Both Russia and Turkey are Serbia's friends - PM

Both Russia and Turkey are Serbia's friends - PM

Asked by reporters about his position on the conflict between Turkey and Russia in the wake of the downing of a Russian bomber, Vucic said his was "a small country," describing himself as "an ordinary man who does not yearn to solve big global problems."

"I know well our place in the world. We have good and friendly relations with the Russian Federation and with Turkey, and we'll continue that way," said Vucic, adding that Serbia was "happy, proud, and not ashamed" to have count countries as friends.

"We wish all the problems between Russia and Turkey to be resolved in the best possible manner. Serbia would certainly be happy about that," Vucic said.

"Council"

Aleksandar Vucic said on Monday that Serbia and Turkey would establish a top-level council, headed by the prime ministers, which should facilitate more intensive cooperation between the two countries.

After a bilateral meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Vucic called on Turkish businesspeople to invest in Serbia, pledging better conditions than those offered by other countries.

“We will set up a top-level council, headed by the prime ministers, for fields in which we have the most vibrant cooperation,” Vucic said, noting that Turkey had already formed such bodies with Bulgaria and Greece.

The prime minister said that the Serbian government had decided to offer subsidies to Turkish investors coming to the underdeveloped parts in the south of the country - the Pcinj, Jablanica, Nis and Pirot districts.