INTERVIEW
Milestone for Bilateral Relations Huge potential for increase of mutual economic relations
H.E. TOMÁŠ KUCHTA Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Serbia
In September, Czech President Milos Zeman visited Belgrade. A month later, the Serbian guest was the Speaker of the Czech Parliament. This shows that the relations between Serbia and the Czech Republic are at the highest level today, which is what we are talking about with H.E. Tomáš Kuchta Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Serbia. The Speaker of the Czech Parliament recently visited Serbia. What are the results of that visit?
— The visit of H.E. Radek Vondráček was a milestone for bilateral relations between the two countries. For the first time in our modern history had the representative of the Czech Republic the honour
8
to give a speech in front of the members of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. He confirmed longstanding excellent relationship and expressed many thanks to the Serbian people for strong support during the most difficult times for our nation in 1938 and 1968. He also underlined our strong support to Serbia during its
The Serbia-Czech Republic Business Forum was held in Belgrade in September during the Czech President Miloš Zeman's visit to Serbia. What agreements were concluded at the forum? Are there new investments planned?
— First of all, let me mention that we feel a huge potential for increase of mutual economic re-
THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEMS IN THE CZECH EXPORT TO SERBIA ARE MOTOR VEHICLES FOR TRANSPORT OF PERSONS, I.E. THE PRODUCTION OF THE COMPANY ŠKODA AUTO integration to the European Union. Members of the National Assembly highly appreciated his speech. He had also very fruitful meetings with the President Mr. Aleksandar Vučić, the President of the National Assembly, Mrs. Maja Gojković and the Prime Minister, Mrs. Ana Brnabić.
lations. This was very visible at the Serbia-Czech Business Forum during the Czech President Miloš Zeman´s visit. Czech companies had a chance to meet more than 190 registered Serbian partners and that is why I do not have any doubt that there were running very
fruitful meetings about the future cooperation. I cannot go to the details but let me indicate that we see main perspectives in sectors of infrastructure, energy, transportation, water management, real estates, etc. How much interest do Czech business people show for Serbia and how often do they turn to the Embassy for advice as to how to reach the Serbian market?
— Well, I can confirm that we are in a contact with Czech businessmen permanently, on daily basis. They can contact Economic and Commercial Section of the Embassy or they can use services of the export promotion agency CzechTrade which has an office in Belgrade (Communication is running through emails, but also personally). One of very successful forms of support to Czech companies are business missions, which we prepare in a close cooperation with
www.diplomacyandcommerce.rs