Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has talked with the newly-appointed Ambassador of China to Serbia, Chen Bo.
Joksimović has informed Ambassador Chen Bo about Serbia’s activities in the European integration process. She has stressed that EU membership is Serbia’s strategic commitment, that it is committed to joining the EU and implementing the reforms that, through the application of European values, norms and standards, are aimed at building a modern state - legal and just, socially secure, and economically developed.
The Minister has stressed that Serbia has proven to be an actively cooperative state at both the international and the regional level.
Jadranka Joksimović has thanked China for its active political support to Belgrade's position regarding the issue of Kosovo and Metohija.
Ambassador Chen Bo has assessed that Serbia is a reliable and significant partner and a proven friend of China, which the leadership of that country highly appreciates. She has emphasised the fact that China respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia in terms of Kosovo and Metohija, and that the solution to the Kosmet issue should be found through dialogue. She has stressed that China acknowledges and supports the European path of Serbia.
Joksimović and Chen have also talked about the dynamics of development cooperation between the two countries, which is being implemented through numerous projects that are significant for Serbia, particularly in the field of health and education. Furthermore, the total allocated grants within the development cooperation with China since 2009 amount to around EUR 43.7 million, while the assistance, implemented through agreements thus far, amounts to around EUR 5.9 million.
The interlocutors have noted that the relations between the two countries are at an extremely high level, which is evidenced by frequent political visits of the highest officials and significant Chinese investments. Special cooperation has been emphasized within the CEEC-China 16 1 Platform, as well as within China's Belt and Road Initiative, where Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić will participate in the Second International Conference in late April.
Source: Tanjug
