Serbian Prime Minister Brnabić attends working meeting with President Maurer
Bern, 03.09.2019 - On Tuesday, 3 September, President Ueli Maurer received Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić at the Bernerhof for a working visit on the fringes of Swiss Digital Day. Discussions covered bilateral issues such as business and digital transformation, Serbia’s relations with the European Union, and the situation in the Western Balkans.
President Maurer and Prime Minister Brnabić commended the close bilateral ties between Switzerland and Serbia in areas such as economic cooperation and cooperation within the constituency of the Bretton Woods institution. Switzerland has supported the transition process in Serbia since 2001. Furthermore, the sizeable Serbian community in Switzerland (around 62,000 people) helps to ensure there are intensive exchanges between the two countries. Prime Minister Brnabić thanked Switzerland for its support, which is greatly appreciated in Serbia.
Mr Maurer stressed the opportunities in terms of economic relations, and expressed Switzerland’s willingness to continue its support for structural reforms of Serbia’s administration. Discussions also touched on possibilities for closer cooperation in the field of digital transformation. In addition, Switzerland is involved in efforts to strengthen civil society in Serbia.
A further key topic of discussion was Serbia’s relations with the European Union. Mr Maurer stressed that in Switzerland’s view, the prospect of EU membership for Western Balkan states such as Serbia contributes to regional stability, especially as EU membership is accompanied by reforms regarding the rule of law. Furthermore, President Maurer and Prime Minister Brnabić discussed possible ways and means of giving fresh impetus to the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo with the aim of normalising relations between the two states.
Switzerland is supporting Serbia on the path towards regional and European integration, and in that regard promotes efficient democratic institutions and processes, as well as sustainable economic growth. President Maurer and Prime Minister Brnabić agreed to continue the dialogue on cooperation in the field of digital transformation.
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