Serbian Minister: Belgrade Committed To Strategic Partnership with Rabat

“There are several similarities between Serbia and Morocco (…). The two countries are engaged on the path of development with a clear vision for the future”, affirmed Selakovic in an interview with M24, the 24/7 news channel of Moroccan News Agency (MAP).

It is high time to raise the bar for the Moroccan-Serbian relations by capitalizing on the excellent political ties between the two countries, noted the Serbian foreign minister, who is on a working visit to Morocco, his first to an Arab and African country since he took office.

For him, it is also a matter of giving a more concrete substance to economic cooperation, particularly in the sectors of trade, agriculture, culture, education and scientific research.

Selakovic recalled in this context the signing, on Tuesday in Rabat, of three partnership agreements in various fields, which will promote the sharing of know-how and expertise.

The signature of these agreements is part of the positive dynamic experienced by the Moroccan-Serbian relations in recent years at the political, economic and cultural levels.

For the Serbian minister, these agreements are intended as a contribution to the efforts made by the two states with a view to establishing a strategic partnership.

Stressing the commitment of the two countries in favor of the preservation of peace and stability in their respective regions, as well as their attachment to promoting economic cooperation to resolve political issues, Selakovic noted that Belgrade and Rabat must use the free trade agreements which bind them to other countries and groupings in order to strengthen their economic cooperation.

“Serbia and Morocco have special trade relations with various countries. We must benefit from these relations”, he said, recalling that Morocco is linked by agreements in particular with West African countries and the United States, while Serbia has close economic relations with the countries of the Balkans and within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union.

Morocco can count on Serbian companies to explore new markets and vice versa, said the minister, noting that for Serbia, the Kingdom is a gateway to Africa while his country represents a link with central Europe and other parts of the world.

He also said that Morocco is “one of the pillars of the international community which supports Serbia in its territorial integrity and national sovereignty”, noting that the two countries are also linked by history and by distinguished diplomatic relations.

Regarding the meetings he had with several Moroccan officials in Rabat, Selakovic said that it was an opportunity to discuss the future of “our excellent political relations”, that should have repercussions on economic cooperation.

Referring to the 3rd session of the Joint Committee for Commercial, Economic and Scientific Cooperation, scheduled this year in Belgrade (June 23 and 24), he called for the establishment of a business forum in order to promote a synergy between the private sectors of both countries.