Brnabic receives Equatorial Guinea president

BELGRADE - Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic received Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo in Belgrade on Wednesday and thanked him for his country's support for Serbia's winning bid to host EXPO 2027, noting that such events opened the door to new forms of partnership.

Brnabic thanked Equatorial Guinea for its consistent support for the preservation of Serbia's territorial integrity and sovereignty and for supporting Serbia in the UN at the time of the passage of key resolutions, the National Assembly of Serbia said in a statement.

She noted a commitment to advancement of political dialogue and to laying the groundwork for more intensive economic cooperation, including in areas such as agriculture, trade and digitalisation, as well as for strengthening of cultural and educational cooperation.

She said the cooperation between Serbia and Equatorial Guinea would be strengthened further by a soonest possible establishment of a friendship group in the Serbian parliament, and noted that this would help to advance bilateral relations.

"That step reflects the commitment of both sides to development of firmer political, economic and cultural ties as well as to strengthening of experience-sharing with a view to joint progress," Brnabic said.

The parties noted that the long-standing friendship between Serbia and Equatorial Guinea dated back from the era of the Non-Aligned Movement and represented a solid foundation for further cooperation.

Deputy Parliament Speaker Marina Ragus, who also chairs the parliamentary committee on foreign relations, noted the significance of experience-sharing between the two countries, especially in geopolitically challenging times such as these.

"I believe we have enormous opportunities to advance the relations further in the areas of education, the economy and technological development," Ragus noted.

Mbasogo thanked Serbia for its support and friendship and noted the significance of rebuilding and strengthening the relations between the two countries.

"Equatorial Guinea respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Serbia. A secure alliance brings benefits to both sides," Mbasogo said.