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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Opening of negotiating chapters with EU possible by year-end

Belgrade, 7 May 2015

Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said today that the biggest problem in Serbia is privatisation of companies, and added that the government’s task is to create a good environment and implement the programme agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Vucic said in a speech at the conference "Reality Check" organised by the Foreign Investors Council (FIC) that he accepted the suggestion of the IMF not to delay the bankruptcy procedure of companies.

Many laws that we adopted, such as the labour law, the laws on privatisation, bankruptcy, pensions, on inspection services and on planning and construction are completely changing our business environment, the Prime Minister noted.

Accordingly, he expressed the belief that our country will go up on the global Doing Business list by at least 30 places, thanks to the great efforts and responsible work during the previous six months.

European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Johannes Hahn underlined that the EU welcomes the comprehensive reforms in Serbia because they are encouraging, adding that first chapters in the negotiations with the EU could be opened by the end of the year.

He announced that on 12 May a meeting of EU finance ministers will be held at which recommendations will be given for economic growth and development of competition in Serbia, and also results achieved to date in the reform process will be evaluated.

One of the conclusions of that meeting, Vucic explained, will be that there is macroeconomic stability in Serbia, that the reforms launched by the government are encouraging, but that budgetary consolidation should be implemented through public sector reforms.

FIC President Ove Fredheim confirmed that Serbia is ready for the opening of chapters in the negotiations with the EU, and said that this organisation will suggest that that should happen as soon as possible.

The opening of chapters will strengthen the Serbian economy, he said, and added that the FIC is satisfied with the efforts of Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic to implement reforms, and that the result is visible in the areas monitored by this council.

According to the FIC President, EU accession is an ideal mechanism for creating a stable business climate in Serbia, as the harmonisation of domestic legislation with the EU acquis will be continued in this process.