Parmelin: Serbia is Switzerland's top trade partner in Balkans

BELGRADE - President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin, who is on a two-day official visit to Serbia, said on Tuesday the two countries were successfully strengthening their bilateral ties and noted that Serbia was Switzerland's top trade partner in the Balkans.

At a press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at the Palace of Serbia, Parmelin said he was pleased to be in Belgrade and that the Serbian diaspora in Switzerland was very important for the ties between the two countries.

"I can say that our countries maintain bilateral relations, but in difficult times, during WWI, we transformed our relations into a firm, good friendship. As far as the Serbian diaspora is concerned, knowing how large it is, we believe that it is very important for the ties that exist between our two countries," Parmelin said.

He noted that the two countries were celebrating an anniversary of their bilateral relations, as well as strengthening their cooperation and exchange.

"This afternoon, we will discuss a cooperation programme for 2026-2029, democracy, sustainable urban development, environmental changes, and we will definitely also contribute to inclusive changes and Serbia's accession to the EU," Parmelin said.