ZORAN STANKOVIC – WE DEFEND PEACE ONLY BY MONEY

19. November 2012.

Source: Vecernje Novosti / Investments in the underdeveloped South Serbia and the arrival of new investors will guarantee a peaceful coexistence of Serbs and Albanians. There are no inter-ethnic tensions in the places where there are no shortages of money and jobs. This was said by Zoran Stankovic, the new President of the Coordination Body of the Government of the Republic of Serbia for the municipalities of Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja:

“Over the last 20 years, both Serbs and Albanians learned the lesson that extremism and hate don’t bring any benefits to anyone. Serbia will help all citizens in the south, regardless of their nationality. The main objectives of my work are: reduction of unemployment, recovery of the failed factories, restoration of infrastructure and the bringing of foreign companies to the region.”

Mr. Stankovic said that the strategy was to discourage the citizens of South Serbia from leaving the country and from becoming fake asylum seekers in Western Europe by providing them better living conditions:

“I'll talk daily with both Serbs and Albanians, as well as with political leaders and ordinary citizens. We provided 240 scholarships for students, as well as scholarships to the University of Novi Sad for 11 Serbian and Albanian students, while around 300 Albanians are learning Serbian owing to the assistance provided by the British Embassy ...”

Мr. Stankovic said that the new government had already earmarked 40 million dinars of initial subsidies for 17 small and medium-sized enterprises:

“We allocated around 17 million dinars for Bujanovac, 15 million dinars for Presevo and eight million dinars for Medvedja. As many as 40 companies competed for that amount of money and soon the agreements will be signed. The Head of the Coordination Body claimed that such aid will continue to be given throughout his term of office, and that the government would listen to the specific suggestions of all citizens of South Serbia:

“We are open to virtually all suggestions on how to improve life in the region. I have already scheduled a meeting with the Albanian MP Riza Halimi, who has concrete proposals about how to the Coordination Body should function. We will accept all suggestions that are helpful for that part of the country. Of course, we won’t reject the well-intentioned aid of the international community.

The building of the Faculty of Economics in Bujanovac could start soon.
We began selecting the most appropriate location in the municipality and the preparations are well on track. It is certain that this part of Serbia will get a faculty, while the construction money was obtained with the help of the international community, "Mr. Stankovic said.