Gusenbauer: Serbia crucial factor in Western Balkans

BELGRADE - Serbian government advisor Alfred Gusenbauer stated that it is of strategic importance for Serbia to stabilise in economic and political terms because it is the crucial country in the Western Balkans.

The initiation of EU accession talks is a sign that the EU appreciates Serbia's reforms, Gusenbauer said in an interview for Radio-Television of Serbia.

He expressed the belief that this will also serve as an encouragement for the people of Serbia because they can see that reforms are being implemented, that foreign investments are arriving and that the country is deeply committed to the fight against corruption which is a major capital, he said and added that in his opinion, the situation has improved. He expressed certainty that the positive developments will continue.

Five months ago, Gusenbauer assumed the position as the advisor in Belgrade and since then, a tangible change has been made because as world crises make news headlines, Serbia stands out as a stable and peaceful area which is making progress.

The news from Serbia are no longer news about the past but those about the future, reforms, fight against corruption and investments, he said and added that not a single day passes without a foreign company announcing or launching new investments or beginning of construction works in Serbia, he said.

Gusenbauer said that he knows a lot of Serbs living in Austria who work hard and added that the quality of workforce is Serbia's major advantage.

He reiterated that Austria, as a country in which he held office as the chancellor, is a major investor in Serbia and expressed the expectation that Austria will make some more major investments in Serbia.

Gusenbauer believes that the...

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