Nikolic receives outgoing ambassadors of France, Hungary

BELGRADE - Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic held separate meetings on Tuesday with outgoing ambassadors of France and Hungary, Francois-Xavier Deniau and Oszkar Nikowitz, respectively.

President Nikolic thanked the French Ambassador for exceptional cooperation and stressed that nothing can undermine the deep and traditional friendship between the two nations, the president's press service released.

Our reliance on France is stronger than ever, said the president, adding that Serbia is grateful to France for its support during the May floods, and particularly to French President Francois Hollande for his personal efforts to organize a donor conference to raise funds for the flood-affected areas.

Economic ties need to be strengthened, Nikolic stressed, noting that serious efforts need to be directed towards establishing contacts with French investors.

Ambassador Deniau pointed to the two countries' joint commitment to raising political cooperation to the highest possible level. Serbia is the key country in the Balkans and we see it as a partner within the EU, the French ambassador underlined.

He specifically pointed to the improvement of relations in the region, which took place owing to President Nikolic's initiative. Deniau also expressed hope that the process of reconciliation in the region will continue, and pointed to the Serbian president's initiative to include Bosnia-Herzegovina in the donor conference on post-flood reconstruction as an expression of political wisdom.

The donor conference was a great success, said Deniau. The fact that French President Hollande attended the regional conference at Brdo pri Kranju is no accident and demonstrates the country's initiative to return to the...