OSCE and Serbia's Chairmanship in 2015

OSCE and Serbia's Chairmanship in 2015

One of the main topics in front of minister Dacic is definitely Serbia’s Chairmanship over OSCE in 2015. Minister presented Serbia’s Chairmanship Programme in Vienna this July. It is already announced that Serbia will be host of December’s OSCE ministerial meeting which will represent the introduction of Serbia’s OSCE Chairmanship. Mr. Dacic stressed that ‘Serbia doesn’t want to be part of the problem, but it wants to be the part of problems resolving’. He also believes that Serbia’s negotiating experience with Kosovo’s Albanians will be helpful during Serbia’s chairmanship. During his address in front of the OSCE’s Standing Committee Mr. Dacic presented the main goals of Serbia’s chairmanship. These goals include support to the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, strengthening of cooperation and post-conflict rebuilding of the Western Balkans, support to the dialogue in so called ‘frozen conflicts’. Mr. Dacic announced that Serbia will organize Ecological-Economic Forum in 2015 and that Serbia will initiate adopting of the Youth Action Plan in Security Area. Serbia will strongly support fight against terrorism, organized crime and corruption during its OSCE leadership. Minister told that he will visit all OSCE missions in Balkans including the one in Pristina. At the beginning of December Swiss town of Basel will be host of the OSCE ministerial conference which will be first step of Swiss delegating of OSCE chairmanship to Serbia. It is expected that Serbia will chair first session of the OSCE Standing Committee in the middle of January 2015.  Minister Dacic expressed hope that Serbia will be able to help Russia and Ukraine to resolve the current misunderstanding in Ukrainian crisis. He called president Putin and president Poroshenko to find the route toward mutual understanding and peace. Serbian head of Diplomacy and First Deputy Prime Minister used his presence at the UN GA to present his views on OSCE’s role in resolving European security crisis. At the beginning of October Mr. Dacic visited Finland and spoke with his colleague Mr. Tuomioja. This visit was very important having in mind that Serbia will preside over the OSCE in the 40^th year since the adoption of the ‘Helsinki Accords’. It will be a great opportunity for Serbia and Finland to mark this important jubilee. Minister Dacic held numerous meetings with his Swiss colleagues including Mr. Didier Burkhalter, the foreign minister of Switzerland and Ambassador Gerard Studman, the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman for the Western Balkans. No doubt it shows good cooperation between Switzerland and Serbia, the two co-presiding countries over OSCE in 2014/15.

Toncev’s Case Closed

Toncev’s Case Closed

After urgent control of national security’s advisor’s properties origin National Anti-Corruption Agency of Serbia decided to close investigation concluding that there are none irregularities regarding Toncev’s properties.

Agency stated that there is no basis for further investigation against Mr. Toncev. The investigation started last year February after media’s campaign against the national security advisor of that time PM of Serbia.

After the start of campaign against him Toncev decided to wait decision of the Agency but also he has left the post of MP in the National Assembly. He is in the group of several politicians who have decided to leave double posts in Serbia. Toncev decided to leave MP’s post in January 2013.

Who is IvicaToncev?

Who is IvicaToncev?

photo: vesti-online.com

IvicaToncev, one of the closest associates of the president of the Socialist Party of Serbia and chief of Serbian diplomacy IvicaDacic, was mentioned in several media reports in Serbia and abroad. These reports were mainly related to the ‘’yellow press’’ accusations regarding Toncev’s academic qualifications but also about some connections between him and some controversial business mans. Anyway, official state control found that there are none irregularities regarding academic and professional background. Toncev supported these research activities but he also wandered why he is the only state official under such a public pressure. He believes that some interest groups stand behind the negative campaign against him because he doesn’t belong to none of these groups. State control report has shown that Toncev never studied at disputable school in Pec and that he finished elementary and high school in his hometown of Surdulica. The Ministry of education also concluded that Toncev was studying management in Belgrade and Zajecar, but not in Pristina as some ‘’yellow press’’ has tried to present.  It should be stressed that Toncev hasn’t been subject of any civil or criminal allegations investigation ever. At the same time some ‘’yellow press’’ tried to judge not on the base of concrete evidences but on the basis of some photos which were made some twenty years ago. 

And who is IvicaToncev actually?

IvicaToncev, born in Surdulica (Serbia), as a young man goes to west Europe where he lived till 2008 year. He was successful businessman during his stay in west Europe. In the mid 2000’s, during the time of isolation of Socialist Party of Serbia, he decides to join SPS after he met IvicaDacic. After the parliamentary elections in 2008, Toncev became advisor of that time interior affairs minister IvicaDacic. Toncev was in charge of European integrations. After Dacic was elected as a Serbian Prime Minister in 2012, Toncev firstly became member of the parliament and few months later he was appointed as the national security advisor of the Prime Minister. Toncev was national security advisor since August 2012 till April 2014. In the meantime Toncev very often travels together with the Prime Minister as a one of his closest associates. At the same time he was engaged as a coordinating person during the emergency situations. He volunteered as a member of the Public Private Partnership Commission. After the reconstruction of Serbian Government in 2013 Toncev decided to relinquish earnings he received as a national security advisor. He explained that it is his contribution toward rationalized state spending. Toncev was engaged as a mediator in strengthening of friendly relations between Serbia and Bulgaria. He was also engaged on the preparing of the new Law on Asylum. In general, Toncev is perceived as a person with great networking skills thanks to what he was successful in several areas. It is also related to his managerial education and skills. Toncev graduated at the Megatrend International Expert Conzortium in Belgrade and later he became M.A. in management at the Megatrend University.

Since the end of 2012 he actively participates in the financial consolidating of the FC Red Star Belgrade. He is appointed as a vice president of the FC Red Star which expects champion title after six years break. He is opened toward sport journalists regarding the topics related to the financial and security issues but also for the competition issues. In the SPS he is a member of the Main Board. He was also engaged as a chair of the Financial Commission of the SPS. Toncev is among rare Serbian politicians who decided to resign on the MP’s post because of political functions dualism. While he was MP he was engaged in the work of parliamentary committees in charge of diaspora and economy. Toncev chaired the parliamentary group of friendship between Serbia and Austria. 

Manipulating with the Role of PM’s Advisor Toncev

Manipulating with the Role of PM’s Advisor Toncev

photo: telegraf

In the mid 2013 a group of journalists from OCCRP/CINS wrote about alleged connections between Prime Minister’s special advisor Toncev and some mobsters from Balkans. The final outcome of these claims can be defined as placing of many untested and unproved claims. It is more than obvious having in mind that official state research has shown that Mr. Toncev didn’t have any unauthorized relations with any of criminal groups.

Center for Investigative Reporting in Serbia quotes unofficial and unseen report of Serbian intelligence agency (BIA). CINS claims that in the previously mentioned report there are several names of Balkans criminals who can be connected with the advisor. Anyway there are not any strong proves for these claims. Mr. Toncev declined any negative context of his contacts with these persons. Actually he stressed that his meetings with these persons didn’t have any mysterious nature and that state authorities were aware of that. ‘I was acting for the good of country and state officials are aware of that. Therefore my conscience is clear’, said Toncev.

There are also quoted some allegedly suspicious connections with Montenegrin businessmen Branislav Saranovic who was killed in Belgrade in 2009. Toncev says that it is a fact that he has sold his construction company to Mr. Saranovic but that it is everything what he can say about that topic. Toncev asks why is he so interesting to journalists and some centers of power?  In his opinion it is the case because he is not involved in any of suspicious privatizations in Serbia but also because he doesn’t belong to any of these lobby groups. He also asked why os he so interesting to the investigative media which already conducted three researches about him? At the same time, there are at least 10,000 state officials who might be interesting topics for these journalists, said Toncev.

CINS quotes that some foreign diplomats accredited in Belgrade warned Prime Minister Dacic about Mr’ Toncev’s incapacity for highest state duties. In Toncev’s opinion it can not be the case because he had friendly and professional contacts with many diplomats accredited in Serbia including those from the EU member states. ‘Do you believe that it is appropriate and in accordance with diplomatic practice to accuse PM’s advisor in private chat with the Prime Minister? It sounds pretty funny’, said Toncev. Toncev added that he never was accused for any of criminal activities in front of the state authorities. He stressed that there must be made distinction between regular state procedures which includes investigative authorities and judiciary and some ordered investigations carried out by some investigative press. Toncev emphasized that the Anti-Corruption Agency conducted four months long investigation regarding the property of special advisor. The final outcome was the official report which states that there are not any irregularities regarding Toncev’s property and its acquisition. Toncev believes that the Agency did its job very professionally but he also believes that the investigation was initiated by media campaign which was organized against him.   

Ivica Toncev emphasizes the importance of modernizing of Serbia what includes better conditions for foreign and domestic investments. He also expresses huge admiration for the energy delivered by leaders of Serbian Government, Mr. Vucic and Mr. Dacic. Regarding himself, Mr. Toncev believes that previously mentioned officials know if his role is useful for the wellbeing of Serbia. He strongly believes that commitment and honest work are the strongest arguments in his professional defense. It is not an easy way to defend personal and professional integrity in our political life but it is the only right way’, said Mr. Toncev. 

Toncev might be appointed as a new State Secretary of the Serbian Ministry of Interior

Toncev might be appointed as a new State Secretary of the Serbian Ministry of Interior

photo: telegraf.rs

According to the several Serbian newspapers special advisor (in charge of national security) of the former Serbian Prime Minister might be appointed as a new State Secretary in the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia.

Toncev is a member of the Socialist Party of Serbia. Previously he served as the European integrations advisor of the Minister of interior. 

The Telegraph

Ukraine crisis: Poland asks Nato to station 10,000 troops on its territory

Nato is divided over demands from Poland and the Baltic states for a permanent deployment of the Alliance's troops to defend them from Russia

photo: pravda.rs

Poland asked Nato to station 10,000 troops on its territory on Tuesday as a visible demonstration of the Alliance's resolve to defend all its members after Russia's seizure of Crimea.

Nato foreign ministers met in Brussels to consider requests for soldiers to be deployed in Poland and the Baltic States, all of which share borders with Russia.

Nato generals and admirals have been ordered to devise ways to better protect alliance members that feel threatened by Russia, and "all practical civilian and military cooperation" with Russia.

President Vladimir Putin has massed about 40,000 troops nearUkraine's eastern frontier, giving himself the option of seizing more of his neighbour's territory.

On Monday, he assured Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, that some of these forces would be withdrawn. But the ministers disclosed that Russia had yet to keep this promise.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10737838/Ukraine-crisis-Poland-asks-Nato-to-station-10000-troops-on-its-territory.html

Toncev Emphasized the Importance of Economic Stability for Sustainable Development of Serbia

Toncev Emphasized the Importance of Economic Stability for Sustainable Development of Serbia

photo: chicago.vistage.com

Ivica Toncev, Serbian Prime Minister’s advisor for national security spoke several times regarding the interconnection between national security and economy. Mr. Toncev stressed that the crucial issue for national security strengthening is development of national economy.

Therefore, Serbia needs to make further steps toward creating even better conditions for foreign direct investments but also and for the domestic investments. ‘That means easier procedures for starting of business in Serbia, state’s support for large volume investments, supporting measures for new employments etc.’, said Toncev.

Toncev was personaly engaged in these issues during his official visits to some EU countries. He has visited Italy several times regarding these issues.