The Prime Minister: Lithuania support Serbia’s integration into the EU

Today Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius received Head of the Serbian Government Ivica Dačić, who is visiting Vilnius, and discussed bilateral economic relations. Legal documents that will prompt further cooperation between the countries were signed at the Government.

“We discussed topical issues pertaining to Serbia’s integration into the European Union (the EU) as well as other matters of coherent bilateral cooperation, the strengthening of relations, closer business ties and the possibilities of better business environment. Lithuania supports Serbia’s integration into the EU. In my opinion, today’s meeting can be regarded as a kind of a breaking point in the relations between Lithuania and Serbia and the renewal of the dialogue”, Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius stated.

 “Since both governments have started their work rather recently, I came with a visit to overcome certain problems that have hindered our further cooperation”, Prime Minister of Serbia Ivica Dačić said during the press conference.

 Lithuania has repeatedly criticized Serbia's decisions regarding Lithuanian investing companies “Arvi”, “Alita” and “Sanitex”. Their assets were nationalised; therefore, the matter was referred to the international arbitration. Mr. Dačić said on Tuesday that these issues could be addressed by working groups set up specifically for that purpose.

After the meeting of the delegations, the Prime Minister of Serbia and Minister of Internal Affairs of Lithuania Dailis Alfonsas Barakauskas signed an Agreement on Cooperation in Combating Crime. Serbian Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkić and Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius also signed a Memorandum on Cooperation in the Field of EU Integration.

 According to Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius, these documents will further enhance and contribute to the mutually beneficial cooperation.