Fiat "remains committed to operations in Serbia"

Fiat "remains committed to operations in Serbia"

"Fiat Automobiles Serbia and our plant in Kragujevac are very significant for our industrial production, and Fiat confirms its commitment to Serbia," Altavilla said.

Vucic and Altavilla" noted the significance of joint investments in Serbia and the Fiat Automobiles Serbia plant in Kragujevac as well as a continued Fiat Group presence in Serbia, to which both sides have bound themselves," Tanjug reported.

Altavilla "highlighted the continued support and contribution from Vucic and Serbia to the FCA Group in Serbia."

The industry outlook in the years to come and the competitiveness of Fiat's 500L model in its segment throughout its lifecycle will enable Fiat Serbia to plan a continuity in the factory's operations and maintain its contribution to strengthening the Serbian economy, they said.

Vucic said that the Serbian government would provide "full support to the Fiat Automobiles Serbia plant to ensure a safe future for its operations and a long-term strategic partnership between the Republic of Serbia and Fiat."

"We will continue an open dialogue with our partner on the future development of the Kragujevac factory," Vucic said.

Later in the day, the prime minister addressed a news conference to say that Fiat would stay in Kragujevac "for many years."

"There are many things I can't talk about for understandable reasons, but I'm convinced and certain after a serious conversation and Altavilla's responsible approach that Fiat will continue to work in Serbia for many years," he said, adding he was "not talking about two or three years, but a much longer period of time."

Vucic also said that Fiat is satisfied with what Serbia has done so far, and that his government was "ready to help additionally, if need be."

The factory in Kragujevac was opened in April 2012 and is now "one of the newest and most modern production facilities within the FCA worldwide," FCA Serbia said in a statement on Friday, adding that more than EUR 1.3 billion has been invested in the plant.

FCA Serbia is an active investor and a leading Serbian exporter, the statement added.