Nikolic: France is of great help to Serbia's EU integration

He pointed out the so called Great Albania project to the French prime minister, adding that the increasing frequency of Albanian provocations in the region could turn into a problem of larger scale, which even the EU would not be able to solve

BELGRADE - Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic met with France's Prime MInister Manuel Valls on Friday and said that France was of great help to Serbia's EU integration and that it had proven itself a true friend during this year's floods.

He welcomed Valls on behalf of the Serbian people, adding that he was certain that the inscription on the monument of gratitude to France, saying: "Let us love France the way it loved us," was inscribed also on the Serbian people's hearts.

Unfortunately, it is increasingly customary to measure friendship by economic parameters and many countries have overtaken France in that field, he stated, stressing that Serbia was an optimal destination for investors because of its good geographical position, successful reforms, skilled workforce and numerous free trade agreements.

"France is of great help to our European course, and it has proven itself a true friend during the floods that hit us," he noted, pointing out that the donor conference in Brussels had been held thanks to support from French President Francois Hollande, resulting in significant funds for the flooded areas.

Serbia is dedicated to peace and stability in the region, which is why it is active in the talks with Pristina, Nikolic remarked.

"We are dedicated to ensuring a normal life for the people in the province, but we cannot make any moves towards recognising the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo," he underscored.

He pointed out the so called Great Albania project to the French prime minister, adding that the increasing frequency of Albanian provocations in the region could turn into a problem of larger scale, which even the EU would not be able to solve.

Valls stated he was touched by the Serbian people's sincere friendship visible at every step.

He commended the Serbian authorities on successful implementation of structural reforms and the pace of Serbia's EU integration, emphasising that there were many things connecting the two nations, and that the economic relations would have to improve after top-level meetings.

Valls informed Nikolic that he had talked to other Serbian officials about ways of improving cooperation related to agriculture, industry, subway and airports, and that France would offer its expert knowledge and be the top foreign partner to Serbia should Serbia be prepared for it.

He was also interested in Nikolic's view concerning the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Republika Srpska, and Nikolic responded that Serbia would not do anything to destabilise Bosnia-Herzegovina, but that the EU should invest more effort into making that country a functional one.