New state on the Balkans? It has its own currency, beer, criminals and 20 million dollars of investments. President Jedlicka reveals everything for Telegraf (PHOTO) (VIDEO)
Always smiling President Vit Jedlicka talked with us about the great plans that Liberland has. Soon the opening of the representative office is expected in Belgrade, where you will be able to meet in person the little state that has much to offer
Who ever thought about micro state Liberland, located on the territory between Serbia and Croatia, to be frivolous and looked upon it as a sort of entertainment, he was wrong. Free state Liberland receives a more form of statehood every day. It has its own currency, passport, beer, investments, football team, even criminals, and festival is planed at the end of summer and the creation of its own crypto currency. About all of this, and Liberland itself, Telegraf talked with the president Vit Jedlicka and we found out what are the further plans of this state.
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Almost half a million people are registration on the site of Liberland, more precisely 460.000. But, only chosen 400 has the privilege to have the citizenship. If you want to become the citizen of Liberland, the conditions are to help the country with ideas, hard work and devotion. If you really want to get the citizenship, you could pay 5.000 dollars. However, officials prefer if someone is engaged, in that way you become the part of the community of Liberland.
Liberland extends over 7 square kilometers. On its territory there is a house, which is the main base of the government and companies Liberland and the beautiful nature which is filled with sandy beach and the island. During the season, 10-20 people come to visit the country on the Danube daily , according to rough estimates, since its founding in the spring of 2015, about 6,000 tourists set foot on the ground of Liberland.
It has 90 representative offices of the state in the world, and soon it is expected to open one in the capital of Serbia. Liberland has 6,500 followers in our country. Liberland is the first country in the world to accept bitcoin as the main reserve currency.
Why are you visiting Serbia and what are your plans as a president of the state Liberland about crypto currency?
- Bitcoin is used in the world for several years, this is very useful for the budget Liberland. We are pleased that it costs the same as the main reserve currency. Also, it is used as currency and merit, which is the national currency of Liberland. We are thinking to make our own crypto currency. This is a good way to manage the finances in a transparent manner, because using the blockchain technologies, they are publicly visible. These things have become interesting for regular state such as, for example, Dubai and Ukraine. There will probably be more popular in Europe. Liberland is still the leader, we are the first country to accept bitcoin as the main reserve currency. Our financial policy is the most successful of all countries. Crypto currencies are the future of banking. I believe that in about 15 years there will be no regular banks, it will be replaced with a new generation of technology. Liberland the first to accept these currencies, we want to show that this method is actually "healthy" and that we have a crypto currency as part of our financial system. We are happy to work with companies that promote this technology, it is part of Liberland mission.
Can you tell us something about investments in Liberland?
- This is one of the projects, we have a $ 20 million investment waiting to invest. Liberland will have stock scheme, with the shares that can be traded. It is something we are preparing for the fall, and it will be one of the biggest events in the world of crypto currency. We are growing with each passing day, we are building our investments, mainly institutions. The constitution is finalized, the banking system is being made, registration plates and ships are under construction ... This is something where Liberland has a role to play, and it attracts people from all over the world who want to participate in the community through investments, and we try to meet their needs. Every few minutes we receive applications for registration on the website.
How many people you refused so far?
- We have several criminals, we intend to publish it as well as other countries. There are good people, but also those who do not have good intentions. Sometimes we have to refuse and to give them the title of criminals.
When do you plan on opening representative office of Liberland in Belgrade?
- The other main reason why I'm in Serbia is opening a representative office in Belgrade, which should start operating in two or three weeks in the Euro center, next to Dom Omladine. There will be presentation for the people interested in Liberland. Our representative office in Belgrade will be a stable place for our diplomats to meet people who work full-time and to agree how to promote Liberland, and to enhance our good relations with Serbia. It would be nice to have here embassy in the future. Here you will be able to get acquainted with the crypto currencies, blockchain, bitcoin... Also, you can visit Liberland in the virtual reality.
Did you meet any politician from Serbia?
- We did, they have really positive attitude and i am amazed how unprejudiced they are. The first message we received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia was also very positive. They told us that they do not take us too seriously, but given that they reacted and that they do not mind, that's very good.
Is there cooperation between Serbia and Liberland?
- Of course, it is in our plan and we work on the tourism level. A lot of tourists are coming to the region because of Liberland, in Sombor, around our country ... We want to start cooperation on many other levels. For example, next week we have a conference on nuclear energy in Liberland, which might be interesting for future cooperation. I invite all the people from this sector to join us. It will be the conference about fourth generation of nuclear reactors. This will help not only Liberland, but the entire Balkans in order to provide cheap and safe electricity.
What is the reaction from Croatia about Liberland as a state?
- We are glad that we have people from the Croatian Parliament who came to celebrate with us our anniversary, it is a very positive step. I also received greetings from a very high positions in the Croatian government. I'm glad they still claim that the land is theirs. Croatia at this moment guards our borders which is of great help to us. That means they don't ask for this piece of land, but they guard it.
However, there have been arrests with Liberland by Croatian police?
- About 15 border police officers guards Liberland with five rubber boats. A large amount of energy is invested in order to protect Liberland, which we will have to pay sooner or later. We want to help, we will present the first police unit of Liberland and help Croatian policemen to protect Liberland.
You once said that migrants from the Middle East have to pay if they want citizenship?
- It's for people who do not have a way to contribute in any other way. All people who come to Liberland we will consider migrants, even from Serbia. We have immigrants from all over the world, it does not matter if you are from Syria, America, Norway ... The conditions are the same for all, regardless of skin color, race. We have passports and you can travel to several countries. We encountered the goodwill of countries that have accepted us because of good media coverage all over the world about Liberland. Although the passports are so far designed only for ambassadors of Liberland for the meetings with foreign delegations. This is the main reason why the passports were made to legitimize our representatives. You can enter into seven states with the passport, just as Argentina and USA.
Will there be elections in Liberland as you announced?
- Yes, soon, but it will be more likely to be as elections of the shareholders. We plan to give all citizens the ability to put a veto on government decisions, it is called as a double democracy. As a corporation in which decisions are made, each citizen has the right to block that decision. This is progress in democracy.
What is your opinion on Donald Trump and his policy?
- I was probably the only head of the state that was present on his inauguration. That was a lovely three day event, where a group of 30 people who support Liberland from the USA was summoned to Washington. I believe that we share few common ideas, but his position is difficult. His power is limited to change the great device built and which is far away from the founders ideas.
Liberland at the beginning and now?
- We have a stable government, more than 90 offices in the world. We have a community architect, lawyers, engineers, football players ... Recently our team in chess won the national team of the Ivory Coast with 7 to 2. We have a good chess team. Such things are not organized by the state, they are more at the individual level. We have beer and wine that sells well on the market. It can be tasted in different restaurants in Serbia. We are in discussions with a Serbian beer brewery to license it and to make it here. It is possible that it will be in the market in a month or two.
Liberland has big plans on the summer. In July, more precisely 13-14, the World Championship of jet surfing will be held, and at the end of August there are plans for Liberty Festival. Also, Liberland participates in the organization and Euroijada competition, and their athletes will represent them. Euroijada, an international competition with 4-5 states participating, it will be held in Serbia this year, and this will be the opportunity for Liberland to win its first medal.
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(Telegraf.co.uk / N. Ivanovski)