First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic talked today to Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif, who is paying an official visit to Serbia.
“Serbia’s relations with Iran have been traditionally friendly. We want to deepen the relations to the greatest possible extent and to develop an all-round cooperation. We are looking forward to top-level visits and this is an extraordinary opportunity to encourage our future cooperation”, Minister Dacic said after the meeting.
Minister Dacic thanked Minister Zarif for Iran’s principled position concerning the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, stating that Iran could count on Serbia’s friendship and support in international organizations.
The Minister expressed his satisfaction with the fact that the Iranian Minister had come to Serbia accompanied by many entrepreneurs, adding that it was possible to bolster economic cooperation.
The Serbian Foreign Minister also stressed that around 6,000 Iranians visited Serbia between September 2017 and February 2018, expressing his expectation that the figure would multiply starting from March 2018, as direct flights between Belgrade and Tehran are to be established.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mohammad Javad Zarif flagged up that the two countries could boost cooperation in the areas of agriculture, construction, energy, health, tourist and defence industries. The Minister maintained that dialogue and respect of international law were the only way to resolve the problem of Kosovo.
Minister Zarif added that he would extend the Iranian President’s invitation for a visit to President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic.
“We hope to keep up the good relations development trend”, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran said, adding that the Iranian tourists had seen for themselves the cordiality and hospitality of the Serbian people since the mutual abolition of visas.