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Svante to meet with Swedish Minister on TV
Sweden: Traveller's warning lifted for Serbia
Carl Bildt, Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Svante Stockselius, Executive supervisor for the Eurovision Song Contest, will be meeting on the Agenda talk show, on SVT 1, on Sunday 4th May at 21:15 CET, to discuss Serbia and the contest in general. Both men seem to be in accordance that Serbia is a safe destination and that hosting the Eurovision Song Contest is of great importance to the country.
In February, Swedish citizens were warned against travelling to the southern part of Serbia because of the unrest caused by the declaration of independence by Kosovo. Now, that things have calmed down, the warning has been lifted and the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs declares Serbia is a safe place to travel.
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@ berk ak. My point exactly. Whoever you are you should be allowed to be so without risking any assault. Which I hope I can be in Belgrade as well.
Well, Serbia gave 3 points to Denmark in the semi of 2007, and that was perhaps the campest song ever!!! 
omg what a shame for Sweden. They need a strong booh.
LOOOOOL vn. 
Just as others in the Balkans and to the east of Europe, the Serbian society is plodding behind the West in its coming to terms with issues surrounding homosexuality in general. The reasons for this are plentiful and varied.
However, in spite of all the setbacks, in the last decade or so some amazing strides were made, up to a point where it is now overwhelmingly believed that everyone has a right to do whatever they like in their bedrooms.
However, flaunting a sexual difference on the street, even in Belgrade, is not yet something which is met with excitement and is generally frowned upon. These are the facts. This is why we are yet to see a proper Gay Pride parade in Belgrade, as is the case in Moscow, Yerevan and some other cities to the east of Europe. In countries like Poland and Croatia, which are showing a marginally higher degree of leniency on the issue, such parades always take place with heavy police presence and isolated incidents are rife.
SO: if you want to have a good and safe time in Belgrade you should follow these simple guidelines: when out in the open, and outside of a majority environment (gay bars, clubs and events), exercise restraint and be cautious (simple common sense). If you're a drag queen, ALWAYS order a taxi to wherever you want to go. You'd do the same in New York, let alone some American provincial backwater (where you could not write 'I am gay' on your forehead without consequences either).
These few simple precautions in place, you're bound to have a great time and remain safe, whether you're white, black, gay, straight, ortodox, catholic, muslim or martian.
v n
And how do you know that???
I think Sweden should warn its citizens not to travel to serbia because, instead of high expectations, there's a high risk of flopping this year 
" In interviews international Journalists said homosexuality is seen as something sick, a disease in Serbia even in the cities and there are outspoken threats from some of the many right-wing groups that they will actively hunt and beat up gay couples who hold hands or kiss in public."
That's true, in Serbia and in some other Balkan countries.
However, the ESC is widely seen in Serbia as a chance to promote the country in a different way, as a true European country, so I think they won't do anything that will make a bad picture of serbia abroad. Also, the Serbs are very hospitable people.
I really hope that this year's ESC and so many "gay" people coming from Europe will help gay people in Serbia in future. The guests will come and leave, but those gay people will stay to live in the country.
@HELGE
if you have written women all over your head, does that mean you risk the attack by rapists ?
There was an explicit warning in Austrian mainstream papers this week that Serbia is an unsafe place for gays and lesbians to go and gay fans of Eurovision (rumors have it there are some) should better stay at home and watch the event on TV.
In interviews international Journalists said homosexuality is seen as something sick, a disease in Serbia even in the cities and there are outspoken threats from some of the many right-wing groups that they will actively hunt and beat up gay couples who hold hands or kiss in public.
This was never an issue, not even in Istanbul (Istanbul was cool, anyway), so I'm really concerned.
Could some of our Serbian readers here comment on this, please? Is this serious or only made up by bored journalists who need headlines?
I don't think there is any reason to worry about going to Serbia for the contest. The rumours about threats against homosexual and other "untraditional" visitors are probably (well, hopefully) exaggregated.
Miss Kosovo will participate in Miss Universe in july fun.
and i think serbia is quite safe now
I'm sure it will be fine for anyone going.
Have fun to Anyone going to Belgrade! 
So I won't need my NATO issue flak jacket and armoured car. That's a relief :-)
Looks like someone's stitched a target onto the back of my union jack t-shirt though...
I wonder if my life insurance is up to date?
Hi
I hope everything will be alright.The elections is on May 11 when most of the delegations are in Belgrade and some of the fans and journalists are already in town.
Hope to have a good visit in Belgrade
I really don't think there will be any problems... I hope I am right.. let's wait and see
But I hope everyone will have great time in Belgrade...can't wait 
I would not be afraid to visit Serbia! I know that the most people in Serbia (and all other nations too) are very friendly, and understand the difference between the opinion of the state and the millions of opinions of the nations!
If I want to write "I'm gay" all over my forehead, I'd like to be able to do that without risking to be atacked
Sorry, gramatically incorrect sentence in my previous post,
If there had been no problems about gays during ESC in Istanbul, I don't think there would have been such problems in Belgrade this year.
Who laughs last, laughs the best!!! )))))
If there were no problems about gays during ESC in Istanbul, I don't think there would be such problems in Belgrade this year.
... and there is no reason to write such things on your forehead. Am I right?
Marios, as long as you don't have "I'm gay" written all over your forehead, you will have the best time in Serbia
Carl Bildt is a good minister
but still a very homophobic destination unfortunately
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