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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia give support for Serbian government's policy

Belgrade, 17 March 2004

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Miroljub Labus described his meetings with officials from Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovenia as top level talks which reflect the two countries' respect for Serbia and their support for the Serbian government's new policy.

Miroljub Labus (PHOTO: FoNet)

Upon return from official visits to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovenia, Labus told a press conference today that top officials from the two countries have welcomed the setting-up of the Serbian government and gave their support for the government's policy which aims to resume economic and institutional reforms and help secure stability in the region.

Regional cooperation is among the government's priorities, said Labus, adding that the government will seek to further strengthen political, economic and financial ties with its neighbours and other countries in the region.

A free trade agreement between Serbia-Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina will remain in force, the Deputy Prime Minister went on to say, noting that the two countries will make joint efforts to abolish both customs and non-tariff obstacles as part of efforts to facilitate trade.

Talks with officials from Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovenia also focused on investment, said Labus, stressing that Serbia cannot raise its trade volume or improve the balance of payments unless it expands its product portfolio and makes its economy competitive. Both countries have expressed interest in working with Serbian investors and local retail chains, he added.

The Deputy Prime Minister also called on businessmen and the media to team up with the government to launch a new cycle of investment as part of attempts to open more jobs and increase trade volume.

Serbia's investment account for between 15 percent and 17 percent of GDP, compared with some 30 percent in Slovenia, Labus noted.

The Serbian government also promised to provide equal road toll fees and hotel accommodation prices for all citizens of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Labus said. Bosnia-Herzegovina citizens can enter Serbia-Montenegro with their IDs only, he said, but noted that citizens of Republika Srpska pay the same road toll fees and hotel accommodation prices as the local population, while residents of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Federation are charged fees for foreigners.

Preparations are underway to implement an agreement on social insurance between Serbia-Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina, which took effect on Jan 1, said Labus, adding that relevant commissions of the two countries will meet in Belgrade on March 18 and 19 to sign a protocol on the agreement's implementation.

The Deputy Prime Minister also said that the state council of Serbia-Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina will meet in Belgrade in May to adopt additional measures to bolster ties between the two countries and improve joint access to other markets.