Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Siniša Mali and Minister of European Integration Tanja Miščević met today with members of the team in charge of coordinating, planning, and implementing activities within the first pillar of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, which entails faster integration of the Republic of Serbia into the European Union Single Market.
Minister Mali stated that the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans would provide a unique opportunity for closer cooperation with the European Union and that it would primarily include a new incentive for accelerated integration into the EU Single Market, as well as areas and programmes where stronger connections with the EU could be established before full membership.
“Despite numerous challenges in the global market, Serbia managed to strengthen all economy segments, preserve macroeconomic stability, and improve the business environment. Our economy is doing well; we have record employment and excellent macroeconomic results. We are strongly committed to strengthening our economy, regional economic cooperation and cooperation with EU member states. We aim to create conditions for free trade and increased investments, where Serbia has been an absolute leader in recent years, breaking all records in attracting foreign direct investments, which benefits the entire region,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.
At the meeting, the introduction of green lanes with the European Union, accession to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), and the signing of the Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA) were highlighted as topics of special interest.
“By introducing green lanes with the EU member states bordering with the Republic of Serbia, better border management would be achieved, leading to the smooth flow of goods. Just imagine what our borders will look like when we no longer have queues of trucks waiting. That is of great significance for the further attractiveness of the Serbian market, which is why these activities are important. Additionally, by joining the Single Euro Payments Area, Serbia would modernise its payment systems legally and infrastructurally, thus improving the conditions for the development of financial markets and banking activities in accordance with the rules of electronic banking and reducing the costs of regional payments,” said Siniša Mali. He added that while chairing these meetings, he encouraged all institutions to implement all activities, make decisions, and adopt the necessary documents as soon as possible in order to achieve the set goals.
He also said that signing the Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products with the EU would facilitate the free movement of certain industrial products, consequently easing and speeding up exports, strengthening the competitiveness of the domestic economy, and enhancing economic relations between the EU and Serbia.
At the meeting, it was agreed that the competent line institutions should take all necessary measures to accelerate the agreed-upon dynamics. This would enable further economic growth through access to a market of 450 million people, with increased opportunities for the placement of goods and services and reduced transaction costs.
The idea of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans was introduced last year by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The Growth Plan is based on four pillars: Faster integration into the European Union Single Market, Regional economic integration as a prerequisite for faster EU integration, Accelerating fundamental reforms, and Financial assistance through the Reform and Growth Facility.
Source: Ministry of Finance
