Serbia, BSEC want to step up cooperation

BELGRADE - Serbia’s Deputy Prime Minister Zorana Mihaljlovic and Secretary General of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Victor Tvircun agreed Tuesday that there were opportunities to expand cooperation between Serbia and the organization in the areas of transportation and environmental protection, and also within the framework of the Danube Commission.

During the meeting with Tvircun at the Serbian government, Mihajlovic said that completing the works on Corridor 10 in 2016 was of great importance not only for the Serbian economy, but also for the economic connectivity and development of the region, the Ministry of Transportation, Construction and Infrastructure said in a release.

She said that Serbia stood ready to step up cooperation with BSEC, including possible joint projects with the organization's member states.

Tvircun informed Mihajlovic about the results of cooperation between Serbia and the BSEC to date and about organization plans for the future.

The meeting also touched on the possibility of cooperation with the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank and Serbia becoming a party to the BSEC Agreement on Collaboration in Emergency Assistance and Emergency Response to Natural and Man-made Disasters, and BSEC transport permit projects.

Serbia and Montenegro joined the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation in 2004. Following Montenegrin declaration of independence, Serbia has remained a member and chaired the BSEC twice.

Photo Tanjug, S. Radovanovic