Slovak PM presents Dačić with "key to EU gate"

BELGRADE Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico symbolically delivered on Friday in Belgrade "the key to the EU gate" to Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic. Dacic for his part said that "after all arguments in favor and against Serbia's EU membership, it is obvious Serbia will benefit from EU accession." Slovak PM presents Dacic with "key to EU gate" Addressing a news conference following their meeting, Dacic said that his Slovak counterpart informed him about how much his country gives to the EU and how much it gets from it. "When all the arguments for and against accession are reviewed objectively, only the malicious can say that Serbia will not benefit from EU membership," Dacic said and added that the country's aim is to become a member of the EU as it wants only the best for its people. According to him, Fico offered to share Slovakia's experiences in the EU accession talks in situations which are important for Serbia. Dacic said that Serbia is grateful to Slovakia for the support concerning its principled stand on Kosovo and the EU path, which reflects the great friendship between the two nations and the obligation for further development of bilateral relations. In this context, Dacic said that the two countries' foreign exchange is good and totals EUR 400 million, but he noted there is also room for further improvement both in the exchange and economic ties. Serbia is open to Slovak investors and companies and the position of Slovak minority in Serbia is a bridge for further development of good relations between the two countries, he said. Fico is the first high official of an EU member country to visit Serbia after the initiation of Serbia's EU accession talks. He symbolically delivered to Dacic the key to the EU gate as a sign of Slovakia's support to Serbia. (Tanjug) May this be the symbol of our support for Serbia to know that it can count on us, Fico said. Fico congratulated Serbia on a historic success - the opening of the EU accession negotiations, adding that in the previous period the Serbian government has taken huge steps. He said that Slovakia benefits from the EU membership, stressing that the country will get over EUR 20 billion from the EU budget in the forthcoming years, while it will pump in EUR 6.5 billion. This means that Slovakia will have EUR 14 billion for its reconstruction starting from infrastructure up to the healthcare system, he said. "I hope that the EU membership will be viewed as a successful story in your country," the Slovak prime minister said. Fico pointed out that the accession talks will be demanding, and offered Slovakia's experience on the pathway. This includes the mistakes that cost Slovakia a lot, and which Serbia can avoid, he added. He agreed with Dacic that the bilateral relations are excellent and that there are special potentials for cooperation in the area of energy. Fico agreed that the two countries are very close both historically and today, and gave the example that one of the largest streets in Bratislava is named after Serbia's renowned politician Svetozar Markovic. The Slovak prime minister thanked his Serbian counterpart on the manner in which the Slovak minority is treated in Serbia. "I believe that Slovaks in Serbia sing your anthem proudly and enthusiastically, but at the same time do not forget their roots," Fico said. Aside for Fico, the Slovak delegation also includes Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak, who received Dacic's gratitude "for all he has done for Serbia." Fico was also received today separately by Dacic's first deputy, Aleksandar Vucic, and President Tomislav Nikolic. (Tanjug) Tanjug

Slovak PM presents Dačić with "key to EU gate"

Addressing a news conference following their meeting, Dačić said that his Slovak counterpart informed him about how much his country gives to the EU and how much it gets from it.

"When all the arguments for and against accession are reviewed objectively, only the malicious can say that Serbia will not benefit from EU membership," Dačić said and added that the country's aim is to become a member of the EU as it wants only the best for its people.

According to him, Fico offered to share Slovakia's experiences in the EU accession talks in situations which are important for Serbia.

Dačić said that Serbia is grateful to Slovakia for the support concerning its principled stand on Kosovo and the EU path, which reflects the great friendship between the two nations and the obligation for further development of bilateral relations.

In this context, Dačić said that the two countries' foreign exchange is good and totals EUR 400 million, but he noted there is also room for further improvement both in the exchange and economic ties.

Serbia is open to Slovak investors and companies and the position of Slovak minority in Serbia is a bridge for further development of good relations between the two countries, he said.

Fico is the first high official of an EU member country to visit Serbia after the initiation of Serbia's EU accession talks. He symbolically delivered to Dačić the key to the EU gate as a sign of Slovakia's support to Serbia. May this be the symbol of our support for Serbia to know that it can count on us, Fico said.

Fico congratulated Serbia on a historic success - the opening of the EU accession negotiations, adding that in the previous period the Serbian government has taken huge steps.

He said that Slovakia benefits from the EU membership, stressing that the country will get over EUR 20 billion from the EU budget in the forthcoming years, while it will pump in EUR 6.5 billion.

This means that Slovakia will have EUR 14 billion for its reconstruction starting from infrastructure up to the healthcare system, he said.

"I hope that the EU membership will be viewed as a successful story in your country," the Slovak prime minister said.

Fico pointed out that the accession talks will be demanding, and offered Slovakia's experience on the pathway.

This includes the mistakes that cost Slovakia a lot, and which Serbia can avoid, he added.

He agreed with Dačić that the bilateral relations are excellent and that there are special potentials for cooperation in the area of energy.

Fico agreed that the two countries are very close both historically and today, and gave the example that one of the largest streets in Bratislava is named after Serbia's renowned politician Svetozar Marković.

The Slovak prime minister thanked his Serbian counterpart on the manner in which the Slovak minority is treated in Serbia.

"I believe that Slovaks in Serbia sing your anthem proudly and enthusiastically, but at the same time do not forget their roots," Fico said.

Aside for Fico, the Slovak delegation also includes Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčak, who received Dačić's gratitude "for all he has done for Serbia."

Fico was also received today separately by Dačić's first deputy, Aleksandar Vučić, and President Tomislav Nikolić.