Vucic: Serbia to boost presence in Africa

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced on Thursday Serbia would boost its presence on the African continent and noted that it now had only 14 embassies there and that 12 were functional.

"We will have to change the entire strategy and become incomparably more present on the African continent," Vucic said at a press conference with Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, who is on an official visit to Serbia.

It is unbelievable how quickly and easily Serbia gave up on Africa in the past - we could have had much greater influence there, Vucic said.

"So, we will renew our policy and adopt a different approach, and I believe we will have much greater presence."

He announced that, in addition to Ghana and Nigeria, Serbia would open an embassy in Guinea-Bissau as well "in order to have a third embassy in the region, in view of President Embalo's reputation and his desire to help our country."

He said they had exchanged views on the geopolitical situation and the situation in Ukraine and that their positions had much in common, including regarding the issue of sanctions.

Vucic added that he had accepted an invitation to visit Guinea-Bissau in October or November.