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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbia-Slovenia relations at highest level

Novi Sad, 17 December 2019

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic assessed today, after the fifth joint session of the governments of Serbia and Slovenia held in Novi Sad, that political and economic cooperation between the two countries is at the highest level, without significant open issues.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Slovenian Prime Minister Marjan Sarec, Brnabic expressed her gratitude for the country's support to the European integration of Serbia, as well as for the support it has given to the initiative to establish the so-called Mini Schengen, launched by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

The Prime Minister underlined that the political and economic relations between Serbia and Slovenia are very close, and that the best proof to that is that with no country other than Hungary has Serbia had as many joint government sessions as with Slovenia.

She recalled that bilateral visits at the highest level have been made this year, adding that the cooperation between the two countries in the field of economy is best seen in the fact that Slovenian companies are among the largest investors in Serbia.

According to Brnabic, the value of the Slovenian capital in Serbia exceeds €1.1 billion, while 1,500 companies with Slovenian capital employ 25,000 people.

Brnabic pointed out that trade is in constant growth, specifying that in the first nine months of this year, trade amounted to more than €870 million.

The Prime Minister explained that this was approximately three percent more than in the same period last year, pointing to the continued growth of investments of Serbian companies in Slovenia.

Brnabic thanked Sarec for visiting the Visoki Decani Monastery as part of his visit to Slovenian soldiers in KFOR in Kosovo-Metohija, which Serbia sees as a special sign of friendship, and she also thanked the Slovenian contingent for guarding the monastery.

Brnabic added that it is important that the talks between Serbia and Slovenia have begun about teaching Serbian in Slovene elementary schools, where there is enough interest.

Sarec announced that Slovenia will continue to support Serbia's European path, as it believes that our country belongs to the EU and that it has no other alternative.

He stressed that Slovenia takes the view that unproductive setbacks on this path do not contribute to stability, stressing that, in addition to the progress of the candidate country, there must also be a proactive approach to the EU.

According to Sarec, Slovenia will continue to offer the support and assistance of its experts in the negotiation process.

He pointed out that joint sessions of the governments of Serbia and Slovenia contribute to greater cohesion between the two countries, resolving issues and launching joint projects.

Serbia is the only country in the region with which Slovenia has such meetings, Sarec stressed, adding that at today's meeting exchanges were made and suggestions on how to improve cooperation, with particular emphasis on the economy.

Sarac cited the fact that Serbia is the second largest recipient of Slovenian investments, expressing satisfaction with the fact that Serbian investments in Slovenia are stronger.