Djuric: Visit to Switzerland substantial, lends new impetus to our relations

BERN - Serbian FM Marko Djuric said on Monday his visit to Switzerland was a substantial one, lending a new impetus to development of relations with that country.

Noting that Switzerland was a leader in a range of technologies, Djuric said the country had many things that could help the development of the Serbian economy.

He also said Switzerland was a country with a very delicate, balancing role in global politics.

"Like Serbia, Switzerland is a militarily neutral country and, as such - as an independent country that wants to contribute to security and peace in our continent - Switzerland, together with us, is thinking about how it can help to stop and resolve all these wars," Djuric said.

He added that, in view of Switzerland's upcoming OSCE chairmanship next year, he believed that "we can do much together."

"Switzerland is a very significant partner for EXPO 2027 as the first country to confirm its participation in the expo. They look forward to coming to the EXPO and they praise the fact 154 countries were in attendance in Belgrade last week. I heard many people who were impressed with the way Serbia is preparing the EXPO," Djuric also said.

He noted that Serbia's newly-appointed ambassador to Switzerland Ivan Trifunovic had the important task of strengthening the organisation and activities of Serbs in Switzerland within that country, as well as their ties with the mother country.

He said a Serbian delegation visiting Switzerland had been given a cordial and highly respectful welcome, and added that Switzerland could contribute to normalisation of relations and stabilisation even when it comes to issues where the two countries had differing views, such as the status of Kosovo-Metohija.

"That is why expectations after this visit are really high," Djuric said.

He said intensive work in the economy would be continued and that all processes of cooperation could be expected to accelerate.