First Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic is in Egypt today, where he will attend the opening of the Suez Canal.

“Opening the New Suez Canal is an event of great importance for this region and for the whole world. A large number of foreign delegations will gather today in Egypt.

I hope that we will have plenty of time for bilateral talks on important issues with the most prominent political figures coming to this event.

Egypt plays a major role not only in the region but also from the aspect of heritage left by Tito’s Yugoslavia and now taken over by Serbia. Egypt, led by President Nasser, has had a significant role, which should be exploited in the modern era.

Today is an opportunity to talk to the Presidents and Prime Ministers who will be present at the ceremony. Arrival of the French President, Russian Prime Minister, Greek Prime Minister and 20 Presidents, Prime Ministers, Kings, as well as a large number of Foreign Ministers has been announced.

It is important that Serbia is present here today. We have focused our attention on the renewal of the traditional friendly relations that we used to have with the countries of the region.

Yesterday, I spoke to the Foreign Minister of Egypt. It was an important meeting. We want to renew our relations marred in the period when the previous Egyptian regime decided to recognize the unilaterally proclaimed independence of Kosovo and Metohija. We try to make this decision more relativized and to build good bilateral relations with Egypt. I expect that our relations in the economic area will get better and better. In Tito’s time we had very good relations with Egypt, a high level of economic and military cooperation. I am sure it can be replicated in the period ahead as well.

I expect that the Egyptian Foreign Minister will visit Serbia by the end of the year”, said the Serbian Foreign Minister.