Statistical regions of Serbia

EU asked for more time as steel plant talks continue

BELGRADE -- EU is not yet considering the request of the government of Serbia to be granted additional time to complete negotiations with the U.S. company Esmark.

The negotiations concern the sale of the Zelezara steel plant in the town of Smederevo.

Vucic on Sunday repeated his allegation that BIRN was "telling lies" in its mine tender investigation and said that he had managed to defend his country by speaking out against misinformation spread by EU-funded journalists.

"I have protected Serbia from falsehood," Vucic told Serbian broadcaster TV Prva.

VIENNA - Serbia may achieve greater growth than the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) program projects, but it depends on the outcome of the privatization of Zelezara Smederevo and other companies, including those on the Privatization Agency's list, Serbia's Finance Minister Dusan Vujovic said Tuesday.

Steel plant sale negotiations "not easy"

BELGRADE -- The business plan for Zelezara Smederevo steel plant needs be in line with the agreement with the IMF and with EU rules, says Zeljko Sertic.

The Serbian economy minister at the same time "stressed that he is optimistic about reaching consensus on a strategic partnership with U.S. steel firm Esmark," Tanjug reported.

BELGRADE - The Serbian parliament has adopted amendments to the laws on companies and Development Fund and ratified the loan contract for the privileged buyer for the second stage of the project related to the power station Kostolac B.

The World Bank has stonewalled Balkan Investigative Reporting Network's attempts to secure the bank's review of the bidding process carried out by Serbia's state-owned electricity provider, EPS.

Key points from BIRN's investigation

BELGRADE - The Serbian government adopted at Thursday's session a state reconstruction programme for the health care sector, which includes measures and time frames for rebuilding the health care facilities damaged in last year's floods.

New Year welcomed in across Serbia

BELGRADE -- Very cold weather has not prevented many Serbians from ringing in the New Year outdoors across the country.

Thousands of Belgraders and tourists who arrived to the Serbian capital for the holidays spend the final moments of 2014 and welcomed in 2015 attending concerts organized in three city squares.

SYDNEY - Radnicki Kragujevac have won an international water polo tournament in Sydney by beating Turkey's Galatasaray in a penalty shoot-out in the thrilling final after three sets of penalties.

Radnicki had a 13-11 lead as the match drew to a close, but Galatasaray scored in the dying second of the game to secure the penalty shoot-out.

Coal production resumes in Tamnava West Field

LAZAREVAC -- Coal is being mined again in the Tamnava - West Field (Zapadno polje) strip mine, "the most significant open pit of the Kolubara mining basin," Tanjug reported.

This section of the mine was flooded in May.