Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 4 August (BelTA) - Serbia will implement persistently the arrangements with Belarus in all areas, which have been reached at the highest level, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Serbia to Belarus Veljko Kovacevic told BelTA.

The diplomat underlined the interest of the Serbian side in the development of comprehensive ties with Belarus. In his view, highest-level meetings give a great impetus to the bilateral contacts as these meetings adopt the agreements important for both parties. “The Serbian Embassy in Belarus is working on their implementation. This is primarily trade and economic cooperation, which is the basis of political relations,” Ambassador Veljko Kovacevic noted.

The diplomat said that Belarus and Serbia regularly exchange visits at all levels. This exchange was particularly active this year. For example, this year Minsk hosted current Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic (while he was head of government), former Serbia President Tomislav Nikolic, heads of ministries and departments. In April Belgrade was the venue of the 10th meeting of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation which considered the intensification of bilateral relations.

The goal to raise the Belarusian-Serbian trade up to $500 million is important and the two sides are currently working on this, the diplomat said.

Ambassador Veljko Kovacevic commended Belarus as a peaceful venue for resolving regional problems. He stressed that Serbia, in turn, has been consistently building the shared future in Europe, promoting peaceful regional cooperation and good neighborly relations based on respect for shared European values, including the protection of the interests of national minorities. The Ambassador drew attention to the fact that the Serbian people have suffered many hardships and therefore appreciate the peace and good-neighborly relations.

Ambassador Veljko Kovacevic also said: “On 4 August the Serbian Embassy in Minsk held an event to commemorate the victims of the military operation Oluja (Storm) in 1995 which Serbia marks on 5 August.”

“Peace is the highest value that needs to be protected. Belarus and Serbia make a great contribution to peace and stability,” the diplomat said.