Serbia’s EU Dream is Conditional on Renewed Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue
The European Commission has told Serbia’s Boris Tadić that he must get back around the table with Pristina if his EU dreams are to become a reality. As approval for the EU plummets to a ten-year low at home, President Tadić has been handed a report that recommends candidacy, on condition that Serbia sorts out its Kosovo situation. It does not go as far as to call for Serbia to recognise the independence of Kosovo, but Belgrade must work constructively with Pristina, if Tadić is to follow his yellow brick road to Brussels.
With Belgrade politicians already posturing in the long run up to next year’s elections, this explosive topic that runs so deep is certain to increase temperatures in coming months and could put pressure on Tadić to make his position clear one way or the other. Something he often appears unwilling to do, say his critics.
eCommerce Can Boost Serbian Business: Embrace It
Online retailing delivers the best prices, the widest choice and the most convenient way of shopping for millions around the world. That is a fact. It is fast, efficient and easy to use and can be safe and secure if used sensibly. Internet shopping might not be for everyone, but that is his or her choice. At least, it is in countries where that choice is available to them.
eCommerce can make so many things possible for so many people. It already does that in many countries. It brings products and services within reach by opening the doors to the world. With the advent of online payment systems, Serbians will finally be able to legally purchase any number of items from beyond their borders. This is not a deterioration of border controls, a loss of homeland trade or any infringement of Serbian territory by outside forces.
Running on Belgrade Time
Belgrade is still baking in temperatures of 28 degrees and more, while I am dashing around trying to hold my schedule together. Everyone else is working on Belgrade time. The city streets and riverside walks are packed with people enjoying the days of late sunshine, getting the most out of their summer wardrobe. Obviously, I have also been taking time out between meetings to stroll in the parks and tree-lined streets, or sit on terraces people-watching and soaking up the Belgrade atmosphere with the locals. Juggling your time is a skill that has been mastered here.
My trip continued with a visit to a Belgrade film set, meetings with people connected with Serbia at the London 2012 Olympics, and my Serbian TV premiere. Also, I have been catching up with old friends, meeting interesting new people, and generally enjoying time here.
Experiencing The Thrilling Game, Serbian-Style
Finally, I am back in Belgrade. It has not been three months since my last visit but it is great to be back for two weeks of meetings, media, visits to a film set and, of course, to catch up with friends. This weekend’s BlogOpen conference in Novi Sad should allow me to meet up with the creators of the blogs I follow regularly and to share some thoughts and experiences.
My visit started as I mean it to go on – if I can keep up with the pace, that is. Within hours of arriving, my friend Ivan Agbaba was whisking me around Belgrade bars, before we headed out of town to Pink International’s film studios for a massive party with the musically diverse combination of Željko Joksimović and DJ Bob Sinclar performing. Outside of the region, Željko is best known for presenting Eurovision, although here he is obviously well established as a singer and all-round celebrity.
