Vucic promises average wages of "almost EUR 500"

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has announced "significant salaries and pensions hikes" by the end of the year.

"Salaries will be increased on a permanent basis, pensions will be increased. So this year there will be a significant increase in salaries and a more significant increase in pensions than in previous years," Vucic told TV Pink.

He remarked that "the final decision will be made by the government" - and that there is "potential" for this "because of the good results of the state coffers."

Vucic also stressed that he "discussed this matter several times" with Prime Minister Ana Brnabic.

He then said that "60 percent of pensioners never had their pensions reduced."

"Today, almost 69 percent of pensioners have higher pensions than they ever had, and I expect that this will soon reach the level of over 85-90 percent," the president said.