Foreign minister meets with Finnish counterpart

BELGRADE The foreign ministers of Serbia and Finland, Ivan Mrkic and Erkki Tuomioja, met on Monday in Belgrade. The two officials "agreed that there is not a single problem in bilateral relations and confirmed that Belgrade will continue to enjoy Finland's strong support along the EU path," Tanjug is reporting. Foreign minister meets with Finnish counterpart At a joint press conference, Mrkic underlined that Finland has always backed Serbia's EU aspirations. “Finland has always been in favor of the EU enlargement and we appreciate that,” Mrkic said. However, the two countries are not satisfied with the scope of trade, Mrkic noted, adding that it could be greater. On the other hand, Mrkic said that there are around 60 companies from Finland that are doing business in Serbia, with all indicators suggesting that there will be even more of them. He announced that an agreement on protection and promotion of investments will soon be reached. Mrkic added that he informed his colleague about the proceedings of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, especially preparations for local election that are to be held in Kosovo and Metohija on November 3. Responding to reporters' questions on Serbia's role in the region, Mrkic stressed that Serbia has done everything in its power to improve the relations. “I think that Serbia's relations with neighbors have never been better,” Mrkic said. The Finnish minister praised the developments in Serbia, especially in relation to its EU pathway. "Finland has always backed the EU enlargement, and in that context, Serbia. We expect that Serbia's EU entry talks will begin in late 2013," he said. Asked whether there is a chance of Serbia becoming an EU member state by 2020, he said that he has nothing against that, but that will depend primarily on the concrete work concerning chapters and harmonization of Serbian laws with the EU Acquis. Tuomioja said that Finland is ready to offer Serbia assistance and share its experiences with the country when it officially opens membership negotiations with the EU. Erkki Tuomioja (Tanjug) Tanjug

Foreign minister meets with Finnish counterpart

At a joint press conference, Mrkić underlined that Finland has always backed Serbia's EU aspirations.

“Finland has always been in favor of the EU enlargement and we appreciate that,” Mrkić said.

However, the two countries are not satisfied with the scope of trade, Mrkić noted, adding that it could be greater.

On the other hand, Mrkić said that there are around 60 companies from Finland that are doing business in Serbia, with all indicators suggesting that there will be even more of them.

He announced that an agreement on protection and promotion of investments will soon be reached.

Mrkić added that he informed his colleague about the proceedings of the Belgrade-Priština dialogue, especially preparations for local election that are to be held in Kosovo and Metohija on November 3.

Responding to reporters' questions on Serbia's role in the region, Mrkić stressed that Serbia has done everything in its power to improve the relations.

“I think that Serbia's relations with neighbors have never been better,” Mrkić said.

The Finnish minister praised the developments in Serbia, especially in relation to its EU pathway.

"Finland has always backed the EU enlargement, and in that context, Serbia. We expect that Serbia's EU entry talks will begin in late 2013," he said.

Asked whether there is a chance of Serbia becoming an EU member state by 2020, he said that he has nothing against that, but that will depend primarily on the concrete work concerning chapters and harmonization of Serbian laws with the EU Acquis.

Tuomioja said that Finland is ready to offer Serbia assistance and share its experiences with the country when it officially opens membership negotiations with the EU.