Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic stated in Belgrade on Tuesday that Serbia may become an EU member between 2014 and 2016.

At the Euromoney conference on finances and investments in South-East Europe, Cvetkovic pointed out that he does not wish to speculate on the exact date of the EU accession, adding that it will certainly happen after the current government's mandate.

Answering the questions at the conference, Cvetkovic stressed that Serbia is not concerned that the problems in Western European countries will slow down its pace towards the EU membership as the country's aim is primarily to introduce the European system and standards.

"We want to join the EU, but even more so, we want our system to be the same as in the EU countries," Cvetkovic underscored.

"We are not concerned, Serbia is moving forward and it will become an EU member state," Cvetkovic said, adding that the EU is based on the principles of peace, stability and strong economy, and that Serbia strives for the same goals.

Cvetkovic is taking part in the two-day conference Euromoney which will focus on finances and investments in South-East Europe, and which will be attended by over 300 bankers, businessmen and officials from about twenty countries.