Kurz: Serbia has made incredibly positive progress during Vucic's tenure

BELGRADE - Former Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz said on Friday Serbia had made enormous progress in the past decade, both economically and on the international scene, and that it was currently the most important guarantor of stability in the Balkans.

Serbia has made incredibly positive progress during President Aleksandar Vucic's tenure, economically as well as in terms of geopolitical positioning, Kurz told Tanjug in an interview.

"Serbia is currently the most important guarantor of stability in the Balkans. Above all, that has to do with the fact that Vucic has always made sure to maintain good relations with both the East and the West. A stable Serbia is a guarantee of a stable Balkans," said Kurz, who met with Vucic in Belgrade earlier in the day.

Commenting on months-long protests in Serbia, Kurz said differing views and stances were legitimate in democracy but that the current situation in the country could be resolved only if both sides took a step closer to each other.

Vucic has already done that by promising reforms, he added.

"Images and video footage of opposition MPs firing smoke bombs and tear gas in the parliament do not send a positive picture to the world," Kurz said.