Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić paid a two-day visit to the Republic of Finland, where he met with the country’s top officials.
The head of Serbian diplomacy met with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, as well as Johannes Koskinen, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Finnish Parliament, and members of that body.
Đurić said that all of them confirmed strong and unequivocal support for Serbia’s European future and gave new momentum to bilateral relations between the two countries. He added that the visit itself represents a significant step in improving interstate ties, given that it was the first ministerial visit to Finland in more than ten years. He particularly stressed the importance of strengthening Serbia’s relations with the Nordic countries, describing the visit to Finland as an important step in that direction. 
Constructive talks on politics, security, and cooperation
According to the press service of Serbia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meetings were highly constructive and covered a broad range of topics. Views were exchanged on wider political, security, and economic developments in Europe, as well as on opportunities to further improve bilateral cooperation between Serbia and Finland in areas of shared interest.
Finnish investment and economic potential
Speaking about economic cooperation, Đurić recalled that several Finnish companies are already operating in Serbia, especially in the field of renewable energy, and expressed expectations that the volume of Finnish investment will increase further in the period ahead.
Discussion also covered Kosovo and Metohija
Đurić also discussed issues on which the two sides do not fully share the same views, including Kosovo and Metohija. He informed his Finnish counterparts about new repressive measures by the authorities in Priština and pointed to the difficult position of the Serbian people in the province.
Symbolic end to the visit at Finlandia Hall
The visit ended symbolically with a tour of Finlandia Hall in Helsinki, where the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) was founded. After the visit to Finlandia Hall, Đurić said that Europe today needs peace, renewed dialogue and cooperation, as well as consistent respect for international law and the territorial integrity of states more than ever before.
The Serbian foreign minister expressed confidence that relations between Serbia and Finland will continue to develop along an upward path after this visit, adding that both sides will seek to make use of the significant economic potential that exists.
Photos: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
