Swiss President: Belgrade and Bern Have Strong, Friendly Relations

(BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC)

Swiss President Guy Parmelin in Belgrade on April 28 said that Bern and Serbia had maintained strong and friendly relations, adding that stability and prosperity of the Western Balkans were Switzerland’s foreign policy priorities. 

After meeting his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic, Parmelin told a news conference that Serbia was Switzerland’s main trade partner in the Western Balkans, noting that Bern had invested EUR3 billion in the region. 

“As for stability and prosperity in the Western Balkans, these are priorities of Switzerland’s foreign policy. We have invested more than EUR3 billion in this region as part of international cooperation, and the countries in the region have made significant progress in terms of security and introduction or strengthening of democratic institutions. Of course, there are always some challenges, but we are here to favor dialogue, to help establish trust and continue progress,” he said.

Parmelin proposed establishing a bilateral dialogue on human rights between Serbia and Switzerland, adding that Bern also had such dialogues with other countries and that it would mean open discussions about all problems in order to find effective solutions.

President Vucic said he was open to any form of cooperation on this matter.

“I said that we were always ready to listen to people who, in a professional and impartial manner, want to discuss how to improve and make life better for everyone who is different, from political to national minorities,” Vucic told the news conference.

This was the first visit to Serbia of a Swiss president in 18 years, which also marks the 110th anniversary of establishing bilateral relations.