Wadephul: Serbia and Germany are connected, Serbia a part of European family

BELGRADE - German FM Johann Wadephul said on Tuesday in Belgrade Serbia and Germany were connected and that Serbia was a part of the European family.

Wadephul was speaking to reporters after a meeting with Serbian FM Marko Djuric.

"For a long time now, Germany and Serbia have been closely connected, economically as well as through numerous inter-personal contacts. Many German companies are operating successfully in Serbia and Germany is Serbia's most significant trading partner. A large number of people who have Serbian roots have found a home in Germany. These ties are of inestimable value. Serbia is a part of our European family and needs to have the possibility of participating in the EU community of values," Wadephul said.

Thanking Djuric for the hospitality, Wadephul said their discussion had been interesting and constructive.

Wadephul, who began a tour of the Western Balkans on Sunday, arrived in Belgrade on Monday and met with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

In a statement, the German embassy in Belgrade announced his visit to the region would focus on progress and challenges in the EU accession process, confirming Germany's role as a country that was closely watching the region on its path to the EU, including through the Berlin Process.