Vucic After Meeting With Pellegrini: Continued Cooperation With Slovakia Agreed in the Fields of Defense and Energy

Vucic also stated that the continuation of military-technical cooperation and cooperation in the field of energy with Slovakia was agreed.

"Today, while discussing various topics, we agreed on how to continue military-technical cooperation and cooperation between our defense industries. Slovakia is very strong in this area. Serbia is not weak. I am always cautious when it comes to praising our own achievements, but I believe we truly have good results in this field. We agreed on the ways and modalities of cooperation", Vucic said at a joint press conference with Pellegrini, who is on an official two-day visit to Serbia.

Foto: Tanjug/Amir Hamzagić

Vucic also said that they discussed cooperation in the field of energy, including the engagement of several Slovak companies in Serbia, particularly in renewable energy sources.

"But we especially talked about how to learn a great deal from Slovakia and how to educate people. Apart from experts at the Vinca Institute, we do not have enough sufficiently trained personnel for the application of nuclear energy in our country, which certainly lies in the future, because without it we will not have sufficient electricity supply", Vucic emphasized.

"Two Close Nations"

At the beginning of his address, Vucic stressed that there was no need to explain how much Serbian citizens value Slovakia and how close the Serbian and Slovak peoples are.

"In Serbia we perceive Slovaks as sisters and brothers, and that is how we have treated them and will always treat them. Today we have held talks, which we will continue this evening at another venue, and tomorrow we will spend the entire day discussing all important aspects of our relations and cooperation. We will also discuss our bilateral relations, further development of economic ties, concrete topics, and the status of the Slovak minority in Serbia, and see how we can do even more good things", Vucic said.

Serbia’s European Path

He added that they also discussed Serbia’s European path and emphasized his gratitude to Slovakia for respecting the territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia, as well as international public law and the United Nations Charter.

Vucic said that Slovakia can always rely on the same respect from Serbia.

Foto: Tanjug/Amir Hamzagić

Speaking about cooperation in the field of energy, Vucic noted that he had learned a great deal from President Pellegrini.

"How things function in Slovakia, what problems they faced in the past, and how today they rely on nuclear power to obtain the cheapest and cleanest electricity. If electricity from nuclear power plants costs, for example, 35 euros to 40 euros per megawatt-hour, that is an incredible difference compared to our situation, where prices can reach €110, €120, or even €130 on certain days", Vucic said.

Pellegrini: Slovakia Ready to Build Nuclear Power Plants in Serbia

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini stated that Slovakia is ready to build a nuclear power plant in Serbia and added that everything Slovakia possesses in the field of nuclear energy, such as knowledge and machinery, is available to Serbia.

Pellegrini emphasized that Slovakia is an expert in nuclear energy, with teams that build nuclear power plants as well as machinery used to manage nuclear waste.

"This type of energy offers advantages. It is a cheap source of energy, that is, electricity, regardless of whether the wind is blowing or the sun is shining, because nuclear energy is produced 24 hours a day and can support modern technologies and artificial intelligence", Pellegrini said.

The Slovak president noted that Serbia and Slovakia have friendly and very good relations that are not burdened by unresolved issues.

"Relations Based on Respect and Trust"

At the joint press conference, Pellegrini thanked Serbia for its hospitality and assessed that relations between the two countries are based on respect and trust. He also thanked President Vucic for the support provided to the Slovak minority living in Serbia.

"I am very pleased that the president publicly declared his support for all projects and their implementation, and that the Republic of Serbia will assume some of the costs that these communities and towns are unable to cover. For this reason, all citizens of Slovakia, as well as Slovaks living in Serbia, are very grateful", Pellegrini said.

Foto: Tanjug/Amir Hamzagić

He added that Serbia is Slovakia’s most important economic partner in the region and expressed his desire to increase and intensify trade, which currently amounts to approximately €1.2 billion annually. One of the pillars of cooperation, he added, is the defense industry.

"When it comes to military equipment, we are very pleased that we will cooperate closely with Serbia", Pellegrini said.

"Serbia Is Key to Peace in the Region"

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini recalled that Serbia is a key player in maintaining stability and peace in the region and added that Slovakia will always support Serbia on its path forward.

"If Serbia meets the conditions, then it has the right to join and become a full member of the EU. If the EU continues with practices that are not always fair toward the Western Balkan countries, it may lose the interest of the people of this region in EU membership", Pellegrini said, adding that he will always speak openly about Slovakia’s support for Serbia.

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