Printer Friendly Version Minister of State for External Affairs of India Preneet Kaur ‘s visit to Serbia, 18-21 November 2013 @ 24 February 2014 10:30 AM

Minister of State for External Affairs of India Preneet Kaur paid an official visit to the Republic of Serbia from 18 to 21 November 2013. During the visit she had meetings with the highest state leadership and she also visited the IT Park in Indjija, currently the biggest Indian investment project in Serbia.
During meetings with the President Tomislav Nikolić, Prime Minister Ivica Dačić, First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivan Mrkić, a high degree of friendship and cooperation between two countries has been confirmed. It was noted that the two countries are bound by traditional friendship spanning over several decades and a high degree of mutual understanding. The need for cooperation in promotion of the economic cooperation was stressed and Indian business community has been invited to invest in our country. State Minister Preneet Kaur called for the organization of an investment conference as the best way to connect business people. The opportunities to improve overall cooperation between two countries were discussed, especially in the fields of economy, culture and education, pointing out the need to further strengthen bilateral cooperation through contracts. Serbian officials expressed gratitude for India’s support to Serbia in protecting its territorial integrity and sovereignty, especially regarding India’s firm position in non-recognizing the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo, which was once again confirmed on this occasion by State Minister Kaur. She reiterated India’s commitment to continue extending principled support to Serbia regarding Kosovo issue, as well as in the field of European integration. State Minister Kaur said that several decades long traditionally friendly relations of India and Serbia represent an excellent framework for further deepening of bilateral cooperation in all areas: politics, economy, science, defence, technology, agriculture, education, tourism, culture etc. She expressed India’s belief that Serbia has an important role in the matter of stability of the Balkans and Europe.
During the visit, two important bilateral documents were signed in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivan Mrkić and the State Minister Preneet Kaur – Protocol on bilateral negotiations on Serbia’s accession to the World Trade Organization and Agreement on leasing a building to serve as residence of the Indian ambassador in Belgrade.
Minister Mrkić and State Minister Kaur visited IT Park in Indjija, where the first construction phase of the project of this modern technologies centre has just been finished. On that occassion, Minister Mrkić pointed out that Serbia highly appreciates all activities of Indian companies in the construction of this IT Park, and expressed hope that Indian investments in Serbia will further increase in near future.