Nikolic: Serbia renews old friendships

ABU DHABI - Serbia has neglected its old friendships for some time, but now these friendships are being renewed and strengthened, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic said in an interview for Abu Dhabi-based daily The National.

Nikolic, who arrived on a working to the UAE on Sunday, told the daily that the economic cooperation between Serbia and the UAE is being continued and expanded, Radio and Television of Serbia reported.

The friendship between the two countries has existed for decades, and now, after a standstill, we are making effort to go ahead, the president said.

President Nikolic said that the two countries are linked not only by a similar past, but also the perception of religion.

What we have in common is the timeless fight for freedom, and although we have different religions, we share a wide perspective of the world in which there is room for everyone, he said.

Speaking about the economic crisis, Nikolic said that the blame should be put on the world system, particularly the banking system which, as he said, turned out to be a great fraud.

The Serbian president said that there is plenty of room to expand economic cooperation, stressing the potentials of Serbia and the UAE.

Serbia offers a wide range of agricultural products, Nikolic said, adding that it will also start producing IT technology thanks to investments from the UEA.

Serbia does not want anything for free, all we want is to work, and all the money that is invested in production will be given back, he said.

He believes that the fact the UAE has chosen Serbia as its strategic partner is the result of mutual understanding, rather than profit, as the UAE could have easily found profit elsewhere.