Kuwait Times

Published Date: November 26, 2009

BELGRADE: Prime Minister HH Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah arrived yesterday in the Serbian capital on a two-day official visit. He was met at Belgrade's Nikola Tesla Airport by his Serbian counterpart Mirko Cvetkovic and other Serb ministers and officials. Cvetkovic then held a working luncheon in honor of Sheikh Nasser. The luncheon was attended by the prime minister's delegation and several Serbian cabinet ministers and senior officials. They discussed firm relations between Kuwait and Serb
ia, which date back to the beginning of Kuwait's independence as the former Yugoslav was in the forefront of the countries that recognized Kuwait. They also shared views on a spectrum of regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Later, a program of bilateral cultural and artistic cooperation was signed by Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Sabah and Serbian Minister of Culture Nebojsa Bradic. Another deal for bilateral tourist cooperation was also inked by Kuwaiti Minister of Commerce and Industry Ahmad Al-Haroun and Serbian Minister of Trade and Services Slobodan Milsavljevic.

A third deal for bilateral economic and technical cooperation was signed by Kuwaiti Minister of Finance Mustafa Al-Shamali and Serbian Minister of Labor and Social Policy Rasim Ljajic. A memo of understanding on civil aviation between Kuwait and Serbia was inked by both sides' civil aviation chiefs.

Following the signing ceremony, Sheikh Nasser expressed in a news briefing appreciation for the hospitality and warm welcome he and his party received in Serbia. He vowed that bilateral relations that were forged in 1963 would continue to be developed in economic, trade and cultural fields. He spoke highly of Serbia's stand against the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and its support for Kuwait.

The Serbian prime minister voiced his country's willingness to further develop relations with Kuwait in economic, political and industrial areas. He vowed to open the door for Kuwaiti investments in Serbia as a way of bolstering and cementing bilateral economic ties, which he said could alleviate the ramifications of the global financial crisis. - KUNA