Dacic receives new Portuguese ambassador

BELGRADE - Serbian First Deputy PM and FM Ivica Dacic received a courtesy visit from Portugal's newly-appointed ambassador to Serbia, Jose Rui Baptista Borges Velez Caroco, on Wednesday.

In an open and cordial discussion, the parties agreed that bilateral relations were good and friendly and that there was space and mutual readiness to advance them further as well as to step up bilateral political dialogue at all levels.

Dacic thanked Portugal for its continued support for Serbia's European integration and noted the importance of understanding the position of Serbia in the process, especially when it comes to the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The parties agreed there were numerous opportunities to further strengthen all forms of cooperation of significance to both sides, in particular, in the economy, tourism, the renewable energy sector, education and cultural cooperation.

Noting that Lisbon hosted a World Expo in 1998, Velez Caroco conveyed Portugal's readiness to share its experiences with Belgrade and said Portuguese companies were interested in building the infrastructure required to host the event.