The Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia H.E. Mr. Aleksandar Vucic visited London from 27 to 29 October 2014.  In addition to opening an investment conference “Serbia – Investment Day”, the Prime Minister met with Philip Hammond, UK State Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, William Hague, leader of the House of Commons of the British Parliament, Boris Johnson, Mayor of London as well as with representatives of major international companies such as Goldman Sachs for Europe, President of Esmark Jim Bouchard and others.  During his stay in London, the Prime Minister also visited EBRD and conferred with its President Suma Chakrabarti. This occasion was used for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.

In his meetings with UK officials and representatives of the corporate sector, the Serbian Prime Minister presented the measures undertaken by the Government of the Republic of Serbia with a view to creating a favorable investment climate in the Republic of Serbia. In his bilateral meetings with UK officials and potential investors at the business forum, he expressed his conviction that it was economy rather than politics that was crucial to the Balkan’s future, emphasizing that the Government of the Republic of Serbia was firmly committed to implementing measures that would improve business climate in Serbia. He underscored that regional stability was key to success and that Serbia was working hard towards promoting economic cooperation in the region through joint projects.

The State Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Philip Hammond congratulated the Serbian Prime Minster on remarkable success in the implementation of economic reforms and the progress achieved in embracing European standards, noting that foreign investors’ presence was essential to the country’s economic growth. He underlined that the region’s stability was a priority in the Western Balkans for the UK Government and that Serbia should play a key role in this respect.

William Hague, leader of the House of Commons of the British Parliament welcomed the measures of fiscal consolidation, emphasizing economy’s crucial importance. Hague pointed out that the United Kingdom had vast experience in the field of economic measures from which Serbia could benefit.

Prime Minister Vucic delivered a lecture in the London School of Economy and Political Science entitled “The view into the future: Serbia and the Western Balkans in the EU”.

The Prime Minister’s lecture is available here.

Click here to watch the interview of Aleksandar Vucic given to Sky News.

Click here to read the interview of Aleksandar Vucic given to LSE.