Đurić: Serbia’s Doors Are Open in Canada

“I am convinced that this chapter will be marked by serious and successful economic results, and I also hope by a somewhat more liberal visa regime. It is already marked by direct flights between Belgrade and Toronto, which mean a great deal for maintaining ties with an entire branch of our people living here,” Đurić stated.

As he added, the manner in which the Serbian delegation was received indicates an awareness of the significance of the role Serbia plays in Southeast Europe, as well as the potential for the country to serve as one of the entry points for cooperation between Canada and Europe, or at least this part of Europe.

“I would say that we have successfully accomplished our task of opening doors for Serbia. Here, at the initiative of our Embassy and the excellent team operating here, a Serbia–Canada business forum is also taking place, bringing together around seventy companies — approximately 40 Canadian and 30 Serbian companies. A new momentum is being created, a new atmosphere is emerging, and we are also expecting a meeting with the Speaker of the Canadian Parliament. I would say this is profoundly good news for Serbia,” Đurić emphasized.

According to him, the visit has opened doors and refreshed the image of Serbia, which, as he assessed, had in some way remained frozen within the political establishment in perceptions dating back more than 30 years.

“There are not many moments like this when you break the ice. This is, in fact, the first ministerial visit after ten years, but I would also say that it is a visit that will bring our two countries closer together in many ways,” Foreign Minister Marko Đurić concluded.