Serbia & Montenegro Beat EU On Anti- Counterfeiting Laws & EU Standards

http://trir684t4rdgfj.blogspot.com/2009/10/serbia-montenegro-beat-eu-on-anti.html

When traveling throughout Serbia & Montenegro in August 1999 for three weeks vacation. I also found Serbia & Montenegro banks to be 100% in accordance with EU anti-counterfeiting laws & guidelines.

In fact, as an American citizen with a United States Passport, I had an extremely hard time when attempting to walk into any bank to exchange my United States Dollars into either Serbian Dinars and/or Euros. When exchanging money on my vacation, all bills (U.S. Dollars) had to be crisp and dry, without one tear or crease; I was always questioned at all banks throughout my travels in Serbia & Montenegro to present them with more than two forms of official photo ID for transactions. When I questioned them why, the bank representatives todl me they have to be extremely careful of counterfeit bills.

In fact, I was starving one day with some friends by the Kosovo border and one bank would not even exchange my United States Dollars into Euros at all! We were about 10 meters outside of Kosovo where western media was committing yucky lies about hundreds of thousands of refugees being homeless by the borders of ALbanian and Kosovo. I saw noy one person anywhere insofar as refugees and/or homeless people during my trip in mid-August 2002.

Yet here I was, in a small ethnic majority Albanian town…anyway, back to my tale…

I had been swimming earlier in the morning and had gotten all my money wet. Yet here I was, an American citizen and even 10 meters outside of Kosovo, not one Montengrin bank would easily exchange my US Dollars into Euros because it was a bit damp.
And I was hungry!

They would not even exchange it when I showed them my United States valid Passport along with additional forms of Identification. Talk about banks being overly cautious!

Since it has become a private joke of sorts between myself and my friends what we had to go back to our hotel rooms often and really blow-dry our money; nearly taking an iron to iron it perfectly dry, before any bank in either Serbia or Montenegro would exchange our currency (no matter how much I whined).

WHEN I EXPLAINED TO THE BANK TELLERS THAT I WAS VERY HUNGRY AND NEEDED TO EXCHANGE MONEYS TO BUY LUNCH, AND, ASKED THEM WHY ALL THIS ATTENTION TO MONEY EXCHANGES OF VERY SMALL AMOUNTS UNDER $50- EVEN, I WAS TOLD BECAUSE OF THEIR COUNTRY?S VERY STRICT ENFORCEMENT OF ANTI-COUNTERFEITING LAWS.

SO WHEREFORE SHOULD NOT SERBIA AT ONCE GAIN ACCEPTANCE IN THE EU?

Having declared its independence in 2006, Montenegro is currently known as the newest country in the world. Its gorgeous natural attractions are its greater claim to fame, though, particularly the four spectacular Montenegro national parks.

With an area of roughly 39,000 hectares, the Durmitor National Park is the largest of all the Montenegro national parks. It is a World Natural Heritage Site, as well, a title it has earned with its 18 magnificent glacial lakes, deep canyon valleys and impressive mountains.

Aside from its natural wonders, the park also offers cultural landmarks for sightseers, such as necropolises and medieval monuments, which is also why it is the most well loved of all the Montenegro national parks. There are many activities for tourists to try, as well. Whitewater rafting on the Tara River is particularly well loved, especially during the months of July and September.

The Skadar Lake National Park is quite large, too. In fact, the Skadar Lake or Lake Scutari is the largest lake in the Balkans. It is well-known for being a birdwatcher’s paradise, too, since it is home to around 280 bird species, including the Griffon vulture, the Glossy ibis and the rare Dalmatian pelican.

The park also has many caves worth exploring, such as the Obdoska Cave, along with various monasteries and fortifications you can visit. You can also dine at the towns of Virpazar and Rijeka Crnojevica on the shores of Skadar Lake, which are well-known for their restaurants serving brilliant cuisine.

While all the Montenegro national parks have cultural monuments, the Lovcen National Park is the site of one of the most vital ones – the Njegos Mausoleum. Built in the early 1970s, the mausoleum contains impressive statues and a mosaic of 200,000 gold-plated tiles – all built by Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic in exchange for some of the fantastic ham and cheese made in the Njegusi Village.

With an area of only 5,650 hectares, the Biogradska Gora National Park is the smallest of all the Montenegro national parks. Still, it attracts many tourists because of its lakeside resort and its rainforest – one of the last rainforests in Europe. Although the park was only established in 1952, it has been a protected area since 1878 when it was given to Prince Nikola Petrovic, then ruler of Montenegro.

Indeed, these Montenegro national parks are some of the best parks in the world, so if you want to spend your vacation outdoors, make sure you consider Montenegro. You’re sure to be surprised and amazed at what this new country has in store for you.

Belgrade is the capital city, of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro, since February 2003 Prior to this it was the capital of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Since its original founding about 7000 BC, Belgrade has changed hands many times, and in recent years has become an vital tourist city. Passports, visas and entry and departure cards are necessary for traveling to Belgrade.

Why go to Belgrade? Belgrade is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Belgrade is a city with spirit and there are many fascinating places to see in Belgrade. There is always something going on in Belgrade such as cultural activities, varied types of entertainment, sports and honest events. It is a city focused on hospitality and assisting visitors to have a fantastic experience in Belgrade. The people of Belgrade are proud of their many authors, artists, designers and producers of contemporary and fine arts and a graphic artists. Many from Belgrade are involved in various aspects of film- making.

Belgrade has many hotels, hostels, and camping sites and an abundance of restaurants, including quick food restaurants. There are tourist Information Centers in the airport and Train Stations. Taxis, rental cars, buses and light rail make up the city transportation network. Schedules, tickets and prices, route maps and other information are available at the Information centers. There are tours offered daily, which is excellent way to see more of the city. Museums, art galleries and architectural classics are among the treasures learned in many buildings around Belgrade.