First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic received today Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tunisia Khemaies Jhinaoui, who is on an official visit to Serbia.

In the context of marking the 60th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Minister Ivica Dacic welcomed his guest as the first Tunisian top official to pay a visit to Serbia after many years.

The Ministers jointly noted that the bilateral relations and cooperation between Serbia and Tunisia were good, dating back to the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement, in which President Tito and Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba played decisive roles.

Minister Dacic underlined in particular his gratitude for the principled position of the Republic of Tunisia concerning non-recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo, expressing his expectation that the support of Tunisia to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Serbia would continue. He pointed to the need to coordinate with Tunisia the two countries' activities in international for a on this and other issues.

In the cordial talks, the officials considered prospects for the promotion of cooperation in all areas of mutual interest, focusing on economic cooperation, in which area its intensification is expected through direct contacts between companies. They announced that the Joint Committee as well as business forum would be held in the first quarter of next year.

At a joint press conference, both Ministers noted that today's meeting opened a new chapter in the two countries' relations. Minister Jhinaoui underlined in particular the importance of promoting cooperation in the tourism sector, as he invited Serbian people to visit Tunisia again, offering them warm welcome there.

Minister Dacic noted that the overall security situation in Tunisia had improved and stabilized further, as well as that the safety of foreign visitors was considerably enhanced. In this context, he reiterated his hope and expectation that Serbian tourists would be visiting Tunisia in larger numbers.

In separate meetings, Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui also had talks with Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Maja Gojkovic, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajic and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Zorana Mihajlovic, on which occasion the formal signing of an Air Transport Agreement took place.

Heads of national libraries signed a Protocol on Cooperation between the National Libraries, in the presence of the two Foreign Ministers.