Brazil, Serbia abolish visa requirements, seek closer bilateral ties

On his first official visit to Serbia, Celso Amorim, Brazil's foreign minister, signed two separate agreements in Belgrade on Sunday that would abolish visa requirements for citizens and diplomats of the two countries.

Amorim, at a joint press conference in Belgrade with his Serbian counterpart, Vuk Jeremic, told reporters that the exemption of visa requirements would bring Serbia closer to Brazil than to many of its European neighbors. He encouraged Serbian citizens to consider Brazil a travel destination, especially for the 2014 World Cup and Olympic Games of 2016.

Along with these agreements, they signed a memorandum of understanding to consult each other on a number of political issues. In addition, the two foreign ministers discussed matters pertaining to increasing bilateral commerce.

"We also talked about business opportunities," said Amorim. "I know there is interest in the area of food processing, especially in relation to meat, but also we may find opportunities in the areas of defense, e-government, software and many other areas."

Jeremic stressed the importance of Brazil's "principled" support of Serbia with respect to the status of Kosovo, which unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Serbia has challenged the legality of this declaration before the International Court of Justice in Strasbourg.

"In today's world, in the 21st century, everything you attempt has greater prestige and success if supported by Brazil," said Jeremic.

During a meeting with Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic, Amorim repeated Brazil's position and said his country would continue to support the diplomatic initiative of Serbia before the International Court of Justice.

Source: Xinhua