Djuric meets with Lipavský: Centuries of Serbian-Czech friendship

Noting that Serbia and the Czech Republic were bound by centuries-long friendship and a close, fraternal relationship between the two peoples, Djuric pointed out that the two economies were today developing alongside each other and that Serbia was making progress on its EU path owing to Czech support.

"EU membership is a strategic priority of our country and I am pleased that here in Prague we discussed ways to accelerate the reform process and help, through joint forces, Europe become complete by integrating the Western Balkan countries as full members", Djuric said.

At a joint press conference after the meeting, the Minister added that Serbia was ready to further advance its legal and political system as well as economic reforms in order to meet all requirements for full EU membership by 2027.

"Not only Serbia will be benefitting through the membership. To a great extent, the EU will be stronger thanks to millions of Serbian citizens, their creativity, talent and energy and Serbia's strategic position in the south-eastern wing of Europe", Djuric noted and pointed out that Serbia maintained friendships with Asian, African and Latin American countries that dated back to the era of the Non-Aligned Movement, through which Serbia would make a significant and strong contribution to the European community.  

Speaking about bilateral cooperation, the head of Serbian diplomacy emphasized that the volume of trade between the two countries exceeded two billion euros in the previous year, which was proof that Serbia and the Czech Republic had become important economic partners.

He also stated that Czech companies in Serbia were present in the automotive industry and in the IT sector, as well as that there was great potential for cooperation in the field of transport and mining and geology.

Addressing global security challenges, Djuric noted that the EU as a whole, as well as Czechia as an important actor within the EU, could count on Serbia to serve as a backbone in safeguarding regional stability.

"With our European partners, we will be working on implementing a regional growth agenda and, perhaps more importantly, on advancing political relations and improving the political climate in the region", the Serbian Foreign Minister underlined.

Regarding the rights of national minorities, Djuric said that there was mutual support being extended between the Czech Republic and the Republic of Serbia – to the Serbian community in the Czech Republic and to the Czech community in Serbia.

"Our future is based on common European values, clear economic interests and a desire for Serbia, a centrally positioned country in the Balkans, to also be a pillar of European values", Minister Djuric concluded.

Recalling that Czechia was one of Serbia's top 15 economic partners, Minister Lipavský noted that at today’s meeting with Minister Djuric they also discussed strengthening of cooperation in transport infrastructure, environmental protection and tourism.

Lipavský underlined that the Czech Republic strongly supported our country in its efforts to become part of the European Union, as well as that it was willing to provide assistance when it comes to the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, stressing that Serbia was a very important partner for the Czech Republic in the Western Balkan region.