Vucic: All important topics discussed with Parmelin, we expect new Swiss investments

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday his meeting with President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin had addressed all important political and economic issues and strategic plans, and noted that Switzerland was one of the top investors in Serbia with investments worth around 3 bln euros and that new Swiss investments could be expected.

"Today, we signed an (agreement on an) innovation programme with one of the most successful countries in innovation, high technologies and artificial intelligence, and that means much to us," Vucic said at a press conference with Parmelin at the Palace of Serbia.

Vucic said he was very happy to be able to host a Swiss president in Serbia after 18 years, in a year that marked the 110th anniversary of the establishment of Serbia-Switzerland diplomatic ties.

"In the past 12 years, we have advanced our cooperation dramatically, our trade exchange has quadrupled and the level of our services exchange has risen by nearly ten times. The services exchange is at 1.62 bln euros and the trade exchange is at 1.1 bln. That speaks of the very important and close cooperation between our countries," Vucic said.

He noted that Switzerland was one of the top foreign investors in Serbia, with investments totalling around 3 bln euros.

"I believe that, in addition to investments by companies such as Nestle, Novartis, Regent, Rosche and many others you are already quite familiar with, we can also expect new Swiss investments. For us, it is also important to talk about the large number of Serbs - about 130,000 people - who are living in Switzerland in all cantons and are a bridge between our peoples and our countries," Vucic said.

Commenting on the programme signed with Switzerland, Vucic said he believed Serbia would be able to learn much from the Swiss.

"Also because of the extremely large number of talented young people we have - which is also evident from services exports from the Republic of Serbia - I believe that both sides will be able to benefit enormously from that cooperation," Vucic said.