Dacic receives Spanish ambassador

BELGRADE - Serbian FM Ivica Dacic received newly-appointed Spanish Ambassador to Belgrade Juan Jose Sanz Aparicio on Tuesday, thanking him for Spain's firm and principled position of non-recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of the so-called Kosovo as well as for continued support for Serbia's EU integration.

The ambassador reiterated the support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Serbia and its EU integration process, the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Sanz Aparicio said his priorities for the future were advancement of bilateral economic cooperation and greater Spanish cultural presence in Serbia, in which he noted the Cervantes Institute - which this year celebrates the 20th anniversary of its work in Belgrade - would continue to actively engage.

Cordially welcoming the ambassador and wishing him much success in his new and responsible post, Dacic noted that he had had good cooperation with the Spanish diplomat's predecessor, Ambassador Raul Bartolome Molina, who was this year awarded the Order of the Serbian Flag First Class for his contribution to development of Serbia-Spain bilateral relations.

Dacic and Sanz Aparicio said political relations between the two countries were excellent, friendly and without outstanding issues and added that Serbia and Spain supported each other on issues of vital national interest and that there was significant space for further advancement of economic cooperation.

The parties also agreed that there were numerous opportunities for further strengthening of all forms of cooperation in other areas as well, in particular in transport infrastructure. tourism, renewable energy sources, agriculture, education and cultural cooperation, the statement also said.