"German vice-chancellor to focus on economy"

"German vice-chancellor to focus on economy"

BELGRADE -- The upcoming visit to Belgrade by German Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel is "proof of good bilateral relations and a desire to promote economic cooperation."

This is what German Ambassador in Belgrade Heinz Wilhelm told Tanjug.

Gabriel will head a German business delegation during a two-day visit that will start on November 16. He will meet with Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić , Minister of Economy Željko Sertić and a number of businessmen, Tanjug was told earlier at the vice-chancellor's office.

Wilhelm said that Gabriel, who also served as federal minister for economic affairs and energy, was Germany's most senior official to come to Serbia after the visit Chancellor Angela Merkel, who had met with Serbian officials in Belgrade in August 2011.

It shows the intensity and quality of bilateral relations between Serbia and Germany, said Wilhelm, adding that the fact that Gabriel was coming with a delegation of 60-70 businessmen was proof that German companies were interested in investing in Serbia.

Wilhelm attached much importance to an agreement on the establishment of a German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, which he believes is another signal showing that economic relations are being raised to a new level.

Asked whether Gabriel would come to Belgrade with a political message, Wilhelm said that politics was an inevitable part of life and that the vice-chancellor would certainly touch on some political issues, but was not does bringing any new political message and his visit would focus on the economic affairs.

Asked about time when the negotiating chapters in accession negotiations between Serbia and the EU could be opened...