The possibilities for developing cooperation in economy, tourism and infrastructure were among the main topics at the meeting between Speaker of Parliament Tsveta Karayancheva and President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić.

Tourism is a national priority for Bulgaria, which wants to become an all-year-round tourist destination, emphasised the Speaker of Parliament at the meeting. Tsveta Karayancheva said that for the development of this sector as well as the economic ties between the two countries there needs to be a good infrastructure, which will ensure fast and easy transport between the two countries.

We have to consider tourism not just as a source of revenue, but also an opportunity for establishing more contacts between the citizens of Serbia and Bulgaria, emphasised President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić at the meeting. The number of Bulgarians who visit Serbia has greatly increased, and while they ranked twelfth among foreign tourists, they now have the fourth place, with an upward trend to become third, he said. Once the Belgrade-Nish-Dimitrovgrad-Sofia motorway is built, the number of travellers will increase even more, added the Serbian President.

The Speaker of Parliament expressed Bulgaria’s support for the efforts made by Serbia on its way to EU membership. We are ready to share our experience in synchronising our legislation with EU law, and utilising the opportunities provided by the EU funds, said Tsveta Karayancheva.

The Speaker of Parliament recalled the main priority of the Bulgarian Presidency, the European prospect for the Western Balkan countries. We will make efforts to keep this topic in the agenda of the European Union after the presidency. Tsveta Karayancheva told the Serbian President that in September Bulgaria would be hosting an inter-parliamentary event on the Western Balkans and pass the baton to the next rotating presidents of the Council of the EU.

The President of Serbia thanked for the support that Bulgaria was giving to his country on the way to a full membership in the EU. Tsveta Karayancheva and Aleksandar Vučić expressed their confidence that the trade exchange between Bulgaria and Serbia will continue to grow.