“Only a few countries have managed to achieve results in Europe like you have, and that is something to be very proud of. I cannot say I am envious, because I do not like that word, but I would wish my country to achieve similar success in all areas,” the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, said at a joint briefing with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

According to the Serbian President, Georgia has achieved remarkable results from 2012 to the present day, including in terms of economic development. He noted that in Europe there is discussion that such a pace of economic growth in Western Europe would be highly desirable.

“Beyond diplomatic relations, our countries have a special relationship. I am the first president to come to your beautiful country, and I thank you for such a wonderful reception and for our relations. We do not see Georgia only as a friendly country and nation; we also share long-standing Orthodox traditions, and I am very glad that I had the opportunity to meet with the Patriarch, His Holiness Shio III. Our brotherly Orthodox relationship is special. I also understand how far-reaching your vision is. We are friends and we always respect each other. We always understand each other and the policies we implement in our countries. I am pleased with Serbia’s results, and I am also proud of what you have achieved from 2012 until today - Georgia has achieved remarkable results. I say this on behalf of Serbia. The country recognizes your achievements. Some perceive it as something that should have happened naturally, but we do not think so. In Serbia, everyone knows that Georgia’s economic growth rate in the first quarter was 9.3 percent. We know that Europe does not have such figures, and we are also proud of your results. When the first quarter is fully assessed, we will also see our own figures, but we already see how much progress Georgia is making and how fast its development is. If such a trend existed in Western Europe, such a pace of economic development would be extraordinary. I am proud of what is happening in Georgia. I am very pleased with your achievements, and we are learning a lot from you. There was 12 percent growth in the construction sector in Georgia, which is also an exceptional figure, and tourism also showed very high growth. We see where we can learn from you and what we should work on more in Serbia in order to approach your indicators. I would like to thank you for such great achievements in protecting Georgia’s national position, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. There are many countries in the world that are watching you, carefully studying the approaches in Georgia, and trying to improve themselves,” the Serbian President said.

He also stated that a free trade agreement between Georgia and Serbia will be signed in the near future.

“In the first quarter, bilateral trade increased by 36.4 percent. In services and tourism we are seeing progress, because there are direct flights, and this indicator is growing thanks to Serbian tourists. I would wish that many Georgian tourists would come to Serbia. Coming to Tbilisi is a great pleasure, and I look forward to Georgian businesspeople coming to Serbia and seeing the opportunities available in the country. We discussed many areas and have a very broad vision. I want to say that we will soon have the opportunity to sign a free trade agreement. This is a special emphasis in our relations. On this basis, the growth of our relations will accelerate. These bilateral trade and economic relations are something we are actively working on, and we are only a small step away from completing negotiations and, after signing the agreement, starting active trade under it.

It is very important for us that many services from Georgia enter through commercial channels. Imagine how much imports from Georgia will increase after the free trade agreement is signed. Our access will be unrestricted. Consumers in Serbia will greatly benefit from such important imports from Georgia. This will be equally important for producers and consumers. An embassy of Serbia will soon be opened in Georgia, and I am very pleased about that decision. I hope a decision will also be made to open a Georgian embassy in Serbia, and this will further support our relations and their development. Such high-level integration will be important. In this way, we will further strengthen the interests of both Serbia and Georgia, and it will be very beneficial for both sides. We can mention many examples, but the emotional connection is very strong - whether in tourism, people-to-people relations, or any other field.

I was amazed to discover that, besides wine tourism, you also have ski tourism. This was new to me, although many people know about it. Your ski infrastructure is similar to that of Europe. Many people love coming to Georgia for many reasons. I wish success to Georgia in the future. Your efforts are truly admirable. Thank you for such a warm reception, and I hope you will also feel at home when you visit us. I am taking great memories from Tbilisi,” Vučić said.