NEWS
Prime Minister Borut Pahor hosts the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Dr Mirko Cvetković, on an official visit
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, today hosted the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Dr Mirko Cvetković, who was on an official visit to Slovenia. The two particularly focused on bilateral cooperation with emphasis on strengthening economic cooperation and addressing open issues. Talks also touched on Serbia’s moving towards EU accession, regional cooperation and, in this context, follow-up of the so called "Brdo process".
(Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)
The two dignitaries agreed that the relations between Slovenia and Serbia were friendly, with intensive political relations and economic progress that can be further strengthened. At the press conference, Prime Minister Pahor said that the official visit of the Serbian Prime Minister in Slovenia was a follow-up of his visit to Belgrade in March last year; both visits “are opening a new chapter in relations between the two countries." Prime Minister Pahor also expressed the hope that, in the light of its moving towards EU accession, Serbia would soon join the Brdo process which is aimed at strengthening cooperation in the region and within the framework of which transport ministers of the Western Balkan countries would soon meet. Serbian Prime Minister Cvetković stressed that Serbia invested a lot of energy in regional cooperation and expressed satisfaction that a formula was found for Serbia’s participation in the ministerial conference of the Western Balkans in Sarajevo on June 2.
(Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)
Prime Minister Pahor also highlighted that improving relations between countries of former Yugoslavia was a precondition to strengthen regional cooperation. He announced that a social agreement between Slovenia and Serbia would come into force on 1 July putting “sensitive political questions ad acta”. In the near future, Slovenia’s and Serbia’s high representatives on succession will meet to reach a solution regarding the protection of assets of Slovenian companies in Serbia in compliance with the succession agreement for former Yugoslavia, signed by both countries.
(Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)
In the continuation of the visit, the Prime Ministers also attended the business conference at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, addressing the participants. They both emphasised the importance and urgency to enhance economic cooperation. Trade between Slovenia and Serbia dropped by nearly a third last year, compared with the previous year, due to the recession, Pahor said, however the trends are improving. Serbian Prime Minister Cvetković underlined that Slovenia investors are among the best in Serbia in terms of quality and results. He also highlighted the cooperation of the two countries in tourism. According to Cvetković, the number of Serbian tourists in Slovenia has increased by 50% this year, which is due to liberalisation of the visa regime for the entry of Serbian citizens into the Schengen area.