They stressed that the good relations are fostered through comprehensive political dialogue at the highest level, that there is interest to boost all-round cooperation, in the fields of economy and dual education, and Gojkovic stated that Switzerland’s experiences are very significant for Serbia.

Gojkovic and Markwalder agreed that there is room to further intensify and develop interparliamentary cooperation both at the highest level and at the level of committees and Serbia and Switzerland’s standing delegations in international organisations.

Gojkovic informed Markwalder about the reform process in Serbia and the activities of the Serbian Assembly’s new legislature on the harmonisation of legislation and introduction of EU standards.

The two heads of parliament agreed that both sides are interested in strengthening economic ties and investments.

“Serbia has a special interest in strengthening economic cooperation with Switzerland, especially as regards further direct investments into Serbia. We want even more Swiss investments into Serbia”, said Gojkovic.

Markwalder said that Switzerland is a significant investor into Serbia and Swiss companies do strive for a bigger presence on the Serbian market.

Gojkovic said that Serbia is also interested in cooperation in the field of education and wants to learn from Switzerland which has a very good system and the lowest unemployment rate in the world, and in that context there is room for cooperation between the two parliaments’ committees on education.

Gojkovic reminded Markwalder that this is a burning issue in Serbia’s reform process so dual education projects conducted with the Swiss financial aid are especially important, and Markwalder offered Swiss help saying that her country, despite its developed economy, still needs to invest into and develop education.

Gojkovic and Markwalder also spoke about the situation in the Western Balkans, implementation of the Brussels Agreement with Pristina and the problems of migration and terrorism Europe is faced with.

Gojkovic stressed that Serbia is dedicated to the implementation of the Brussels Agreement and it is important that Pristina starts implementing the agreed solutions i.e. set up the association/community of Serb majority municipalities.

Gojkovic said that Serbia is committed to improving relations with the countries in the region since it believes that the development of the region rests on the development of political, economic and cultural relations.

In the course of her visit Gojkovic also met with the President of the Council of States of the Federal Assembly of Switzerland Raphael Comte and discussed the need to further strengthen bilateral relations and Switzerland’s readiness to share its dual education experiences with Serbia.

The National Assembly Speaker will also meet with the Mayor of Bern Alexander Tschappat, and last night, she attended the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the opening of the first Serbian diplomatic representative office in Switzerland.