Serbia, Qatar want to improve political, economic relations

DOHA - Serbia and Qatar have a strong interest in improving political relations and strengthening economic ties, Serbia's First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic said at the end of a visit to Doha on Monday.

Dacic spoke with Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani and Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah.

After the talks, Dacic said that the two countries had opened embassies and intended to exchange ambassadors, and all that to enhance contacts and improve overall relations.

Dacic said that Serbia's trade with Qatar amounted to only USD 3 million and that he would like to see it increase.

Serbia wants to offer projects that would be of interest to Qatar's funds, primarily in the areas of energy, mining, agriculture and infrastructure. The Qatari foreign minister said that investors from his country were interested in Serbia's mining potential, Dacic said.

The Serbian foreign minister pointed out that there were over one thousand Serbian citizens working in Qatar, most of who were highly educated young people, stressing that it was therefore vital that the two countries prepared bilateral agreements to help facilitate their employment and protection in that country.

Photo Tanjug/O. Stevanovic