Popovic: Level of Serbia-Belarus political relations exceptionally high

MINSK - Serbia-Belarus political relations are on an exceptionally high, friendly level, Serbian Minister without portfolio in charge of international economic cooperation Nenad Popovic said on Tuesday in Minsk, where a Serbia-Belarus intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation held its 13th session earlier in the day.

"After seven years, a Serbian delegation is back in Minsk, where we discussed the advancement of overall relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Belarus. Our political relations are on an exceptionally high and friendly level, however, economic relations are still not on par with that level of development. Our joint objective to significantly boost economic cooperation over the next five years and increase the total goods exchange," Popovic said in an official statement.

He noted that bilateral relations were characterised by mutual respect, understanding and support, and added that Belarus was a firm and consistent supporter of Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

"Especially when it comes to our southern province of Kosovo-Metohija, for which we are sincerely grateful. Also, Belarus voted against the adoption of a Srebrenica resolution in May 2024. The true friendship between Belarusians and Serbs always makes us feel at home here," Popovic added.

He said the two countries were connected by decades-long close and fraternal relations and noted that the people of Belarus had stood with the Serbs in the most difficult moments in Serbia's history.

"The Serbs remember the courageous and noble gesture of President Alexander Lukashenko, who was the only head of state to personally visit Belgrade in the toughest moments of the NATO aggression and provide support and humanitarian aid to our country," Popovic said.

After a plenary session of the commission, co-chairs Popovic and Belarusian Minister of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade Artur Karpovich signed a Protocol on agreed activities and memoranda of understanding on cooperation in attracting investments and on standardisation.