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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbia’s task to acquire EU candidate status in 2011

Belgrade, 31 December 2010

Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic said in an interview with the New Year’s edition of the daily Blic that Serbia’s task in 2011 is to acquire EU candidate status and increase its economic growth up to 3%, in a move to reduce unemployment.

Author: blic.rs

The official government’s website brings excerpts from the interview.

Inflation and prices:

Inflation during the first half of the year will be slightly higher, but according to plans in the second half of 2011, inflation should fall to 6%. This entails a better exchange rate. The increase in the price of electricity is not on the agenda in January, as speculated in the public, but the price correction will be considered in spring. The prices of everyday life will skyrocket.

Economic growth:

We should not forget that Serbia is not an isolated island and that not everything depends only on us, but also on the neighbouring countries that are in a deep crisis. We have the largest part of the trade with our neighbouring countries and if they do not achieve economic growth, it will also affect us. We plan an economic growth of 3% for 2011, and it has so far been 1%. We will go twice as fast. The economic growth would lead to the increase in employment. Although the year of crisis is behind us, the figures show that the standard has dropped significantly.

However, generally, one gets the impression that the situation is worse than it actually is because of the increased number of unemployed. So my wish is to achieve the targeted economic growth to reduce unemployment.”

Which branches of the economy can be expected to improve?

We can expect improvement in the processing industry and, of course, the branches connected with agriculture and the food industry. This year’s exports were on an upward path and we expect this trend to continue, as this is in line with the long-term strategy “Serbia 2020.” I also expect Fiat’s operations and investment to be combined with relevant SMEs that will produce car parts. There will be room for more jobs here. The state will provide assistance, but businesspeople must also be engaged.

What will you insist on in the government’s work?

On the adoption of laws necessary for Serbia’s EU path. This implies the conclusion of the judicial reform, the resolution of the issue of restitution and MPs’ mandates, new election laws and cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY). I would like us to pass these laws, which are part of the action plan, and I want us to adopt them not only because they are a requirement for EU entry. We are ever so ready to criticise, but we must not forget that this government has been here for two and a half years, that it literally started from scratch, and that we will end this year with our EU candidate status application submitted. An enormous job has been done.

Our goal next year is to carry out the necessary steps so that at the close of the government mandate, Serbia will have been given a set date for membership talks. This is my goal for 2011 which I think is very important, because I know how much the state and its citizens will benefit from it. So far everything has been according to plan. Replies to the European Commission’s Questionnaire will be delivered to Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule on 31 January by Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic and me.