Opinions & Interviews

Tomislav Nikolic said he is impressed with Belarus’ progress and expressed hope for further development of bilateral economic ties. “The relations between our countries and our friendship with the President of Belarus are close enough to establish strong economic ties between Serbia and Belarus,” the Serbian leader stressed.

Tomislav Nikolic noted that the level of trade between the two countries is not very high, some $250 million per year. “We have agreed to step up the trade to $500 million per year,” the Serbian leader said and emphasized that the existing foundation for bilateral relations will help achieve this goal.

On 20 November, Tomislav Nikolic paid a visit to the tractor assembling unit at Minsk Tractor Works. He was accompanied by Belarus’ Industry Minister Vitaly Vovk and MTZ Acting Director General Vladimir Makarenko. The President got acquainted with an exposition of products by the enterprises of the Belarusian Industry Ministry, such as MAZ, MTZ, Amkodor, and Polesye.

Tomislav Nikolic got impressed with Belarus’ industrial achievements. When asked to give his opinion about the quality of the Belarusian vehicles, he cited a Serbian joke: “A Serbian farmer had been using a Belarus tractor for 50 years. When asked what he had changed in that tractor, the farmer replied: “Only the driver.”

The President of Serbia made an entry in the book of distinguished guests at MTZ.