BRNABIC: Regional cooperation an opportunity for Western Balkans

(Ana Brnabic) Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic took part in the fifth Western Balkans Summit, held in London, which had brought together Western Balkans leaders and the highest European officials to discuss the current economic, political and security topics. The central topic was the economy and the regional economic cooperation, and the Summit was opened by British Prime Minister Theresa May, organizing a reception for the heads of delegations.

Addressing the economy panel, Brnabic said that the economic development was important for the Western Balkans and that the common challenge was how to achieve a quicker and more dynamic growth of the GDP, it is reported on the government's official website.

Talking about the challenges in the region, she said that direct foreign investments in the region, which amount to EUR 4 billion a year, needed to increase and that there had to be intensive efforts towards the reduction of the unemployment rate among the young and the problem of brain drain.

– The strengthening of regional cooperation is an opportunity we mustn't miss – Brnabic emphasized.

She pointed out that the region needed a quicker implementation of the Multiannual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area in the Western Balkans, adopted at the Trieste Summit and entailing trade, investments, mobility and digital connection.

The prime minister said that “the region needs a new model of economic growth, based on investments in innovations and new technologies, research and development and the creation of a favorable climate for startups. We need to develop an economy focused on digitalization, innovations and IT, Brnabic pointed out.

Continuation of structural reforms and strengthening of rule of law

The requirement for building a modern economy is the continuation of structural reforms and the strengthening of the rule of law. Brnabic emphasized that the Government of Serbia focused on countering corruption, modernizing the public administration and a systemic implementation of electronic services for the citizens and the economy, whereby the business conditions are improved and the life quality is raised.

– Infrastructural investments are the foundation of a strong economy: without a good infrastructure, there's no development of commerce or an accelerated economic growth – the prime minister emphasized.

Progress has been made in the implementation of the Multiannual Action Plan for a Regional Economic Area in the Western Balkans in the mutual recognition of professional and academic qualifications which will facilitate mobility, whereas the project of the electronic sharing of documents will accelerate customs and border procedures.

Brnabic also pointed out the importance of the Regional Investment Platform, jointly prepared by regional chambers of commerce and providing potential investors with the opportunity to invest in the region.

She especially noted the progress achieved in the field of digital connecting. This June, at the Sofia Summit, the Western Balkans Digital Agenda was adopted, which will contribute to the strengthening of the capacities of the e-Government and various electronic services, especially in the field of public procurement and healthcare.

Vlada Republike Srbije

Western Balkans Summit

Ana Brnabic

Theresa May

regional cooperation in the Western Balkans

Western Balkans

GDP growth

foreign direct investments in the Western Balkans

Regional Economic Area of the Western Balkans

Trieste Summit

mobility

digital connection

digitalization

innovations

electronic services

electronic government

e Government

electronic sharing of documents

Regional Investment Platform

Western Balkans Digital Agenda

public procurement