Mrkic: Serbia's ties with Austria improving constantly

VIENNA - The ties between Austria and Serbia are better than ever and can only be expected to become stronger, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkic has said.

"In many areas our cooperation has been exemplary," Mrkic told Tanjug on Thursday after a Serbian delegation headed by President Tomislav Nikolic ended the first day of its official visit to Vienna.

President Nikolic's discussions with officials in Vienna were cordial and friendly, and it was evident that many things bring us closer together, the Serbian foreign minister said, adding that the two countries have many joint plans.

"Austria is one of the countries that have been supporting Serbia's European integrations wholeheartedly, and it will continue to do so. Vienna has publicly supported the opening of Serbia's EU accession talks," he said.

The two countries' plans to together mark the centenary of the Great War, in which they were in conflict, show that they are resolved to strengthen their cooperation and look towards the future, Mrkic said.

President Nikolic met with Austrian President Heinz Fischer, Parliament Speaker Barbara Prammer and the heads of all Austrian parliamentary groups in Vienna on Thursday and spoke to Austrian businesspeople and representatives of the Serbian diaspora in the country.

Photo, Tanjug video