President receives credentials from Canadian ambassador

President receives credentials from Canadian ambassador

“Your taking office in the year when we are marking the centenary since the beginning of World War I carries a symbolic significance and reminds us of our historical alliance and traditionally good relations between Serbia and Canada,” President Nikolic told the new Canadian Ambassador.

In the previous period, the significant progress has been achieved in boosting economic cooperation between the two countries, the Serbian president noted, pointing to the considerable presence of Canadian companies in Serbia.

“I am convinced that the current level of our relations, to which the Serb community in Canada contributed greatly, offers prospects for even closer cooperation at bilateral and multilateral levels, and I look forward to intensifying it even further,” Nikolic concluded.

Pinnington reciprocated by saying that he is looking forward to building even more dynamic relations between Serbia and Canada.

“Canada strongly backs Serbia's democratic and economic transformation. We welcome Serbia's commitment to EU integration and fully support its EU aspirations. We believe that this will bring about long-term prosperity, stability and security to the people of Serbia and the entire Western Balkans,” he underscored.

Pinnington also voiced Canada's willingness to contribute to improving security and stability in the region, and congratulated Belgrade on reaching the historic accord with Pristina on the normalization of relations.

We are looking forward to cooperating with Serbia during its OSCE chairmanship in 2015, Pinnington said.

Trade and investment relations between Serbia and Canada have followed an upward trend, as over 50 Canadian companies have so far invested or pledged to invest, over 1 billion dollars in the industries of mining, energy, food, pharmaceutical industry, production, trade and ICT, he noted.

This makes Canada one of the leading sources of investments into the private sector in Serbia, he said, adding that the Serbian government's all-round and systemic approach to economic reforms is also encouraging prospective investors from Canada.

Pinnington said that Canada will continue to back reforms in the field of defense in Serbia through the participation of Serbian soldiers in military courses organized by Canada, in the country and the region.

He also pointed to Canada's major contribution after the devastating floods that hit Serbia in May, to the history of friendship and cooperation between the two peoples, spanning over one century.

“Canada and Serbia should continue capitalizing on their personal relations so as to strengthen our bilateral relations even further. The strong Serb-Canadian community can help shape our joint future,” Pinnington concluded.