The Serbian Prime Minister said that she appreciates the support of the Czech Republic and the countries of Central Europe. “We need a partner in Brussels to turn their attention to us and show what benefits the EU will have from the enlargement,” Brnabic stated. According to her, the enlargement of the EU to the Balkan states would ensure the stability and economic development of the region that is now in the “European Neighborhood”.
Babiš and Brnabic also talked about migration which caused a major problem for Serbia, especially in 2015, when over a million migrants headed to the EU via the Balkans. The Serbian Prime Minister thanked the Czech Republic for sending police to help Serbian colleagues. As stated by Babiš, the Czech Republic is ready to help whenever Belgrade requests it.
The prime ministers also discussed economic cooperation between the two countries. According to Babiš, Czech companies are interested in cooperation especially in the area of trade, energy and natural resources. He also mentioned possible cooperation in lithium mining, as bearings of this strategic material have been discovered in Serbia. Babiš added that the Czech Republic could use Serbian experience in this sector.
Last but not least, Czech Finance Minister Alena Schillerová (ANO) and her Serbian counterpart Sinisa Mali signed an agreement at the presidential chateau in Lány about the Czech Republic receiving 221.7 million crowns from Serbia for old debts, the ministry said in a press release.
