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HPK Engineering to manage Zelezara Smederevo

BELGRADE -- The Serbian government has decided to entrust the management and consulting of Zelezara Smederevo to the company HPK Engineering BV.

The Holland-based company is represented by John Goodish and Peter Kamaras.

Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said Serbia's government would decide who won an important bid to manage a troubled steel mill on Tuesday.

Slovak businessman sued for "sabotaging steel mill talks"

BELGRADE -- Esmark owner James Bouchard has confirmed that a criminal complaint has been filed against Peter Kamaras for "sabotaging" the acquisition of Zelezara.

Privatization Agency refutes Esmark owner's statement

BELGRADE -- The Privatization Agency has refuted a statement made on Wednesday by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Esmark Europe BV James Bouchard.

BELGRADE - The Privatisation Agency refuted the allegations voiced on Wednesday by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Esmark Europe BV James Bouchard who said that the negotiations on the takeover of Zelezara Smederevo steel mill failed because the Serbian side in the talks changed the previously agreed financial provisions.

"Good management will keep Zelezara running"

BELGRADE -- With good will and good management, we will keep Zelezara Smederevo running for years, Serbian Economy Minister Zeljko Sertic said.

The negotiations on the sale of Zelezara were led by state interests and the concern for people's jobs, Sertic said for Radio and Television of Serbia late on Tuesday.

PITTSBURGH - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Esmark Europe BV James Bouchard expressed disappointment on Wednesday over the failure of the negotiations on takeover of Zelezara Smederevo Steel Works and attributed it to a change in previously agreed conditions.

Decision on Smederevo steel plant to be made on Tuesday

BELGRADE -- The Serbian government will on Tuesday make its final decision on whether to allow the U.S. company Esmark to become majority owner of the Zelezara steel plant.

The decision will be made "after difficult negotiations," Tanjug is reporting.

BELGRADE - The talks between the Serbian government and U.S. company Esmark Inc. have reached the final phase, the government has announced.

Steel maker's unions, Esmark reach deal

BELGRADE -- Esmark has signed an agreement with delayed effect on a coordinated collective agreement that should increase salaries in Zelezara by some 25 percent.

The U.S company is currently in negotiations with the Serbian government on a strategic partnership in the Smederevo steel mill Zelezara.