Vucic and Parmelin: Switzerland one of the largest Investors in Serbia, at the level of three billion euros

"We have signed an innovation program with one of the countries that is among the most successful in innovation, high technologies, and artificial intelligence, and that means a great deal to us", Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said at a joint press conference with Swiss President Guy Parmelin at the Palace of Serbia.

Vucic emphasized that he was very pleased to host the President of Switzerland in Serbia after 18 years and on the 110th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Foto: Tanjug/Dejan Živančević

"Over the past 12 years, we have dramatically improved our cooperation. We have quadrupled the volume of trade exchange, while our services exchange has increased nearly tenfold. Services exchange stands at 1.62 billion euros, while trade exchange is at 1.1 billion euros. This speaks to the very important and close cooperation between our countries", the Serbian president said.

He stressed that Switzerland is one of the largest investors in Serbia, with investments amounting to approximately three billion euros.

"In addition to the companies you are already well familiar with - Nestle, Novartis, Regent, Roche, and many others – I believe we can also expect new Swiss investments. It is also important for us to speak about the large number of Serbs living in Switzerland, across all cantons, around 130,000 of them, who serve as a bridge between our peoples and our countries", Vucic stated.

Parmelin: Serbia Is Switzerland’s Main Partner in the Balkans

Swiss Confederation President Guy Parmelin said he was pleased to be in Belgrade and noted that Serbia is Switzerland’s main partner in the Balkans.

According to him, during his visit to Belgrade, he will continue working on strengthening the overall cooperation between Switzerland and Serbia, with a particular focus on the economy, education, and Serbia’s European integration.

Foto: Tanjug/Dejan Živančević

"We will certainly contribute to inclusive reforms and Serbia’s accession to the European Union. As for dual education, we are always at your disposal. I proposed that your delegation come to Switzerland. I myself am a product of that system. We know that the Serbian economy is innovation-based, and we are pleased that we have signed this agreement" the Swiss president said.

EXPO 2027 an Important International Event for Serbia and the Region

He stated that the construction, transport, and healthcare sectors represent significant potential for the further enhancement of economic relations, adding that the presence of Swiss companies in Serbia confirms the prospects for continued development of cooperation.

He also confirmed Switzerland’s participation in EXPO 2027 in Belgrade, describing it as an important international event for Serbia and the region.

A special part of the talks focused on human rights, during which the Swiss president proposed establishing a bilateral dialogue between the two countries, modeled on Switzerland’s practice with other states.

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