France provides "great help in EU integration"

France provides "great help in EU integration"

He welcomed Valls on behalf of the Serbian people, adding that he was certain that the inscription on the monument of gratitude to France, saying: "Let us love France the way it loved us," was inscribed also on the Serbian people's hearts.

Unfortunately, it is increasingly customary to measure friendship by economic parameters and many countries have overtaken France in that field, he stated, stressing that Serbia was an optimal destination for investors because of its good geographical position, successful reforms, skilled workforce and numerous free trade agreements.

"France is of great help to our European course, and it has proven itself a true friend during the floods that hit us," he noted, pointing out that the donor conference in Brussels had been held thanks to support from French President Francois Hollande, resulting in significant funds for the flooded areas.

Serbia is dedicated to peace and stability in the region, which is why it is active in the talks with Priština, Nikolić remarked.

"We are dedicated to ensuring a normal life for the people in the province, but we cannot make any moves towards recognizing the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo," he underscored.

He pointed out to the "Great Albania" project to the French prime minister, adding that the increasing frequency of Albanian provocations in the region could turn into a problem of larger scale, which even the EU would not be able to solve.

Valls stated he was touched by the Serbian people's sincere friendship visible at every step.

He commended the Serbian authorities on successful implementation of structural reforms and the pace of Serbia's EU integration, emphasizing that there were many things connecting the two nations, and that the economic relations would have to improve after top-level meetings.

Valls informed Nikolić that he had talked to other Serbian officials about ways of improving cooperation related to agriculture, industry, subway and airports, and that France would offer its expert knowledge and be the top foreign partner to Serbia should Serbia be prepared for it.

He was also interested in Nikolić's view concerning the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Serb Republic, and Nikolić responded that Serbia would not do anything to destabilize Bosnia-Herzegovina, but that the EU should invest more effort into making that country a functional one.

"Good program"

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls commended the program that the Serbian government is implementing along the EU path, and noted that Serbia has done much more to improve the situation in the country than some states that are already EU members.

All elements of the program- the strengthening of the economy, rule of law, fight against corruption, improvement in media freedoms, and especially the strengthening of stability in the Balkans- ensure that things are developing in the right direction, Valls said during a lecture that he gave at the Rectorate of the University of Belgrade.

Although there is still much to be done, Serbia has done much more to improve the situation in the country than some states that are already EU members, Valls said, adding that Serbia must continue with these efforts.

The French prime minister, who is on Friday wrapping up his two-day visit to Belgrade, said earlier on Friday that his country will welcome Serbia to the EU with open arms.