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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Economic growth priority of countries of Central, Eastern Europe

Belgrade, 16 December 2014

Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said today at the opening of the Fourth Economic and Trade Forum, China and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, that it is an honour to host this event in Belgrade, where the economies of the East and the West get together.

Economic growth priority of countries of Central, Eastern Europe

At the meeting in Sava Centre, Vucic welcomed the guests and said that economic growth is a priority of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, which can be achieved under two conditions, and these are investments and reforms.

The Prime Minister pointed out that investments are the objective of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, noting that the aim of today’s meeting is to create links between China and these countries.

According to him, the second condition depends on the countries of the region, which need to change and be reformed, and expressed confidence that this forum is the beginning of new, better times and cooperation of the entire region.

The Prime Minister said that the goal of our country is to improve relations in the region, and to draw lessons from the past and pave a new road built on the principles of cooperation, prosperity and peace in the Balkans and throughout Europe.

Today's forum is significant primarily because of the possibility of improving our economy and economic relations with the participating countries, Vucic stated.

Serbia's membership in the EU is a national priority and we aim to invest in infrastructure, in order to make Serbia a bridge linking the East and the West, Vucic said.

He mentioned the estimate that over the next five years, half of the growth will come from Asia, which is why this forum is an exceptional opportunity to create new opportunities, new jobs and economic development.

The Prime Minister said that Serbia can serve as a new platform and a place where future business projects and investment plans can be arranged and organised.

Vucic thanked China not only because of the confidence it has in Serbia and the potential of this region, but also because it provided an example of how the economies, and those like ours, can move towards recovery and growth.

We have always learned from our Chinese friends and will continue to do so, the Prime Minister of Serbia stated, adding that this region could become the next engine of growth in Europe, as well as the locomotive that drives the European economy out of the stagnation danger zone.

With its access to the European, Asian and Middle Eastern markets, Serbia is in a good position to become a regional trade centre, he said.

Now, after consultations with the Chinese and Hungarian partners, and if you the Belgrade-Budapest railroad is made, Serbia is taking steps to turn this vision into reality.

The completion of this regional project, which is one of the most important for us, will allow for faster movement of goods and passengers and improve links between the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the Prime Minister said.

According to him, the Zemun-Borca bridge, which is completed, is an example of successful economic and trade cooperation, as well as a confirmation of good joint work of Serbia and China.

Vucic recalled that the Serbian government has taken difficult but necessary measures that will take our country on the track of political and especially economic reforms.

We are reducing the trade deficit, we are privatising poor and inefficient state-owned enterprises and introduce other measures to improve regulations and make Serbia really open to business and a good place for investments from both the West and the East, he stated.

In addition to the laws on labour, privatisation, bankruptcy and pensions, he recalled, a new Law on Planning and Construction has also been adopted and the Office for quick responses and accelerated procedures for issuing construction permits has been opened.

Vucic said that the prosperity of a country must not be at the expense of other countries, adding that joint work of the countries of the region and the strengthening of their economic ties will bring benefit to all citizens.

Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said that the meeting of heads of government of China and 16 countries of Central and Eastern Europe is an opportunity to strengthen their mutual cooperation.

Sobotka said that the common goal is to ensure a better quality of life for all citizens, the fight against corruption and strengthening of the rule of law.

He underlined that the mechanism of cooperation in the format "16 plus 1" is based on solid foundations and that the Belgrade meeting is a great opportunity to further strengthen cooperation.

Sobotka said that the Czech Republic wants to be an active participant in this format and that it has a strong wish to deepen cooperation with China.

He announced that Prague will be the host of the next meeting of heads of government of China and countries of Central and Eastern Europe, and added that next year a health summit of China and countries of central and eastern Europe will also be held.

The Economic Forum is being held in Belgrade, as part of the Third summit of heads of government of China and 16 countries of central and eastern Europe.