their ballots for the most extreme candidates, including hundreds who subscribe to Christian nationalist ideologies, deny the validity of the 2020 residential

can majority in the House will be paralyzed, unable to benefit from its trifling majority or become a hostage of the extremists and the reactionary agenda they promote. As such, a minority of minorities is likely to take center stage. May I cite one vivid historical comparison? Germany in 1933.

What does this mean for Serbian-American relations? If you were to ask the State Department, it means nothing. “The United States,” it declares, “wants Serbia to be part of a stable Balkan region, and we pursue this by supporting Serbia’s integration into European institutions, helping normalize Serbia’s relations with Kosovo, strengthening the rule of law, partnering on security issues, and promoting economic growth.” That translates into orderly assimilation into European institutions, ultimately including the EU. The N-word (NATO), unsurprisingly, is scarcely uttered.

That, of course, reflects the policy of the administration. In the out-of-control minority scenario, in which far-right Republicans create mischief to obstruct any Biden policy, including the modest financial assistance

One thing the Republicans will not be able to do, should they suddenly embrace Serbia, is turn that support into a populist issue. As noted above, the State Department’s century-long attention has not yielded much public interest in your country. It is likely that 80% of the public could not locate you on a map –partly because they’d be looking for Serbia in far-Eastern Russia. Your greatest contributions to popular awareness are Nikola Jokic, Novak Jokovic and the Tesla automobile. Also, in the movies – because it is distasteful to cast racial minorities in a negative light –many of the villains are Serbs. Again, congratulations.

They say no publicity is bad publicity. On that matter, ne znam

About author

THE OTHER POSSIBILITY IS A SUDDEN OUTPOURING OF CONGRESSIONAL LOVE FOR VUCIC AS A EUROPEAN LEADER WHO HAS BEEN RELUCTANT TO CRITICIZE RUSSIA’S INVASION OF UKRAINE

BOB GARFIELD

A journalist from Washington, DC. In semi-retirement, he writes at BullyPulpit.substack.com

Green, green grass of home

After the pandemic, New York City has reverted to its usual rhythm and the only thing that differs from the situation pre-2020 is the smell of marijuana literally at every step. New York’s web portal Vox illustrated this with a cartoon of the Statue of Liberty, holding a torch in its raised hand that resembles a large lit joint.

Our taxi couldn’t make it to the hotel because a good portion of Fifth Avenue was blocked off by the Columbus Day pa-

rade, which was held again last year after a year’s hiatus. The coronavirus was not the only thing that happened in 2020. The murder of the African-American George Floyd by a white police officer in May 2020 triggered a new wave of “political correctness” across the planet, so the monuments of many historical figures who,

according to some people, were a symbol of colonialism, including Christopher Columbus, were demolished.

The first time that Columbus Day was renamed Indigenous People’s Day in the US was in 1992 in ultra-liberal Berkeley, California. Soon after, other cities followed suit - Austin,

Cincinnati, Denver, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Portland, San Francisco, Santa Fe, Seattle, Phoenix, Tacoma... However, New York’s Italians, who celebrate their countryman Columbus, did not want to change the name of the celebration, so this year the 78th Columbus Day parade took place along the famous 5th Avenue, between 44th and 72nd streets.

Our taxi stopped on Madison Avenue, so we dragged our suitcases to the Park Lane Ho-

New Yorkers live in a “bubble”, while much of the US is still conservative and intransigent

THE FIRST TIME THAT COLUMBUS DAY WAS RENAMED INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S DAY IN THE US WAS IN 1992 IN ULTRA-LIBERAL BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA

tel on foot, waiting for the policemen to let us cross Fifth Avenue during a break between the colourful “allegorical” cars whose loudspeakers transmitted the sounds of canzones, as well as the songs of New York’s most famous Italian of the 20 century - Frank Sinatra.

The procession passes by the third-largest synagogue in the world and the largest outside of Israel - Temple Emanu-el. Right after it, on Fifth Avenue, is a small (compared to the other buildings) mansion located between 66th and 67th streets. The building is surrounded by scaffolding, there is no longer a flag hanging on the mast in front of it, and the empty

our favourite Bulgarian fondue restaurant Kashkaval Garden on 9th Avenue (everything is possible in New York, even Bulgarians making the best Swiss fondue). The first thing we noticed on the streets was the smell of marijuana, which two years ago you could only smell in front of certain clubs or in Times Square. Now, it is literal-

lives, he can easily get high by inhaling the smoke from other people’s joints.

Mirko, the most famous designer from the former Yugoslavia, an artist whose works were on the front pages of the most renowned American newspapers and magazines (Time, The New York Times, The Wall

and Mirko moved into a new studio in Union Square next to the Decker Building where Andy Warhol had his Factory from 1967 to 1973.

spot on the facade shows that there used to be a board that showed what the building had been used for. We are talking about the former Diplomatic Mission of Yugoslavia, later Serbia, which was sold a few weeks ago for $50 million. The Long Island governor, Robert Beeckman Livingston, was the first owner of the mansion. The building is also called the Beeckman House after him. Later, Emily Vanderbilt White, wife of Henry White, former US ambassador to France and Italy, and one of the daughters of the famous industrialist William K. Vanderbilt, known for financing the construction of New York’s Central Railway Station, also stayed there.

We decided to take a walk on a sunny October day and visit

ly everywhere. In the spring of 2021, marijuana became legal in New York for ‘recreational use’ and anyone over the age of

Street Journal...), whose 38 art pieces are part of the MoMA’s permanent collection, came to the US in 1986.

The drinking was over when my younger daughter India and her friend Damaris came to join us. Damaris moved in with her father from Novi Sad to New York City after her parents divorced. She tells us that what we see in American movies and series regarding the special classification of different sexual identities has become a reality in New York’s elementary and high schools. The LGBTQ classification also includes a non-binary category for those people who do not want to decide what gender they are. Everyone takes these things very seriously in educational institutions and other segments of public life here. Mirko confirms that that is true, but also that the residents of New York live in a bubble, while a good part of the USA is still conservative and intransigent, maybe even more so than ten years ago.

21 can purchase it. The maximum amount you are allowed to possess is 24 grams. In a few months, legal cannabis shops sprung up on almost every corner. New York’s web portal Vox illustrated this with a cartoon of the Statue of Liberty, holding a torch in its raised hand that resembles a large lit joint.

“The Republicans were the biggest supporters of marijuana. On the one hand, they keep the poor segments of the population sedated and numb, with no consideration of rebellion, and at the same time, they reap huge profits from legal trade, which was previously in the shadow zone,” Mirko Ilić explains to me over a beer. He says that, along the stretch between his studio in Union Square to the Meat Packing district, where he

Whenever I come to New York, I always meet up with Mirko and every meeting of ours sparks a new idea and project. In 2017, Mirko launched the Tolerance project, under which auspices he stages exhibitions around the world (there have been 144 so far) and displays posters which feature the work of some of today’s most important designers on the topic of tolerance. Together, we staged this exhibition three times in Novi Sad, while always displaying new posters by designers from all over the world.

When I visited New York before the pandemic, Mirko’s studio was located in the Milton Glaser building, the famous author of the “I love NY” slogan and logo. After Glaser died in 2020, his family sold the building

In the middle of Union Square Park, Mirko shows me a flagpole with an American flag, on the bottom of which is a “fascio”, a sheaf that is a symbol of Italian fascism. It was built at the end of the twenties at a time when Mussolini was still a generally accepted figure among Americans and a favourite person of most Italians here. No one later thought of tearing down or re-designing that mast.

After an early breakfast, while reading The New York Times, we go for a walk in Central Park.

A flagpole with fascio

The former Diplomatic Mission of Yugoslavia, later Serbia

THE LGBTQ CLASSIFICATION ALSO INCLUDES A NON-BINARY CATEGORY FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT WANT TO DECIDE WHAT GENDER THEY ARE

In Strawberry fields, a busker sings Lennon’s “Imagine”, while a guard is still standing a few steps away, at the entrance to the Dakota building. It has been like this since December 8, 1980, when in the dark passage of this mystical New York building overlooking Central Park, Mark David Chapman fired fatal shots at the famous founder of the Beatles.

Twelve years earlier, Roman Polanski used this building as a location for his iconic film “Rosemary’s Baby”. By the way, the Board of Apartment Owners has several times cancelled the sale of apartments to some celebrities that the Board members considered not “worthy” of living in one of the most iconic buildings in the world, including Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith, Billy Joel, Madonna and Cher. Biljana Srbljanović told me how she once spent a New Year’s Eve in the Dakota,

in the apartment owned by the American director of her play “Family Stories” whose father is a rich film producer.

The reflection of the San Remo building (built in 1930) on the surface of the lake in Central Park is one of the most beautiful sights in New York City. We cross to the other side of the park and emerge at the

That evening we went to Lombardi’s Pizza, officially the oldest pizzeria in America. The prices of pizza and wine here have not changed since 2019, except that for us Europeans everything is a bit more expensive due to the stronger dollar against the euro.

The story goes that the Italian immigrant Gennaro Lombardi

Ukrainian Institute on Fifth Avenue, where a photo exhibition on Russian war crimes in Ukraine was recently staged.

We arrive in front of the Metropolitan Museum (the Met) a little before 10 o’clock and join the queue that has already formed. Going to the Met is a pilgrimage of sorts every time we come to New York.

At the Tudors exhibition at the Met, which depicts portraits of numerous kings, queens, princes and princesses from this dynasty that ruled England from 1485 to 1603, we notice the portrait of the Moroccan ambassador Abd el-Ouahed ben Messaoud ben Mohammed Anoun, who lived months at the Tudor court for six months, to establish an Anglo-Moroccan alliance against Spain. His portrait is the first image of a Muslim created in England. It is believed that he inspired Shakespeare’s Othello.

started selling “tomato pies” in 1897, and in 1905, he got a license to open the first pizzeria in New York City and the entire USA. Very quickly he had famous clientele coming to the pizzeria, including the renowned Italian tenor Enrico Caruso. In 1984, the pizzeria closed, only to be opened 10 years later one block away by Gennaro’s grandson, Gennaro Lombardi III. In 2005, on its 100th anniversary, and ten years later, on its 110th anniversary, Lombardi’s Pizza charged only 5 cents for a pizza, the same as it cost in 1905, when the pizzeria was founded. The pizza industry today is valued at $45 billion.

As always, when I come to New York I meet up with some of “our people” who live here. Adnan and Sead are members of the Bosniak community from the north of Montenegro, which is the most populous ethnic group from the former

Yugoslavia in New York City. There are more of them than Serbs, Croats and Albanians. Nevena is the daughter of my friend, Novi Sad’s photographer Dragutin Savić. She is stationed in Brooklyn and works as a doctor specializing in autism in children. Milan Mumin, a famous musician and the founder of the band Love Hunters who comes to New York twice a year to drive a taxi, shows me his promotional video that he shot for the Museum of Vojvodina. After years of working on cruise ships and for various airlines, Djordje from Petrovaradin made his dream of living in New York come true. These are all very successful people who are now earning much more than they ever could if they stayed in their native towns. They travel around the world and occasionally stop by their motherland. Except for Mumin, none of them is contemplating returning to live here.

THE LEGEND SAYS THE ITALIAN IMMIGRANT GENNARO LOMBARDI STARTED SELLING “TOMATO PIES” IN 1897, AND IN 1905, HE GOT A LICENSE TO OPEN THE FIRST PIZZERIA IN NEW YORK CITY AND THE ENTIRE USA

San Remo building

Lombardi’s Pizza

8,000 CAVES

This country is home to 8,000 caves. However, only 20 of them are open to visitors. That’s because most of the caves are unsafe and difficult to explore.

Slovenia

FOCUS ON

SLOVENIAN BABY DRAGON

The olm, also known as baby dragon, lives in Postojna Cave in Slovenia. This creature can live up to 100 years and only breeds once or twice a decade.

MORE THAN 46 DIALECTS

Slovene is spoken by the entire country which is only 2.3 million people, but this language is very diverse and has more than 46 dialects.

MORE THAN HALF OF THE COUNTRY IS PROTECTED

Forest covers more than 54% of Slovenia’s surface. This country is one of the greenest countries in Europe.

MANY MOVIES SETS

Slovenia has been the location of many films. Just to name a few: Red Tails, Captain America and Armour of God.

It is Very Important that Serbia be Part of the European Family

DAMJAN BERGANT H.E. Slovenian Ambassador to

We spoke with the Slovenian Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Damjan Bergant, about the strong political and economic relations between Slovenia and Serbia. In the interview, His Excellency reiterated Slovenia’s big support to Serbia’s EU accession efforts but also talks about difficult subjects like the approach to Kosovo’s issue.

Serbia’s accession to the EU has been quite slow. What is your view of this process?

The accession of candidate countries to the EU is a complex and long process. On the EU side, the interests of 27 member states, the European Commission and the European Parliament have to be aligned, which creates a long political process. On the other side, there are the tasks of the candidate countries which have to adapt and harmonize their legislation, and in some cases even their Constitution, which also slows down the accession process. Some things that are required of candidates may not be at the forefront of their interests, and that is why candidates often postpone these changes or procrastinate making them. However, if you want to be part of a family, you need to behave following the values, politics and interests of that family. And that, as we see in the case of certain candidate countries, is very difficult. That’s why I agree with you that the process of EU accession of Serbia and other Western Balkan countries is slow. It could and should be faster. As far as Serbia is concerned, it would be a positive thing if it carried out the given tasks in all segments faster, especially concerning

harmonizing foreign and security policy with the EU’s, so that the EU Member States could see that Serbia wants to be in the EU and that the EU is its only alternative. This would be a great indicator for European institutions and EU Member States so that they could more easily and more strongly support Serbia on its way to EU membership.

How important is it for Slovenia that Serbia becomes an EU member? How will this contribute to the development of bilateral relations between the two countries?

It is certainly in Slovenia’s interest that the EU expands to include the Western Balkans. We are economically, traditionally and culturally connected to that region. If Serbia and Western Balkan countries were EU members, Slovenia would have even greater opportunities for cooperation in various fields. Serbia’s membership in the EU would certainly contribute to boosting our bilateral relations because both countries would be part-

THE FEWER BORDERS THERE ARE IN EUROPE, THE BETTER FOR ALL OF US INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY

ners in the EU on all issues. Also, Serbia’s membership in the EU is important for Slovenia from the point of view of security and the development of cooperation in dealing with new and daily global challenges.

Our countries are divided by two land borders. Croatia will soon join the Schengen Area. What will that mean to our two countries?

One of the EU’s objectives is the free flow of people and goods, which means that there should be no physical barriers and borders between EU members. The fewer borders there are in Europe, the better for all of us individually and collectively. The inclusion of Croatia in the Schengen Area means that Slovenia’s last direct border will be eliminated and we will have no external borders of the EU. The smallest result of that is that there will be no more traffic con-

gestion at the border with Croatia, especially in the summer, i.e. tourists will now be able to cross the border freely and reach their destination without any major delays. Secondly, it is very important for the people who live in the border area and for their daily life, which largely depends on both countries, because they will be able to move freely from one country to another and this is quite important, especially for those who live in one and they work in another country.

Economic cooperation between the two countries has been constantly developing. What level is it at now and what would you highlight as Serbia’s comparative advantage for foreign investors compared to other countries in the neighbourhood?

The economic cooperation between Slovenia and Serbia has been constantly recording double-digit growth in recent years.

We hope that Serbia, and especially the Serbian people, will understand that Serbia’s only alternative is to move closer to the EU

Serbia

In the first six months of this year, the value of Slovenia’s external trade with the world reached 53.3 bn. euros, and of that, 1.09 bn. euros is the value of trade with Serbia, which is a 22% increase relative to the same period last year. Serbia remains the second most important destination for Slovenian investments abroad, which additionally validates the depth and great importance of our relations. Companies with a majority Slovenian capital in Serbia are one of the largest companies in banking, insurance, industrial production of metals and automotive parts, production of top-quality bakery products, production of transformers, logistics and transport, pharmaceutical products, renewable energy sources, energy solutions and engineering. Serbia is the regional leader, the largest country in the area, it has the biggest population and the highest GDP. If you are talking about large investments, size is the most important thing. For an increasing number of international companies, Serbia is a central point for their business development in other countries of the region. In addition to size, we need to take into account the spending power, well-developed infrastructure that is constantly being modernized and substantial state support for foreign investors.

Is there reciprocity of economic activities, that is, do Serbian companies have the interest to do business in the Slovenian market, as is the case the other way around?

About 1,500 companies with the majority Slovenian capital are registered with the Serbian Business Registers Agency (APR). It is interesting to note that the statistics are similar for companies in Slovenia which have the majority Serbian capital. Reciprocity does exist; it’s just that it’s developed to varying degrees. Serbian capital in Slovenia is not engaged in industrial production but is increasingly present in the financial sector, real estate, tourism, computer software development, beverage production and commerce. The investment exchange between Slovenia and Serbia is growing, but there is still a pronounced imbalance - Slovenian invest-

ments in Serbia have amounted to around 1.4 bn. euros, and Serbian investments in Slovenia are around 500 million euros. As the Slovenian ambassador, I would like to see even more Serbian investments in Slovenia. Last year, about 20,000 foreign citizens moved to Slovenia, including 2,000 from Serbia, who applied for a work and residence permit. Many of them are digital

cannot exist as an independent state and has its arguments for this. Our positions on the Kosovo issues have differed for over 10 years and that’s why every one-sided statement causes a reaction. I am very sorry that the president made such a statement. The fact that we have different views on the Kosovo issue does not have to affect our excellent bilateral relations.

Slovenia supports the decision to seek a solution to this issue within the framework of the Belgrade-Priština dialogue, under the auspices of the EU, and the final solution should be a compromise that will be acceptable to both sides. When a compromise is reached, it will be acceptable for other EU countries too, including Slovenia. If Slovenia can in any way bilaterally help both parties find an agreement, we have always been willing to help.

nomads, and they chose Slovenia because of the high quality of life, as well as the clean and healthy environment.

Recently, Slovenia reacted strongly to the statement made by President Vučić, who asked why Serbia should impose sanctions on Russia, a country which did not recognize Kosovo’s independence, and not on Slovenia, which was one of the first countries to do so. Why did that statement cause such strong reactions?

Every country, even an EU member, is a sovereign country and has the right to exercise its own policy. Slovenia recognized Kosovo’s independence and continues to adhere to that position. Serbia believes that Kosovo

Why is it a problem for Slovenia if Serbia asserts its right over Kosovo and Metohija, but it was not a problem when the Albanians from Kosovo asserted their right to a state independent of Serbia? Isn’t such an attitude extremely hostile towards Serbia and how much does it affect the relations between Slovenia and Serbia?

Slovenia has the right to think for itself and make its decisions within the framework of international law. International law, among other things, talks about the right to independence and sovereignty of individual nations, and also about territorial integrity. In the Western Balkans, these principles are quite intertwined and each of them can have its own arguments.

What are the goals of the Serbian-Slovenian bilateral cooperation in the coming year? What will you be working on as an ambassador?

During my diplomatic mandate, we have been working very hard on improving our bilateral relations, especially in politics. The coronavirus has stopped us a bit as far as our bilateral contacts are concerned. We are currently in the catch-up phase. The Serbian Interior Minister will have visited Slovenia by the end of the year. We are also organizing a visit of the Slovenian Foreign Minister to Belgrade. In January, we are counting on the visit of the Speaker of the Slovenian National Assembly. Next year, we will work on organizing a joint session of both governments. The newly elected president of Slovenia has already announced that the Western Balkans and cooperation with the countries in that area will be a priority, so we expect that the two presidents could meet next year. The strong cooperation in politics continues. I am not worried about the economy, because the contacts between the partners on both sides are outstanding and we are developing that cooperation too. The same goes for other areas such as culture, science and sports, where we can further enhance our cooperation. Last but not least, Serbia continues to support Serbia on its way to EU membership. We hope that Serbia, and especially the Serbian people, will understand that Serbia’s only alternative is to move closer to the EU. Slovenia is willing to help Serbia at all levels but it doesn’t want to impose its assistance on Serbia. We are always here and we will always respond if you need advice or help.

SERBIA REMAINS THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT DESTINATION FOR SLOVENIAN INVESTMENTS ABROAD, WHICH ADDITIONALLY VALIDATES THE DEPTH AND GREAT IMPORTANCE OF OUR RELATIONS

I Believe that the Economy Can Overcome All Crises

The Slovenian Business Club has been constantly boosting its activities related to monitoring the needs of its members and providing support to them

FIŠAKOV

The Slovenian Business Club has been operating in Serbia for almost twenty years and gathers one of the largest foreign business communities in our country. We talked with Danijela Fišakov, the Club’s president in Belgrade, about contemporary challenges for companies and cooperation between the two countries.

The Slovenian Business Club in Serbia is one of the most active business clubs in the country. You have organized numerous events and conferences and gathered a large number of business people. Does this indicate strong business ties between the Slovenian and Serbian economies?

The Slovenian Business Club has been active in Serbia for almost two decades, which are marked by an impeccable reputation and quality work. Thanks

to its members (we have 145 this year), it has managed to establish high standards that send a clear message to everyone that the Club is a reliable organiza-

no doubt that active and strong cooperation between the two economies has significantly contributed to this success. Developed and well-branched-out

tion that can be trusted. Being a reliable partner to its members and the two countries all these years is certainly a success worthy of respect. There is

business connections as well as extensive external trade, which is constantly growing, require the Slovenian Business Club to constantly boost its activities

THE EU DOESN’T HAVE A SINGLE COMPLAINT ABOUT THE BUSINESS CLIMATE IN SERBIA AND THE PREVAILING CONDITIONS IN THE SERBIAN MARKET

DANIJELA

President of the Slovenian Business Club (SPK)

© SPK

in monitoring the needs of its members and providing support to them.

How important is cooperation with state institutions in Serbia - the Government, ministries, and the Chamber of Commerce - for your work?

Cooperating with state institutions is of crucial importance for an organization of this type. Since its inception, the Slovenian Business Club has cooperated with Serbian state institutions and organizations to the greatest extent possible. In the beginning, this cooperation was of more modest scope and, on the one hand, was strongly voluntaristic. Over time, the activities of the Serbian government and supporting organizations became increasingly transparent, and the state bodies themselves became significantly more accessible to the business community. Today, the Slovenian Business Club and Serbian state institutions have a healthy partnership that is deepening and strengthening every day. We implement and organize many joint activities for the benefit of the business people from both countries.

What problems do Slovenian companies in Serbia face? Can SPK help them solve those problems?

Just as the fields of business activity of Slovenian companies in Serbia are diverse, so are the problems they face. Abundant life and economic activities come across a wide array of obstacles that need to be eliminated. In these processes, the members of the Slovenian Business Club very often turn to their organization for help, and we do everything in our power to help them overcome those obstacles. We are in daily contact with both Slovenian companies in Serbia and Serbian companies operating in the Slovenian market. Some of the problems these companies face are general. However, many are specific and require an individual and focused approach to each of them. The activity that makes us stand out

attention, so it gives me great pleasure to say that we are successful in solving the majority of these problems.

What is your view of the business climate in Serbia lately, especially taking into account the pandemic, the global crisis, and the slow EU accession negotiations?

History teaches us that, in this part of the world, not a single period in the past was perfect for a long period for small countries and nations. There have always been wars and crises, epidemics and pandemics, economic, political and even military pressures. The economy has somehow always managed to overcome and survive all those crises and situations.

SLOVENIAN-SERBIAN RELATIONS, BOTH ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL, ARE TRADITIONALLY GOOD AND ARE CONSTANTLY DEVELOPING AND DEEPENING

is having one-on-one contacts, i.e. in our work with individual companies to find solutions for specific problems that our members face and which SPK can help them with overcoming, as well as providing support to companies in finding potential partners for cooperation. The Slovenian Business Club approaches every problem with dedication and full

I want to believe that the same will happen now. It is an indisputable fact that both global and political circumstances in the immediate environment have led Serbia to situations where it has to make very serious and balanced political decisions. On the other hand, it is encouraging to see that the EU doesn’t have a single complaint about the business climate in

Serbia and the prevailing conditions in the Serbian market.

In which economic segments do Serbia and Slovenia cooperate the most? Which of the segments causes the greatest interest and what niche could soon become popular?

The volume of trade between the economies of Slovenia and Serbia has been showing a continuous and significant upward trend for many years. The official Slovenian statistical data show that, in 2021, the value of this trade amounted to almost 1.9 billion euros. In the first eight months of this year alone, it has already reached the amount of 1.4 billion euros, which is the highest value of commodity trade between the two countries in the last five to six years. This value could be much higher and more significant in the future because there are great opportunities for increasing it. Still, the sectors like information technology, agriculture, environmental protection and infrastructure are far from reaching their cooperative maximum.

What is your opinion about the Open Balkans Initiative? How can it contribute to the development of economic relations between Serbia and Slovenia?

Slovenian-Serbian relations, both economic and political, are traditionally good and are constantly developing and deepening. Slovenia is doing its best to contribute to and expedite Serbia’s accession to the EU. Given that the EU’s practical experience concerning the free flow of goods, people and capital speaks in favour of any common economic space, the Slovenian Business Club has welcomed the launch of the Open Balkans initiative from its very beginning. The Slovenian economy already cooperates a lot with the economies of individual Balkan countries, which are included in this Initiative, but its full implementation will contribute to the development of both existing and overall economic cooperation in this part of the world and the prosperity of the economies of each country that has joined the Initiative.

Success as an Answer to All Challenges

The Slovenian Business Club (SPK) works actively throughout the year to improve economic cooperation between Serbia and Slovenia

The Slovenian Business Club (SPK) works on the continuous development of cooperation between the Serbian and Slovenian economies and regional integration, with a focus on its members and their needs. The Club successfully copes with all challenges and continues to be a place for connecting, exchanging experiences and disseminating knowledge and information. It creates opportunities for future business cooperation, but also for finding solutions for specific problems faced by companies, thus setting high standards that send a clear message that

it is a trustworthy organization. In addition to numerous events, the Club continuously gives its members the latest relevant information from the business environment, as well as facilitates opportunities to make direct contacts.

February 2022

WORKING MEETING WITH THE SERBIAN MINISTRY OF MINING AND ENERGY

The SPK members had a very successful meeting with the Republic of Serbia’s Ministry of Mining and Energy. Company representatives had the hon-

our of being addressed by H.E. Damjan Bergant, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Serbia, State Secretary of the Ministry of Mining and Energy, Jovanka Atanacković and State Secretary Zoran Lakićević. Following quite specific questions from Serbian and Slovenian business people, the club members enjoyed and participated in an interactive discussion.

March 2022

INTERNATIONAL COFFEE BREAK

In cooperation with 8 bilateral organizations in Serbia, the SPK hosted an INTERNATIONAL COFFEE BREAK, a special networking event held during the Kopaonik Business Forum, at the Casa Hotel Grand restaurant. The Belgian-Serbian Business Association, Hellenic-Serbian Business Association, Croatian Business Club, CANSEE - Canadian-Serbian Business Association, Italian-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Nordic Business Alliance and Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce all took

part in the SPK’s event. They met with the representatives of other bilateral organizations in Serbia to learn more about the opportunities for cooperation, their activities and plans, but also to exchange experiences and ideas.

March 2022

SPK ASSEMBLY

SPK held a regular Assembly session, at which new management was appointed too, at the Hyatt Regency Belgrade Hotel. Danijela Fišakov, M.Sc., was unanimously re-elected as the President of SPK, while Dr Dragan Marković, Chairman of the Executive Board of Triglav Insurance, Miodrag Stojković, Director of Eti B Serbia, Ninko Tešić, Director General of Impol Seval Sevojno, Vlastimir Vuković, M.Sc. Chairman of the Executive Board of NLB Komercijalna Banka, Zoran Lazukić, M.Sc., Director of Profil Group Belgrade and Zoran Popović from the Zoran Popović Translation Agency were all appointed members of the SPK Board of Directors. In her speech, the SPK President pointed out that,

SPK Assembly © SPK

Working meeting with MRE © SPK

despite the very challenging last year, the Slovenian Business Club has managed to maintain its stability, and added that the new Board of Directors will continue with the Club’s activities while focusing on what is in the best interest of its members.

June 2022

‘ELECTRICITY PROSUMERS IN SERBIA: STATUS AND PROSPECTS’ PANEL DISCUSSION

At the IN Hotel in Belgrade, under the auspices of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia, SPK organized an interesting panel discussion titled “Electricity Prosumers in Serbia: Status and Prospects”. Mrs Jovanka Atanacković, State Secretary in the Serbian Ministry of Mining and Energy, Mr. Predrag Matić, Director of the Directorate for Planning and Investments of Elektrodistribucija Srbije, Mr Danijel Stojanović, Director of the Corporate Sector at NLB Komercijalna Banka and Mr Draško Maksimović, Head of Network Construction at A1 Serbia were panel participants, while Mr Djordje Popović, Director of Resalta d.o.o. Belgrade, was the panel moderator.

September 2022

INTERNATIONAL NETWORKING COCKTAIL

In cooperation with the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Japanese Business Alliance in Serbia, Hellenic Business Association, Croatian Business Club, the United Arab Emirates and Serbia Business Club, the Italian-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Belgian-Serbian Business Association, Dutch-Serbian Business Association, Nordic Business Alliance and CANSEE Canadian-Serbian Business Association, SPK hosted a very successful International Networking Cocktail at Metropol Hotel in Belgrade. The event gathered around 400 representatives of companies that are members of 13 bilateral chambers of commerce and business associations to improve cooperation.

September 2022

THE ROAD TO RECOVERY: THE FUTURE OF THE GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN CONFERENCE

The Slovenian Business Club, Confindustria Serbia and the

Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia jointly held the Road to Recovery: The Future of the Global Supply Chain Conference to improve economic relations between the three countries and boost the transport, industrial and logistics sectors.

The top management of the Slovenian Business Club, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Confindustria Serbia, the ambassadors of Italy and Slovenia and the director of the Corridors of Serbia Company officially opened the conference.

A total of four panel discussions were held during this logistics conference at which renowned international experts from various fields had the opportunity to exchange opinions in an open conversation on the topic of the overall impact of the pandemic and current geopolitical events on global logistics, as well as the possibility of further economic development.

They also focused on issues concerning new rules in business, infrastructure, the current approach in human resource management, new technologies and industry-specific situations.

October 2022 CONNECT 2022 CONFERENCE

The CONNECT 2022 regional conference, organized by the Slovenian Business Club, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (its Entrepreneurship Division) and the international network of entrepreneurs BNI (Business Network International), with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Serbia, was held in the large hall of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia in Belgrade. Branislava Simanić, Director of the Entrepreneurship Division at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Danijela Fišakov, President of the Slovenian Business Club, Vladimir Cerović, Director of BNI Serbia and Jernej Pirc, Director of BNI Adria, addressed the participants with short introductory presentations. On behalf of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia, its economic adviser, Dejan Vladić, addressed the audience. At the event, which brought together over 130 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises from Serbia, Slovenia and the region, the participants discussed topics that are important for the development and sustainability of micro and small enterprises.

The Land Where Babies can Ski Before They can Walk

It is safe to say that skiing is regarded as a national sport in Slovenia. Although most ski areas are family-friendly, there are some excellent runs for expert skiers as well

Skiing is a lifestyle in Slovenia, as shown by the statistic that almost a quarter of the population is active on the trails. Sunny Kanin is not the only ski area boasting perfectly groomed runs. The magical Vogel, overlooking the Julian Alps and Triglav, is to be included in the list, as well as Maribor Pohorje with Rogla ski resort. The ski centres in Slovenia are equipped with snow-making machines, which make it possible for ski season to start in December and last throughout May. Slovenia has more than 10 resorts open for skiing. The highest one is at an altitude of 2,292 m. Skiers travelling to Slovenia can expect to enjoy a wellgroomed ski area with a total slope length of 272 km, served by 198 cable cars.

MARIBOR POHORJE

This is the largest Slovenian ski resort. It represents the perfect combination of wellness and spa facilities and ski slopes. It is right here that the longest European night skiing run stretches up to 10 km. The ski area is suited for both beginners and experts, as well as free-riders looking for adventure. Pohorje is the famous venue of the Golden Fox Competition - World Alpine Ski Cup for women.

The ski area comprises three resorts: Snežni stadion with elevation span from 325 to 1.050 m (served by gondola as well as chair lifts with four, two and six seats), Bolfenk with elevation span from 937 to 1.150 (served by two-seat chair lifts and three ski lifts), area with elevation span from 927 m to 1,327 m (six-seat chair lift and seven ski-lifts).

In addition to the Maribor Pohorje ski centre, there are Rogla resort, Kope, Tri Kralja and Ribniško Pohorje.

KOPE

A ski resort which is 13 kilometres from Slovenj Gradec, well

suited for beginners. It is located on the highest elevation of Pohorje, spanning from 1,010 to 1,542 m. It offers about 6 km of traced ski routes.

KRANJSKA GORA

In the northwest of Slovenia, near the border with Austria and Italy, stretching across the peaks of the Julian Alps, there is one of the most famous ski centres in this country - Kranjska Gora. It is nearly 80 km from the capital of Slovenia. Kranjska Gora is best known for hosting the World Ski Cup and Ski Jumping World Cup. Another thing it boasts off is Planica – a famous ski jumping ramp.

The ski centre, with a total slope length of 20 km, is served by 23 cable cars. It also offers over 40 kilometres of wellgroomed cross-country tracks. Podkoren resort, the venue of the World Giant Slalom Cup, features challenging slopes for expert skiers. Less experienced skiers should head to Planica, Mojstrani, Planina pod Golica for more intermediate trails. The highest elevation is 1,600 m above sea level.

VOGEL

In the heart of the Julian Alps, at an altitude span from 1,535 to 1,800 m, there is the Vogel resort. It is surrounded by the Triglav National Park with one of the most beautiful lakes in Slovenia - Bohinj lake, situated at the foot of it. The ski resort stands at an altitude of 1,537 m, and it is accessed by a gondola lift. It gives a breathtaking view of Triglav, the highest Slovenian summit The total length of the not-so-challenging runs is 22 km. The area is the perfect choice for families.

KRVAVEC

This ski resort offers runs marked as difficult. It is the second-highest ski resort in Slovenia.

The total length of the ski area is 30 km. The ski slopes are located at an altitude of 1,480 to 1,971 m. Krvavec is frequently rated as the best weekend ski resort. It offers a large variety of services, including expert, intermediate and recreational ski runs. The ski resort is located 32 km from Ljubljana. Skiers are transported by gondola, sixseat, four-seat, two-seat and single-seat chair lifts.

BOVEC - KANIN

Kanin ski resort is the highest ski centre in Slovenia and the only ski resort with slopes lifted at an elevation of 2,000 m. Kanin is located in the northwestern part of this alpine country. It towers over the town of Bovec and the river Soča. The spectacular landscape provides a view of Triglav and Julian Alps, but also of the Adriatic sea, which makes it unique in the country and region. However, the Italians installed a circular gondola, “Prevala”, in order to connect two neighbouring ski centres, and this is how the unique Kanin-Sella, the first international ski resort in the region, was born. The cross-border resort of Kanin-Sella Nevea offers 30 km of the ski area. The ski season begins in December and lasts throughout May.

ROGLA RESORT

It is said that the largest European snowboard training ground is right here at Rogla resort. The resort stretches up to an elevation spanning from 1,050 to 1,517 m. It features about 15 kilometres of well-groomed ski trails - two of them are suited for night skiing. Cross-country skiing enthusiasts are provided with 28 km of trails. Rogla resort is a family-friendly resort located at a 45-min drive from Celje.

A New Mountain Life Concept

Grand Residences reflects a new mountain concept that combines real estate and tourism. How did this synergy come about?

STOJANOVIĆ Investment Director and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer

The past year was marked by numerous investments made by the MK Group. Certainly, one of the most significant in financial, but also strategic terms was the investment of almost 50 million euros in Kopaonik Mountain. After the completed reconstruction of the Grand Hotel, worth 17 million euros, this company allocated an additional 15 million euros and started the construction of a new residential block in the very centre of the mountain. The aforementioned projects were good enough reasons to interview the person who oversaw this investment cycle.

It is a well-known fact that MK Group has been present in tourism for twelve years. By 2022, we have invested more than 500 million euros in this economical branch, thereby proving that we see it as strategically important. Everything started with Kopanik, i.e. when the company entered the tourism and hotel management segment by purchasing the Grand Hotel. Today, our portfolio includes 15 hotels in Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro, as well as Portorož airport and a golf course in Istria. I would also like to mention that, in the past period, we have had successful cooperation with renowned hotel chains such as Kempinski and Marriott, which additionally validated the high standards that the MK Group adheres to in its operations. With that in mind, real estate was the next logical step in our business and an extension of our previous business and investment segments.

In regard to the amenities at Grand Residences, I would like to underline that the facility has 40 fully equipped apartments. The apartment sizes

range from cosy 31m2 to spacious 250m2. The superb ambience and impeccable mountain interior are interlaced in these spaces to give a unique stamp to the entire residential block, which is based on the Grand Hotel both in terms of architecture and concept. We were aware that modern tourists want a “home away from home” with all the amenities they would get in a highclass hotel. Grand Residences is the answer to their needs since it offers a first-class concierge service, luxury spa treatments, an indoor pool, a fitness area, a top gastronomic experience and entertainers for children. Plus, there is an experienced hotel team to organize personalized activities as well as care for the apartments that are owned by our residents.

In which way does this investment differ from other similar concepts in our country?

Historically speaking, there have been different waves of so-called hybridization in the hotel sector - from hotel accommodation combined with hotel activities, and later, the emergence of lifestyle hotels which completely blurred the lines between accommodation and workspace. This sector is undergoing constant transformation. Thanks to the MK Group’s expertise in tourism combined with real estate investment management, the Group helms this trend in Serbia and the region. What further sets Grand Residences apart from all other accommodation concepts is complete privacy, since this is a closed facility, with the new apartments owners having the same services like in Grand Hotel. There is a separate reception desk, a spa centre, a ski room on the slopes and an à la carte restaurant. By providing all this, we offer a completely new concept of mountain life.

Modern tourists want a second home in a leisure destination, and Grand Residences is the answer to their needs

ALEKSANDRA

We give shape to the future!

Zero Waste

Slovenia is one of the cleanest and most environment-friendly countries, both in Europe and globally. As of today, it is the only European country with zero waste capital, whilst ‘green’ tourism is also on the rise within Slovenia.

SkyShowtime announces official launch dates for Central & Eastern Europe

Pan-European streaming service announces its further expansion in Europe. The service will launch in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia on 14 December 2022. Albania, Czech Republic, Hungary, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia to follow in February 2023. Bringing together the best entertainment from the world’s greatest studios and storytellers, SkyShowtime features thousands of hours of quality entertainment for the whole family. The service will be home to a wide selection of the world’s most highly anticipated series and movies.

Right opportunity for safe savings in NLB Komercijalna banka

Attractive interest rates and various terms of depositt

It is important to think about the future on time – in order to put our ideas into action, achieve ambitions, fulfil our wishes and be ready for everything that may come! Therefore, marking International Savings Week, NLB Komercijalna Banka has ensured special conditions, various terms of deposit and attractive interest rates for all clients who deposit funds by the end of the year, namely by December 31. The special offering refers to term deposits of EUR or USD 5,000 and RSD 500,000 at a minimum, whereas additional benefits are planned for deposits exceeding EUR or USD 50,000.

HELLENIC PETROLEUM Renames to

HELLENiQ ENERGY

The parent company of EKO Serbia rebrands committing to a sustainable future

HELLENIC PETROLEUM, one of the largest energy companies in Southeast Europe, has proudly presented its new name HELLENiQ ENERGY as part of its sustainability-focused business strategy. On the same night, its affiliate company, EKO Serbia, celebrated 20 years of successful presence in the country. The astonishing rebranding event was presented to the numerous representatives of the Government of Serbia, diplomatic core, business partners, media and employees of EKO Serbia on November 16th. During the event, strategic changes were introduced, aligned with the visual identity and the company

name HELLENiQ ENERGY. HELLENiQ ENERGY’s corporate rebranding marks the completion of a comprehensive business transformation process, which is the first phase of the group’s ambitious ‘Vision 2025’ strategic plan. The company will be focusing on sustainable development while investing significant resources in the use of renewable energy and refinery digitalization and modernization. The goal of HELLENiQ ENERGY is to reduce its environmental footprint in a bid to tackle the challenges of climate change.

Air Serbia will launch direct flights between Belgrade and Chicago (O’Hare International Airport – ORD) starting on 17 May 2023, thus continuing to expand its operations in the United States market. After a pause of more than 30 years, the Serbian national airline is again starting a service to the famous Windy City. Until 11 June, flights will be operated twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, while as of 12 June, Belgrade-Chicago flights will be operated three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Flights will last approximately 11 hours and will be operated by Airbus A330 aircraft from Air Serbia’s long-haul fleet. Tickets are already available for purchase at the starting price of 640 euros for a round trip, with all taxes included.

Yettel and CETIN showed the potential of a 5G network

At the jubilee 30th telecommunication forum, Telfor, in cooperation with Company CETIN, Yettel has demonstrated the potential of the new 5G technology. According to Saša Leković, CTO of Yettel, digital transformation drives a need for new technologies in which 5G will play a key role in the future. “The use of the Internet, as well as the average quantity of data per user, is growing, while projections say that in the next ten years, 70% of new value created in the economy will come from digitally enabled platform business

models. That means that in the future, the existing mobile network will not be able to satisfy the needs and that new technology will be required”, pointed out Leković, adding: “It is expected that 5G will have the largest role in automation and control of production processes, medicine, utility services, agricultural and car industries”. The fifth generation of mobile internet brings many times higher throughput rates, larger coverage and capacities and almost total absence of latency in data transfer.

OMR Luxury Store: Welcome to the world of luxury

The unique world of luxury and beautiful emotions – OMR Luxury Store, was officially opened on Thursday, November 17 in the attractive West 65 Mall in New Belgrade. The British Motors company implemented this project in cooperation with members of the OMR Group – Globos osiguranje, MIOS, AKS Fleet and others. A comfortable and modern space intended for exceptional people who are looking for extraordinary experiences unites the sale of luxury cars of all brands such as Bentley, Ferrari, Porsche and others, as well as MV Agusta motorcycles, but also luxury vessels from the Azimut Benetti Group offer. As is well known, British Motors is the general importer of Jaguar Land Rover models for the market of Serbia and Montenegro, so logically the offer in OMR Luxury Store is rounded off by the most exclusive JLR models of the SV line. In a glamorous atmosphere in front of a large number of distinguished dignitaries from public life and the business world, OMR Luxury Store opened (photos left).

Serbian national airline announces a second route to the United States – to Chicago as of 17 May 2023

New service for UniCredit Bank Serbia business clients – Tap on Phone

UniCredit Bank Serbia, with the support of Mastercard, has included a Tap on Phone solution (POS terminal on a mobile phone) called FlexiPOS in its offer to business clients. The solution is ideal for businesses that need a flexible, fast, and mobile payment acceptance solution, as well as for those who don’t want sales to stop at the

checkout. With FlexiPOS, small merchants can more easily and without initial investments, enable the acceptance of contactless card payments, and thereby open up new opportunities for earning while simultaneously meeting the needs of their clients for the modern payment solutions they are used to.

Dipos Marked its 60th anniversary

Significant growth of 14 per cent despite challenges

The Nelt Group will record a consolidated turnover of EUR 1.15 billion in 2022, or 14% more than in the previous year. New distribution and logistics partnerships, combined with an investment cycle in Angola, create conditions for the company’s further development in the European and African markets. By investing EUR 20 million in Candy Factory, Angola, a confectionery producer, Nelt shifted its focus on its own brands, en-

suring long-term sustainability in the market, where it has been present for 11 years already. Nelt was established in 1992, and it is the leading company in Serbia and the region for providing comprehensive solutions in distribution and logistics services today. The Nelt Group comprises 18 companies operating in 12 markets in Europe and Africa, with 4,500 employees and an annual turnover of more than EUR 1 billion.

Property Management and Rental Company Dipos marked a significant jubilee – 60 years of business and 60 years of the Diplomatic Colony in Dedinje in the presence of numerous guests from the world of diplomacy, politics, economy, culture and sports. Established as a state-owned company for the management and maintenance of real estate owned by the Republic of Serbia, with the aim of providing diplomatic and consular missions in the Republic of Serbia and their staff with a comfortable, comfortable and safe space to live and work, Dipos has worked hard to strengthen bilateral relations and thus contributed to building solid partnerships with the almost entire diplomatic community in Belgrade.

DP Lux Group expands

DP Lux Group, the previous partner owner, took over 100% ownership of W.Plaza d.o.o. from November 21. and thus became a leader in the beauty retail industry with two perfumery chains, Belodore and Plaza. W.Plaza has been operating in Bosnia and Herzegovina for more than two decades and includes the Plaza perfumery chain as well as L’Occitaine mono-brand stores. Plaza Perfumery is the leader in the Bosnia – Herzegovina market in the retail sale of perfumes, facial care products, as well as make-up cosmetics, with a portfolio of almost 100 brands from all over the world.

Team Spirit is Important for Success

We are currently developing a conceptual solution and project for a business and residential complex in an exclusive location in Novi Beograd

MILOŠ ANTIĆ DHG Holding AG. Member of Executive Board/Member of Managing Board

We spoke with an accomplished businessman of Serbian origin, Miloš Antić, whose family owns one of the most successful privately held Real Estate and Construction companies in Switzerland. The company will soon start implementing an exclusive project in Novi Beograd and is also planning one-of-akind projects in Dubai.

Your father started DHG Holding in Switzerland in the early 1990s. As someone who was born in that country, what can

you tell us about that phase in the life of your family and the company?

I don’t remember the company’s inception because I was born in 1994 when my father, Blagoje Antić, founded its first company. I look back on my memories like when I visited the first construction site as a child with my father, and I remember how hard my father worked. The system in Switzerland does not allow you to have too much free time, and the same applied to my family – we were used to order, work and discipline.

Switzerland offers opportunities in all segments of life, and it is up to you whether you will use them.

FROM ITS HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO DATE, DHG HAS GROWN INTO ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PRIVATE SHAREHOLDING COMPANIES IN THE INDUSTRY

© All photos: DHG Holding AG.

Last year, DHG Holding bought land in Block 40, located between Heroja sa Košara Boulevard and a railroad. Have you finished designing this planned facility, and is there anything that sets it apart from other similar facilities in the area?

Our local branch - DHG DOOhas managed to buy the mentioned plot at a public tender. We are happy about that because it is almost impossible to buy this kind of land in Novi Beograd at the moment. Both the conceptual solution and a project for a commercial and residential complex are currently being developed.

What was DHG Holding’s first business activity, and what the company mostly does today?

DHG Holding started as a finishing works and renovation

company in the mid-1990, founded by my father. From these humble beginnings to date, DHG has grown into one of the most successful private shareholding companies in the industry. Today, our main focus is on expanding the real estate portfolio, but also on the construction of various types of buildings. DHG also offers professional building maintenance services, as well as the services that started it all - renovation and finishing works.

You have also recently launched new projects in Dubai. Could you elaborate?

It is no secret that this Saharan city has attracted investors from all over the world in the last few years. We have also taken advantage of the offered opportunity for real estate development in Dubai. We are

currently planning an extraordinary project in an excellent location with a residential and commercial complex.

You were a professional athlete. How much did that experience help you in your business career?

The experience gained in that phase of my life helped me to see the importance of team and teamwork for the collec-

for the operational part of it, while Blagica is the director of DHG Facility Services, which does professional maintenance of commercial and residential buildings. A family company brings a certain kind of relief in the business sense as we are all fully committed to the success of the company, but that does not mean that we are treated differently compared to other workers. Just like all our employees, we have to prove our-

tive. Every part, no matter how small, is extremely important for the final picture. I try to carry this team spirit wherever I go and use it every time the opportunity arises. Perseverance is another good thing I learned from my former profession. I find this trait extremely useful in the ever-changing business world.

DHG Holding is an excellent example of a family-run company – apart from your father, you and your sisters also work in the company.

Yes, apart from me being the vice president and member of the board, my three sisters also work in the company as vice presidents of the DHG Group. My oldest sister, Dragana, is in charge of the real estate department; Milena is the head of marketing and also the legal representative of our company in Belgrade and is responsible

selves and work hard towards the company’s development. When you say a family company, that doesn’t just imply us (the family) – our employees are also our family.

As a young businessman, where do you see yourself in the future – in Switzerland, Serbia, Dubai, or a different location?

It is still too early to talk about that. I try not to narrow my horizons and limit myself. The world today is so interconnected and offers so many growth opportunities. It also depends on the opportunities that we will come across, which I’m sure will be plenty when it comes to a company like DHG. Switzerland is definitely my base, and that will never change, but regarding the ongoing projects in Dubai, I am currently working between the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland.

WHEN YOU SAY A FAMILY COMPANY, THAT DOESN’T JUST IMPLY US (THE FAMILY) – OUR EMPLOYEES ARE ALSO OUR FAMILY

Creativity is Born from Challenges

the concept of hyperconsumerism and the principle where the price is the key determinant in marketing mix have been abandoned overnight. I have always been advocating that “less is more”. In this context, I would like to mention the discussion about the difference between style and fashion. For me, style is eternal and fashion is fleeting. Style is not based on trends, but on quality in every segment - from materials used and the top-notch production process to service, packaging, presentation, communication and the choice of sales channels. This is how we arrive at premiumization. It is one of those new expressions that are linguistically, perhaps, difficult to pronounce clearly and quickly, but which we can easily get used to. The bottom line is that premium is quality that prevails over quantity.

MILOŠ MILUTINOVIĆ General Manager of the DP

DP Lux is one of the fastest-growing companies in the region, in the retail and beauty industry. In his interview for Diplomacy&Commerce magazine, Miloš Milutinović, the company’s general manager, talks about the company’s products, niche products and the differences between premium and lux products.

You base your business on niche products. What are they exactly and what are their main features?

Concerning niche perfumes, as typical representatives of the niche industry, what sets them apart is that they are innovative products that have unique fragrance compositions of top-quality ingredients. Due to their uniqueness and complexity, niche perfumes provide a personalized experience of customer satisfaction. Each of us finds our own emotion and identity in a niche perfume.

In which way do niche perfumes differ from fashion and cosmetic brand perfumes?

Unlike fashion and cosmetic brand perfumes, niche perfumes are created by designers who incorporate experiences

and meaningful added value in everyday life. I will give you an example of this - one of the brands we distribute, The Spirit Of Dubai, is one of the most famous brands in the world of niche perfumes. Their premium perfumes are in the stan-

In 2021, you expanded your distribution business to 11 countries in Central and Southeastern Europe with a tendency to expand further. At the same time, your premium retail chain, Belodore, is currently present in 6 countries in the region and is the second-largest chain of its type in Europe. Could you explain to us how come you experienced the greatest expansion at the time of the greatest crisis, namely since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic?

and feelings into their creations. Therefore, niche perfumes are the ultimate works of art, and it is up to us to find the one that we will enjoy the most. I would like to point out that one of the important features of niche perfumes is that most of them are unisex, because they do not reflect gender, but the experience of certain emotions.

Is every premium product also a luxury product?

In my industry, the premium does not denote something unattainable, but something that provides a sense of satisfaction

dard price range for this type of product. On the other hand, this brand entered the Guinness World Records with its perfume called SHUMUKH, as the most expensive perfume in the world. With its unique two-metre-high packaging, which is encrusted with gold, silver, pearls and topaz, as well as 3,571 diamonds, SHUMUKH is synonymous with luxurious perfume.

What does premium mean to you?

In many ways, in the post-COVID period, the consumer world is embarking on a new era. As if

Throughout my career, I had to deal with various types of crises. My abundant experience has taught me that crises can be viewed as a blessing in disguise because all crises imply progress. Creativity is born from challenges, crises facilitate inventiveness and grand strategies. The one who overcomes the crisis overcomes himself - everyone who perceives it as an opportunity is aware that the crisis will lead to weaker organizations giving way to stronger ones on the market. Therefore, the only true crisis is a crisis of incompetence, reluctance and unwillingness. When everyone was reducing marketing budgets and strictly focusing on downsizing activities, we were focused on cash flow management, but not in a way to cut costs at all costs. On the contrary, the focus was on reducing

the costs of complexity and creating new opportunities for the placement of our products, with one goal in mind - to bring the feeling and the best offers found in global metropolises closer to our customers in all the countries where we do business.

As a distributor, DP LUX covers a market of 65 million consumers. In the retail segment, DP Lux covers a market of almost 35 million people. How does the current global economic crisis affect the development of the premium product market and how much does market consolidation help you in your business?

Many macroeconomic and market shifts and trends in the last five years have favoured premium products, starting with the degree of customer education, which is at an enviable level. Today, they know what they want, what are the features of each product, and what are the global trends... All this reduces the need for impulsive purchases and puts the service, the overall environment in which the sale takes place and the customer’s feelings in the foreground. These facts certainly favour pre-

mium products. Furthermore, due to negative macroeconomic trends, the target group that buys this product category has demonstrated the highest degree of resistance. Also, there is much stronger brand loyalty in the premium segment.

DP Lux especially focuses on systematizing the experience we gained from doing business in 12 European countries through a unique group of values and benefits that we offer to our distribution chains and consumers via our retail chain that sells Belodore niche perfumes. We initiated this qualitative systematization through an internal project. We want to bring the spirit of global metropolises, quality of service, ambience and shopping experience closer

ratio than products from other categories. Hence, year-on-year, we have been witnessing that consumer awareness is developing and that the premium is not unattainable and certainly not overpriced. In short, our customers deserve to get the best for their money.

The second part of your question was about consolidating our business in several markets. Certainly, this process brings with it several benefits - from using the potential of economies of scale, a better negotiating position with the brands we represent, the possibility of selecting the best personnel, and access to new knowledge and experiences. We cannot expect better business results tomorrow if we do business in the same

Some of them irreparably fell in love with everything our markets have to offer. I would like to use this opportunity to brag a little too – as a rule, Belodore boutiques are chosen as the most prestigious sales points of most brands and frequently find a place in their presentations and publications. This speaks volumes about how much the opinions have changed and how much awareness that Western Europe and the USA are not the only markets suitable for the placement of premium products has grown.On the other hand, each of us should be aware that we are representatives of our respective regions and that as such, we have a responsibility towards all the countries that our companies represent. We do not only represent ourselves and our company but something much wider and bigger than that. I really mean this. This attitude is deeply rooted in my value system, which I try to convey to everyone around me.

to our markets while respecting all the idiosyncrasies that they have. Also, we strive to educate consumers that quality costs money, but not without reason, and premium products have a much better price vs. quality

way as yesterday. Changes are necessary, therefore I believe that it is necessary to look at the whole world as a single market. Of course, expanding to a larger number of markets brings with it its own challenges. Effective management, fighting with local competition, logistical challenges, control, connecting with your team... All of the aforementioned are only part of the daily challenges that arise from market consolidation.

Given that you are a distributor of over 90 brands and communicate with companies worldwide, what is your experience concerning their perception of our region as a market?

I will try to illustrate our partners’ perception in one phrase“non-established market”. This perception is based on assumptions and insufficient information, which is a common problem today and one of the biggest mistakes that leaders and managers can make.

After visiting the region, our partners are often very surprised by the quality of life, the breadth of education and information that people here possess, the good knowledge of foreign languages, culture and history and how much they follow global trends.

Speaking about your job, how do you connect and use the current experiences you have as a university professor and the general manager of an international company?

Nothing is more practical than a good theory, but there is no better theory than good practice. In both of my occupations, I am always guided by this rule I’ve heard from a very dear professor. Everything we do in life requires a balance, but also an even development of potential in all segments. The academic work encourages me to keep up to date with all the news in the domain of my scientific expertise, while on the other hand, I have the great pleasure of being able to implement and review all my academic knowledge through the practice of a person who is at the head of an international company that has recorded double-digit growth rate for the last five years. Also, working with students is invaluable - it gives a person the opportunity to always stay current. Their energy and ambition are truly infectious. Several special students today work in very important positions at the DP Lux Group, which makes me even happier and more proud.

NOTHING IS MORE PRACTICAL THAN A GOOD THEORY, BUT THERE IS NO BETTER THEORY THAN GOOD PRACTICE

Rising to the Challenges to Bring Innovation and Value

Today,

As a member of one of the largest Brazilian companies, Galenika has made a big turn since the privatization - from a traditional company, one of the biggest in the region, to a modern pharmaceutical leader and a result-oriented go-getter. How did you make such a success out of it?

RICARDO VIAN MARQUES General Manager, Galenika

In 2017, Galenika became a part of the NC Group, which is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Latin America. Brazilian investments in Serbia are not that common, and here in Serbia, we cannot even imagine the strength of Brazilian and Latin-American economies. How is the pharmaceutical industry changing and what is Galenika’s growth path? In this interview, Mr Ricardo Vian Marques, General Manager of Galenika, responds to those questions.

It has been a very dynamic five years for Galenika and our whole team. Integration into a large system such as the NC Group, one of the largest conglomerates in Brazil, has certainly brought advantages in the organization and implementation of business, as well as in the presence in the global market. Investments and development in recent years have implied modernization of production, digitalization of business processes, developing and improving the team, as well as expansion of the product portfolio. The strategic partnership between Galenika and EMS, our sister company, the leading pharmaceutical company in Brazil, has obviously contributed to the further growth of Galenika. We have gained access to their intellectual property, which enables us to transfer the technology of a newer gen-

eration of generic drugs, thus registering new products and expanding our portfolio. The result of these united efforts is that Galenika today is ranked in the solid second position in terms of share in the pharmaceutical market of Serbia, and we are recording constant growth in Serbia, as well as in the region and international markets where we operate.

advancement, and of course, the issues with supply chains. Galenika has been rising to these challenges with actions and innovations that deliver value and ensure efficiency. Our long-term operations take into account network strategy and resilience, digital and operating models, as well as talent. Relying on a qualified workforce is one of the essential elements for progress in

I AM A FIRM BELIEVER THAT SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS REQUIRES A PROACTIVE, POSITIVE IMPACT ON SOCIETY

Given the technological development, the recent pandemic and the experience you gained in the biggest Brazilian pharma company EMS and Galenika, what are the biggest challenges in this industry at the moment?

The pandemic has created many challenges in every industry and pharmaceuticals are no exception. Some industry-specific challenges that represent global trends, and that we see in Brazil, Serbia and across the globe, include the importance of a highly qualified workforce, digitization and technological

the pharmaceutical industry today. In Galenika, we make sure to check all the boxes and invest in knowledge, experience and skills.

We have been familiar with a considerable number of wellknown Galenika brands all of our lives. What is the strategy regarding the old brands and what is the focus of your future activities and innovation?

Galenika marked its 77th anniversary this July. It is the oldest pharmaceutical company in Serbia and the oldest pharmaceuti-

Ricardo Vian Marques © Galenika

cal company in the former Yugoslavia that is still in business. According to consumers, pharmacists and doctors, and based on the research results, the core value of Galenika’s products is QUALITY. It is a brand promise that we are not taking lightly. In that sense, as a future-oriented company, Galenika has established quality systems through the implementation of GMP and ISO standards, which it continuously renews by meeting new requirements of internationally recognized standards. This is a prerequisite for responsible business and it is a step further for Galenika in ensuring competitiveness in the regional, EU and global markets. Galenika has over 50 products in its portfolio that are over 50 years old which nurture tradition, quality and recognition. We have invested great resources to refresh the traditional products through innovative campaigns, but we are also launching new products and expanding our portfolio in line with the needs of modern consumers, especially in product groups used in the treatment of cardiovascular and infectious diseases. Galenika has managed to register more than 45 products since 2018 in Serbia.

Could you sell your products in the EU? Are you satisfied with Galenika’s expansion in the international markets and the EU?

Thanks to the quality of our products and business strategy, the internationalization of Galenika is a plan that we have successfully put into motion. Our products - drugs produced in

Serbia are available in the markets of the region - in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania. The establishment of Galenika International in Hungary was an important step for us, as it is our hub for the EU market, where we have successfully registered over 20 products. These results are indicative of team effort and top-quality products. They also

tion, realizing that, in the digital age, patients are more and more willing to take more control over their health, the topic of prevention is high on our business agenda. Galenika`s efforts are focused on the strategic development of digitalization and innovation, especially platforms and applications that will have an increasing impact on prevention and the general health of the

demonstrate the company’s potential to compete with its expertise and quality globally. This year, we have opened offices in Croatia and Slovenia. Furthermore, we operate successfully in 13 international markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

How can the pharmaceutical industry exert a positive influence on business, society and the environment?

I am a firm believer that sustainable business requires a proactive, positive impact on society. The key drivers of our business value are investments and innovations, continuous modernization and environmental protection, as well as provision of support to the community in which we operate. I will give you examples of this. A year ago, the company announced a new investment cycle and its focus is on environment protection - improving energy efficiency, as well as work safety. In addi-

nation. We have launched a mobile application called Galix this year, which goal is to support the healthy habits of its users through daily insights and advice. Another example is our online platform “Hello Twenties!” (“Zdravo dvadesete!” - www.dvadesete.rs), aimed at educating young people in Serbia on how to improve and maintain mental and physical health. This initiative is in its third year running and it has a growing, national importance in the prevention and empowering of youth on their path to healthy lives.

We understand that Galenika produces medicines and invests in prevention. What would you say is Galenika`s greatest contribution in that field?

It is a vast field and we try to truly lead by example through Galenika`s slogan: “Devoted to people and dedicated to health”.  We start in our own home, by ensuring the safety and well-being

of employees, providing support, management, good working conditions and regular training that provide our team with contemporary knowledge and skills. We are busy outside of Galenika also – we are expanding the vision externally, through high-quality product portfolio growth, as well as a multitude of partnerships and ongoing support. Pantenol Pink October is one of the projects that we implement each year, which gives a good depiction of the power of a united effort. Each October, we allocate a part of our income from five products in the Pantenol portfolio and donate it to an institution involved actively in the fight against breast cancer. It is an important project that, on our side, includes raising awareness, on the one hand, as well as providing financial support, on the other. We also invite our consumers to join and we gain considerable support from our partners – drugstores and pharmacies. It is an illustration of the impact that multiplies with every partner or consumer that joins in.

This year is coming to an end and we all look towards the future. What are the company’s plans for 2023?

International business is an area that we will continue to develop in 2023. Last year, we had significant growth in the region and international markets. Our business ambitions do not end there - in the coming period, our focus is to position ourselves further in the markets of Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the MENA region. Our employees and their expertise are the key factors for a successful business. I am pleased to point out that from, year-on-year, we have been investing more and more in the development of our employees through various types of training. Investments in quality, technological advancement and capacity growth are also planned. Plus, we will continue to expand and increase partnerships with other pharmaceutical companies in the region and EU. All this shows our readiness to face the challenges in 2023 and above all, Galenika’s focus on a healthier and better future.

THANKS TO THE QUALITY OF OUR PRODUCTS AND BUSINESS STRATEGY, THE INTERNATIONALIZATION OF GALENIKA IS A PLAN THAT WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY PUT INTO MOTION

by Žikica Milošević

We are Changing the Whole Tobacco Industry Paradigm

TOMMASO DI GIOVANNI Vice president of International Communications of Philip Morris International

We focus on appealing products for smokers to swith to them, but not too appealing so that the non-smokers could start using them! – says Tommaso di Giovanni, Vice President International Communications (Market Activation and Support) of Philip Morris International. We had a chat with him about the current state and the future of tobacco industry, where PMI is the leading player.

How does the competition react to your „one step ahead“ policy? Some may think that the PMI is an „insider fighter against the tobacco industry“, since you are actively transforming it from the inside?

That is the question you should probably ask the competitors. Disruption comes with fear. People are afraid of the change and it is much easier to stay on the status quo. But it doesn’t work – it is not the best thing for your business, nor for the public health. We have almost a responsibility to go beyond cigarettes, to leverage the science and technology innovations to offer customers something better than cigarettes. Competitors have been slower than us but I think we all have to go the same direction and replace cigarettes with less harmful alternatives.

Are they imitating you?

Somehow yes, but it is the dynamics typical for technology. All companies imitate each other. But it is just that we are more innovative than the others and it is normal to see some imitation. If whole industry goes in the same direction, it is actually a good thing – we can accelerate change. It is still not fully the case – some of our competitors stick to the old

products and ways but it will happen one day.

You strive towards the „zero emision“ of toxic elements in the new products. You said it was an illusion, like chasing a mirage. But you are getting close to it every year, richt?

Zero-risk in consumer products is probably a mirage. But we are trying to get as close as possible

pand our portfolio of products, there will be innovations on IQOS, we want to give smokers more alternatives, because we know they don’t have the same preferences. E-cigarettes will have new technical solutions, and last but not least, we just acquired over 93% of Swedish Tobacco, the leader in snus (a tobacco product that does not burn, it is put in your mouth and on lips) – and we will add it to

of burning which contribute to a very specific taste and sensory experience. These products are what is the closest to cigarettes, but of course, these are not cigarettes. They require a slight change in habit, but it also comes with a benefit, because it reduces significantly the smell, the smell does not stick to the clothes, does not linger in the room, it is much less impactful than the smell of cigarettes. Most people like it. Anecdotally when we hear from our consumers, once they switch they don’t come back to cigarettes: 7 out of 10 switch for good. With other products the

to elimination of the toxic elements and removing the risks, while mantaining the product appealing for those who smoke. For example, what we have observed in our clinical studies, that the effect on health of the people who switched to heated tobacco products are similar as with people who have quit: matabolites, urine, blood... Not the same but very close. It is the best standard we can use.

The PMI always surprise us with something new. Tell us what is new for 2023?

I cannot reveal all the surprises, but we will continue to ex-

our portfolio. And the innovation nevers stops, it is not the end – our consumers deserve it.

How the people react to the flavour of the new smoke? It is distinctively different than the old smell of cigarettes and cigars. I have heard some are thrilled, some dislike it? Will it become a new „standard smell“ and the „classical one“ will be a vintage taste? The peoples’ habits don’t die easily.

When you heat instead of burning, you reduce the levels of the harmful chemicals significantly, but at the same time you don’t have some elements

ANECDOTALLY WHEN WE HEAR FROM OUR CONSUMERS, ONCE THEY SWITCH THEY DON’T COME BACK TO CIGARETTES: 7 OUT OF 10 SWITCH FOR GOOD

The future of the industry is with heating, not burning tobacco

© All photos: Marijana Stefanović

rates are lower. But there is another question that arises from your question: what can we do to make more people switch? You don’t find exactly the same experience. But we must communicate, to fully understand the benefits and the risk and to overcome the fear of change. As for the habit: we can encourage them to switch.

And the secondary smoking?

When you don’t burn tobacco, you don’t generate the toxic solid particles in the smoke and its chemical composition is significantly better. We conducted studies based on European ISO standards for indoor air quality and the result shows that there is no negative impact on indoor air when you use heated tobacco products..

Will the new products ever be „as cool as somking cigarettes“ and what are you doing in your campaigns to make it „a new cool“?

This is also our responsibility. We have to make a product appealing enough so the people switch, but not too appealing, since we don’t want non-smokers to start. This is a challenging and important balance we have to make, since we have to make a great design and it appeals to non-smokers nevertheless. But we have this delicate excersise to do! And so far we are being successful. Evidence indicates little initiation with IQOS from non-smokers and youths.

For More Responsible Life Decisions

Magnus Lindquist, a world-renowned futurologist and speaker participated at the ReThink the Status Quo conference in Belgrade

Tommaso Di Giovanni, Philip Morris International’s Vice President of Communications, Milan Popović, science communicator and Professor Jasna Bajraktarević, PhD, psychologist, questioned the Status Quo at a conference dedicated to harm reduction organized by the Phillip Morris Company at the Belexpo Centre. Guided by the principle of harm reduction, PMI moved from the traditional cigarette business to a business with potentially less harmful alternatives, to initiate positive changes with its responsible approach and contribute to the creation of a better future.

“Innovation is often accompanied by scepticism. While working for Volvo, Nils Bohlin designed a safety belt that, due to distrust in this invention, only came into use a decade later. The refrigerator, an appliance which is now taken for granted, also went through ups and downs, even though it solved the problem of stomach cancer caused by spoiled food to a great extent. Even today, a large number of people do not believe in smokeless alternatives to cigarettes, including because they mistakenly think that nicotine is the primary cause of diseases associated with smoking. Smoke-free device products such as IQOS generate up to 90-95 percent lower levels of harmful compounds compared to cigarette smoke. It’s the principle of harm reduction”, said Tommaso Di Giovanni, PMI’s Vice President of Communications

Milan Popović, a science communicator, as an advocate of harm reduction, the scientist did a comparative analysis of cigarette smoke for the Phillip Morris Company with the aerosol produced by their to-

POSSIBILISM ACTUALLY DENOTES NEW POSSIBILITIES AND UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD IN A NEW WAY, WITH NEW MEASUREMENTS AND NEW VIEWS

bacco heating device, and after conducting this scientific analysis, he claims to have realized two things. “Firstly, as a non-smoker, now I am even more confident that I will never light a cigarette. Secondly, I’m a little more relaxed, because my better half uses this product that heats tobacco, which I’m now sure is a less harmful alternative to smoking,” he explained.

Professor Jasna Bajraktarević, PhD, spoke about the modern way of life and how it influences our daily actions. “Changes do not happen overnight, they are not realistic decisions that say... We make changes for the better slowly and gradually at the moment when we realize which mechanisms we carry inside us, and which ones are holding us back”, pointed out the psychologist and regular participant in TED conferences.

Magnus Lindkvist, a world-renowned futurologist and speaker concluded: “There is not only optimism and pessi-

mism but there is also a middle ground. I called it “possibilism” - it actually denotes new possibilities and understanding the world in a new way, with new measurements and new views. Watch what others are doing and do the opposite. If everyone copies each other, we will get nowhere. Experiment, play with the rules, don’t follow them blindly and don’t get lulled into instant success. Discuss ideas with creative people, don’t be surrounded only by like-minded people and always be ready to rise after a loss like a phoenix from the ashes”.

Philip Morris is the first company in the tobacco industry that, back in 2015, set a new goal and mission – “A SmokeFree Future”. To this end, more than 900 scientists and experts have been engaged and more than 9 billion dollars have been invested in scientific research, development and commercialization of smokeless alternatives, which are a better alternative than continuing to smoke cigarettes.

WTCA Offers a Stable Support System Even in the Most Difficult Times

Big companies, as well as small and medium enterprises, more and more often, look for ways to connect in order to become more resilient to the constant changes in the market. World Trade Centers Association (WTCA®) has been offering this kind of support for years, and Danica Milovanović, WTCA representative for SEE explains how Members in this global organization collaborate. After many years of her career

in the international corporate sector in Serbia and abroad, as well as in the Serbian public administration, Danica joined the WTCA team in Europe and took over the responsibility for membership engagement and business development in Central and Eastern Europe. By 2022 number of licenses, Europe, with its 83 regular Members, is the second biggest WTCA region, following Asia and the Pacific. As WTCA Membership Engagement Coordinator and in close cooperation with the WTCA Headquarters in New York, Danica encourages and supports the European Members to be very active within the global WTCA network.

In what ways do you think the local SMEs can benefit from getting a WTCA license?

Established in 1969, the World Trade Centers Association® (WTCA®) is a vibrant membership community of over 300 World Trade Center businesses

in nearly 100 countries, with the mandate to facilitate and promote international trade and development. Our license holders are real estate developers, economic development agencies, governmental organizations, chambers of commerce, airports, ports, logistical hubs and industrial parks, free zones,

WTC to contact any other fellow Member and provide assistance to the local business community to help it develop trade opportunities and grow internationally. The strength of the WTC brand and the WTCA network is evident during my visits to our locations, for instance, in conversations with local tenants,

conference and exhibition centers, hotel chains, business incubators, universities, and much more.

The vast majority of WTCA Members’ business members around the world are SMEs. What the strength of our global network is really about is that it creates an environment of trust in which WTCA members collaborate and share ideas and best practices, allowing one

mostly SMEs operating in a variety of industries. By renting the WTC space, they simply take advantage of access to global trade and investment flows and grow with the WTC location.

What would be a good example of a success story for prospects who decided to join the WTCA?

Our organization’s greatest asset is our most engaged WTCA

Thanks to the constant inter and intraregional exchange of best practices and integration in our global ecosystem, the WTCA European network is becoming a region of success with a growing business perspective

EACH

DANICA MILOVANOVIĆ WTCA representative for SEE

© April Renae

Membership, who - through the use of our digital tools and programming and participation in events on a regional and global scale - find the necessary business connections across the globe and address long-term challenges.

Each WTC location has its own business model and concept, as we are not a franchise organization. The city, which hosts a WTC business, often becomes the access point for global trade and investment opportunities by gaining international business credibility and increased business confidence.

Some of the success stories within our mature Membership in Central and Eastern Europe:

WTC Dresden (year of inception 1992) – a very successful real estate model owned by a private investment fund managing company, which works closely with the local Economic Development agency to provide trade services such as inbound and outbound trade missions to/ from Eastern Germany;

WTC Trieste (year of inception 1998) – 100% privately owned WTC by a logistic company with 100+ years of experience, a mixed real-estate and trade services WTC concept, which benefits from the cooperation with local institutions such as the Port of Trieste (with its Custom Free Zone), AREA Science Park, Municipality and Region and the Chamber of Commerce in attracting the businesses to its membership and assisting them in international business development projects;

WTC Istanbul (year of inception 1980) - 100% owned by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, the only one European WTC that exclusively facilitates the organization of international trade exhibitions and shows at its Expo

Center and accommodation at two high-class hotels close to the Expo with 100% occupancy rate.

Thanks to the constant inter and intraregional exchange of best practices and integration in our global ecosystem, the WTCA European network is becoming a region of success with a growing business perspective.

Do you have any information on how one WTCA licensee can contribute to changing the economic landscape of a particular area, city, etc.?

On every continent, whether in an economically developed country or an emerging market, WTCA’s global network, expertise (15.000 trade and investment professionals around the world) and partnerships with other international organizations (UN Global Compact, Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, Airports Council International Europe, etc.) provide a strong

between the local business community and its international counterparts. A robust portfolio of WTCA events, state-of-theart resources and global PR and marketing promotion provides tools for the local business community that has immediate access to the global market, alternative distributors, suppliers and service providers, etc. Last but not least, globally integrated trade services to WTC business members and access to reciprocal WTC facilities worldwide anchor the city’s economic activity and growth and contribute significantly to a country’s exports and GDP. All that, and much more, comes with WTCA Membership.

What changes need to be made by the potential prospects to become eligible for the license?

We welcome member applications from the private sector, governmental entities, and public-private partnerships alike.

to the WTCA Executive Committee (EC) for review and approval. Once the EC approves the application, we proceed with the execution of a license agreement. Despite today’s economic uncertainties, the WTCA manages to increase visibility and outreach and is proud to welcome new Members from around the world every year. Our network has really proven to be a mutually supportive system in the most difficult times.

How long does it take for WTCA to issue a license, and can you give an estimation of how much time passes until the first results can be recorded?

impetus to the local economic development by raising the international profile of the considered location and gaining competitive differentiation and advantage.

Landmark WTC building attracts world-class and high-profile tenants who achieve higher rents and higher occupancy rates and consequently generate an increase in its own value and the value of neighbouring properties - even up to 20%. High-quality networking facilitates communication and interaction

The WTCA has a comprehensive application process where an applicant submits a business plan outlining a solid long-term vision for the proposed WTC, also sharing financial information and letters of recommendation to demonstrate local support for the project and pay a license initiation fee. A WTC project can be related to an existing infrastructure or a new project. Once our team reviews this information and discusses this with the applicant, if favourable, the application will be submitted

The application process takes an average of two to three months. We assign licenses on a city basis only, so we are looking for a potential licensed Member who is supported by the local government and business community. In addition to the real estate component, what is equally important is the commitment to engage with our global network and to be active in offering trade services or identifying potential local partners for the provision of trade services (market assessments, market access programs, education or training on current topics such as sustainability, trade missions, various trade-related events and B2B matchmakings, etc.).

WTCA offers an iconic brand of trust and credibility, recognized all around the world, as well as resources and tools to boost local and regional economic growth. It is up to each new WTC location how quickly it is able to leverage our global ecosystem of real estate relationships and integrated trade services. And I’m always available to support and guide them on this growth path.

DESPITE TODAY’S ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTIES, THE WTCA MANAGES TO INCREASE VISIBILITY AND OUTREACH AND IS PROUD TO WELCOME NEW MEMBERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD EVERY YEAR

Kec Group’s

International Lawyers’ Convention

Judges, prosecutors, mediators, law graduates and lawyers employed in companies and the public sector, public notaries, software developers, owners and directors of IT companies are all welcome to attend the International Lawyers’ Convention.

The Kec Group invites you to take part in the Second International Lawyers Convention, which will take place at the Grand Hotel, Bansko, Bulgaria, from 13th to 17th December of this year. The convention’s topic is “Law and IT”.

The first such convention took place on Kopaonik Mountain last year and brought together about 150 lawyers from 10

countries. This year, the organizers expect over 500 lawyers from more than 20 countries to participate.

The convention will cover many topics related to modern law, such as justice in the 21st century, digitalization and law, protection of personal data on the Internet, digital assets, remote work and many other topics that are relevant to modern law.

During the five convention days, the participants will have the opportunity to attend over 50 lectures, round table discussions and workshops. The organizers have also devised an interesting entertainment programme, such as excursions, cocktail parties, concerts and other events, for the convention participants. Transportation will be organized from Novi Sad, Belgrade

For more information about the convention, please contact the Kec Group via e-mail at  info@kecgrupa.rs or by phone at +381 64 112 60 59.

Visitors of our website are eligible for a 10% discount on the registration fee. You only need to mention that you have found out about the convention from our website.

The Kec Group operates in Serbia and organizes various

and Niš for the participants coming from Serbia.

Judges, prosecutors, mediators, law graduates and lawyers employed in companies and the public sector, notaries public, software developers, owners and directors of IT companies are all welcome to participate in the International Lawyers Convention. If you believe that continuous learning, self-improvement and making new acquaintances are necessary for business success then this convention is the right place for you.

events for lawyers, entrepreneurs and marketing professionals. In addition to the aforementioned convention, the Group also organizes and supports the most important events for lawyers in Serbia and the region, such as consulting services for misdemeanour court judges, consulting services for lawyers in the business sector, consulting services to lawyers who specialize in labour law, preparations for taking the bar exam and various seminars and courses.

VISITORS OF OUR WEBSITE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A 10% DISCOUNT ON THE REGISTRATION FEE. YOU ONLY NEED TO MENTION THAT YOU HAVE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE CONVENTION FROM OUR WEBSITE

Growing Engineering Talent in the Balkans

DataArt Strengthens its Network through the company in Serbia

DataArt Balkans was established in Serbia in March 2022, following the best practice of DataArt. DataArt, a global software engineering firm, has announced that it cooperates with the local company that employs 260 people in Serbia.

The number will grow as a part of its expansion and talent investment strategy in Europe.

Marina Varzar, Co-Head of DataArt Balkans, said: “I am happy that we have gathered our business partners in our Belgrade office. Since March, when DataArt Balkans was established as an R&D center, we have been collaborating with universities, profession-

al communities, chambers of commerce, and local authorities. The IT community in Serbia is constantly developing and growing, and we are happy to contribute to this development by sharing our experience and knowledge gained in global projects.”

Neboša Simić, Co-Head of DataArt Balkans added:

“DataArt has already been recognized as the company which offers diverse experience and exposure to the best development practices and clients across different industries. With its people-first approach and flexible structure, it has been established as a highly desirable employer”.

THE IT COMMUNITY IN SERBIA IS CONSTANTLY DEVELOPING AND GROWING

The Belgrade office has been fully operational since March 2022 and currently has 230 dedicated employees, and we use 1.3000 square meters of office space. Additionally, in October 2022, DataArt opened an office in Novi Sad, which already has 30 employees.

DATAART

DataArt is a global software engineering firm that takes a uniquely human approach to solve problems. With over 25 years of experience, teams

of highly-trained engineers around the world, and deep industry sector knowledge, we deliver high-value, high-quality solutions that our clients depend on and lifetime partnerships they believe in.

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Korean Embassy hosted its National Day Reception at the White Palace

Korean Embassy hosted its National Day Reception on 6th October at the White Palace, commemorating the founding of the first Korean nation. More than 300 guests attended – representatives of the government (including Andjelka Atanasković, Novica Tončev, Mihailo Jovanović), diplomatic corps, public life, and the Korean community in Serbia. Požarevac-based choir “Barili” performed national anthems and traditional songs of both countries. In his remarks, H.E. Ambassador Jaewoong Lee spoke about the spirit of universal humanitarianism, which can be a stepping stone for a bilateral relationship between Korea and Serbia, as they share similar historical backgrounds and personal characteristics. He said he expected more high-level visits from both governments and an increase in the volume of tourists. In the economy, he recalled that five Korean compa-

nies created almost 10,000 jobs in Serbia and more and more new investors expressed their interest in Serbia. At last, in Serbian, he asked for Serbia’s support for Korea’s bid to host the 2030 World Expo in Busan. A small exhibition of the culture and history of Korea was also organized, and a promotional film about Busan was screened during the reception.

National Day of the Czech Republic

On 26th October, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic, H.E. Tomaš Kuhta, organized a reception to mark the 104th anniversary of the founding of the Czechoslovak Republic. The reception was organized in the embassy building, whose facade was decorated for the occasion with holiday lighting in the colours of the Czech tricolour

UN Music for Peace concert

UN in Serbia calls for promoting a culture of dialogue, tolerance, and equality at the Music for Peace concert marking the 77th anniversary of the Organization. One of the important roles of the United Nations is in conflict prevention, using diplomacy, good offices, and mediation.

The

Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye in Serbia, H.E. Hami Aksoy, hosted a reception on the occasion of the 99th birthday of this country. The reception in Belgrade was attended by members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of the Serbian political and cultural elite.

and graphics by the artist Pavel Štjastny. More than 200 guests, among whom was the Minister for European Integration Tanja Miščević, had the opportunity to taste traditional Czech specialties, such as Prague ham and Pilsen prazdoj, and enjoy piano compositions performed by pianist Anđelka Simić.

birthday of the Republic of Türkiye was celebrated in Belgrade

The Italian-Serbian Film Festival 2022

Born out of the growing desire for cultural, artistic, and cinematographic exchange between two European countries, Serbia and Italy, the festival is a unique opportunity for the audience to enjoy contemporary works of Italian and Serbian cinematography but also for professionals and operators from the sector to get to know and consider different funding opportunities in both countries. The largest Italian, Serbian, and Balkan distributors and producers are participating. The festival is organized by the association “Excellence International” with the support of the Ministry of Culture of Italy, the Embassy of Italy, and the Italian Institute of Culture.

National Unity Day and Italian Armed Forces Day

Italian Ambassador to Serbia Luca Gori and Defense Attache Colonel Stefano Giribono hosted a reception on the occasion of the celebration of the Day of National Unity and the Day of the Armed Forces of Italy at the residence of the Italian ambassador.

The Week of Italian Cuisine in Belgrade

Monday, 14 November 2023, marked the start of World Italian Cuisine Week, an initiative that celebrates Italy’s gastronomic heritage. The calendar of this year’s Week of Italian Cuisine was very rich in initiatives ranging from distribution in large retail chains to e-commerce, from meetings between producers and importers of Italian products to scientific seminars. The program also included professional wine, cheese, and oil tastings organized in cooperation with Italian consortia, as well as tasting menus in certain Italian restaurants and

pizzerias that have joined the initiative. Also, one part is dedicated to young people, with “It’s time for pizza” courses held by famous Italian chefs in hotel management schools in Serbia and socializing, thanks to a charity dinner based on Italian dishes in cooperation with UNHCR, intended for refugees in Serbia. The initiative is organized by the Embassy of Italy in cooperation with members of the Italian System in Serbia (ICE Agency, Institute for Culture, Chamber of Italian-Serbian Businessmen, and Confindustria Serbia).

Mexican Festival del Dia de Muertos in Belgrade

The Day of the Dead Festival, which is very popular in Mexico and celebrates every 1st and 2nd of November, was held for the first time in the Serbian capital. Central streets of Belgrade were crowded by locals and Mexicans living in Serbia who jointly celebrates 01 November 2022, the religious festival dedicated to the remembrance of all who died in the past year. Del Dia de Muertos, as it is called in

Mexico, is a happy and festive event with no similarity to Halloween, said H.E. Carlos Felix Corona, ambassador of Mexico to Serbia, in front of the Instituto Cervantes who was the co-organiser of this event together with the Embassy of Mexico. Mexican people wore traditional costumes that imitated the goddess of Death. The first Belgrade Day of the Dead 2022 was dedicated to musical icons

from Mexico and Serbia who passed away this year – Vicente Fernandez and Kornelije Bata Kovač. In the windows hall of the Instituto Cervantes, the traditional Altar was posted. Ambassador Felix Corona promised that this was just the beginning of the celebration of this great festival in Belgrade. From this year, the Festival del Dia de Muertos will be celebrated every year.

National Day of Algeria celebrated

On the occasion of the 68th anniversary of the National Day, the Ambassador of Algeria hosted, on November 4th, 2022, a reception attended by Mr Rade Basta, Minister of Economy, Mr Novica Tončev, Minister without Portfolio, Crown Prince Aleksandar II and Princess Katarina of Serbia, political party leaders, military officials, members of the Diplomatic corps, religious dignitaries and members of the Algerian community in Serbia. The choir “Barili” of Pozarevac brilliantly interpreted both national anthems, while Diva Jadranka Jovanović dazzled the guests with her interpretation of the late “Noura”, a famous Algerian singer, song. In his address, the Ambassador emphasized the struggle of the Algerian people to recover their independence and seized the occasion to reiterate the gratitude of Algeria for the solidarity and multiform support of the former Yugosla-

via as well as he praised the good quality of friendship and cooperation relations between the two countries, underlining the economic and commercial opportunities of both parties, with a view to enhancing them in all areas. Documentary films on Algeria were screened, and photos of the Algerian Revolution, including those immortalized by the late Stefan Labudović, were exhibited.

Reception on the occasion of the Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Beaujolais Nouveau at the beginning of French Week

H.E. Madi Atamkulov, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Serbia, hosted a formal reception on the celebration of the Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Representatives of

the public and political scene and the diplomatic corps gathered at the celebration, which was organised at the Hyatt Hotel in Belgrade.

The tenth jubilee French Week, organized by the French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, opened yesterday in Belgrade. The aim of French Week is the promotion of historical, cultural and business ties between France and Serbia, and the period of its holding is linked to a widely popular custom in France - the welcoming of the young French wine Novi Beaujolais. In the period from November 17 to 23, the lights of Paris will illuminate the streets of Belgrade through a series of cultural, educational and economic events. The French week opened last night with a formal reception in Beaujolais powered by Belgrade Airport, attended by over 300 guests, diplomats, directors of French and Serbian companies, well-known businessmen and public figures. The president of the Franco-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Dragan Stokić, addressed the guests

Independence Day of the Kingdom of Cambodia

The Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Cambodia in Serbia celebrated the 69th Anniversary of Independence Day on 9 November in Belgrade. Addressing the guests attending the reception on 07 November 2022, the ambassador of Cambodia to Serbia, H.E Tan Vutha, recalled the traditional bonds of friendship and cooperation between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Republic of Serbia, which have been gradually reinforced over the years. He expressed his hope and firm belief that the two countries will

continue to work closely to strengthen, expand and deepen cooperation for the mutual benefit of the people. As part of Cambodia’s economic diplomacy to promote gastronomy into the world, the Embassy displayed the Taste of Angkor Cookbook and organized varieties of Cambodia food for the attending guests to enjoy the genuine taste of Cambodia, served traditional dishes presented by Hyatt Regency Hotel in cooperation with the Royal Embassy of Cambodia.

and announced the program of the French Week. He pointed out that this year is particularly important because we are celebrating the jubilee, and invited everyone to visit the francuskanedelja.rs website and familiarize themselves with the French Week program. The director of the French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Sanja Ivanić, also wished the guests a welcome and a good time. In front of the French Embassy, the guests were greeted by the first counselor of the French Embassy in Serbia, Mr. Fatih Akcal, who underlined the importance of French-Serbian cooperation in all domains and praised the work of the French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce.

130 years since the birth of the composer Pal Abraham

The composer Pal Abraham’s birth anniversary was marked at the Jewish Cultural Center “Oneg Shabbat” in Belgrade. In the program marking 130 years since the birth of Abraham, attention was also paid to the Jewish heritage

of Apatin since this composer is originally from that town. Along with a video about the composer, the conversation on these topics was led by Dubravka Korać from the municipality of Apatin, Sandra Popo-Fišer from the Jewish

Holiday Bazaar at the Canadian Ambassador’s Residence

An exhibition of New Year’s decorations and special gifts was held at the Canadian ambassador’s residence, with a special offer of crocheted, knitted and crocheted decorations for decorating the interior during the holidays. Representatives of the diplomatic corps and the international women’s club chose decorations for the Christmas tree and winter accessories for their loved ones. At the same time, companies could choose unique New Year’s gifts for business partners. The youngest ones tried their hand at embroidery, weaving and weaving techniques and made their own decorations for the Christmas tree.

National Day of the Republic of Albania

On the occasion of marking November 28the Day of the Albanian National Flag, a formal reception was held at the Hotel Metropol in Belgrade, hosted by the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to Serbia - H.E. Ilir Boçka The Day of the Albanian Flag represents the anniversary of when a group of Albanian leaders in Valona on November 28, 1912, declared the independence of the territories under Ottoman rule at the time, including four

Ottoman vilayets (Skadarski, Kosovski, Bitoljski and Janjinski), and on the eve of the London Peace Conference, of which requested international recognition, citing the right to self-determination.

After the adoption of the text of the declaration, Ismail Qemali went out on the terrace of the assembly building and unfurled the red Albanian flag with a black double-headed eagle in front of the gathered citizens.

municipality of Sombor, Ljiljana Stražmešterov from the Provincial Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments and Klara Szentgyergy from the Collegium Hungaricum, the culture department of the Hungarian Embassy.

A Flash of Austria in Serbian Capital

Ambassador Christian Ebner organized a holiday gathering in Belgrade. The new ambassador of Austria in Serbia, Christian Ebner and his wife Victoria organized a festive gathering in Austrian style last night in front of the Radisson Hotel - the guests were served mulled wine, punch, poplar chocolate and sausages.

Romanian Unification Day celebrated at White Palace Council of Foreign Investors - 20 Years of FIC Marked

On Tuesday, 29 November 2022, at the White Palace, the Embassy of Romania celebrated its national holiday, the Day of Romanian Unification. It is celebrated in memory of December 1, 1918, when Transylvania was united with the Kingdom of Romania, and Bessarabia and Bukovina were returned to their borders. This fulfilled the centuries-old dream of uniting all Romanians into one state.

The Council of Foreign Investors (FIC) in Serbia celebrated 20 years of work last night and said that in the next 10 years, it wants to have twice as many companies as the current 120, as well as the number of employees, which are now more than 100,000.

FIC vice-president Ana Govedarica, general director of Roche in Serbia, said that the 14

companies that founded that body in 2002 have dramatically changed Serbia because they have invested 120 million euros in our country so far.

She called on all FIC members, ministers in the Government of Serbia and ambassadors in Belgrade to “do their best” in the future so that Serbia becomes a better and more attractive country for investments.

50 years since the founding of the UAE

The United Arab Emirates is celebrating its golden jubilee, the 50th anniversary of the founding of the country, and along the way, it has achieved numerous achievements, said H.E. Mubarak Saeed Burshaid Al Dhaheri, UAE ambassador in Belgrade. He also said that by celebrating the golden jubilee of the UAE, they entered a new phase of their history, a new era of their development path and a new cycle of their economic, political and social growth. In his appropriate address, the Ambassador emphasized that since the establishment of the Union on December 2, 1971, the UAE has followed the principle of improving and strengthening security, peace and sustainable development in various parts of the region and the world, including Serbia, through various projects in the public and private sectors as a principle that represents the basic dimension in foreign policy, the foundations of which were laid by the founder of the state, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan.

A Moroccan Fusion of Flavours

The 5th Let’s Chef Together event was all about Moroccan cuisine

On Thursday, November 24, the 5th Let’s Chef To gether event was orga nized by Color Media Communi cations in partnership with Lidl Serbia and the Prezident Palace Belgrade Hotel, where the event took place. The Embassy of Mo rocco was the event’s host.

The Let’s Chef Together project is a continuation of the story started by the magazine Diplo macy&Commerce Austria, to present authentic and tradition al dishes from all over the world. In the presence of the diplomatic corps, media, food bloggers and other guests, we talked about the importance of food as part of the cultural and touristic identity of countries worldwide. Lidl’s products helped us to put together the ingredients of the delicious dishes prepared at the event, while the splendour of the Prezident Palace Hotel added to the delight of the event’s guests.

“Tonight we will take you on a journey through a thousand years of my country’s history, to discover its culture, music and cuisine, which roots are a unique and rich combination of Arab, Hebrew, African and especially Mediterranean influences. You will learn how to set the table, serve food and the art of entertaining in the Moroccan way, which gives people the opportunity to enjoy quality food and drink while, at the same time, share unforgettable moments and make lasting friendships. We want you to allow yourself to indulge in the poetry of the presented menu and the flavours

roccan products that will sure ly make all your senses dance and flutter”, said the Moroccan Ambassador, H.E. Mohammed Amine Belhaj, at the opening.

The guests were welcomed traditionally, just the way they would be greeted as they would enter the home of a typical Moroccan family, in the traditional setting, with a serving of original Moroccan tea. The guests had the opportunity to experience Morocco by watching the promotional film “Le Maroc vu du Ciel”.

“As a partner of the Let’s Chef Together project, we can ensure that you enjoy the charms

ing Lidl’s groceries. This week, together with the Embassy of Morocco, we have prepared Moroccan dishes that are rife with exotic spices and have intriguing flavour combinations. Lidl continues to offer its consumers the opportunity to taste the traditional cuisines of the world under the auspices of thematic weeks”, said Martina Petrović from Lidl Serbia.

“This was yet another fantastic gourmet night! After getting acquainted with Egyptian cuisine, last night we had the opportunity to try specialities with the Moroccan geographical signa-

project gave us an incredible opportunity to get to know our tastes anew and to learn something completely different about the gourmet meals of global cuisines. Once again, I would like to thank the collaborators on the project, the Lidl Company and the Color Media team, but also the entire team of the Prezident Palace Hotel. This was another validation of the famous quote “great minds think alike”, said Olivera Škorić, Marketing Manager of the Prezident Palace Hotel Belgrade. A large number of dignitaries attended the event. In an informal atmosphere, the diplomatic corps, media, bloggers and influencers enjoyed the fusion of traditional and modern flavours of Morocco and the unique sounds of the country’s traditional music.

THE GUESTS WERE WELCOMED TRADITIONALLY, WITH A SERVING OF ORIGINAL MOROCCAN TEA

Medical & Pharma Conference: The Nation Must be Healthy was held in the packed hall of the Republic of Serbia’s National Assembly. The conference gathered a large number of medical and pharma experts and attracted a lot of attention from the interested public.

Today, all the countries are focusing on their healthcare systems, how to improve them and how to provide people with the latest medication and treatments needed for a long and healthy life. This has been in focus for years in Serbia too, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why we gathered the biggest experts in medicine and pharmacology in one place to

Nation Must Be Healthy

Prevention is the future of the healthcare system

obtain information on what needs to be done to make our nation healthy.

Dr Darko Laketić, chief medical doctor, associate professor and Chairman of the Serbian National Assembly’s Health and Family Committee, Dr Mirsad Djerlek, State Secretary at the Health Ministry, and H.E. Hami Aksoy, the Turkish Ambassador to Serbia, officially opened the conference.

Dr Darko Laketić, Chairman of the Serbian National Assembly’s Health and Family Committee, pointed out that he is very happy when health topics

are discussed in the Parliament because we discuss them both as MPs and ordinary people. “Timely reform of the health system and health policies is something we must do, and this conference and many other gatherings are a way to actively seek solutions to all pressing issues. Let’s look for solutions for potential new problems that may affect the health system in the future”, said Dr Laketić.

Dr Mirsad Djerlek, State Secretary at the Ministry of Health, officially opened the conference by saying that it is always useful for the Ministry of Health to hear the conclusions of such events because it helps them determine plans and create health policies. According to him, the coronavirus has changed healthcare and now we need to start reforming primary healthcare and raise people’s awareness to take more care of their health and respond to screening campaigns.

“Serbia has enough power to be among the top six countries in Europe when it comes to the health system,” Dr Djerlek noted.

H.E. Hami Aksoy, the Turkish ambassador to Serbia, said that health care is one more segment in which his country has close cooperation with Serbia. Acıbadem Bel Medic, the first private hospital, is one of the most significant Turkish investments in Serbia. They are planning to expand their investment in Serbia shortly by opening a brand new hospital with state-of-the-art equipment.

and Medical Devices, Psychoactive Controlled Substances and Precursors, Ministry of Health, Vesna Vuković Kojović, Deputy Director of the Medication and Pharmacoeconomics Sector at the State Health Insurance Institute (RFZO), Davorin Radosavljević, head of the Medical Oncology Clinic of the Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia and Dejan Lakovski, director of the

“As a result of the transformation in healthcare, medical tourism has greatly developed over the years. We gathered momentum before the pandemic because, in the first three quarters of 2022, the number of people who preferred to go to Turkey for medical treatment reached over 870,000”, Ambassador Aksoy said.

Dr Dragana Vujičić, Assistant Minister, Sector for Medication

Astra Zeneca Balkan Cluster, all took part in the first panel discussion called ‘Pharmacy 4.0: New Drugs, Old Challenges’. Dr Vujičić pointed out that prevention is key to improving the health system. Investing in prevention paid off many times over, Ms Vuković Kojović added. Dr Radosavljević noted that, when it comes to oncology, the importance of early detection is immeasurable. When asked about the future of medicine

“SERBIA HAS ENOUGH POWER TO BE AMONG THE TOP SIX COUNTRIES IN EUROPE WHEN IT COMES TO THE HEALTH SYSTEM,” DR MIRSAD DJERLEK FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH NOTED

© All photos: Goran Zlatković

and pharmacology, Mr Lakovski replied that we will yet see how important is digitization in the health system.

“We are developing programmes that patients will use in the form of sensors or implants that will help patients to quickly identify acute pain and thus prompt them to see a doctor. Another example is sensors in the heart region that give a timely signal that something asymptomatic is happening. The next example is that we will be able to use algorithms to predict when a patient with a rare or chronic disease will appear so that we can have appropriate medication on standby. All this facilitates the development of artificial intelligence, science in medicine and biotechnology”, said Mr Lakovski.

Dr Snežana Pantić Aksentijević, Chairwoman of the Public Health Group at the Healthy Ministry, Dr Kristina Davidović, radiology specialist from REA Medika, Dr Gordana Pantelić, ophthalmologist, founder and owner of Exakta Medika Group, Dr Veselin Bojat, chief medical doctor, associate professor, orthopaedic surgeon and director of the Novi Sad Community Health Centre, and Professor Ana Banko, MD and subspecialist in virology from Institute of Microbiology and Immunology all took part in the second panel discussion titled Post-Pandemic Healthcare System

The panellists agreed that the population’s immunization, either those who received the vaccine or those who had

COVID-19, still had positive effects, especially since there is no need to wear facial masks anymore. Regardless of whether we are in the pandemic or not, we have to think about the public health of the nation, Dr Pantić Aksentijević said. A healthy worker in a healthy environment is the goal that all of us, working in the healthcare

Also, taking into account climate change, the times we live in are extremely challenging for children and families.

Dr Dragoslav Popović, an international consultant for vaccines and immunization, president of the Association for Public Health of Serbia, Dr Ljiljana Stanković, national

vić, head of the Public Health Group at the Ministry of Health, participated in the third and last panel called “Children and Family Health in Focus”

system, have and something toward which we must strive and work together, said Dr Pantelić. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have undone years of progress, including the one made in honouring children’s rights. The war in Europe is creating a cost-of-living and humanitarian crisis for many of the world’s poorest people.

coordinator of the Breastfeeding, Family and Newborn Care Programme, Dr Jelena Zajeganović Jakovljević, head of the Children Health and Early Development Programme at UNICEF Serbia, Dr Marija Mitković Vončina, clinical assistant and psychiatrist at the Institute of Mental Health, and Dr Snežana Pantić Aksentije-

Serbia does not have precise data on how many children under the age of 6 have developmental disabilities, but based on the annual number of newborns and international trends, around 12,000 children and their families are expected to be the subject of early intervention services every year. This means that 60,000 children every year will need this service. The importance of conferences of this type is immeasurable because the public must be informed about the health policies that the state is focusing on, as well as the innovations that the development of medicine and pharmacology brings to our part of the world.

Astra Zeneca, Egzakta Medika and UNICEF Serbia supported the conference.

“WE ARE DEVELOPING PROGRAMMES THAT PATIENTS WILL USE IN THE FORM OF SENSORS OR IMPLANTS THAT WILL HELP PATIENTS TO QUICKLY IDENTIFY ACUTE PAIN AND THUS PROMPT THEM TO SEE A DOCTOR,” DEJAN LAKOVSKI FROM ASTRA ZENECA SAID

Guided Tour at the Museum of Applied Art

Color Media Communication and Diplomacy&Commerce magazine organized a guided tour and Christmas Cocktail party in the Museum of Applied Art in Belgrade

Many ambassadors and diplomatic corps, CMC business partners, and friends gathered on Thursday, 8 December 2022, to learn something new about Serbian history and art and to enjoy Molovin wine and Georgian restaurant “Djordjija” catering. “In 2022, we launched many new magazines, web portals, conferences, and festivals. Many of you enjoyed our new ‘Let’s Chef Together’ event,” said Robert Čoban, Color Media Communications director, during the welcoming speech. He invited dear guests to visit Novi Sad next Tuesday, 13 December, for a traditional

guided “Walking dinner in Novi Sad” and at our conference, “The World in 2023,” in the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, the day after. Mr. Čoban spoke about the exhibition “From Montevideo to Qatar” about the attendance of Yugoslavian and Serbian football teams at the World Championships from 1930 until this year. This exhibition, which is also organized by Color Media Communications, is open until December 25th at West 65 Mall. Biljana Jotić, the host of the event, and director of the Museum of Applied Art, welcomed guests with an interesting return to the past, to the time

and atmosphere of the 1920s, when the representative palace, owned by the Čelebonović family, was designed and built by renowned architects. At that time, before Museum, beside the Spanish embassy and law offices, some eminent fashion salons were found there. After the post-war process of nationalization, the Museum of Applied Art moved into that building. The first collection contained more than 3,000 objects, and the oldest objects date from the 4th century BC and belong to the numismatic collection. Today, Museum has close to 40,000 artifacts in its collections: jewelry

and metal, furniture, textiles and costumes, photographs, applied graphics, artistic equipment of books, ceramics, glass, and porcelain, items of contemporary applied art and design, as well as architecture, urbanism, and architectural design. From its very beginnings until today, the Museum nurtures both historical and contemporary trends through the annual Salons of Architecture and Contemporary Applied Art.

© All photos: Srdjan Pajić

Focus on Children and Family Health

The entire society needs to get involved in solving pressing issues

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have undone years of progress, including the one made in honouring children’s rights. The war in Europe is creating a cost-ofliving and humanitarian crisis for many of the world’s poorest people. Also, taking into account climate change, the times we live in are extremely challenging for children and families.

UNICEF Serbia, as an organization that constantly invests its capacities needed to solve issues relating to children and their rights, has decided to hold a panel discussion titled “Focus on Children and Family Health”, under the auspices of the Medical & Pharma Conference: The Nation Must Be Healthy. The panel participants included Dr Dragoslav Popović, international consultant for vaccines and immunization and president of the Public Health Association of Serbia, Dr Ljiljana Stanković, national coordinator in the breastfeeding, family and developmental care of newborns support programme, Dr Jelena Zajeganović Jakovljević, manager of the children health and early development programme at UNICEF Serbia, clinical assistant Dr Marija Mitković Vončina, psychiatrist, from the Institute for Mental Health and Dr Snežana Pantić Aksentijević, head of the Public Health Group at the Serbian Ministry of Health. Dr Popović stated that if the na-

tion is to be healthy, it must be healthy from the very beginning and much more attention should be paid to that. Although immunization is a proven, cost-effective public health strategy that protects both the individual and the entire community, in Serbia, 20% of children did not receive all vaccines on time, and even 37% of children from the Roma

it is and then invest in services that deal with the psychological development of children and young people.

community were not immunized promptly. “The goal we have to reach is to reach 95% of children vaccinated with regular vaccines. We can do that in three months, but we need to go to these people and find out what the problems are and what prevents further vaccination of children”, Dr Popović added.

“We have vaccines that protect against so-called children’s diseases, and there is no reason to limit or set back the growth and development of any child in Serbia because the child was not vaccinated. This should be our priority”, Dr Popović said.

Speaking about her area of expertise, Dr Mitković Voncina said that, in addition to general immunity, we also need psychological immunity. We can protect the mental health of young people, first and foremost, by being aware of how important

“Mental problems, in addition to being frequent, are important not only because they impair the quality of life and functionality of a young person, but have a direct, negative effect on the development of young people. So, practically speaking, negative consequences can be expressed through impaired functionality throughout life, not only the functionality of the young person but also their family and the entire society”, Dr Mitković Vončina went on to say.

“Breastfeeding is not an individual responsibility, but the responsibility of the entire society”, said Dr Stanković, adding that by encouraging breastfeeding and creating prerequisites for it, the child’s immunity is boosted, as is the connection the child develops with the mother. This also benefits the child’s psychological development from the beginning of life. Although breastfeeding is one of the most natural phenomena in the world, a unique experience that starts motherhood, and considering that mother’s milk is the best food for the baby as

it also develops natural immunity, in Serbia, only every fourth child is fed with only mother’s milk in the first 6 months of their life, and in the Roma population this percentage is up to three times lower”, Dr Ljiljana Stanković said.

Dr Zajeganović Jakovljević spoke about the importance of early development and COVID’s impact on child development, adding that COVID has reminded us how important parents are in a child’s life. “When we were isolated and the services we were used to were not available, family came first. That’s why the family must always be in the focus,” she said.

Serbia does not have precise data on how many children under the age of 6 have developmental disabilities, but according to estimates, around 12,000 children and their families are expected to be the subject of early intervention services every year. This means that 60,000 children every year will need this service.

Investing in the health and development of children cannot wait for “better days”. The first years of life and intensive brain development at an early age represent enormous opportunities for optimal child development that cannot be replicated later in life. The health care system is the first and most important link in supporting the family and parents during this period.

IF THE NATION IS TO BE HEALTHY, IT MUST BE HEALTHY FROM THE VERY BEGINNING

© Goran Zlatković

Promised Spaces by Ivan Marković

France wins 20th Junior Eurovision Song Contest

The winner of the 20th Junior Eurovision Song Contest is France with 203 points. The representative of France, Lissandro with the song “Oh Maman!” won over the audience with a spectacular performance at the Contest held in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia.

Katarina Savić, Serbia’s representative ended in 13th place with a total of 92 points. Katarina sang the song “World without borders” with the support of player Martin Zoričić. The lyrics and music for the song were written by Ivana Dragićević, while the arrangement was made by Aleksandar Sedlar.

Thanks to the excellent organization of the jubilee Junior Eurovision Song Contest, contestants from sixteen countries had the opportunity to participate in the extremely demanding production of the competition, the spectacular opening ceremony, press conferences, but also to gain mutual friendships and get to know the culture of Yerevan.

The multimedia installation “Promised Spaces,” which will be held from 13-25 December at DOB Gallery in Belgrade, presents a visual exploration of the elements and traces of drastic transformations o urban and natural environments which occur during the construction of large, luxurious architectural complexes. Across the billboards and long fences of construction sites, in photorealistic digital images, walled elite neighborhoods are advertised as a private utopia and the ideal of a family home. During the past few years, Ivan Marković worked as a

director of photography on several feature films that premiered at festivals in Berlin, Venice, Locarno, and Rotterdam.

Some of the films he directed and shot are the experimental documentary film “Center” which won the award for Best Serbian Documentary at the Beldocs 2019 festival, short film “White Bird,” which he co-directed with Linfeng Wu, and the feature film “ From Tomorrow on, I Will. “The film won the Grand Prix of the Jeonju Film Festival in South Korea and the FIRST STEPS Award of the German Film Academy.

The exhibition ‘Humans’ by Nemanja Maraš

The exhibition “Humans” by photographer Nemanja Maraš was opened on Sunday, December 11th, in the KvArt BW exhibition space, on the second floor of the Galerija shopping center. The exhibition will present minimalist, portrait, and black-andwhite works that mark the characteristic artistic signature of Nemanja Maraš. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience photography as a modern medium that plays out the synthesis of emotions, thoughts, and psychological state of both the photographed subject and the artist behind the camera. Nemanja Maraš was born in 1989 in Belgrade. He completed his undergraduate studies at the Department of Applied Graphics - Photography at the Faculty

of Applied Arts in Belgrade and completed his master’s studies in digital arts at the Faculty of Media and Communications. He collaborated with numerous fashion designers, musicians, actors, advertising agencies, and non-governmental organizations. He is also an associate professor at the Belgrade Dance Institute and was a guest lecturer at the Faculty of Media and Communications. He is a member of ULUPUDS and is the first Serbian Sony Imaging Ambassador. The exhibition “Humans” is organized by ŠTAB Gallery and the art initiative KvArt BW. The exhibition is open until December 21, 2022. and the working hours of the KvArt BW gallery are every day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Entrance is free.

11-21. DECEMBER 2022. / LOCATION: KVART BW

13- 25 DECEMBER 2022 / LOCATION: DOB GALLERY

source: RTS

© Ivan Marković