Macut: All of Serbia's reserves - from food to energy - fully secured

BELGRADE - All of Serbia's reserves - from food to energy - are fully secured at this time, says PM Djuro Macut, adding that the state authorities are exceptionally well organised.

"There is also the National Security Council, but there is also a system of budget and state reserves that is fully functional. The president has asked me to absolutely focus on that part and that we try to keep it under control," Macut told the RTS on Tuesday.

Speaking about his recent visit to Algeria, during which he signed several bilateral agreements, Macut said he had invited the Algerian PM to visit Belgrade in mid-May.

"It (Algeria) is overflowing with energy, wonderful people who speak about our country, Belgrade and the Non-Aligned Movement with great emotions. I think they are friends we must not forget. We have signed several major international bilateral agreements and paved the way for bringing both the people and the economies together, and for planning a future," he said.

"There is great potential, ranging from tourism and trade to energy, as well as education. I think it is a wide range of something that is a great opportunity for all of us," Macut added.

Macut: More coordination needed among ministries, all ministers under scrutiny

BELGRADE - Serbian PM Djuro Macut said on Tuesday stabilisation of political and social life in Serbia was one of the main results of his government's first year in office and that he was pleased with the dynamics of his cabinet's work but that more coordination and cooperation was needed among ministries, and noted that all ministers were under scrutiny.

"Generally, I am really pleased because I have realised how that large system works. A good part of the ministers are experts who have been working in the government for decades or experts in their professions, but there is always a possibility and a need for improvements," Macut told the RTS.

He added that all ministers were under scrutiny and that he was monitoring the activities of all cabinet members.

Macut said all ministers were highly aligned with state objectives and that his government was a patriotic government above all.

Recapping his first year in office as PM, he said he had assumed the post in a very difficult, crisis period for Serbia, caused by a major crisis in the education system, which he noted had been the biggest crisis in the history of Serbia. Macut said a call from President Aleksandar Vucic had been unexpected and that it had been difficult for him to accept such great responsibility, but that it had also been a great honour and a great source of motivation.

"I have always done my best, and I have been doing so in my career as a doctor, which has spanned over 30 years. I have always accepted challenges whenever opportunities arose, so I saw this situation, too, as one where I wanted to help," he said.

Asked about potential early parliamentary elections in Serbia, Macut said stability was very important for the country at this time and that it needed to get through a crisis period caused not only by internal issues, but global circumstances as well.

"If you call elections in a highly unstable situation, you can revert back to 2025. Stability is very important, having a government reshuffle or elections is not the objective. The most important thing for Serbia right now is how we can push through this crisis period, which is not only internal in nature," Macut said, adding that no European country was in a comfortable position and that developments in the Middle East reflected the reality of the world today.

"Elections are inevitable and are certain to happen, but I think we need to talk about having a stable state and good supplies," Macut said.