Serbia and Mongolia sign visa liberalization deal

BELGRADE -- Serbian FM Ivan Mrkić and his Mongolian counterpart Luvsanvandan Bold signed in Belgrade on Friday an agreement on visa liberalization.

It makes room for free flow of passengers and goods between the two countries and further improves their economic cooperation, reporters heard during a joint news conference.

Mrkić expressed the hope that this would open the path to bigger business projects.

Noting that Serbia and Mongolia share traditionally friendly ties, Mrkić said that Mongolia has a very dynamic economic development and the country's economic growth is on the top list in the world.

Mrkić expressed certainty that Serbian companies would be interested in presenting on the Mongolian market and added that the recently adopted laws in Mongolia make room for stable operation.

The Serbian minister said that he visited Ulan Bator in April and noted that this is the first official visit of a Mongolian foreign minister to Serbia.

Mrkić said that there was also "a possibility of reaching an agreement on the visit of Prime Minister Ivica Dačić to Ulan Bator."

Bold stated that his visit to Belgrade bears historic importance as this year marks the 57th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"The meeting covered a series of issues connected to the economic cooperation between the two countries, including political consultation, possibility of establishment of mechanisms of cooperation between the two parliaments and governments, as well as cooperation in the sectors of education, science and culture," Bold said.

He noted that his country occupies the 10th place in the world according to mineral sources, and added that Mongolia has achieved a two-digit economic growth rate.

"The economic growth in Mongolia is a downright miracle and a major success, and it can be shared with Serbia," the Mongolian foreign minister said, adding that Serbian businessmen can present their offer on the Mongolian market.

Bold is heading the delegation of Mongolia in its visit to Serbia, and a seminar on the improvement of the economic cooperation between Serbia and Mongolia was held in the Serbian Chamber of Commerce earlier on Friday.