Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Ivica Dacic stated that the government’s goal is to bring the deficit from 7.5% to 4% next year.
During a break at the opening ceremony of “Social Dimensions of Human Trafficking in the Western Balkans” summer school, Dacic told the press that this will be a huge step forward because it would help the state to create a basis for social and overall economic development of the country.
He underscored that it is therefore necessary to talk with representatives of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Russia and China, adding that talks with representatives of Swiss and Japanese banks have already taken place.
The Prime Minister stressed that any further loans will be taken only by specific projects, stressing that investment in development will help us overcome the economic crisis.
Dacic added he expects the National Council for Economic Recovery, unions and all others to come up with their proposals of an economic programme whose goal would be stabilisation of the economy and development.
The goal of anti-crisis measures is to financially consolidate Serbia’s public finances, Dacic said, reiterating that because of the large deficit Serbia must save up to €6 billion in revenues and expenses, which will enable regular pay-outs of salaries and pensions.
The measures imply shutting down a number of agencies and bodies which the state finds redundant, as well as a reduction of parafiscal taxes, he added.
The Prime Minister said that this also implies minimal increases of certain taxes and excise taxes, and controlled growth of salaries and pensions over the next several months.
Dacic announced that there will be no lay-offs in the public sector, but that salaries will increase more slowly than projected over the next six months.
As for Serbia’s EU integration, he said that a condition for Serbia’s accession is relaxation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina as much as possible and the removal of obstacles for a normal life of citizens.
He observed that Serbia is ready to continue the dialogue, define all problems and work on their resolution.
This means that a compromise solution acceptable for both sides must be found. I expect the talks to continue over the next several weeks, but which format they will have and which representative of the international community will be present still remains to be discussed by President Tomislav Nikolic during a session of the UN General Assembly, Dacic concluded.
He reiterated that Serbia does not accept the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo, adding that independence of the southern province has not been recognised by the entire international community, as there are five EU states that still have not recognised the province’s independence.
Source Serbia Gov.
