Djuric: Serbians can travel to Panama without visas

PANAMA CITY - Serbian FM Marko Djuric announced on Wednesday Serbia and Panama had signed an agreement under which Serbians could travel to Panama without visas.

"We have just finished a ceremony of signing an agreement between the Republic of Serbia and Panama, and our citizens can travel to this Central American state without visas," Djuric told reporters in Panama City, adding that the agreement was also important for Serbia's ranking in the global passport index.

Djuric was in Panama City for the 31st regular meeting of the Association of Caribbean States and the 56th meeting of the Assembly of the Organisation of American States (OAS).

He said an agreement on cooperation between diplomatic academies had also been signed with Panama.

"To us, it is important to also win over geographically distant partners in the international community, both for the sake of our territorial integrity and sovereignty and matters of principle - because we are a country that is seeking partnerships with countries that support peaceful resolution of disputes, that support international law and that are open to pragmatic cooperation and that are, in general, also interested in taking part in EXPO 2027 Belgrade," Djuric said.

He noted that the Caribbean state of St Vincent and the Grenadines would be one of the EXPO 2027 participants and that he had held discussions with officials of the country's new government.

"It is a small state that does not recognise the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo-Metohija and that will take part in the EXPO. For us, there are no small and big states. We want to have as many friends as there are countries on this planet because, for a country such as Serbia, it is exceptionally important to create a comparative advantage from that type of relations," Djuric said.

He said the atmosphere in Central America and Latin America in general had made a strong impression on him during his visit to Panama.

"In spite of all the challenges this region is facing today, it seems that the atmosphere is more stable and better than the one on our continent. I think that should be both a warning and an alarm signal to us all and that, on our continent, in Europe, we must accelerate consolidation, mutual convergence and reconciliation because global competition and the pace of developments - also when it comes to international security, the economy and technologies - do not permit us to have the current situation on European soil," Djuric noted.

Hesitation when it comes to EU enlargement, as well as political tensions and an armed conflict in the east of the continent are putting Europe in a non-optimal situation when it comes to global competitiveness and the ongoing geopolitical competition, he said.

Djuric said he was satisfied with the results achieved by a Serbian delegation during the two-and-a-half-day visit to Panama, and added that the fight for Kosovo-Metohija and other national priorities would be continued around the globe.

He noted that, from Panama, he would travel to Brazil on the first official visit by a Serbian FM in more than 15 years.

Earlier in the day, Djuric also held separate meetings with Argentinian FM Pablo Quirno, OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin and Uruguayan FM Mario Lubetkin.

Djuric meets with St Vincent and Grenadines FM

PANAMA CITY - Serbian FM Marko Djuric met on Wednesday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment and Diaspora Affairs of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Dwight Fitzgerald Bramble, on the sidelines of the General Assembly of the Organisation of American States in Panama City.

"Minister Djuric noted that, in addition to enjoying good and friendly bilateral relations, Serbia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are united by their shared commitment to the principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. He also expressed his gratitude for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' support on Serbia's issues of highest national importance," the Serbian MFA said in a statement.

Djuric "emphasised Serbia's interest in intensifying political dialogue and facilitating high-level exchanges, extending an invitation to Minister Bramble to visit Serbia."

"Addressing bilateral cooperation, Minister Djuric pointed to the potential for strengthening ties in the field of education through Serbia's The World in Serbia scholarship programme for international students. He invited young people from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to apply to pursue their studies in Serbia.

Minister Djuric also welcomed the decision of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to participate in Expo 2027 Belgrade, emphasizing that Serbia would be pleased to host the delegation of this friendly country and provide an opportunity to showcase its potential at the forthcoming Specialised Exhibition. The two ministers also discussed enhancing cooperation within the regional organisations of Latin America and the Caribbean, with a view to further strengthening ties between Serbia and those geographically distant, yet friendly, countries," the MFA also said.