First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic met today with President of the Senate of the Czech Republic Jaroslav Kubera, on which occasion they underlined readiness of the two countries to foster and strengthen relations building on their friendly ties.

Dacic and Kubera agreed in assessing as positive the growing trade in goods between the two countries, as well as the investment volume, and noted that there was still scope for the promotion of cooperation in the fields of trade, tourism, environmental protection and education. Mr. Kubera stressed that the Czech Republic supported Serbia's efforts on the European path. Minister Dacic thanked him for the sincere support offered by the Czech Republic to the European integration of Serbia and, in the light of challenges within the EU itself, noted that a strong message of support coming from a friendly country such as the Czech Republic was important to us along this path. He underlined that such message was not only important for Serbia but for the region as a whole as well, recalling that the enlargement policy was no other than a policy of support to the stability of the region and entire Europe.

Minister Dacic informed the President of the Senate about the situation in Kosovo and Metohija following the imposition of illegal measures by Pristina. The Minister underscored that Belgrade was ready for talks, but that Pristina needed to lift the tariff measures.

Mr. Kubera thanked for the support shown to the Czech national community in Serbia, stressing that national minorities were another bridge that linked the two countries together.