Zorana Mihajlovic, minister of energy, development and environmental protection - White roses for energetic woman

Zorana Mihajlovic

Although very often she does not have a single day off in a week, she does not complain but, along with a smile, she is speaking about the next steps. She was refusing financially attractive jobs so that she could do what she likes. She became a PhD in her thirties. After twenty years of experience in energy sector, she has an opportunity to make huge changes in our country in this industry. Although for media she speaks only about her job in the ministry and politics, she accepted an invitation eKapija to reveal a part of her life story.

PhD Zorana Mihajlovic, the Minister of Energy, Development and Environmental Protection, in her interview for our portal, is revealing about how she opted to join the Serbian Progressive Prty, what kind of a letter she received from Dodik, which flowers she likes most, which writer she returns often, how she most often spends her time out of work…

- There is no break in this job. If you have energy, if you want to do something, you do not ask questions how much time you spend but you do as much as you can and you do your best. This means that there are no Saturdays and Sundays off and that a working day starts already at 6-7 a.m. and finishes late in the evening. However, when you see you started something, you are satisfied regardless of all the problems – Mihajlovic says at the beginning of her interview for eKapija.

Along with the twenty-year work in energy field, her faculty career was also developing. She has dozens of scientific works and a couple of books. She did not give up on her work with students so today, once a week, she works as a temporary professor and lectures Economy of the natural resources at Megatrend.

Although many people know her for being serious and expert approach to all topics, the Minister Mihajlovic says she likes jokes and positive environment.

- My face reveals everything, both when I am happy and when I am angry. If I see something is wrongs in at work I perform, I cannot smile. Otherwise, people from my environment know I like jokes and positive energy.

Growing up in Novi Beograd

She was born in Tuzla but all memories from childhood relate her to Novi Beograd where she finished her primary education.

- My parents are from Loznica, I was born in Tuzla because my father spent some time working there. When I was a year and a half, we moved to Loznica and after 2-3 years to Novi Beograd. My parents did not work as people today, from the morning to the evening, so they had a plenty of time for me. I was the only child and I enjoyed playing with my company outside. Today, the situation with kids is different; I have a son of eleven who spends a lot of time with his friends at computer.

She admits she spent more time studying than going out and her favorite places were KST and Bonafides which have been famous ever since.

- There were no a large number of places to go out. I am not a person who used to spend nights in the city. I used to go out Fridays and Saturdays and I knew when I should go home and I stick to that.

I spent some time in the artistic swimming and, as she says, she cannot do without physical activity not even today.

- I have been visiting a gym 2-3 times a week for years. I have to admit that when pre-election camplingn started until the government was formed, I did not attend training sessions for six months. I had problem with it. I always try to find time for a training since it helps me to keep the pace with the tough tempo and efforts I am exposed to.

Energetic

All jobs of Zorana Mihajlovic, apart from her work in a school, refers to energy. She found a job in Elektroistok, today Elektromreza Srbije, very quickly and then she joined the non-governmental organization G17+.

- In 2003, I refused to become a member since I thought I am not able to do that job and that I should deal with energy. I accepted a call of the former Vice President of the Government, Miroljub Labus, to be his advisor for energy. Then I learnt how governmental administration functions which helps me a lot today.

After that she worked as a a consultant for energy efficiency of the director of the Belgrade-based Aerodrom Nikola Tesla.

Our collocutor points out that she gladly accepted an invitation of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Srpska to become his advisor.

- I received a letter from Milorad Dodika who was then a Prime Minster. I still have it. It is one of the nice situations in this work. It is a rare thing that a politician behaves likes that. In the letter, he said he appreciates my knowledge and experience and that he is asking me to become his advisor for energy and help generation of the energy strategy of the Republic of Srpska. I accepted it immediately.

Mihajlovic points out that she refused many jobs so that she would stay in the energy field and do what she likes.

- When I was receiving job offers, I have never asked for the salary. I did what I liked even though it sometimes cost me both career and finance.

Since she has a rich resume, not so common for party-oriented people, we asked the minister Mihajlovic how she opted for joining the Serbian Progressive Party.

- After the work with Dodik, I continued lectures at the faculty but then I had energy for another job. It turned out that everything I published on energy from 2001 to 2004 did not change until 2009. Then, Aleksandar Vucic called me to talk. He wanted to hear my opinion on a number of problems in the energy sector and presented me his vision of the future of the country. Although before that meeting I was not thinking about engagement in any political party, it was obvious to me that what he was doing was a huge chance for changes in Serbia. It turned out I did not make a mistake since I got a chance to participate in these changes whose final goal is to live in more developed, more human and more justice-oriented country which we should leave to our kids.

Women in politics

When it comes to the world political scene, she appreciates Angela Merkel because she is well-respected and has immense energy. She thinks there is not so much of gender equality in Serbia, including politics.

- Regardless of her success, a woman will always be observed differently and she will always work for lower salary and will have to put much more effort into something. On the other hand, there is something very important, i.e. men solidarity compared to women who do not support one another. Women should be supported to make the first step in politics. It is hard for them to join a party because a party requires constant presence.

The next challenge for the Minister pf energy is to finish the set up of the female network, as she explains, not only for the women from the party but for those women from non-governmental organizations and different activities who would join the project.

Books and sea

Zorana Mihajlovic thinks she has not achieved her biggest success yet but she is proud of a balance she managed to set between her career and private life.

- Private life is connected with family, that is, with a child. I try to manage everything even though sometimes something suffers more or less. I usually spend the time outside the work with my son.

Her neighbors meet her in Bulevar mira Street, near Pink, most often in a supermarket, at the market or in a park with her son.

- I do not go to cafes because I cannot make it. When I had less work, I spent more time with friends. Today, I spend more time phoning my friends who are also busy than seeing them, but that is just the way this period is.

She likes books and she always returns to Andric. She has recently read Gospodjica again which made her see the same play at the Yugoslav Drama Theater.

Those who give her flowers as a gift will not make a mistake, especially if they opt for white roses which Zorana Mihajlovic „has loved ever since“.

- I live in a flat but I have a huge terrace which I arranged as a garden with a lot of flowers. Since I get up very early, I can maintain it for hours.

She finds a complete rest at the sea, without a phone and big crowd. However, as she says, she did not manage to enjoy at water for two summers.

- This year, I have spent three days on a holiday; I just went somewhere so that I would not be at work. Last year we had elections and set up of the Government in July. In my opinion, it was inappropriate to go then on any kind of a vacation and this year we have had a reconstruction of the Government.

All objectives she set refer to job. One of the main ones is to finish negotiations with foreign partners on construction of two new energy facilities in our country successfully.

Suzana Obradovic