Djuric, Gakosso sign MoU on political consultations

BELGRADE - Serbian FM Marko Djuric and the Republic of Congo's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francophonie and Congolese Abroad, Jean Claude Gakosso, signed on Tuesday in Belgrade a MoU on political consultations and an agreement on abolishing visas for holders of diplomatic and official passports.

The two ministers met at the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then signed the documents.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Djuric said Gakosso's visit to Belgrade was historic and that Serbia was happy to be developing the relations with the Republic of Congo.

He said political relations between the two countries had been established "long before our time" and that the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries had been marked last year.

He noted that, for years, the Republic of Congo had been demonstrating a consistent and principled position on the issue of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo-Metohija, and thanked Gakosso for the committed support on the most important issue for the Serbs.

Djuric said they had discussed ways to advance cooperation and agreed to establish regular political consultations, as well as to bolster economic cooperation.

He invited Congolese students to join the World in Serbia university scholarship programme.

He noted that Serbia was seeking friendships beyond its region.

Djuric said he had invited Congo to take part in the EXPO 2027 in Belgrade and noted that Serbia believed the event would transform the image of Belgrade and the entire country.

Gakosso said that, geographically and demographically, Congo and Serbia were very similar nations and that Congo had fertile land and sufficient quantities of oil and natural gas.

He also said he was familiar with the situation in Serbia when it comes to the Kosovo-Metohija issue, and especially noted that Congo would continue to support Serbia's territorial integrity.

"We will always be supporting Serbia in its efforts to preserve its territorial integrity," Gakosso said.