Ukraine Deputy PM Visits Serbia for Trade Talks

Serbia is hosting a significant delegation of Ukrainian business leaders, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Taras Kachka, signaling a potential deepening of economic relations between the two nations. This visit, which includes meetings with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, underscores a mutual interest in exploring avenues for enhanced bilateral trade and cooperation.

A key objective of the delegation's visit is to advance negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Currently, Serbia and Ukraine stand as the sole European countries without such an accord, a situation stemming from initial talks that began in 2005. The Serbian business community, represented by the Chamber of Commerce, actively participated in a Serbian-Ukrainian business forum, bringing together over 40 companies from sectors like agriculture, logistics, and manufacturing.

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Now is the right time for more intensive development of bilateral trade and joint projects.

Deputy Prime Minister Kachka expressed optimism, stating that "now is the right time" for intensified bilateral trade and joint projects. The proposed FTA is viewed not just as a trade facilitation measure but as a cornerstone for long-term strategic partnership. For Serbia, this engagement represents an opportunity to integrate further into regional economic frameworks and potentially unlock new markets, despite the complex geopolitical backdrop. The focus on sectors like river transport and logistics also highlights potential synergies in infrastructure development.

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The Free Trade Agreement is seen as a project of long-term cooperation.