(ANSA) - BRUSSELS - Serbia's GDP in 2013 will start growing (+1.7%), dragged especially by exports and in particular by the car sector, while private consumption will restart only in 2014, when the GDP will reach 1.9%. Public debt, which in 2012 was 59.3%, is bound to grow again, reaching 62.1% this year and 65.5% next year. Unemployment will remain more or less stable in 2013 (24%), with a decrease in 2014 (23.2%). These are the last economic forecasts published today by the European Commission.

According to Brussels estimates, despite the positive impact of EU membership for Croatia, the negative tendency of 2012 (-2%) will continue in 2013 (-1%) and a weak recovery will take place only in 2014 (+0.2%). A recovery in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (+1.5% and +2%) is expected in 2013 and 2014, as well as in Montenegro (1.8% and then 2.6%). Among the other candidate countries for EU accession, Iceland between 2103 and 2014 will see its GDP grow from 1.8% up to + 3%, but among all the candidate countries, Turkey is confirmed to be the real economic 'engine'.

(ANSA).