Germans "will keep their word" on chapter opening - PM

Germans "will keep their word" on chapter opening - PM

"They gave their word, and they will keep it," Vucic told the state broadcaster RTS late on Thursday.

Commenting on the results of the Vienna summit of the countries of the Western Balkans, Vucic said it was important for Serbia that German Chancellor Angela Merkel "called on German companies to invest in the region," and pointed out that the conference heard "important things for solving the migrant crisis".

"After this call of Chancellor Merkel, I expect new German investments in Serbia. For us it is important that we work on economic reforms, and if we continue like before, we believe we will be able to finish the infrastructure projects that we talked about today in the best way for our country and its citizens," the prime minister said.

Vucic said that the government is particularly interested in building the highway from Nis to Merdare and continue through Pristina to Durres, because the project could start economically underdeveloped parts of the Nisava and Toplica districts.

"This will be an important project which envisages the construction of 77 kilometers of highway from Nis to Merdare. I expect that we will, before Albania does, in late October or early November 2016, start with realization of this project, and at the same time we will also be completing works on Corridor 10," Vucic said.

As he said, Serbia is today seen as "a responsible, European country that keeps to its word."

"Chancellor Merkel, who - let's be honest - has a decisive role in Europe, she said she was not surprised that we did our job, because she expected it. It is a tribute to citizens of Serbia, and we need to continue with economic reforms, so that in 2016 growth will be higher than two percent and in 2017 and over three (percent)," said he.

Speaking on the refugee crisis, Vucic said it would "last a long time" but that that "Merkel's resolve to solve this problem will be a sign to the other institutions to act quickly."

"We in Serbia are working to protect these people, but at the same time without sacrificing our national and state interests. Now we are waiting for an EU plan on resolving the crisis, which Serbia will adhere to. When they adopt this plan, it will be better than it is today it's not known what the goal and the tactic is," Vucic concluded.