01.08.2016.

Strengthening of cooperation with China

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic and Minister of Defence Zoran Djordjevic talked with the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China Li Manchang about the further enhancement of cooperation between the two friendly countries.

During the meeting they highlighted the importance of the initiative of the Government of the Republic of Serbia aimed at strengthening of the relations between the two countries and a high level of understanding and mutual support on a number of issues of vital interest for Serbia and China, as well as cooperation in various international forums. They talked also about the current situation at the international stage, including regional developments, with a focus on security issues and migration flows.

The Ambassador of the People's Republic of China underscored that his country considered Serbia an important partner in the south-western Balkans region, expressing the hope that mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation be additionally bolstered. China appreciates Serbia's principled position on the issue of Tibet and Taiwan, while it upholds a clear and consistent stance on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, advocating the respect of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Serbia.

Minister Dacic emphasized that Serbia appreciated the People's Republic of China's support of its aspiration to preserve its own territorial integrity and to find a peaceful solution to the problem of Kosovo and Metohija. At the same time, as he stressed, China is one of the most reliable strategic partners of the Republic of Serbia.

Minister Djordjevic flagged up the importance of the Agreement on Defence Industry Cooperation between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia and the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence of the People's Republic of China. That opened a window of opportunities for finding adequate modalities of cooperation in the research, development and production of arms and military equipment, as well as the path to possible Chinese investments in our research and production capacities. Therefore, the establishment of new joint companies seems highly realistic, all in line with the selected areas and specific cooperation projects.

Both sides agreed that the visit by President Xi Jinping, with 22 signed intergovernmental agreements, gave an additional impetus to the intensification of the overall bilateral cooperation. Therefore, there are special expectations with regard to economic cooperation with China, so they expressed satisfaction with the large infrastructural projects in Serbia, in which the Chinese companies are involved.