Prime minister: Serbia has "clear, firm" policy

Prime minister: Serbia has "clear, firm" policy

Speaking for TV Pink, he said that the economic recovery of the country "is based on political stability," and that "a nationally responsible and balanced foreign policy is very important for that reason."

As for the upcoming visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Serbia, he said his government and President Tomislav Nikolić are careful about "what signals will be sent on the occasion."

"Serbia's policy is not 'wavering' but is instead clear, firm, decisive, and clear,, and has not moved either right or left for a year and a half," he asserted.

Vučić added that the arrival of the president of Russia was "not the most important issue on the planet", but that it was "important for Serbia to show respect to everyone who liberated Belgrade (in WW2)."

He did not want to say whether pressure was exerted with the goal of preventing Putin's visit, and explained he "would not speak about it even if it happened."

According to the Serbian prime minister, people who "abuse private conversations" are "dishonorable."

He is confident that the Serbian military parade on October 16 will show that the country has "the strongest army in the region" and that the military is "a strong factor of stability," as well as that Serbia is proud of its anti-fascist struggle.

Vučić dismissed as "fake" the claims that there could be economic recovery without decreasing salaries and pensions "and heavy cuts," and stressed that "for the first time Serbia has a plan for the overall recovery of the country, while the unemployment rate is being reduced for seven months in a row."

As he said, "the idea is that we all try to make it so Serbia has significant growth in 2015, and in 2016 becomes one of the top three countries when it comes to highest economic growth in Europe."

He conceded that this year will see "a small decline in GDP," adding this was "because of electricity and coal."

Rejecting criticism from the opposition, Vučić said that while in power, "they had a minus of 3.5 percent in 2009" and that if his government had a similar result, he would "resign the same second."

Asked whether there will be an increase in VAT due to the reduction of salaries and pensions, Vučić said that "at this point this is not being considered."

He also stated that factories that will employ several hundred people will be built in Obrenovac and Krupanj, two municipalities devastated during the May flooding.

Vučić added that he expected an agreement to be reached by the end of this year with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), noting that the financial institution's conditions "will not be easy - but will be fair," while "Serbia will meet them."

The IMF, he added, wants reforms in all spheres and the reduction of salaries and pensions will not be the toughest measure.

"The hardest thing will be to reform public enterprises and the public administration," Vučić said.