"Serbia moves forward, reforms process positive"

"Serbia moves forward, reforms process positive"

"I think that you have a different approach now. Political stabilization is evident and we are very satisfied with the economic measures. The things are moving forward in terms of Kosovo as well," Busek told Tanjug.

He believes that as part of economic reforms, it is very important to encourage foreign investors and do everything needed to facilitate their arrival and operation in the country.

As for the announcement of arrival of large companies following the recent visits of Russian President Vladimir Putin and French Prime Minister Manuel Valls to Belgrade, Busek is cautiously optimistic.

Let us wait for their arrival first. So far, there have been announcements of arrival of large companies from Russia and other countries to Serbia on a number of occasions, but it did not happen, Busek said.

He spoke to Tanjug after a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Center for Democracy and Reconciliation in Southeast Europe seated in Thessaloniki, which discussed next year's projects directed at encouraging democratic processes and reconciliation in the region.

Although many foreign diplomats view Serbia as the central country and regional leader, Busek said that it is not good to have such a point of view.

The discussion about who will be the leader in the region does not help. There should be more regional cooperation through the leadership of all countries, and that is what is necessary for the future. I would like to invite all governments in the regions, including the Serbian, to advocate for the promotion of regional cooperation, Busek stressed.

As a former special coordinator of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, Busek commented on the allegations of corruption at EULEX, noting that some of the criticism is justified. One of the dangers in the region is the arrogance of institutions such as EULEX, said Busek, adding that these institutions are designed to serve and not to dominate.

Referring to the occasional claims that it is time for the EULEX's mandate to come to an end, Busek said that this will be possible when the Kosovo institutions are ready to operate independently.

As regards to the statements by Kosovo Albanian politicians that Belgrade and Priština will one day have to sign a peace agreement, Busek said that the European Union demands that the problems between neighboring countries be resolved.

"The EU demands the resolution of issues between neighbors. This does not apply to Serbia alone. Serbia must not think that this rule only applies to it. Austria needed to resolve its issue with Italy related to South Tyrol. I think that it is a good rule that pushes us forward. In some parts of Serbia, it is necessary to face the reality that Kosovo exists," said Busek.