As Serbian Economist reports, the first Ukrainian Literature Festival organized by the Ukrainian Center “Triglav” in cooperation with the Embassy of Ukraine in Serbia took place in the Serbian capital.
The event united Ukrainian writers, translators, literary critics and Serbian fans of Ukrainian culture.
According to the organizers, the goal of the festival is to popularize modern Ukrainian literature abroad and develop cultural dialogue between Ukraine and Serbia.
The festival included readings by Ukrainian authors, presentations of translations into Serbian, panel discussions and meetings with translators working on adapting works by Ukrainian writers for local audiences.
New translations of Ukrainian works into Serbian were presented during the festival. Serbian publishers emphasized that interest in Ukrainian culture has grown significantly after 2022.
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According to Serbian Economist, the Serbian government has formed a working group to negotiate and prepare a contract with the Chinese company Shandong Hi-Speed Group for the implementation of the second phase of the expansion and modernization of Constantine the Great Airport in Niš. This was reported by Serbia-Business, citing government sources.
The second phase includes the demolition of the old terminal, construction of a new terminal, major repairs to the runway, a new control tower, and expansion of the apron from the current 4 parking spaces to 9. The total cost of the project is estimated at more than €140 million.
Work is scheduled to begin in 2025, subject to the signing of the final contract.
Niš Constantine the Great Airport (INI / LYNI) is located 4 km northwest of the center of Niš, in the Medoševac and Popovac areas. It is the second busiest airport in Serbia after Belgrade.
In 2024, the airport handled 357,313 passengers, which is ~20% less than in the previous year. According to flight connection resources, the airport serves 14 cities in 10 countries directly, including Belgrade and Vienna, which account for a significant share of arrivals. In 2025, the airport received a new passenger route from Wizz Air, as well as its first cargo route to China.
The new project will allow larger aircraft to be served and increase the number of destinations, especially to countries in Europe and Asia. The participation of the Chinese company Shandong Hi-Speed Group indicates an influx of foreign investment and technological partnership, which may stimulate other infrastructure projects.
According to Serbian Economist, Croatia has expressed its readiness to consider buying Serbian oil and gas company Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) if it will help to settle the consequences of US sanctions against the company, Croatian Economy Minister Ante Šušnjar said.
“Our hand is outstretched – if this is the solution, we are ready for this option as well,” the minister said, commenting on the situation after the US sanctions against NIS came into force.
According to Šušnjar, if such a scenario is realized, Croatia would guarantee the stability of the Jadranski naftovod (JANAF) oil pipeline, which has been cooperating with NIS for more than 40 years, without interfering in Serbia’s retail fuel market.
“This would simplify the situation both for us and for Serbia,” emphasized the minister, who represents the Domovinski pokret party, which is in coalition with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic’s ruling HDZ party.
The minister noted that the NIS Pančevo refinery provides up to 20% of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s oil products market, and the current sanctions situation poses additional challenges for the entire region.
“By the end of the month, we will complete the modernization of the refinery in Rijeka, which will allow us to increase refining capacity and thus help Bosnia and Herzegovina, and partially Serbia,” Šušnjar said.
He also emphasized that sanctions against NIS will not affect Croatia’s position in negotiations with Hungarian MOL on oil supplies. According to him, the country is ready to provide sufficient volumes of fuel for Hungary, Slovakia and Serbia when it is possible in terms of geopolitical conditions.
Experts note that Croatia’s possible participation in the fate of NIS could be a compromise option to stabilize the energy market in the Balkans and ensure uninterrupted operation of the JANAF oil pipeline, which is a key link of oil supplies to the region.
As reported by the Serbian Economist, Vučić said: “We can hold presidential and parliamentary elections together” already in 2026.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced that he will not run for another presidential term and also allowed the possibility of holding early elections as soon as 2026.
“I officially have about a year and a half left until the end of my mandate. But it will probably last shorter — we can hold presidential and parliamentary elections together,” Vučić said.
He emphasizes that he does not intend to change the Constitution to extend his rule.
Vučić’s current presidential term officially ends in 2027, but he allows that elections could be scheduled as early as December 2026 or even earlier.
In part of his statements, he criticized the opposition, saying its representatives are “immature and irresponsible” and “do not learn from their own mistakes.”
Aleksandar Vučić has held key state positions in Serbia since the early 2010s. In particular:
• He became President of Serbia on June 1, 2017.
• Before that, he led the government (as Prime Minister) and was the leader of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) for many years.
Source: https://t.me/relocationrs/1522
According to the Serbian Economist, the Swiss company SSWISS GROUP AG, owner of the Swiss Solar brand, has announced plans to invest 50 million euros in the construction of solar power plants with a capacity of up to 50 MW in Serbia.
The project is being realized together with local partners and state structures, B92 news agency reported.
Serbia receives more than 2,000 hours of sunshine per year and is seeking to diversify its energy mix. According to the government, the share of solar energy in the electricity production structure is still around 4-5%, but significant growth is planned in the coming years through private and public investments.
Serbia’s solar energy market is actively developing:
– South Korean KHNP signed a memorandum of cooperation in the field of renewable sources;
– French EDF is preparing a study on the potential of green generation;
– Chinese and Italian companies are negotiating the construction of solar parks in Vojvodina and Central Serbia.
Experts say that the new projects will reduce the country’s dependence on imported gas and oil and make Serbia one of the regional centers of green energy in the Balkans.
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The Finnish group Olvi has signed an agreement to acquire Bosnia and Herzegovina’s largest brewery, Banjalucka Pivara, including its subsidiary in Serbia, according to the Serbian Economist Telegram channel.
The exact name of Banjalucka Pivara’s Serbian subsidiary has not been disclosed. Publications indicate that Olvi has acquired both the brewery itself and its Serbian subsidiary, expanding its presence throughout the Balkan region and gaining access to the markets of Serbia and Montenegro.
Financial and product indicators for Banjalucka Pivara (Bosnia and Herzegovina):
1. Revenue in 2024: approximately €28 million.
2. Profitability: the company is consistently profitable with growing market shares in the region.
3. Brands: including the popular Nektar, the fastest growing in all countries in the region.
By acquiring Banjalucka Pivara and its operations in Serbia, Olvi strengthens its regional network and gains access to the Balkan markets, as well as logistics corridors to Mediterranean tourist destinations.
The merger allows the Finnish company to develop its product range (non-alcoholic beverages, cocktails), strengthening its range at Banjalucka Pivara’s facilities.
The transaction is awaiting approval by the Bosnian antitrust authorities and is expected to be completed no later than the first quarter of 2026.
Source: https://t.me/relocationrs
