PM supports unilateral application

PM Mirko Cvetkovic backs Mladjan Dinkic’s idea of starting unilateral application of the Interim Trade Agreement with the EU. Cvetkovic stated today that the government was "discussing unilateral implementation of the Interim Trade Agreement" with the EU, as recommended by high-ranking officials in Brussels. PM supports unilateral application He said that the first phase of reforms in Serbia "has been completed successfully" and announced that his cabinet would continue the pro-European course. The prime minister was speaking at the opening of a conference entitled "Reforms in Serbia: Achievements and Challenges," organized by the Center for Liberal and Democratic Studies. Cvetkovic underlined "that the fact is that a lot has been done in the past eight years," adding that "there are big political and economic challenges ahead of this government." Among these, he cited further European integration, expressing his expectation that the Interim Trade Agreement would soon be unblocked, noting that "unilateral implementation of the agreement," as recommended by EU officials, was being discussed. Preservation of territorial integrity was also one of the priorities, said the prime minister. In terms of economic challenges, Cvetkovic included reduction of the high state deficit and public expenditure, as well as attracting direct foreign investment. The prime minister warned that the trade deficit had increased in recent months, expressing his confidence that the agreement with Fiat, due to be signed in Belgrade on September 29, would help Serbia tackle its high foreign trade deficit. Another priority he highlighted was construction of Corridor 10 through Serbia, which would also cover reconstruction of the rail network and shipping highways, he said, adding that the construction of road infrastructure would include building a network of local and regional highways and byways. Economy Minister Dinkic said that Serbia should begin applying the agreement, and that he was glad that the prime minister agreed with him on that issue. According to him, Serbia should do everything in its power to adopt EU standards as soon as possible, since in the integration process that was the only element that depended exclusively on Serbia. G17 Plus ministers launched the initiative to begin unilateral application of the agreement, though it was not included on the agenda of the last cabinet meeting, as no formal proposal had been prepared, and had only been suggested to other ministers verbally by Dinkic. It was then announced that a proposal would be formulated in time for the next cabinet meeting. Mirko Cvetkovic (FoNet)

PM supports unilateral application

He said that the first phase of reforms in Serbia "has been completed successfully" and announced that his cabinet would continue the pro-European course.

The prime minister was speaking at the opening of a conference entitled "Reforms in Serbia: Achievements and Challenges," organized by the Center for Liberal and Democratic Studies.

Cvetkovic underlined "that the fact is that a lot has been done in the past eight years," adding that "there are big political and economic challenges ahead of this government."

Among these, he cited further European integration, expressing his expectation that the Interim Trade Agreement would soon be unblocked, noting that "unilateral implementation of the agreement," as recommended by EU officials, was being discussed.

Preservation of territorial integrity was also one of the priorities, said the prime minister.

In terms of economic challenges, Cvetković included reduction of the high state deficit and public expenditure, as well as attracting direct foreign investment.

The prime minister warned that the trade deficit had increased in recent months, expressing his confidence that the agreement with Fiat, due to be signed in Belgrade on September 29, would help Serbia tackle its high foreign trade deficit.

Another priority he highlighted was construction of Corridor 10 through Serbia, which would also cover reconstruction of the rail network and shipping highways, he said, adding that the construction of road infrastructure would include building a network of local and regional highways and byways.

Economy Minister Dinkić said that Serbia should begin applying the agreement, and that he was glad that the prime minister agreed with him on that issue.

According to him, Serbia should do everything in its power to adopt EU standards as soon as possible, since in the integration process that was the only element that depended exclusively on Serbia.

G17 Plus ministers launched the initiative to begin unilateral application of the agreement, though it was not included on the agenda of the last cabinet meeting, as no formal proposal had been prepared, and had only been suggested to other ministers verbally by Dinkić. It was then announced that a proposal would be formulated in time for the next cabinet meeting.