Serbia's Vojvodina province to boost ties with French region

NOVI SAD - The head of government of Serbia's Vojvodina province Igor Mirovic spoke with the Vice President of France's Ile-de-France region Florence Portelli in Novi Sad on Thursday about strengthening of mutual ties in the economy and culture, the provincial government said in a statement.

The discussion focused on presenting Vojvodina's agricultural potential in partner regions in France.

"In the past years, the provincial government has achieved exceptional cooperation with institutions and agencies from the Ile-de-France region and the Val-d'Oise department. Our relations reflect a sincere friendship and commitment to concrete projects," Mirovic said, adding that the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Vojvodina had been the most active in that cooperation, having implemented many contracts.

Mirovic noted that a strengthening of Serbia-France cooperation at national level had resulted in many French companies opening production plants in Vojvodina and across Serbia through direct investments.

Portelli noted that France, Serbia and Vojvodina had ample space for cooperation and implementation of concrete projects.

"Agriculture is one of the areas where we can best achieve this," Portelli said, adding that she was ready to help promote Vojvodina's agricultural potentials in African countries in which France traditionally had a presence and influence.

Mirovic and Portelli agreed that much more attention needed to be devoted to cultural cooperation.