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Finland supports Serbia's EU integration

Government Communications Department
Publication date 26.1.2015 14.34
Press release 39/2015

Prime Minister Alexander Stubb met his Serbian colleague, Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić at the Prime Minister's Official Residence on Monday 26 January. The meeting focused on topical EU issues, Serbia's OSCE Chairmanship, the Russia-Ukraine situation, the Western Balkans and bilateral relations between Finland and Serbia.

"Finland supports the Serbian EU accession process and encourages the country's further steps in structural economic changes and in balancing the economy, as well as in rule-of-law and basic rights questions. Serbia's EU membership process sends a positive signal to the entire area of the Western Balkans", Prime Minister Stubb says.

The Prime Ministers also discussed Serbia's OSCE Chairmanship to which Finland gives its full support. Here, they also touched upon the Russia-Ukraine situation. Both premiers emphasised the importance of Ukraine's territorial integrity.

As regards the Western Balkans, the Prime Ministers focused especially on the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo and the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Prime Minister Vučić's visit aims at strengthening the bilateral relations between Finland and Serbia and the business opportunities of Finnish companies operating in Serbia. There are approximately 70 Finnish companies which operate in the country.

"Our bilateral relations are extremely good and they continue to develop positively. Serbia's EU integration paves the way for further strengthening of the Finland-Serbia relations both between government and private sector actors. There are excellent prospects for increasing trade and investments between Finland and Serbia", Prime Minister Stubb says.

During his visit, Prime Minister Vučić will also have a meeting with President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö and Minister for Foreign Affairs Erkki Tuomioja.

Inquiries: Anna-Kaisa Heikkinen, Special Adviser (International Affairs), tel.  +358 40 7483 867, Prime Minister's Office

 
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