The 11th Economic Summit of Serbia opened in Belgrade on Monday, and its main topics comprise the impact of the global and European crisis on Serbia's economy and the perspectives and challenges Serbia is facing on its EU path.

Opening the two-day meeting, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said that Serbia is a country turned to the future and added that it has a lot to offer to Europe in the area of economy.

He noted that the Western Balkan region can become an 'energy bridge' for Europe.

Peace and stability in the western Balkans are also important for the energy stability in the entire Europe, Dacic underscored.

The conference dubbed 'Serbia-European Union: Prospects & Challenges - The impact of the Global Crisis on the Serbian Economy' is also attended by Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic, Hungarian Minister of State Zoltán Csefalvay, president of the Vojvodina government Bojan Pajtic and Austrian State Secretary for European and International Relations Wolfgang Waldner.

The summit represents an annual overview of Serbia's political, economic and business development and the country's role in the region.

According to announcements, the conference will feature presentations by 40 speakers and over 200 delegates.

This year's conference is organised under the auspices of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce.