Serbia

UN concerned over pressures on ombudsman

GENEVA -- The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Office is "concerned by the continued and increasing pressure by Serbian authorities on Ombudsperson Sasa Jankovic."

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the office said that this pressure also came from members of the ruling Serb Progressive Party (SNS).

PM "hopes EU will recognize Serbia's efforts"

BELGRADE -- prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic hopes that EU countries will recognize the efforts Serbia is investing in the dialogue with Pristina.

He made this statement in Belgrade on Wednesday as he received Gianni Pittella, president of the group of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (EP).

"Experts and government should decide on Telekom's future"

BELGRADE -- Economic experts, telecommunications engineers and the government, as the owner of Telekom Srbija, should determine "the viable options" for the company.

Serbia's public broadcaster has a new boss after the RTS Managing Board elected Bujosevic as the new director among 11 other candidates on Tuesday. He will take over in a month.

Following his election, Bujosevic said his priorities would be dealing with the station's financial difficulties and maintaining programmes.

Supermarket chain Sklavenitis announced on Tuesday that it is in the process of absorbing the Greek retail network of rival chain Veropoulos, to be completed by the end of the year.

Nevena Petrusic, the outgoing commissioner in Serbia for the protection of equality, presented a report on discrimination against women on Tuesday, which reveals that a surprisingly large number of people do not think they are fit for leadership roles.

Solution for 340 companies by July 1 - minister

BELGRADE -- The future of 340 companies planned for privatization will be known by July 1, Serbian Minister of Economy Zeljko Sertic ha said. .

He informed the visiting IMF mission headed by Zuzana Murgasova of this in Belgrade on Tuesday.

Serbia "to follow EU's decision" on potential cancerogen

BELGRADE -- Serbia will "support" any decision made by the EU regarding trade in plant protection products containing the ingredient glyphosate.

The material is believed to be a human cancerogen.

Owner of brick company arrested on corruption charges

BELGRADE -- The majority owner of the Kikinda, northern-Serbia based brick and tile manufacturer Toza Markovic has been arrested, the daily Blic is reporting.

The suspect is Belgrade businessman Dejan Babic.

The case concerns "abuses in privatizations," according to the report.

Austrian, Finnish, Swedish ministers: Serbia on right path

Then foreign ministers of Austria, Finland and Sweden have voiced belief that Serbia is right on track to joining the EU, Tanjug has reported.

They also said they were "willing to help the country become a full-fledged member-state."