We have the strength to change Serbia, First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said Monday at a conference entitled “Serbia Turns to Economy – Together Out of the Crisis.”
He said the government’s key economic goal is to reduce unemployment to below 20 percent in a year or two.
In the past, Serbia deteriorated without the government being upfront to the people about it, which is why the politicians in power today have a duty to do what is good for the country, even if it means some unpopular measures.
Vucic explained that the economic situation in the coming period will be improved by the rule of law, building of institutions, shortening of bureaucratic procedures, the establishment of fast response offices, and a reform of the public sector and the pension system.
Bureaucratic procedures need to be reduced to a minimum, which will also limit the room for corruption, said Vucic, stressing it is important to improve the investment environment and fight for every investor.
“We will work with commitment and responsibility, trying to meet the demands of businessmen, but not demands like: give me a loan from a state bank which I will not pay back, and I will give you ten percent,” Vucic warned. He added the business sector can actually do a lot for the state, rather than always asking something from it.
According to Vucic, the people making the most noise are the ones doing nothing, who sit in coffee shops criticizing the government.
The deputy PM thanked Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert on the support in the EU integration process.
“There is solidarity in the EU but not charity, so we cannot expect that we will be getting assistance which we will spend any way we want and live well without doing anything,” said Vucic.
He noted, however, that unlike Serbia which has done everything it promised in the previous period, the EU has not made good on all its promises.
Vucic commented on an arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), saying it is important also as a signal to investors.
“During the talks on a government reshuffle, we will see what we can achieve. I wish the IMF had been a little less strict, because all of a sudden it is time to pay up on all our debts: Kosovo, corruption and public debt, and somebody needs to face this,” Vucic explained.
Source Tanjug
