The President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, received the President of the Czech Republic, Miloš Zeman, for an official visit, with whom he discussed the bilateral relations and the results of past cooperation, deepening the partnership, as well as all-important topics and projects of importance for both countries
After a ceremonial reception in front of the Palace of Serbia, Presidents Vučić and Zeman signed a joint declaration on strengthening cultural cooperation and establishing the “Czech House”. On that occasion, President Vučić said that the previous statements of the outgoing Czech President about Kosovo and Metohija remained in the hearts of every Serbian citizen.
“I hardly know anyone who has such popularity in one country as President Miloš Zeman has in Serbia because with his statements about Kosovo and Metohija two years ago, he showed courage that no one in Europe has. He showed how great and brave people can make history. We are thankful to him and to the Czech people who elected him so many times. The Serbian people and the citizens of Serbia will never forget that,” said President Vučić at the press conference, thanking the Czech president for his sincere friendship.
President Vučić also stated that in the previous two years, the trade exchange with the Czech Republic had increased three times, i.e. that it was 1.7 billion euros in 2022, and that he hoped that perhaps in 2023 it would exceed two billion euros.
After signing the declaration, President Vučić said that there are many projects being worked on with the Czech Republic and wished President Zeman to be in the public life of Europe for a long time because people like him are missing.
“People like Zeman are of great importance for Europe and the world. I congratulate Petr Pavel once again on his election as president, we will continue our successful cooperation. And thank you to the fantastic ambassador Tomas Kuhta, and MP Jaroslav Foldina for all the support they provide to Serbia. Thank you so much for that, that is something that is rarely seen. Serbia will never forget everything you do,” said President Vučić.
After the meeting, the outgoing Czech president thanked the Serbian people for their cooperation and support so far and said that, when it comes to the current international situation, he greatly appreciates the fact that Serbia condemned the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
“Thank you to the Serbian people for the friendship they showed both in 1938 and in 1968, and I am firmly convinced that this friendship will continue,” said President Zeman during his visit to Serbia.
The two statesmen then attended the opening of the renovated “Czech House” in Belgrade. On that occasion, President Vučić pointed out that this building will be a permanent link between Serbia and the Czech Republic and thanked President Zeman for participating in its establishment.
“The Czech house will be a meeting place for our two peoples, exchange and development of economic and cultural cooperation.” It will be a permanent link between Serbia and the Czech Republic, a cornerstone of the highest quality relations, and a pledge of our friendship, and it will remain so forever, no matter who is in power in Serbia and the Czech Republic. Long live the friendship between Serbia and the Czech Republic and our two peoples,” said President Vučić.