Vucevic: Serbia is China's greatest friend in Europe

SHANGHAI - Serbian PM Milos Vucevic said on Tuesday the China International Import Expo in Shangai was a unique trade show for development and business and that Serbia was China's greatest friend in Europe.

Speaking at the opening of the expo, attended by more than 40 organisations and around 3,500 exhibitors from over 120 countries including Serbia, Vucevic said he was honoured to address the event, which he noted symbolised equality and had a clear message and symbolism.

"A message that is stronger than all commercial agreements is a message of good intent. This is a place of equal opportunities for development and doing business, for friendship and understanding. This expo has emerged as a noble idea of President Xi Jinping. It is a place where different companies, people and nations meet," Vucevic said.

At this year's Shanghai Import Expo Serbia is represented by around 20 companies, some of which - including wineries, food industry companies and transport firms - are already exporting to China.

In Serbia, we do not divide companies into big and small ones, but into those that have a vision and those that do not, Vucevic said.

In our desire for cooperation, we can also benefit from friendship, he said.

"Serbia is China's greatest friend in Europe but, at the same time, a country of excellent mathematicians, engineers... Serbia is a freedom-loving country pursuing a peaceful policy towards the East and the West and the North and the South. There is a special place in our hearts for China. We are proud we are connected by the steely friendship forged by the two presidents, Aleksandar Vucic and Xi Jinping," Vucevic said.

Vucevic noted that he hoped China would take part in the specialised EXPO 2027, to be hosted by Belgrade, and said he looked forward to future cooperation with China.