Republic of Serbia

Ivo Viskovic, a former Serbian ambassador to Germany, says Vucic's meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday will focus on Serbia's EU integration process.

According to him, Serbia can expect German help on its path to EU membership. "This help would be mainly of an advisory and economic character through stimulating German investment in Serbia," Viskovic told BIRN.

MINSK - Serbia practically already lives in the EU, as it is surrounded by it, but it can build good relations with Russia and Belarus as well, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, who will visit Serbia on Wednesday, has said.

Serbia should find a path that will not dissapoint the east or the west, he told the daily Politika.

Pundits interpret Vulin's "great powers" comment

BELGRADE -- Political analyst Đorđe Vukadinović says Aleksandar Vulin's statement about "great powers not wanting a prime minister with large support" is "exaggerated."

The labor minister suggested earlier that PM Aleksandar Vučić was the target of criticism for that reason.

Fado diva Mariza takes part in flood relief campaign

BELGRADE -- Serbian PM Aleksandar Vučić on Tuesday welcomed Portuguese fado diva Mariza in Belgrade, and discussed ways to help Serbia after the catastrophic floods.

Mijatovic urged the Serbian authorities to nurture uncensored debate on issues of public interest, especially in times of crisis, such as the current situation with flooding in the region.

BELGRADE - Serbia's application for resources from the EU Solidarity Fund should be submitted by the beginning of August, following which the Council and the European Parliament will start the process for granting aid, it was said at Monday’s meeting of Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic with Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport and ambassadors of EU member states.

BELGRADE - Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic will meet on Friday with President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Suma Chakrabarti, who is on a visit to Serbia, the Serbian president's press office released in a statement.

Dobrica Cosic’s family confirmed on Sunday that the famous and often controversial Serbian writer, academic and politician had died in his sleep.

Author and former FRY president Dobrica Ćosić dies

BELGRADE -- Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić sent a telegram of condolences to the family of late Dobrica Ćosić, Serbian writer and politician.

The 93-year-old member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU) passed away on Sunday, his family announced.

BELGRADE - Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic thanked all countries and the EU for the assistance they have provided so far in the fight against the unprecedented floods that hit Serbia over the past few days.