Central and SE Europe mayors gather in Belgrade

Central and SE Europe mayors gather in Belgrade

"We celebrate diversity in Belgrade and I am convinced that this is the best invitation for all our guests from Europe, to always come to Belgrade and Serbia and feel good."

According to the prime minister's address given at the gathering of Central and Southeast Europe capital city mayors, Serbia is "a good place," where "difficult economic reforms are carried out," while "the prognosis is good already for the next year."

He also pointed out that "some international financial institutions are beginning to change their forecasts for the current year" when it comes to Serbia.

Vucic told the mayors that Belgrade and Serbia are "ready to learn something from them, to hear the experiences of other cities."

"Everything you say we will carefully read and study," he underlined, pointing out that this summit was a good opportunity "to learn, for example, how Warsaw passes energy efficiency programs, how the administration functions in Skopje, and how Zagreb became the green capital.".

At the same time he announced that participants from Serbia would "present their projects."

Vucic stressed that, in previous years, all major cities of the former Yugoslavia made "dramatic progressed."

Addressing Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandic, he said that the Croatian capital "changed much, to Bandic's great credit," and added that "the Croatian guest also remarked that Belgrade has become much cleaner than it was several decades ago."

According to the prime minster - Serbia will try to learn and apply the positive things "from other cities," in order for the standards reached there "to become normal in Belgrade, as well as all our other cities."

"There are things to be learned from such experienced mayors, who changed their towns and countries," said Vucic, adding that the conference was also "a good opportunity to talk about regional connections and stability."

He said that Belgrade has "big projects, hopes and expectations" and that many cities and companies from the participating countries "can help."

In this regard, Vucic said he on Wednesday "discussed with Siemens their interest in the Belgrade Waterfront (project)."

The prime minister stressed that it was "important to learn from each other and visit each other," adding that he "knows from his own experience how much he changed through what he learned over time."

"As we are proud of Belgrade, so we are of the cooperation with your cities," he said, and concluded that Belgrade would "give its best to be the best possible host."

Belgrade's Sava Center conference hall is the venue for the gathering that started on Thursday with the welcoming address given by Belgrade Mayor Sinisa Mali. The Capital Summit 2015 event is organized by the City of Belgrade, in cooperation with the National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED).

Belgrade is hosting mayors and senior representatives from 13 Central and Southeast Europe cities, as well as senior representatives of the European Union, international organizations, diplomatic corps and the business community, but also architects, urban planners, and directors of public companies.

The summit will take place through several panels, one of which will be devoted to European integration, while others will discuss the functioning of capital cities, the challenges they face, the financing of large infrastructure projects, and improving energy efficiency.