Czech firms welcome to Serbia

PRAGUE - Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said in Prague on Friday that full EU membership is Serbia's strategic goal, and noted that along that path Serbia wants to revive its economy, and that Czech companies are welcome to assist Serbia in the process.

At the start of his visit to Prague, Vucic met his Czech counterpart Bohuslav Sobotka, with whom he discussed the bilateral relations, further political dialogue, support that the Czech Republic is offering to Serbia along the road to the EU and strengthening of economic cooperation.

The prime minister thanked for assistance that the Czech government gave to Serbia during the devastating floods, and underscored that he expects Sobotka's visit to Belgrade and that he will take part in the summit of prime ministers that will be held in the Serbian capital in December.

The Czech Republic considers Serbia a friendly country and this is a good opportunity to make a step forward in our relations, Prime Minister Sobotka underlined, confirming that he will take part in the Chinese investment summit in Belgrade in December.

To that gathering, the Czech Republic will also send economic representatives who will together with Serbian colleagues talk about economic cooperation and the organization of a Serbia-Czech business forum.

Vucic noted that the trade between the two countries increased by 32 percent in 2013, while in 2014 it has grown by 10.8 percent which amounts to EUR 620 -630 million.

The Serbian prime minister hopes that in the years ahead the trade will reach EUR 1 billion.

The talks also addressed greater engagement of Czech companies in the infrastructure projects in Serbia, such as works on the upgrade of the Nis-Dimitrovgrad...