Need to strengthen and promote cooperation between Serbia and Ireland

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Nikola Selakovic had a meeting today via video-call with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence in Irish Government Simon Coveney, with whom he discussed the deepening and promotion of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Minister Selakovic noted that it was necessary to strengthen mutual communication at a high level and took the opportunity to invite Minister Coveney to visit Belgrade, adding that this would give impetus to the intensification of bilateral relations, especially bearing in mind that the last visit to Serbia so far at the level of a Foreign Minister took place in 2007.

Selakovic pointed out the importance of regular consideration of the issue of Kosovo and Metohija in the UN Security Council, emphasizing the importance of Ireland in the activities of this body, especially now that it had assumed the post of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2021-2022.

He emphasized that Serbia was fully committed to the normalization of relations with Pristina, as well as that this implied reaching a compromise solution acceptable to both sides.

The Head of Serbian diplomacy underlined full membership of the EU as Serbia's strategic orientation and pointed out that our country was highly committed to the reform process and European integration, expressing gratitude for Ireland's support on that path.

Furthermore, Minister Selakovic stated that the economic relations between Serbia and Ireland need to be enhanced while encouraging the trade in goods and, in that regard, pointed out the prospects for improving the business climate in Serbia in order to attract more Irish investments.

Belgrade,
10 February 2021