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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbia, France reaffirm strategic partnership

Belgrade/Paris, 8 April 2011

Serbian President Boris Tadic and French President Nicolas Sarkozy signed in Paris a political declaration reaffirming the two country’s friendly relations, which is also meant to support Serbia's EU integration. The two presidents also attended the signing of a strategic partnership agreement of France and Serbia.

Nicolas Sarkozy, left , and Boris Tadic

Author: Fonet

The declaration confirms the commitment to promote Serbian-French relations through the implementation of the Agreement on strategic partnership and cooperation between the governments of Serbia and France.

In the presence of Sarkozy and Tadic, the Agreement on strategic partnership was signed by Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic and French Minister for European Affairs Laurent Wauquiez.

The declaration recognises the importance of the forthcoming membership of Serbia in the EU and the need for Serbia to better prepare for the membership.

The role of young people from both countries in this process is especially emphasised, as well as mutual understanding of cultures and languages, and the deepening of economic, industrial, financial and trade relations between Serbia and France.

Tadic and Sarkozy indicated in the declaration the importance of cooperation between the administration of the two countries to work on full involvement of Serbia in the EU institutions.

They particularly highligted the importance of defence and interior affairs cooperation, and hailed the defence cooperation agreement signed yesterday.

Tadic said that French President Sarkozy expressed his clear support to Serbia's membership in the EU and stressed the great importance of the agreement that was signed today.

After talks with Sarkozy, the President said that this visit will be a turning point in bilateral relations between Serbia and France, but will also give a new dimension in the process of Serbia's EU membership.

This strategic partnership includes obligations to be to met in the process of EU integration, modernisation of administration, cooperation in the defence and training of Serbian officers, said Tadic.

This partnership also includes cooperation in infrastructure, he added, noting that concrete modalities for financing projects are to be found, which includes the construction of the Belgrade tube.

Tadic recalled an eternal expression of how the Serbs and the French are close seen in the Monument of Gratitude to France at Kalemegdan Park in Belgrade.

Serbia is aware of its obligations and the need to reform its legal system and judiciary, adopt a set of laws set forth in the Action plan during the summer, and complete cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), said Tadic.

After that, we expect clear support of France for Serbia's candidacy and the beginning of negotiations, he said.

Tadic pointed out that this was the first official bilateral visit of a Serbian President to France after 100 years, noting that Serbian king Peter I Karadjordjevic was the last to visit France, after which relations of France were kept with Yugoslavia.

This was an opportunity to restore the traditional old friendship and alliance between Serbia and France, concluded the President.

Tadic met yesterday in Paris with French government officials – Prime Minister Francois Fillon, French National Assembly Chair Bernard Accoyer and Senate President Gérard Larcher.

The Serbian delegation, headed by President Tadic, also comprises Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic, Minister of Defence Dragan Sutanovac and Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic.