Vucic: Slovakia is Serbia's true friend

 The Serbian prime minister was welcomed in Bratislava by the guard of honor and a ceremony at which the two countries' anthems were played.

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Vucic said at a joint press conference with the Slovakian prime minister that Serbia's goal is full stabilization of the Balkans.

He said that Serbia will use some of the measures that the Slovakian government has successfully implemented with an eye to boosting economy.

-This year's growth in Slovakia stands at four percent, while the fiscal deficit is below three percent, and this is a good example for Serbia,- Vucic said.

Vucic and Fico conferred on Slovakia's experience in supporting the entrepreneurial sector and manners to collect taxes and VAT, which were successfully implemented by Slovakia, the Serbian government's press office released in a statement.

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico stated Thursday that talks on opening chapters within Serbia's EU accession process should start as soon as possible.

I am satisfied screening is completed for Serbia, and talks on opening the chapters need to start as soon as possible, Fico said addressing the press after a meeting with Serbian PM Aleksandar Vucic.

Fico also said Serbia has adopted a number of decisions thus confirming it wants to be the factor of stability in the region (of the Western Balkans).

We offer Serbia all experiences from pre-accession talks, the Slovakian PM said.

Fico added Serbia has a very important role in chairing the OSCE.

He said he and PM Vucic also discussed activities of Slovakian companies in Serbia.

Stressing that the number of active Slovakian companies in Serbia is increasing, Fico added he expects more Serbian companies in Slovakia as well.

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic conferred on Thursday with Slovakian President Andrej Kiska to mark the beginning of his visit to Slovakia, and Kiska welcomed the efforts Serbia is investing on its EU path, noting that the most important matter now is to receive positive signals from the EU as soon as possible.

Vucic and Kiska discussed the two countries' relations, economic cooperation and the support of Slovakia to Serbia's EU path.

Kiska underscored that Slovakia has to do more in order to help chapters in Serbia's EU accession talks open sooner.

Vucic informed Kiska about the reforms the Serbian government is implementing and expressed gratitude for Slovakia's support to Serbia on its EU path, the Serbian government Office for cooperation with the media released.

He underscored that the two countries' economic cooperation is positive but he added that there is still room for increase of mutual exchange.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)