"We are disappointed, the situation is tough, but it will end," he told Croatian reporters in Vilnius after a summit of the European Union and the Eastern Partnership.
"There is still no growth, but there will be next year," Milanovic said, adding, "but those won't be high growth rates such as we were used to seeing ten years ago because that doesn't happen anywhere any more."
"We have to prepare the ground so that, when things get going for everyone, everyone will live better, in which we are dependent on the region in a way... But we are changing the country, we are changing the regulations and improving conditions for doing business," said Milanovic.