MP Marina Ragus met today, at the National Assembly House, with a member of the German Bundestag, Dr Hendrik Hoppenstedt, currently visiting Serbia because of the "International Parliamentary Scholarship 2023."
Every year, the German Bundestag, in cooperation with Freie, Humboldt and the Technical University of Berlin, offers scholarships to young students with a view of improving relations between countries; consolidating democratic values and tolerance; promoting cultural diversity and peaceful coexistence. The scholarship program is implemented under the auspices of the President of the Bundestag and lasts five months, including seminars and internships with members of the Bundestag.
In the course of the meeting, the officials touched upon the economic cooperation between the two countries, with MP Ragus pointing out that Germany is one of Serbia’s most important foreign trade partners, "employing more than 78 thousand workers in Serbia" and expressed her desire to improve economic cooperation.
"Serbia is a country that records economic growth, maintains the public debt in level with the gross domestic product below Maastricht and is oriented toward further growth and a stable business environment," said Ragus.
On the foreign policy front, the MP reminded the guest that Serbia's foreign policy objective is EU accession and that all the challenges that it faces "will be resolved through dialogue, preserving peace and stability." Serbia is a sovereign and independent country that implements a policy primarily geared toward protecting Serbian national and state interests."
German Bundestag member Dr Hendrik Hoppenstedt thanked the MP for the reception, stressing that he hopes for further cooperation between the two countries and that Serbia can expect Germany's support on its European path, highlighting the obligations that Serbia needs to fulfil, as outlined in the last Report of the European Commission.
Dr Hendrik Hoppenstedt said that one should not lose courage and motivation along the way, no matter what difficulties one encounters.