Good relations between Serbia and Switzerland should continue to develop in all areas, and there is especially room for intensified economic cooperation, it was highlighted during talks Serbian officials had with Swiss Parliament President Hansjoerg Walter leading the Swiss Parliament delegation during the three-day visit to Serbia. Guests from Switzerland were received by Serbian Assembly Speaker Slavica Djukic Dejanovic, Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic and Minister of Interior Ivica Dacic. Suzana Mitic has more.
Swiss Parliament President Hansjoerg Walter praised the reforms undertaken by Serbia in the past, stressing his belief that Serbia would retain a central role in the region. According to him, the Swiss Government and the people are excited about the progress made by Serbia, and Switzerland, as a neutral country, cares deeply about the political stability in Serbia because it is the basis for development.
Guests from Switzerland were first received by Serbian Assembly Speaker Slavica Djukic Dejanovic. Walter and Djukic Dejanovic expressed hope that in the coming period, the economic cooperation will be intensified and agreed that MPs should encourage their governments to do so. In talks with Walter, Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic pointed out that the EU candidate status is of great importance for Serbia, because it is a great recognition of the reforms implemented by Serbia. Speaking on the issue of Kosovo, Cvetkovic, as stated, reminded that Serbia is committed to dialogue as the only way to find a compromise-based solution.
At a news conference after the meeting with Walter, Interior Minister Ivica Dacic expressed satisfaction with relations with Switzerland in the field of internal affairs, reminding that the two countries signed numerous agreements - on the fight against crime, on understanding in the sphere of migration policy, and on readmission. Switzerland is one of European countries dealing with the problem of a large number of false asylum seekers from our country, said Dacic, adding that this problem cannot be solved without active participation of the EU member states. I am pleased with the fact that the EU countries have understood that it is necessary that they eliminate from their own laws those elements allowing the abuse of asylum, said Dacic.
Speaking of the good police cooperation between the two countries, the Interior Minister reminded of the arrest of perpetrators and the return of Picasso's works to Switzerland, mentioning the ongoing search for some other works of art where there is reasonable suspicion that such works are in Serbia.