Macut: In spite of challenges, Serbia has succeeded in accelerating reforms, strengthening economy

BELGRADE - Serbian PM Djuro Macut said on Tuesday that, in 2025, Serbia had faced numerous global and regional challenges - political, security and economic ones - but had succeeded in accelerating certain reforms, strengthening cooperation with businesses and laying the foundations for stable economic growth.

Macut was speaking at the World In 2026 conference at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (PKS).

Hosted by Color Media Group, the conference aims to recap the political, business and social environment in Serbia and the region in 2025 and address key issues for 2026.

"This was not only a year of apprehension, but also a year in which we learned, tested our resilience and did not choose instability, but did choose the way in which we would respond to it.

We have demonstrated that Serbia knows how to react quickly, responsibly and thoughtfully, that it does not retreat in the face of pressure, but rather seeks solutions, builds partnerships and strengthens institutions," a government statement quoted Macut as saying.

He noted that, unlike 2025, next year would almost certainly be a year of solutions and that some kind of a resolution of the Ukraine conflict could be expected to happen in 2026.

"Serbia, as a relatively small country, must be aware of its place and its achievements and, as a society, we must first unite around basic goals and overcome divisions, which have no place in modern Serbia," he said.

Macut said Serbia remained firmly committed to the European path and was implementing reforms intended for the citizens above all, and aimed at improving their standard of living.

"We must work on daily operational matters. We must not and will not allow any political decision to slow us down in that task," he said.

At the same time, Serbia will continue its uncompromising struggle to preserve its territorial integrity and sovereignty, because preserving Kosovo-Metohija as a part of Serbia remains the most important state and national issue, Macut said.

"We are committed to that every moment. We enter 2026 without illusions, but with realistic optimism. We have learned where we are strong, where we can do more and how we can do better. And we also know something that is even more important - that no result is possible if we do not work together - the government, businesses, the scientific community, as well as international partners," Macut said.