Malta-Serbia relations as well as relations between Western Balkan countries and the European Union featured during high-level meetings attended by Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Evarist Bartolo in the Serbian Capital, Belgrade. Minister Bartolo met Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Selakovic and participated in the ‘Belgrade Economic Forum’ hosted by the Delphi Economic Forum.
Minister Bartolo and Minister Selakovic discussed the opening of a consulate in Malta in the coming days to be of service to the Serbian community in Malta.
Minister Bartolo expressed Malta’s full support for the Western Balkan countries, including Serbia, joining the European bloc. He stressed that the European Union needs to invest more for this enlargement to be effective in fostering full conviction among these peoples regarding the European project.
Minister Bartolo emphasised the need for the European Union to give more importance to the south of Europe, including the Euro-Mediterranean region, in full connection with a policy that strengthens the relations between the countries of the European Union with Africa. Creating opportunities in Africa serves as the best tool for peace, security, and prosperity.
During this visit Minister Bartolo also met Minister for Labour, War Veterans and Social Policy Darija Kisic Tapavcevic. During this meeting the situation of the Serbian community in the Maltese labour market was discussed along with ways for relations between the two countries to offer a framework which will help in this regard.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs Christopher Cutajar accompanied Minister Bartolo during the meetings. Mr Cutajar met the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Nemanja Starovic. During this meeting, the economic prospects in both countries, collaboration related to the work at the United Nations, as well as the work done by Serbia necessary to join the European Union were discussed.