Selaković: Slovak support to Serbia on all issues of vital importance

Summarizing the results of his two-day visit, Minister Selaković said that Slovakia provides support to Serbia in preserving territorial integrity and sovereignty, in the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, and that its support in terms of Serbia's European integration is unequivocal, clear and active.

The head of Serbian diplomacy, who in Slovakia met with the Prime Minister Eduard Heger, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivan Korčok and the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Milan Laurenčik, stated that all meetings took place in an open, honest and friendly atmosphere.

According to him, one of the most important meetings was with Slovak businessmen who are interested in investing in Serbia.

Minister Selaković said that the meeting was attended by almost 20 participants and representatives of 11 companies that are interested in transferring part of their business to Serbia, to be present on the Serbian market, as well as to start economic activity not only in the area of trade, but also in in terms of production.

"It was an extremely good meeting, a very serious group of companies. The first result is a letter of intent from Heneken, a company that manufactures aluminum components which are currently being imported into Serbia. That company submitted a letter of intent, and for the beginning, they intend to employ about 100 workers", said Minister Selaković.

The head of Serbian diplomacy emphasized that contact was established with the representatives of the Slovak company and that the sector for economic diplomacy was immediately involved, and that in cooperation with the state bodies of Serbia, work will be done on further operationalization of that investment.

Minister Selaković mentioned that some workers from Serbia, who worked in Slovakia, are returning to Serbia because they have motives for that.

"In Slovakia, 15 years ago, when it started to develop rapidly economically, and that was especially after its accession to the EU, it happened very quickly that companies were increasingly facing a shortage of labor. At that moment, the economic situation in Serbia was not at all great, and our people began to come to Slovakia in waves to work in industry", said Minister Selaković.

According to him, today, when new factories are opening in almost every part of our country in Serbia and when highways are being built, a number of workers from Slovakia are starting to return to Serbia.

For now, the head of Serbian diplomacy stated, it is still in a lower volume, but now they want to return because they have a chance for employment and a normal life in Serbia.

"This has been our economic policy since 2014, when President Aleksandar Vučić became Prime Minister, today he is the President of the Republic, a man who opened more than 220 factories in person. That is a fantastic motive for our people, to bring them back", said Minister Selaković.

As he stated, citizens also left Slovakia in the 90s of the last century in search of work, but they have been returning since 2000.

"I am convinced that by expanding the circle of countries that provide support to our EU accession, we will get into such a situation as soon as possible. We continue to improve relations between Slovakia and Serbia", said Minister Selaković.