Ambassador of Switzerland in Belgrade Jean-Daniel Ruch presented today the Strategy of Swiss Cooperation with the Republic of Serbia for the 2014-2017 period.

Ambassador Ruch announced that the funds allocated for the cooperation between the two countries would be increased by 20 percent and said that Switzerland continued to support the Serbian European path.

The promotion was also attended by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Snezana Jankovic, who availed herself of the occasion to say the following:

"Your Excellency, Ambassador Ruch,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

To begin with, please allow me to express satisfaction with the dynamic development of relations and cooperation between our two countries. This dynamic has undoubtedly resulted from the long-standing tradition of our friendly relations. Not only good political and economic relations, but also a large Serbian community living in Switzerland, thus constituting another important bridge of cooperation, bring us closer to Switzerland.

Continued presence of Switzerland in the region as both an investor and a donor of development assistance unequivocally contributes to the stability and prosperity of the Western Balkans.

In this context, I wish to express my satisfaction over and gratitude for the fact that, in accordance with the years-long policy of assisting the Western Balkan region, Switzerland has approved a new cycle of assistance projects intended for Serbia, and has allocated funds for their implementation.

The readiness of Switzerland to continue implementing policies in this area is welcome, having in mind that the new projects will be directed at energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, economic development, social inclusion and good governance, the areas which figure high on the Serbian list of priorities.

Serbia will continue to cooperate with Switzerland when it comes to the implementation of the Strategy in the 2014-2017 period. I expect that the goals defined in accordance with our needs will also be fulfilled as envisaged. We are aware that the challenges you are facing are neither small nor negligible, and that is why we particularly appreciate the support you have lent to Serbia, which is not in words only, but is sincere and concrete.

To conclude, I wish to express my belief that the consecutive Swiss- Serbian OSCE Chairmanship in 2014 and 2015 will additionally strengthen our bilateral relations and significantly contribute to the aims of the Organization."