Two-thirds (67%) of these imports consisted of dried coconut (70,330 tons), while the remaining one-third was made up of fresh coconut.

Coconut imports from non-EU countries primarily came from five countries, accounting for 86% of total imports. The Philippines was by far the largest supplier, providing 40% of the EU’s total coconut imports. It was followed by Indonesia (17%), Ivory Coast (14%), Sri Lanka (8%), and Vietnam (8%).

The Netherlands stood out as the largest importer of coconuts among EU countries in 2023, importing nearly half (47%) of all coconuts from non-EU countries. Germany was the second-largest importer (15%), followed by Spain (10%), France (7%), and Italy (4%).

These five EU countries together imported almost three-quarters (83%) of the total coconuts imported into the EU.

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The match, held on the iconic Philippe Chatrier Court within the Roland Garros complex, marks Djokovic’s first Olympic title, crowning his illustrious career at the age of 37 and making him the oldest gold medalist in the history of the event.

Djokovic’s victory is a landmark achievement, completing his collection of prestigious trophies that already includes the most Grand Slam titles, Masters 1000 titles, weeks at the top of the ATP rankings, and a Davis Cup win. This Olympic gold fills the last remaining gap in his trophy cabinet.

In securing the gold, Djokovic joins the exclusive club of tennis players who have achieved the “Golden Slam” — winning all four Grand Slam titles (Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open) and an Olympic gold medal. He stands alongside legends Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi, Serena Williams, and Rafael Nadal.

“The goal was to secure a medal for Serbia, to reach the final. Something I hadn’t achieved in my first four Olympics. Everyone wanted me to go for gold, and I wanted it too. I went all in, firing forehands in the crucial moments. That’s how I finished — with forehands,” Djokovic told RTS in his post-match interview.

With Djokovic’s triumph, Serbia now proudly boasts two gold medals at the Paris Games, further solidifying their place on the global sporting stage.

Photo: Olimpijski komitet Srbije / Paris 2024

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According to the Republic Institute of Statistics (RZS), this growth is primarily driven by foreign tourists.

The data reveals an impressive 11.4% increase in the number of international visitors, while domestic tourists recorded a modest 1.8% rise in overnight stays.

The largest number of tourists came from Turkey, with 26,626 arrivals. China followed with 16,822 tourists, and Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked third with 16,664 visitors.

Belgrade continues to be Serbia’s top tourist destination, boasting 330,161 overnight stays. Novi Sad registered 53,497 overnight stays, and Niš recorded 32,194.

Among spa destinations, Sokobanja led with 56,533 overnight stays, followed closely by Vrnjačka Banja with 56,242. Mountain resorts also showed strong performance, with a total of 231,476 overnight stays. Zlatibor was the most visited mountain resort with 85,412 overnight stays, followed by Kopaonik (35,050) and Tara (29,540).

These positive trends underscore the growing appeal of Serbia as a travel destination, particularly among international tourists, highlighting the country’s diverse attractions and increasing prominence on the global tourism map.

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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz highlighted the importance of the Jadar project, which involves lithium mining, stating that it is beneficial for Serbia. Alongside European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič, Scholz assured that the highest environmental standards would be adhered to during the mining process.

“The European Commission and Serbia have signed an important agreement that will strengthen our cooperation in the supply of raw materials,” said Scholz.

Speaking at a joint press conference, Scholz emphasized that this is a European project: “Mining will be conducted with respect for the highest environmental protection standards, and Germany will assist in this effort.”

Scholz noted that the Jadar project brings significant development prospects and will create new jobs in Serbia. “This decision requires courage; we are taking an important step. By mining lithium in Serbia, we can meet our climate goals,” he said, adding, “We need batteries.”

Chancellor Scholz underscored that lithium is crucial for future mobility, akin to the role oil has played thus far. He mentioned that he had requested the president of Rio Tinto to ensure compliance with all environmental standards during exploitation and received assurances in return.

He also confirmed that Germany would support Serbia in environmental protection control, responding affirmatively to the Serbian government’s request.

The signing ceremony at the Palace of Serbia was attended by Serbian government ministers, President Aleksandar Vučić, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and ambassadors Luca Gori of Italy, Anke Konrad of Germany, and Christopher Hill of the United States.

Additionally, a Letter of Intent for developing the e-mobility value chain in Serbia was signed by Economy Minister Anđelka Atanasković, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Odile Renaud-Basso, and Executive Board member of KfW Group Christian Leibhach.

The Letter of Intent was also signed by Paolo Lombardo, Director of International Development Cooperation at Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz, and Jakob Stausholm, CEO of Rio Tinto Group.

Moreover, the document was signed by Diego Pavia, CEO of EIT InnoEnergy, Marian Boček, CEO of InoBat, and Nemanja Mikač, CEO of ElevenEs.

This strategic partnership marks a pivotal moment for Serbia as it integrates more closely with European sustainability initiatives, promising substantial economic and environmental benefits.

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In a significant political development, President Joe Biden has ended his campaign for re-election, citing doubts from his Democratic colleagues about his mental acuity and electoral prospects against Donald Trump. Biden announced his decision in a post on X, stating that he would remain in office until his term concludes in January 2025 and would soon address the nation.

pic.twitter.com/RMIRvlSOYw

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 21, 2024

“Serving as your president has been the highest honor of my life. Though I intended to seek re-election, I believe stepping aside is in the best interest of my party and the country, allowing me to focus on my presidential duties until the end of my term,” Biden, 81, explained. He endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him as the party’s candidate.

Should Harris, 59, secure the nomination and win the election, she would become the first woman and the first African American president. Former President Trump, set to contest the election on November 5 as the Republican candidate, told CNN he views Harris as an easier opponent compared to Biden.

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The election results, with 97.05% of votes counted, reaffirm Plenković’s leadership. Ivan Anušić, running for vice president, received around 80,000 votes.

Following the announcement of the unofficial results, Plenković addressed the public, expressing gratitude for the strong turnout. “I am pleased to thank the members of HDZ for their significant participation in the elections. Forty percent of our members voted, providing our leadership with substantial democratic legitimacy,” Plenković stated, as reported by N1.

Plenković highlighted the honor and responsibility of leading HDZ for another four years. “We are embarking on another four-year cycle. Our focus will be on engaging young and new voters. Five out of six of us are also in the Government of the Republic of Croatia, and we are collaborating with our partners on our program,” he added.

He emphasized his commitment to working closely with HDZ members and reaffirmed the party’s importance. “Even without opposing candidates, we approached this election with utmost seriousness, understanding the significance of leading HDZ,” Plenković concluded.

Plenković’s re-election marks a continuation of his leadership, with a renewed focus on expanding HDZ’s appeal, particularly among younger voters, and strengthening the party’s position in Croatian politics.

Photo: HDZ/Youtube video printscreen

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The agreement was signed by Serbia’s Minister of Internal and Foreign Trade, Tomislav Momirović, and Egypt’s Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Hasan Al Hatib, in the presence of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

At a joint press conference following the signing, President Vučić highlighted the importance of the Free Trade Agreement, noting the inclusion of 10,412 tariff lines for Serbia and 6,075 tariff lines for Egypt. 

“This agreement is of exceptional significance,” Vučić stated, emphasizing its potential to enhance trade and economic cooperation between the two nations.

The signing ceremony marks a new chapter in Serbian-Egyptian relations, with both countries looking forward to increased collaboration and mutual economic growth.

Photo: Predsedništvo Srbije / Dimitrije Goll

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These funds will be used to, among others, help Serbia improve its public procurement process, increase citizen access to justice, improve environmental protection and energy security, promote a stronger media environment, improve economic opportunities for disadvantaged groups, and make Serbia’s economy more competitive. 

U.S. Ambassador Christopher R. Hill witnessed the signing of the amendments by Minister for European Integration Ms. Tanja Miščević and USAID Mission Director Ms. Brooke Isham.

“The United States, through USAID, is adding $18 million to our existing assistance agreement with Serbia to help make the economy more competitive and strengthen government operations,” said U.S. Ambassador Hill. He highlighted that USAID focuses on the areas where Serbia says it needs assistance. The Ambassador emphasized that there is a true partnership, and that what the U.S. Government is trying to do through USAID is to make sure that it is supporting Serbia on the things it needs and wants to do as part of its accession to the European Union. 

Minister Tanja Miščević thanked the United States of America for its strong support for Serbia’s path towards the EU and stated that the new 18 million dollars in grants to Serbia represent the continuation of cooperation with one of the most important development partners.

“These funds will be used for projects such as the improvement of the public procurement system at the central and local level, which will contribute to lower procurement prices. In the area of ​​justice, the focus will be on educating citizens to better understand and protect their rights. More than 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises will have the opportunity to increase their profitability through business modernization, while new funds for agriculture will enable interest-free financing in the most underdeveloped municipalities. Energy efficiency projects will include the renovation of buildings and improvements to heating systems, while social welfare projects will help the most vulnerable categories to improve their chances for employment and a better quality of life,” said Miščević.

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This nomination serves as a significant accolade for Montenegro, reflecting its rising status as one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Europe.

“Montenegro has already gained recognition among Wanderlust magazine readers, having been ranked among the top 10 most desirable emerging destinations globally last year,” noted the NTO.

Wanderlust, the oldest travel magazine in Britain, has been a leading voice in travel journalism for the past 31 years, focusing particularly on sustainable tourism. The magazine aims to inspire travelers with authentic travel stories, breathtaking photography, and expert advice. With over ten million annual views and more than 100,000 readers per issue, Wanderlust is a key influencer in British travel decisions.

The awards will be presented in collaboration with the World Travel Market at a prestigious ceremony on November 6 at Tate Modern. The NTO will be present at the event to celebrate this honor.

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The jury, composed of prestigious European writers and critics, including Chairwoman Ilma Rakusa, László Márton, Karl-Markus Gauß, Vladislava Gordić Petković, and Mathias Énard, decided that this year’s award recipient is Cécile Wajsbrot, a writer, translator, and journalist from France. She received the International “Aleksandar Tišma” Literary Award for her entire literary oeuvre.

The award was presented to the laureate by the jury chairwoman, Ilma Rakusa. The ceremony featured speeches by the President of Matica Srpska, Dragan Stanić, Andrej Tišma, jury chairwoman Ilma Rakusa, jury members László Márton and Vladislava Gordić Petković, and the manager of the Foundation, Bora Babić. The event was highlighted by an address from the award recipient, Cécile Wajsbrot, who spoke to the audience after receiving her award. The program was moderated by Ana Kukolj Jović.

From Ilma Rakusa’s remarks

“What is art capable of achieving, and what social and moral tasks are appropriate for it? What constitutes its relevance? And how is the artistic process structured? These questions are explored in five novels that form a cycle: Conversations with the Master, The Island of Museums, The Guard, Eclipse, and Destruction.

With her dystopian novel Destruction, Wajsbrot responded to the political trends of recent years—the rise of radical right-wing parties and autocratic regimes, the digital surveillance of citizens, and the targeted spread of fake news. Her novel resembles a terrifying vision of what could already happen to us if the libertarian-democratic order is abolished.

Cécile Wajsbrot masterfully intertwines history and the present into a unique tapestry. With great sensitivity and critical alertness, she records the socio-political changes that threaten our collective life. She always incorporates her own experiences, examining her role as an intellectual and writer. Her confrontation with language is particularly convincing, especially in the novel Nevermore, where the work of language is central to the plot, but also in many of her essays. Wajsbrot advocates for linguistic caution, a nuanced handling of words. For where linguistic coarseness prevails, the society too becomes coarse. It is the task of literature to oppose this.

Even if it seems evident, it must be emphasized—Cécile Wajsbrot writes, thinks, and acts as a woman. Her sensitivity and sense of justice, her gift of observation and her language bear an indelibly feminine imprint. This is important in a world where men still dominate, even in the field of art. In a world threatened by violence and hatred.”

From Cécile Wajsbrot’s Speech Upon Receiving the Award

 “I try to imagine that June day in 1991 when Aleksandar Tišma invited representatives of all religious communities and institutions in Novi Sad, aiming to restore the tradition of communal life among people of different origins and nationalities, a clear sign of a desire for peace. However, the war continued, the war spread. Yet, this gesture demonstrates that literature—those who create it and those who read it—can be a place of togetherness, a place where we do not fear the other but invite and welcome them.

When the Iron Curtain still existed, literature was my bridge, with novels written, as we used to say, ‘on the other side.’ Names that French people could hardly pronounce appeared in bookstores, not always prominently displayed, such as Hrabal, Konwicki, Danilo Kiš, Tatarka, Tišma, and Kadare. From them, I learned that it was possible to write novels that encompass the history of one’s own country, and its darkest moments, at a time when we in France were embarking on the great adventure of exploring language and the self. These works encouraged me to seek my own path—that third narrative—off the beaten track, and, like all detours, it took time to find my way. In truth, I did not find it; I forged it. Only in my book Memorial, published in 2005, did the sounds of a tuned instrument emerge, accompanied by the music I wanted to compose.

Memorial. Almost twenty years have passed. I was returning from a trip to Poland where I visited Kielce, the birthplace of my family, on both my mother’s and father’s side. I did not know what I was searching for there, but I did not find it. The river into which the bodies of pogrom victims were thrown seemed so small, so calm… Beware of still waters, they say.”

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This landmark agreement is expected to significantly boost Serbia’s scientific community by fostering advancements within the BIO4 campus, a strategic biotechnology hub in Southeast Europe.

The memorandum outlines collaborative efforts to strengthen Serbia’s bio-economic startup ecosystem and enhance scientific research, education, and innovation in biomedicine and biotechnology. Minister Jelena Begovic hailed the agreement as a significant achievement for Serbia’s scientific ecosystem, noting Medtronic’s reputation for developing cutting-edge medical devices since its founding in 1949.

Medtronic, employing nearly 100,000 people globally and investing almost $3 billion annually in R&D, views this partnership as a testament to Serbia’s growing status as an innovation hub. Majid Kadumi, Medtronic’s senior vice president for EMEA, praised Serbia’s impressive scientific heritage and potential for future benefits.

The collaboration promises to leverage Medtronic’s extensive expertise and Serbia’s innovative capabilities, marking a major step forward in the region’s biomedical and technological landscape.

Photo: Zoran Petrović/nitra.gov.rs

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“I have just submitted the proposed program for the future government, led by VMRO-DPMNE, along with the list of cabinet members and their biographies. I expect it to be presented to the MPs this weekend, on 22-23 June,” Mickoski announced to journalists at the Assembly.

The new government will feature 20 ministries, an increase from the previous 16, and will include members from the VMRO-DPMNE coalition “Your Macedonia,” the Albanian coalition “Worth It,” and the political party “I Know – For Our Macedonia.”

Notable cabinet nominees include Panče Toškovski for Internal Affairs, Timčo Mucunski for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Gordana Kočoska Dimitrieska for Finance, and Aleksandar Nikolovski for Transport. Mickoski emphasized the urgency of delivering rapid results, as citizens have high expectations after feeling their country was “held captive by a few rulers” over the past seven years.

The parliamentary vote on the new government is anticipated to occur this weekend, with a session set to begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday and expected to conclude by midnight on Sunday.

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This groundbreaking project, once completed in 2029, will become the world’s longest submerged rail and road tunnel.

Named the Fehmarn Belt, this tunnel will enable cars to traverse the Baltic in just 10 minutes via four lanes, while trains will cover the distance in approximately seven minutes. The tunnel will connect the Danish island of Lolland with Germany’s Fehmarn island, significantly enhancing the transport link between the two countries.

The decision to build the tunnel was made in 2011, with construction commencing on the Danish side in July 2022 and a year later on the German side. The project, valued at an estimated $7.38 billion, is being funded by Denmark. The Danish government will later determine whether to impose tolls for tunnel usage. This project is part of Denmark’s broader infrastructure expansion, which in recent years has also included new road and rail connections to neighbouring Sweden and among its own islands.

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The winning bid came from Logga Plus d.o.o., a Belgrade-based company led by Vladan Miketić, which is entering the hospitality industry for the first time.

The acquisition includes the nearly 3,000 square meter hotel building, artwork, equipment, and supplies, but also comes with significant financial obligations. “The hotel’s operational liabilities are 58 times greater than its current assets,” explained Ilija Nešić, an analyst at BBA. With obligations amounting to 124.3 million dinars and current assets standing at 2.1 million dinars, mostly tied to receivables, the new owners face considerable challenges.

Founded in 2008, Logga Plus has primarily focused on trade and services and has one employee. The company ended last year with a loss of 11.1 million dinars. Despite these challenges, the purchase of Hotel Union represents a bold move for Logga Plus, signaling a new direction and ambition in the hospitality sector.

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