First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic paid an official visit to the Republic of Suriname today, on 10 February 2018.

During his stay in Paramaribo, Minister Dacic met Suriname's top officials. Serbian Foreign Minister had separate meetings with President of Suriname Desiré Delano Bouterse, Speaker of the National Assembly Jennifer Geerling-Simmons and Minister of Foreign Affairs Yldiz Deborah Pollack-Beighle.

Minister Dacic and high Surinamese officials exchanged views on the bilateral relations between the two countries, and the current international topics.

In the meetings, interlocutors discussed priority areas and modalities for enhancement of cooperation between Serbia and Suriname, agreeing that, though far apart, the two countries could additionally boost their cooperation in some areas.

"I would like to thank my colleague, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, for the invitation to visit Suriname. This visit is very important to us.

Historically speaking, the closeness between our countries dates back to the Non-Aligned Movement, to former Yugoslavia and Tito. The time has come for our friendship to be renewed and additionally strengthened.

I am particularly grateful to the President and Minister of Foreign Affairs for the very important decision for Serbia – the decision to revoke recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo.

Serbia is ready to develop strategic partnership with Suriname, and I am pleased that we will sign today several agreements and a Roadmap, highly important for expansion of our cooperation in all segments, as much as possible.

We will sign the Agreement of Exemption from Visa Requirement, Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the political consultations mechanism between the two Foreign Ministries, the Friendship and Cooperation Agreement between the two countries, and a Roadmap outlining our concrete steps up to 2021, in all areas.

We expect the President and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Suriname to visit Serbia this year, and we have agreed to establish a Joint Committee on Cooperation to be headed by Minister Yldiz Deborah Pollack-Beighle and myself.

I assess my visit to Suriname as a very successful one. For our part, we will reciprocate by cooperation, assistance and warmly welcoming Suriname in Serbia", Serbian Foreign Minister concluded, wrapping up his visit to Suriname.