Swiss president to begin two-day visit to Serbia Tuesday

BELGRADE - President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin will begin a two-day visit to Serbia on Tuesday.

He will be hosted by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

The two presidents will attend the signing of a contract on a Swiss-Serbian innovation programme, the Presidency of Serbia has announced in a statement.

Outside the Palace of Serbia, Parmelin will be welcomed with military honours at a ceremony scheduled for 10 am.

Vucic and Parmelin will meet for a tete-a-tete discussion at 10.15 am and a plenary meeting between Serbian and Swiss delegations is scheduled for 10.45 am.

The contract will be signed at a ceremony slated for 11.25 am, with Vucic and Parmelin to hold a press conference at 11.30 am.

The Swiss federal authorities have announced that the 110th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries would be marked during Parmelin's visit.

They said Parmelin would also speak with Serbian PM Djuro Macut, visit a science and technology park supported by Switzerland and meet with business leaders from both countries.