Boris Tadić

Boris Tadić
Борис Тадић

President of Serbia
Incumbent
Assumed office 
15 February 2008
Prime Minister Mirko Cvetković
Preceded by none
President of Serbia
In office
11 July 2004 – 15 February 2008
Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica
Preceded by Predrag Marković (Acting)
Milan Milutinović
Succeeded by none[1]
Minister of Defence of Serbia and Montenegro
In office
17 March 2003 – 16 April 2004
Preceded by Velimir Radojević
Succeeded by Prvoslav Davinić
Minister of Telecommunications of Yugoslavia
In office
4 November 2000 – 17 March 2003
Born 15 January 1958 (1958-01-15) (age 53)
Sarajevo, SR Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yugoslavia
Nationality Serbian
Ethnicity Serbian
Political party Democratic Party
Spouse(s) Tatjana Tadić
Residence New Palace
Alma mater University of Belgrade
Profession Psychologist
Religion Serbian Orthodox
Signature
Website www.predsednik.rs

Boris Tadić (Serbian Cyrillic: Борис Тадић; born January 15, 1958) is a Serbian politician and the current President of Serbia. A psychologist by profession, he is a leader of the Democratic Party. Tadić was elected to a five-year term on June 27, 2004, and was sworn into office on July 11, 2004. He was re-elected for a de facto[2] second five-year term on February 3, 2008 and was sworn in on February 15. Prior to Presidency, Tadić served as the Minister of Telecommunications of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and as the Minister of Defence of Serbia and Montenegro.

Boris Tadić advocates full integration of Serbia into the European Union but he also believes Serbia can only join the EU if territorial integrity of Serbia with sovereignty over Kosovo and Metohija is respected.[3] He is seen as a pro-Western leader but who favours well-balanced relations with Russia, the United States, and the EU.[4][5][6][7]

Contents

Early life

Boris Tadić was born in Sarajevo, the capital of the People's Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a republic within the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia. His father, Ljubomir is a philosopher and a member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts. His mother, Nevenka, is a psychologist. His maternal grandfather and six other relatives were killed by the Croatian Ustaše regime during World War II in Jasenovac concentration camp.[8]

The Tadić are descendants of the Serb clan of Old Herzegovina in Piva (pl. Pivljani) and their family venerate Saint John (Serbian tradition Krsna slava of Jovanjdan).[9]

His parents were often moving between various cities and had moved to Sarajevo from Paris, where they were pursuing their doctoral studies, only a few days prior to his birth. The Tadić family moved to Belgrade when Boris was three years old, and his father got a job at the newspaper Liberation.[10][11]

Tadić finished Pera Popović Aga (today Mika Petrović Alas)[12] elementary school and matriculated at First Belgrade High School in Dorćol, neighbourhood of Belgrade. During his teenage years he played water polo for VK Partizan but had to quit due to injuries. He graduated from the University of Belgrade Faculty of Philosophy with a degree in psychology, specifically social psychology in the department of clinical psychology. Tadić was arrested during his studies for "participating in the demonstrations demanding that arrested students be released from detention" and spent one month in penal labour prison in Padinska Skela.[13] He worked as a journalist, military clinical psychologist and as a teacher of psychology at the First Belgrade Gymnasium.[12]

Until 2003, Tadić also worked at the Faculty of Drama at the University of Belgrade as a lecturer of political advertising.

Political career

Boris Tadić visiting George C. Marshall European Centre for Security Studies in Garmisch-Partenkirchen as the Defence Minister in 2003

Tadić joined the Democratic Party, founded in 1919 but suppressed in communist Yugoslavia, when it was re-established as a modern social democratic party in 1990. The Democrats won seven seats in the National Assembly that year.

Boris Tadić was the founder of the Centre for modern skills in 1998. Centre for modern skills is the NGO dealing with political and civil education, and the development of the political culture and dialogue.[14]

Tadić's party, a member of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia, played a key role in the Bulldozer Revolution that toppled Slobodan Milošević in 2000. He served two terms as the Deputy Leader of the Democratic Party before he was elected as a new leader in 2004.

Tadić served as Minister of Telecommunications in the Government of FR Yugoslavia in 2000 and as Minister of Defence in the Council of Ministers of Serbia and Montenegro from March 17, 2003 until he started his presidential campaign. He served as an MP of the Democratic Party in the Federal Senate and as vice-speaker of the Yugoslav Parliament. He served as the leader of the Democratic Opposition of Serbia coalition in the Parliament of Serbia and Montenegro in 2003 and as leader of the Democratic Party in the Parliament of Serbia in 2004. As an MP he was a member of the science and technology parliamentary committee.

The assassination of Zoran Đinđić in March 2003 led to a leadership convention of the Democratic Party in 2004, which was won by Tadić against Zoran Živković.[15] He was reelected in regular leadership convention in 2006.

Presidency

President of Serbia within state union (2004-2008)

Tadić as the newly elected Democratic Party leader was chosen as the candidate for the presidential election. Tadić defeated Tomislav Nikolić of the nationalist Radical Party in the run-off of the 2004 presidential election with 53% [16] of the vote. He was inaugurated on July 11, of that year.[17]

On December 1, 2004, Tadić’s presidential motorcade was involved in a traffic collision. Miroslav Cimpl, a Serb employee of the local American embassy, repeatedly crashed his vehicle into presidential motorcade although the President's car was not personally affected. Cimpl fled the scene but was later arrested after the Serb government complained to the embassy. A subsequent investigation concluded that Cimpl did not intend to harm Tadić but that he was driving under influence of alcohol. The public drew a connection between this incident and a similar occurrence in February 2003 when Dejan Milenković Bagzi attempted to kill then-Prime Minister Zoran Đinđić by ramming his vehicle with a truck on the highway.[18]

On December 6, 2004, Boris Tadić made an apology in Bosnia-Herzegovina to all those who suffered crimes committed in the name of the Serb people.[19]

As President, Tadić has pursued a pro-Western foreign policy. On September 28, 2005 he met with Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican City, making him the first Serbian head of state to be granted an audience with a pope. This helped improve traditionally strained Catholic-Orthodox relations.[20]

Tadić presided during the independence referendum in Montenegro in 2006. He was the first foreign head of state to visit Montenegro after it became independent on June 8, promising to continue friendly relations. Serbia declared independence as well, and Tadić attended the first raising of the flag of Serbia at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.[21]

Tadić took part in the events marking the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution, unveiling a plaque in honour of Imre Nagy with Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány at the Embassy of Serbia in Budapest.[22]

On June 22, 2007, Tadić presided over the 1000th meeting of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers in Belgrade.[23]

In 2007, Tadić issued an apology to Croatia for any crimes committed in Serbia's name during the war in Croatia.[24]

Boris Tadić at the 50th Belgrade Book Fair.

On August 4, 2007, Tadić was awarded the "European Prize for Political Culture" that is given by the Swiss Foundation Hans Ringier of the Ringier Publishing House in Locarno. Previously it was awarded to Jean-Claude Juncker. Tadić decided to donate the financial part of the award for humanitarian purposes for the maternity hospital in town near Gračanica.[25][26] In the same year Tadić was a signatory of the agreement that led to formation of the Council for Cooperation between Serbia and Republika Srpska on September 6, 2007, together with Milorad Dodik and Vojislav Koštunica.[27]

In September 2007, he met with Sumitaka Fujita, CFO of Itochu Corporation in order to negotiate a donation from Official development assistance which would be used for the construction of a new bridge over the river Danube in Belgrade.[28]

Contrary to his earlier decision in the 2004 Kosovan parliamentary election, Tadić stated that he has no right to call Serbs of Kosovo to vote in the 2007 Kosovo parliamentary election, as the standards he asked for in 2004 were not reached.[29]

He stated that former and current terrorists, who escaped from prison in Kosovo in September 2007, are located in northern regions of the Republic of Macedonia. According to him, terrorists are planning new attacks on municipalities in southern Serbia in order to start a new Preševo Valley conflict.[30]

In late 2007, he stated that Serbia does not support a break up of Bosnia and Herzegovina and that, as a guarantor of the Dayton Accords that brought peace to Bosnia, supports its territorial integrity. Tadić also said that Serbia supports EU integration for Bosnia.[31] Along with that, he supports Bosnia's incorporation into the military organisation NATO.[32]

On January 13, 2008, Tadić announced a 7.5 billion RSD modernisation package for the Serbian Army from the National Investment Plan to include the purchase of communications equipment and an overhaul of the air force.[33]

Reelection campaign

Boris Tadić has advocated an early presidential election that is required under constitutional law, since the adoption of the new Constitution of Serbia, after the successful constitutional referendum in October 2006. On December 13, 2007 the speaker of the Parliament, Oliver Dulić, set the election date for January 20, 2008. The Democratic Party officially submitted the candidacy of its leader to the Republic Electoral Commission on December 21. The re-election campaign was led under the slogan - ”For a Strong and Stable Serbia“ (За Јаку и Стабилну Србију) in the first round and ”Let's conquer Europe together!“ (Да освојимо Европу заједно!) in the second. Tadić advocated integration of Serbia into the European Union but also territorial integrity of Serbia with sovereignty over Kosovo and Metohia.

Tadić received support from G17 Plus and Sanjak Democratic Party, partners from the Government. He also received support of various national minority parties including Hungarian and Roma parties. Tadić has received strong support from Milorad Dodik, the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska.[34] Boris Tadić also received support from various organisations representing people with disabilities and special needs.[35]

Tadić received 1,457,030 votes (35.39 percent) in the first round. In the second round on February 3, 2008, he faced Tomislav Nikolić and won the election with 2,304,467 votes (50.31 percent).[36]

President of Serbia (2008-)

Presidential oath of Boris Tadić:
I swear that I will invest all my efforts in the preservation of sovereignty and integrity of the territory of the Republic of Serbia, including Kosovo and Metohija as its integral part, as well as the realisation of human and minority rights and freedoms, observation and defence of the Constitution and laws, preservation of peace and welfare of all Serbian citizens and that I will fulfill all my duties conscientiously and responsibly.[37]

He was sworn in at the inauguration ceremony on February 15, 2008 in the National Assembly of Serbia.[37]

The Assembly of Kosovo, proclaimed a unilateral declaration of independence on February 17, 2008.[38] Boris Tadić urged a United Nations Security Council meeting to react urgently and annul the act. He also said that Belgrade would never recognise the independence of Kosovo and would never give up the struggle for its legitimate interests.[39] Russia backed Serbia's position and President Vladimir Putin said that any support for Kosovo's unilateral declaration is immoral and illegal.[40] On February 21 Tadić met President of Romania Traian Băsescu in Bucharest where he thanked him for Romanian support and stated that "Serbia will not give up its future in Europe". Tadić also said that Serbia would not accept the legality of the EU's planned policing and judiciary mission for Kosovo.[41] On February 25, 2008 Boris Tadić met with Dmitry Medvedev and Sergei Lavrov in Belgrade where Medvedev stated that “We proceed from the understanding that Serbia is a single state with its jurisdiction spanning its entire territory, and we will adhere to this principled stance in the future, We have made a deal to coordinate together our efforts in order to get out of this complicated situation”. Agreement on South Stream pipeline was also signed during this visit.[42][43]

Meeting with Lech Kaczyński, President of Poland, at the 63rd UN General Assembly session in September 2008

Tadić said that Serbia would never recognise an independent Kosovo.[44] He stated that the problem of Kosovo was not solved by the unilaterally declared independence and that the decade-long problems between Serbs and Albanians still exist. He called the international institutions to find a solution within the UN Security Council, for the continuation of negotiations.[45] He also called a decision made by the U.S. President George W. Bush to send arms to Kosovo “bad news.” [46]

Boris Tadić with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Belgrade.

On April 5, 2008, Tadić called the acquittal of Ramush Haradinaj "disgraceful because of the innocent victims" and demanded the ICTY to appeal. He said that Serbia wishes to help the Tribunal to collect evidence "because Haradinaj’s place is in prison". He said that former Hague Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte had said that witnesses in the case against Haradinaj had been intimidated and even murdered to prevent them testifying to his crimes.[47]

On March 13, 2008, President Tadić has signed a decree dissolving the country's parliament and slating early parliamentary elections for May 11.[48] Boris Tadić has gathered a large pro-EU coalition around his Democratic Party and G17 Plus for the upcoming Serbian parliamentary election in 2008, named “For a European Serbia - Boris Tadić”. The coalition list was led by Dragoljub Mićunović and it also included Sanjak Democratic Party, Serbian Renewal Movement and League of Social Democrats of Vojvodina.[49] The coalition won 38% of the vote, more than any other list.[50] He condemnеd remarks regarding the election made by Javier Solana and Pieter Feith and called on the European Union not to interfere with Serbian elections.[51][52]

Tadić said that he is ready, authorised as per Vienna Convention,[53] to sign the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union if it is offered on April 28, but not at the price of recognising Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence.[54] Tadić attended the signing of the SAA ceremony in Luxembourg on April 29, where the Deputy Prime Minister Božidar Đelić signed the document on behalf of Serbia, as per the authorisation of the Government from December 2007. He is opposed by the Prime Minister Vojislav Koštunica who thinks Serbia must not sign any agreements with the European Union.[55] On May 1, Koštunica said that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was right when he said that the SAA should have been signed but one day later on May 2 he vowed to annul the agreement after the election, calling it "a trick", "Solana's agreement" and "the Tadić-Đelić SAA signature".[56][57]

On June 27, 2008, he named Mirko Cvetković for the new Prime Minister, following the victory of his party coalition in parliamentary election that took place in May. Cvetković was officially sworn in after giving the oath in the National Assembly on July 7, 2008.[58]

Following the 2008 South Ossetia War, and Russian recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia independence, he refused to follow suit by saying that even though he respects the Russian support to Serbia regarding Kosovo, "Serbia is not going to recognise these so-called new countries". He stated that "Serbia is not going to do something that is against our interest, because we are defending out territorial integrity and sovereignty by using international law" and that by constitution he must defend the interests of Serbia, and not the interests of any other country in the world.[59][60]

Boris Tadić attending Quadriga awards ceremony with Gerhard Schröder

He received the Quadriga award in September 2008, an annual German award sponsored by Werkstatt Deutschland, a non-profit organisation based in Berlin. The award recognises four people or groups for their commitment to innovation, renewal, and a pioneering spirit through political, economic, and cultural activities. The other three winners were Wikipedia, represented by Jimmy Wales, Eckart Höfling, Franciscan and director and Peter Gabriel, musician and human rights activist. Award given to Tadić was named The Courage of Perseverance and was presented by Heinz Fischer, the Federal President of Austria.[61]

Congratulating Barack Obama for his presidential election victory, Tadić said that it will pave the way for opening a new chapter in the long history of relations between Serbia and the United States, during which they have been allies and friends for the most part. He also expressed hope that the new U.S. administration will have more understanding for Serbia, that defends its legitimate interests in peaceful and diplomatic way.[62]

Boris Tadić and Dmitry Medvedev sealed the deal regarding the construction of a South Stream gas pipeline in December 2008

On December 24, 2008 Boris Tadić and Dmitry Medvedev signed an umbrella agreement providing political guarantees that Serbia will receive a stretch of the South Stream gas pipeline and that the underground gas storage facility in Banatski Dvor will be finalised.[63]

Tadić invoked his constitutional powers of Commander-in-chief of the Military of Serbia and dismissed the Chief of the General Staff Zdravko Ponoš on December 30, 2008. Ponoš made public accusations against the Defence Minister Dragan Šutanovac in the media. It was also revealed that he ignored the minister and has not submitted a single report in a year.[64][65]

He was ranked the tenth most influential politician in Europe of 2008 in a survey conducted by Telewizja Polska among 29 European media houses. He shared the position with Mikheil Saakashvili, scoring below Jean-Claude Juncker and above Dmitry Medvedev.[66] He was also one the five nominated politicians for the award National politician of the year of the European Voice for "bringing his country closer to EU membership with the handing over of alleged war criminal Radovan Karadžić to the international court for former Yugoslavia".[67][68]

Following the formation of Kosovo Security Forces in January 2009, he sent protest letters both to the and NATO Secretaries-General. The letter, states that Serbia views those forces as an illegal paramilitary organisation that constitutes a threat to the country’s security and a danger to peace and stability in the Western Balkans. Tadić drew attention to the fact that the KSF were formed on the basis of the Ahtisaari Plan that was never adopted by the Security Council and added that the creation of these forces constitutes a breach of the Serbian Constitution and international law, which is why they should be disbanded. He called for the demilitarisation of Kosovo.[69]

Mayor of Madrid Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón gave the Golden Keys of the City of Madrid to Boris Tadić in March 2009, due to his commitment to Europe and its values and the changes that Serbia has undertaken in this direction. He said that this attitude helps the stability and progress of the continent "in a very positive way" and that the award given is "an expression of our friendship with the Serbian people and our commitment to collaboration".[70] In March 2009 he also received a honorary degree of Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University in Bucharest.[71]

In April 2009, he announced a constitutional reform proposal. His initiative includes proposal to reduce the number of the National Assembly members from 250 to 150 to better reflect the size of the country followed by changes in law on party registration and financing in order to consolidate similar parties and limit those with little support which should bring Serbia closer to a two-party system. The second proposed amendment would change the administrative division of Serbia by dividing it into more autonomous regions in order to achieve the more balanced development. This change would lead to Serbia being divided into seven regions instead of the current asymmetrical division which includes two autonomous provinces but where the majority of the territory has no special autonomy.[72][73][74]

During the visit to Serbia in May 2009, Lech Kaczyński, President of Poland, stated that he doesn't agree with the decision of the Polish Government to recognise independence of Kosovo and that he is as the President "favours the policy pursued by Serbian President Boris Tadić". They also discussed energy, particularly Europe's dependence on natural gas from just one source, and agreed that there is a need for a common EU energy policy that should also include the Balkan states.[75]

Tadić attended the inauguration of the new President Gjorge Ivanov in Skopje in May 2009. They agreed that both countries should cooperate on the integration to the European Union despite problems caused by their different views on the status of Kosovo.[76] This caused a minor controversy as the leader of Kosovo Fatmir Sejdiu was not invited for the inauguration ceremony.[77] He also met with Montenegrin President Filip Vujanović in Belgrade the same month, which was the first official visit by a senior Montenegrin official to Belgrade since October 2008, when Montenegro recognised Kosovo's independence. They agreed on mutual protection of Serbs and Montenegrins in both countries.[78]

US Vice President Joe Biden meets Tadić during the state visit to Serbia in May 2009

Following the state visit of the US Vice President Joe Biden to Serbia in late May 2009, Tadić voiced his belief that Biden's visit opened a new era in relations between the two countries, stressing the need for dialogue despite their opposing views on Kosovo. He stated "Vice-President Biden and I agreed that we now have an opportunity to establish a new level of communication between our two countries" and "I’m sure that with dialogue based on mutual respect, we can achieve a great deal,". Tadić said that there are many subjects that unite Serbia and the US, and that those are primarily the Western Balkans’ EU integration, and the struggle against international crime and terrorism. He also recalled that the two countries had been allies during the Second World War, adding that they were now "allies in the Partnership for Peace program." During this meeting Tadić reiterated Serbia’s position that Kosovo’s unilateral independence declaration was a breach of international law and that it is strongly committed to the stability of the entire region and the integrity of all the UN member states. He said that as a signatory of the Dayton Peace Accords, Serbia is a guarantor of the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it opts only for solutions that are the result of democratic agreement reached between the three constituent ethnic groups — Serbs, Bosniaks and Croats.[79]

On May 21, 2009, Dragan Marić, a former businessman who was revolted over the court decision in his dispute with the national air carrier Jat Airways entered the Presidency office carrying two hand grenades seeking an out-of-court settlement signed by President or Government. Members of the Battalion of Military Police Cobras, providing security to the President of Serbia, managed to take one of the grenades immediately and isolate the attacker, however the perpetrator removed the pin from the second grenade and threatened to detonate it by releasing the lever. The negotiations were handled by the special team of the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs, supported by the officials of the Ministry of Justice, and lasted for several hours until the man was disarmed and arrested. After the incident, Tadić, who was present in the secured area of the building, congratulated the police and army special units, the security and negotiation team for doing a terrific job, peacefully and with no casualties and also said that problems, no matter what kind, cannot be resolved by force and by jeopardising citizens' lives.[80][81]

During the state visit to France in late May 2009, Tadić unveiled a memorial plaque to Serbo-French friendship in two world wars at Les Invalides in Paris. He and President Nicolas Sarkozy announced that a strategic partnership document would be signed between France and Serbia in Belgrade. Sarkozy also stressed the importance of Serbia’s fast accession to the European Union and committed to help Serbia on this path.[82]

In August 2009 in Beijing, Tadić and Hu Jintao signed signed a Joint declaration of the Republic of Serbia and the People's Republic of China on the establishment of strategic partnership.[83] The agreement has ten points and covers wide array of subjects including the mutual respect of territorial integrity, plans for trade development as well as cultural, technological and scientific exchange.[84] He also held separate meetings with Wen Jiabao and Wu Bangguo.[85] Tadić made a 5 day tour of China, also visiting Xi'an, Great Wall of China and economic forums in Shanghai.[86][87] During the visit to Shanghai he received a special invitation for Serbia to participate in Expo 2010 Shanghai China. China Post issued honorary envelope series with his image and signature, as well as the message „For the great historic friendship of Chinese and Serbian peoples“. The Chinese Post Office also released into circulation stamps with the flag of Serbia marking the Serbian delegation visit.[88]

In October 2009, after Serbia qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa; Boris Tadić and other Serbian Minister celebrated at the end of the match in Belgrade's Stadion Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Stadium) by toasting the winning teach with a glass of champagne. It is illegal to consume alcohol at Serbian sporting events to stop violence. Tadić pleaded guilty, saying "I did not know that consumption of alcohol, even if only for a toast, has been forbidden so I fully take responsibility for the violation" and was fined €400.[89]

In March 2010, he received the Steiger Award Europe of the Rhine-Ruhr for "respectfulness, openness, humanity, and tolerance".[90]

People's Office of the President

During the 2004 election campaign, Tadić promised to form a new special institution called the People's Office. The People's Office of the President of the Republic was opened on October 1, 2004. The role of the People's Office is to make communication between the citizens and the President easier, and to cooperate between other state bodies and institutions, in order to enable the citizens of Serbia to exercise their rights. The People's Office of the President is divided into four divisions: Legal Affairs Division, Social Affairs Division, Projects Division and General Affairs Division. The first Director of the People's Office was Dragan Đilas. When he joined the Government of Serbia as the Minister in charge of the National Investment Plan in 2007, Tatjana Pašić became the new Director.[91]

Advisors

Advisors to the President of the Republic carry out the analytical, advisory and other corresponding tasks for the needs of the President of the Republic as well as other expert tasks in relations of the President with the Government and the Parliament.[92]

Advisor Portfolio
Gordana Matković General Affairs
Trivo Inđić Political Issues
Mlađan Đorđević Legal Issues
Nebojša Krstić Public Relations
Vojislav Brajović Culture
Jovan Ratković EU/NATO relations

Chief of Staff is Miodrag Rakić. Acting Secretary General of the Office of the President is Vladimir Cvijan.

Previous advisors who served from 2005 to 2008 are Biserka Jevtimijević Drinjaković (economic issues), Vladimir Cvijan (legal issues) and Dušan T. Bataković and Leon Cohen (political issues). Most of the former advisors are now serving as directors of public enterprises and ambassadors.

Personal life

He is married to Tatjana Tadić (née Rodić), with whom he has two daughters: Maša and Vanja.

He was previously married to journalist Veselinka Zastavniković from 1980 to 1996, but they divorced, having no children.[93] Throughout their marriage they were actively involved in various sociopolitical activities including protests and petitions against human rights abuses and so-called 'verbal delict' in SFR Yugoslavia in the 1980s as well as anti-Milošević protests in the 1990s. Tadić has a sister, Vjera, who is a psychologist as well. Besides his native language, Tadić speaks English, French and Italian.[12]

Honours

References

  1. ↑ within Serbia and Montenegro and under old constitution
  2. ↑ It is his de jure first term, as Tadić was elected under previous constitution for the first term.
  3. ↑ "Tadić: Niko da se ne meša u izbore" (in Serbian). B92. http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2008&mm=04&dd=09&nav_category=11&nav_id=293230. Retrieved 2008-05-09. 
  4. ↑ "Pro-Western Tadic wins new term in Serbia runoff". CNN. 2008-02-03. http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/02/03/serbia/index.html. Retrieved 2008-05-09. 
  5. ↑ "Tadic suits everyone but problems remain". RIA Novosti. http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20080204/98348498.html. Retrieved 2008-05-09. 
  6. ↑ "Tadic Victory Could Topple Fragile Coalition in Serbia". Der Spiegel. http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,532937,00.html. Retrieved 2008-05-09. 
  7. ↑ "Pro-Western Tadic wins Serbia's presidential election". CBC. http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/02/03/serbia.html?ref=rss. Retrieved 2008-05-09. 
  8. ↑ Због чега сам почео да се бавим политиком
  9. ↑ http://www.vesti.rs/Vesti/Boris-Tadic-na-poslu-i-na-dan-krsne-slave.html
  10. ↑ "Biography". General Secretariat of the President of Serbia. http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=101000&g=20060904141200&lng=eng&hs1=0. Retrieved 2008-02-16. 
  11. ↑ "Živeli smo skromno" (in Serbian). Democratic Party. http://www.boristadic.org/index.php?stranica=kom_clanak&naredba=prikaz_naslovi_levo&id=16&br_stranice=&sortiranje=&id_kategorija=27&nadredjena=. Retrieved 2008-02-16. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Ko je ovaj čovek? Boris Tadić
  13. ↑ Ја сам данас председник Србије
  14. ↑ "Ko smo" (in Serbian). Centar modernih veština (CMV). http://www.cmv.org.yu/content/blogcategory/63/107/. Retrieved 2008-02-16. 
  15. ↑ "Boris Tadić novi predsednik DS-a, Čedomir Jovanović nije prošao". B92. http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2004&mm=02&dd=22&nav_id=133400&nav_category=11. Retrieved 2008-04-10. 
  16. ↑ "Serbia: Tadic, Nikolic Headed For Second-Round Showdown". Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty RFE/RL. http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1079381.html. Retrieved 2009-04-02. 
  17. ↑ "President of all citizens". General Secretariat of the President of Serbia. http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=101500&g=20060904151245&lng=eng&hs1=1. Retrieved 2008-02-16. 
  18. ↑ Belgrade attack 'was road rage'
  19. ↑ Serb leader apologises in Bosnia
  20. ↑ "Pope Benedict XVI meet Boris Tadic President of Serbia at the Vatican September 29, 2005.". Catholic Press Photo. http://www.catholicpressphoto.com/servizi/2005-09-29-presidente-sebia/default.htm. Retrieved 2008-02-16. 
  21. ↑ "Zastava Srbije od danas se vijori ispred zgrade Ujedinjenih nacija u Njujorku" (in Serbian). VOA News. http://www.voanews.com/Serbian/archive/2006-06/2006-06-08-voa2.cfm. Retrieved 2008-02-16. 
  22. ↑ "Tadić u Budimpešti" (in Serbian). B92. 2006-10-22. http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2006&mm=10&dd=22&nav_id=216438. Retrieved 2008-02-16. 
  23. ↑ "President Tadić’s speech at the opening of the 1000th session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe". General Secretariat of the President of Serbia. 2007-06-22. http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=303500&g=20070629102735&lng=eng&hs1=0. Retrieved 2008-02-16. 
  24. ↑ "Tadić apologized to Croatian citizens". B92. 2007-06-24. http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2007&mm=06&dd=24&nav_category=11&nav_id=252551. Retrieved 2008-02-16. 
  25. ↑ "«European Prize for Political Culture» awarded to Boris Tadic". Ringier Publishing Switzerland. 2007-08-04. http://www.ringier.ch/index.cfm?id=5068&detail=true. Retrieved 2008-02-16. 
  26. ↑ "President Tadić and German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Kosovo". General Secretariat of the President of Serbia. 2007-08-05. http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=304500&g=20070829100944&lng=eng&hs1=0. Retrieved 2008-02-16. 
  27. ↑ "Predsednik Tadić na konstituisanju Veća za saradnju Republike Srpske i Srbije" (in Serbian). General Secretariat of the President of Serbia. 2007-09-06. http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=304500&g=20070906161450&lng=lat&hs1=0. Retrieved 2008-02-16. 
  28. ↑ "Japanska korporacija Itoču u poseti Srbiji" (in Serbian). General Secretariat of the President of Serbia. 2007-09-10. http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=301500&g=20070910143245&lng=lat&hs1=0. Retrieved 2008-02-16. 
  29. ↑ "Tadić: Nemam prava da pozovem Srbe da izađu na izbore" (in Serbian). General Secretariat of the President of Serbia. 2007-09-12. http://www.predsednik.rs/mwc/default.asp?c=304500&g=20070912171752&lng=lat&hs1=0. Retrieved 2008-02-16. 
  30. ↑ "Tadic says terrorists undergo training in northern Macedonia". Makfax. 2007-09-27. http://www.makfax.com.mk/look/novina/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=2&NrArticle=84643&NrIssue=464&NrSection=20. Retrieved 2008-02-16. 
  31. ↑ Policy of peace Serbia's goal – Tadić
  32. ↑ Inzko: Break-up of Bosnia not option, published 19,Sept 2009, accessed same day
  33. ↑ "Tadić promises Army EUR 93.4mn". B92. 2008-01-11. http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=01&dd=11&nav_id=46864. Retrieved 2008-02-16. 
  34. ↑ "Dodik voices strong support for Tadić". B92. 2008-01-06. http://www.b92.net/eng/news/region-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=01&dd=06&nav_id=46734. Retrieved 2008-02-16. 
  35. ↑ "Campaign support" (in Serbian). Democratic Party. 2008-01-15. http://www.boristadic.org/index.php?stranica=kom_clanak&naredba=lista&id=&br_stranice=&sortiranje=&id_kategorija=24&nadredjena=20. Retrieved 2008-02-16. 
  36. ↑ "Serbia election victory for Tadic". BBC. 2008-02-04. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7225455.stm. Retrieved 2008-02-16. 
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 "Tadić položio zakletvu" (in Serbian). B92. 2008-02-15. http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=15&nav_category=11&nav_id=285045. Retrieved 2008-02-16. 
  38. ↑ "Kosovo MPs proclaim independence". BBC. 2008-02-17. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7249034.stm. Retrieved 2008-02-25. 
  39. ↑ "President Boris Tadic urges UN Security Council to annul Kosovo independence". BNR. 2008-02-19. http://www.bnr.bg/RadioBulgaria/Emission_English/News/en1902dkM1.htm. Retrieved 2008-02-25. 
  40. ↑ "Putin: supports for Kosovo unilateral independence "immoral, illegal"". Xinhua. 2008-02-14. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-02/14/content_7604675.htm. Retrieved 2008-02-25. 
  41. ↑ "Serbian president says his country does not want isolation". International Herald Tribune. 2008-02-12. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/02/21/europe/EU-GEN-Romania-Serbia.php. Retrieved 2008-02-25. 
  42. ↑ "Putin's heir backs Serbia in Kosovo spat". AFP. 2008-02-25. http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iA1V0xqhv5nCfQR9j0NCaI30eprg. Retrieved 2008-02-25. 
  43. ↑ "Medvedev in show of support for Serbia". Financial Times. 2008-02-25. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/de8f95e0-e3ae-11dc-8799-0000779fd2ac.html. Retrieved 2008-02-25. 
  44. ↑ "President Boris Tadic Says Serbia Will Never Recognize An Independent Kosovo". VOA News. http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2008-01/2008-01-17-voa4.cfm?CFID=224016933&CFTOKEN=38379557. 
  45. ↑ "Tadić warns of "legal vacuum" in Kosovo". B92. 2008-03-18. http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=03&dd=18&nav_id=48545. Retrieved 2008-04-14. 
  46. ↑ "Lavrov says Bush arms to Kosovo illegitimate". B92. http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=03&dd=21&nav_id=48653. 
  47. ↑ "Tadić demands appeal against Haradinaj verdict". B92. http://www.b92.net/eng/news/crimes-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=04&dd=05&nav_id=49136. 
  48. ↑ "Serbia's Tadic dissolves parliament, slates election for May 11". The Financial. http://finchannel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8292&Itemid=38. 
  49. ↑ "Predata lista "Za evropsku Srbiju"". B92. http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2008&mm=03&dd=20&nav_id=290048. 
  50. ↑ see: Serbian parliamentary election, 2008
  51. ↑ "Serbia's Parties Slam Solana Over EU Deal". Balkan Insight. http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/9247/. 
  52. ↑ Тадић: Питер Фејт нема мандат да се бави изборима у Србији
  53. ↑ "Tadic authorized as per Vienna Convention". Blic. 2008-03-24. http://www.blic.co.rs/news.php?id=1815. Retrieved 2008-12-24. 
  54. ↑ "President: Serbia willing to sign EU pre-membership agreement, but only including Kosovo". China View. 2008-04-11. http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-04/11/content_7962395.htm. Retrieved 2008-12-24. 
  55. ↑ "Koštunica: Nikako ne potpisati SSP". MTS Mondo. 2008-05-09. http://www.mtsmondo.com/news/world/text.php?vest=93149. Retrieved 2008-12-24. 
  56. ↑ "Koštunica agrees with Lavrov: SAA long overdue". B92. 2008-05-01. http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=05&dd=01&nav_id=49898. Retrieved 2008-12-24. 
  57. ↑ "EU deal signature will be annulled". B92. 2008-05-02. http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=05&dd=02&nav_id=49912#. Retrieved 2008-12-24. 
  58. ↑ Bilefsky, Dan (2008-06-28). "Serbs Choose New Premier for Coalition". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/28/world/europe/28serbia.html?ref=world. Retrieved 2008-12-24. 
  59. ↑ "Serbia Won’t Recognise Georgia Regions". BalkanInsight. 2008-09-03. http://balkaninsight.com/en/main/news/12837/. Retrieved 2008-12-24. 
  60. ↑ "Тадић: Европски пут Србије". RTS. http://www.rts.rs/page/stories/ci.html?view=story&id=14645&sectionId=1. Retrieved 2008-12-24. 
  61. ↑ "Die Quadriga - Award 2008". Loomarea. http://loomarea.com/die_quadriga/e/index.php?title=Award_2008. Retrieved 2008-12-24. 
  62. ↑ Čestitka Baraku Obami na izboru za predsednika SAD
  63. ↑ "Energy deal signed, sealed". B92. 2008-12-24. http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=12&dd=24&nav_id=55950. Retrieved 2008-12-24. 
  64. ↑ Tadic dismisses Chief of General Staff Ponos
  65. ↑ Serbian army chief of general staff dismissed over dispute with defense minister
  66. ↑ Sarkozy najbardziej wpływowym politykiem w Europie
  67. ↑ 2008 Europeans of the Year nominees announced
  68. ↑ Kuneva Evropljanin godine, Sarkozi nacionalni političar godine - Tadić u užem izboru
  69. ↑ Tadić letter arrives in UN
  70. ↑ Ruiz-Gallardón entrega las llaves de Oro a Tadic
  71. ↑ "Tadić receives doctorate in Bucharest". B92 News. http://www.b92.net//eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2009&mm=03&dd=27&nav_id=58129. Retrieved 2009-04-02. 
  72. ↑ Serbia's Tadic announces constitutional reform proposals
  73. ↑ Tadic: Constitution must ensure balanced development
  74. ↑ Changes of Constitution leading to new elections
  75. ↑ Kaczynski: EU's doors open to Serbia
  76. ↑ Tadić i Ivanov: Članstvo u Evropskoj uniji zajednički cilj
  77. ↑ Sejdiu is not invited to Ivanov’s inauguration
  78. ↑ Diplomatic Diary: Montenegrin president visits Serbia
  79. ↑ Biden: Forge bilateral relations
  80. ↑ Serbian man disarmed after storming into presidential building with hand grenades
  81. ↑ Serbian police disarm man at president's office
  82. ↑ Tadić concludes Paris trip
  83. ↑ China, Serbia sign strategic cooperation deal
  84. ↑ Zajednička izjava Srbije i Kine
  85. ↑ Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao met separately with Serbian President Tadic
  86. ↑ Tadić u Sijanu
  87. ↑ Tadić u Šangaju
  88. ↑ Tadic visited Great Wall
  89. ↑ "Serbia President Boris Tadic fined for champagne toast". BBC. 2009-12-08. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8401974.stm. 
  90. ↑ Tadić to receive Steiger award
  91. ↑ "Kancelarija" (in Serbian). People's office of the President of the Republic. http://www.narodnakancelarija.rs/lat/kancelarija.htm. Retrieved 2008-12-26. 
  92. ↑ Office of the President
  93. ↑ "Ko je Irina?" (in Serbian). JUGpress. Savet Pančevačkih Seniora. 2007-10-15. http://www.spaspvo.eu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=173&Itemid=1. Retrieved 2008-12-26. 

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