Djuric: Serbia, Ghana advocate values of UN Charter, economic development

ACCRA - Serbian FM Marko Djuric said on Thursday in Accra Serbia and Ghana were countries advocating the values of the UN Charter and an international order based on rules and respect for the sovereign equality of nations, as well as on a peaceful orientation towards economic development.

At a press conference with Ghanaian FM Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Djuric said the foundations of Serbia-Ghana ties had been laid by Josip Broz Tito and Kwame Nkrumah and that the relationship was continuing to develop through a bold vision shared by Presidents Aleksandar Vucic and John Dramani Mahama.

He said the discussion with Ablakwa had addressed the moves the Ghanaian government was making to boost the country's economic growth and development.

He said he believed both Serbia and Ghana were countries of the future.

He noted that Serbia had more than doubled its GDP following tough austerity and economic measures, and that it had succeeded in lowering its jobless rate from almost 20 pct to 7 pct while also reducing its external debt from 79 pct to under 50 pct of GDP.

He said companies from Serbia and other parts of the Western Balkan region had the potential to connect with Ghanaian businesses and the country's economy.

Djuric noted that Belgrade saw Ghana as a key regional ally and partner with which it had a historical friendship, but also as a country oriented towards contemporary and future cooperation.

"That is why we had such good discussions about economic cooperation," he said.