First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dacic received today President of the National Assembly of Madagascar Jean Max Rakotomamonjy.

In a cordial conversation, the two sides assessed the bilateral relations between the two countries as traditionally good and friendly, dating back to the period of Madagascar's gaining of independence in 1960.

The two sides expressed the need for intensifying the activities aimed at continuation of political dialogue, as well as a common interest for establishing and further strengthening of all aspects of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economic area.

Minister Dacic expressed his gratitude for the support provided by the Republic of Madagascar concerning the foreign policy priorities of the Republic of Serbia, along with the expectation that it would be continued in the future. He expressed his confidence that there was ample room for the development of bilateral cooperation, particularly in foreign trade, which has fallen short of the economic potentials of the two countries.

National Assembly President Rakotomamonjy stated that the peoples of the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Madagascar were brotherly peoples, sharing the same values ever since the times when the SFRY played a leading role in the Non-Aligned Movement, and provided assistance to the liberation movements of African countries. To the effect of further strengthening these relations, he proposed the setting up of Serbia-Madagascar Parliamentary Friendship Group.