First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic talked today with Hon Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, who is on a return visit to Serbia.

Minister Dacic expressed his pleasure over the visit of his counterpart McCully, the first one after several decades, and the readiness of Serbia to promote political dialogue and cooperation, and strengthening of overall bilateral relations. The Minister underscored that the large Serbian Diaspora in New Zealand was an important bridge of cooperation and better understanding between the two countries. Minister Dacic advocated strengthening of economic relations in all areas of mutual interest, and pointed to the significant possibilities and opportunities that Serbia offered to potential investors from New Zealand.

Mutual interest for cooperation in commemorating the centenary of WWI outbreak, an event to which both countries attached exceptional importance, was stressed in the talks. Views were exchanged on the most important current international issues and problems, and it was pointed to the need and the possibilities of better multilateral cooperation.

Minister McCully spoke in favour of enhancement of bilateral relations with Serbia, particularly in the economic area, and supported Serbia's European integration, as part of the process of strengthening stability in the Western Balkan region.