NEWS

Slovenian PM after the meeting with Serbian PM: "It is very encouraging that we witness the strengthening of economic cooperation between the two countries despite the crisis situation"

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Alenka Bratušek paid a two-day visit to the Republic of Serbia. In the morning part of the second day's programme, she met with Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dačić and later on they co-chaired a joint session of the two Governments. At the press conference after the meeting, Slovenian Prime Minister stressed that the relations between the two countries are friendly and open and that there are many opportunities for building on this.

 

After the concluded joint session of the two Governments, Prime Minister Bratušek stressed that the ministers who are part of the delegation gave a special emphasis to today's session. "Today our relations have been enriched with new contents. We have signed an agreement on the protection and exchange of classified information, a memorandum on economic cooperation in third markets, a memorandum on cooperation in the energy sector and a protocol on education. I am also delighted with the letter of intent concerning the handover of the official ambassador's residence in Rome," Prime Minister Bratušek added.

 

She also explained that she expressed her appreciation of the progress achieved by Serbia in internal reforms and the regulation of relations in its neighbourhood. "However, the task is far from being completed," she said. "Serbia is before a negotiation process that will require a great deal of political capital and technical knowledge. With respect to the latter, you may count on Slovenia's support also in the future." At the end of the press conference, Prime Minister Bratušek expressed her wish that, after more than twenty years since the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia, all open chapters originating from the past would be closed as soon as possible. "This would help lift the burden off the relations between the states and give a new impetus to cooperation in the entire region," Slovenian Prime Minister said.

 

As part of the visit, she met with the President of the Republic of Serbia, Tomislav Nikolić, the Speaker of the Serbian National Assembly, Nebojša Stefanović, the First Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, and visited Gorenje – TIKI d.o.o. company.