First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic stated that the decision on proposing China to waive visa requirements for citizens of the two countries was made at the meeting of the Government.
In a press conference following the Government’s meeting, also attended by Ambassador of China to Serbia Li Manchang, Minister Dacic assessed that this was a day of historic importance for the two countries.
“Should the Government of China accept Serbia’s proposal, citizens of the two countries will not need visas for a stay not exceeding 30 days, and the decision might come into force by the end of the year”, Minister Dacic highlighted.
According to the Minister’s assessment, that would have a very positive impact on the development of cooperation in all areas – from politics, economy, culture, to science and tourism.
The Serbian Foreign Minister pointed to the fact that the proposed agreement on mutual visa exemption reflected friendship towards China and mutual trust built so far, along with the Strategic Partnership Agreement, the visit of China’s President to Serbia and the activities within the initiative on cooperation between China and 16 countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEEC).
Minister Dacic announced that China and 16 CEE countries’ Summit would be held in Riga, between 5 and 6 November, where a number of important agreements are expected to be signed, while the Serbian delegation will be led by Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic.
As the Minister recalled, Serbia has entered into such agreements with 63 countries, and it is our aim to secure a visa-free travel with as many countries as possible.
Ambassador Manchang underscored that Serbia was the first country in Europe with which China stood ready to sign a visa exemption agreement, which proved that the two peoples fostered mutual respect and trust.
The Ambassador added that, once the agreement came into force, more Chinese tourists and investors would come to Serbia, and that more Serbs would be able to travel to China.
Following the decision, the Governments of Serbia and PR China would soon launch the procedure, the Ambassador stated, expressing his belief that his country would soon make the same decisions.