BELGRADE, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic Wednesday held a meeting with visiting Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Hassan Shoukry and both agreed that economic cooperation between the two countries should be advanced by cooperation, encouraging investments and initiating joint projects.
During the meeting, both Brnabic and Shoukry said that the traditionally friendly ties between the two countries are a good basis for improving cooperation at all levels, especially in the fields of agriculture and tourism, according to a government's press release.
"Efforts should be made to strengthen economic cooperation and connect the two economies," Brnabic said and highlighted Serbia's interest in joint investments and projects with Egypt.
They also highlighted the recently awarded certificate that enables Serbia to export wheat to the Egyptian market, as a very important step for both sides.
The Egyptian minister arrived here on Tuesday for a two-day visit and he met separately with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Prime Minister Brnabic, as well as his Serbian counterpart Ivica Dacic.
During Wednesday's meeting, Serbian President Vucic and Shoukry agreed that the political dialogue between the two countries is not sufficiently followed by economic cooperation, and suggested to conclude additional intergovernmental agreements and create a legal basis to expand cooperation,
Shoukry told Vucic that Egyptian market of around 100 million people offers numerous opportunities for Serbian companies in agriculture, tourism, construction, water management and military technical cooperation.
During the meetings, Shoukry also pointed out the importance of the global fight against terrorism, and suggested further strengthening of defense cooperation between the two countries.
At his meeting with his counterpart Ivica Dacic on Tuesday, Shoukry expressed hope that the improvement in all areas of bilateral relations - from economy to education - will be initiated at the upcoming meeting of the Mixed Committee for Economic Cooperation of the two countries (established in 2010) to be held in the first half of 2019.
Moreover, Shoukry and Serbian Minister of Youth and Sports Vanja Udovicic signed on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding and cooperation in areas of youth and sports between Serbia and Egypt, which will enable the two countries to organize exchange and joint activities.
