All red-tape obstructing Slovenia's trade with Serbia should be torn down, Economics Minister Andrej Vizjak told Serbian Minister for International Economic Relations Milan Parivodic as he launched a two-day visit to Belgrade on Monday. Vizjak called for the promotion of economic ties.
Vizjak launched his visit at the International Economic Relations Ministry, where he met his host Parivodic. The minister is also scheduled to meet other high state officials in order to seek additional initiatives for strengthening business ties.
The countries expect to continue increasing and balancing bilateral trade. Slovenian investment in Serbia and Slovenian support for Serbia-Montenegro's bid to join the EU are expected to be centrepiece of future cooperation.
According to Vizjak, Serbia-Montenegro's accession to the EU and international organisations was a key to stability in the country.
Parivodic pointed out the value of bilateral trade reached US$ 500m last year. Moreover, the structure of trade has been substantially balanced over the course of this year. The Serbian deficit in trade with Slovenia was about 60% last year, falling to 15% this year, with Serbian imports to Slovenia up 52.8% in the first two quarters.
Slovenian businesses are among the most active investors in Serbia, channeling EUR 500m into the country since October 2000. This year, Slovenian investment in Serbia amounted to EUR 150m, Parivodic said.
Vizjak also met Serbian Mining and Energy Minister Radomir Nauman and is scheduled to meet Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Miroljub Labus later on. He will also attend the traditional meeting of the Slovenian Business Club in Belgrade.
On Tuesday, Vizjak is to hold talks with Serbian Trade Minister Bojan Dimitrijevic and Serbian Economics Minister Predrag Bubala. He is to conclude his visit by meeting Predrag Ivanovic, the International Economic Relations Minister of Serbia-Montenegro.
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