Vucic: Serbia and Switzerland have dramatically improved cooperation; Parmelin: Our experience in mediation is at your disposal

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic stated that over the past 12 years Serbia and Switzerland have dramatically improved their cooperation, adding that trade exchange has increased fourfold, while the exchange of services has grown tenfold. President of Switzerland Guy Parmelin said that his country has extensive experience in mediation in numerous disputes and is available to Serbia and Kosovo if they seek assistance, also announcing that Swiss soldiers will remain part of KFOR.

Parmelin said that a proposal has been submitted to the Swiss parliament to renew the mandate of soldiers within KFOR and that they will remain in that NATO mission in Kosovo for the next three years.

“Switzerland has vast experience in mediation and we are always ready to make that expertise available when there are conflicts or difficulties and to try to bring everyone to the table. We are at your disposal if that is your wish,” Parmelin said at a joint press conference.

He also pointed out that the priority of his country’s foreign policy is stability in the Balkans, noting that Switzerland has invested more than three billion euros in the region through international cooperation.

“Countries in the region have achieved significant progress in terms of security and strengthening democratic institutions. There are always challenges and the situation is somewhat uncertain, but we are here to promote dialogue, build trust and ensure that progress continues,” Parmelin said.

He stressed that due to the complexity of the geopolitical situation, it is even more important for countries to establish a common framework around the desire for peace and democracy.
Parmelin noted that Serbia and Switzerland developed strong and solid friendship already during the First World War.

He also emphasized that he is well aware of the large Serbian diaspora in his country and that it plays a very important role in relations between the two states.

“Serbia is Switzerland’s main trading partner in the Balkans. Today we are celebrating the anniversary of our relations, but we are also strengthening cooperation and exchange, and I am very pleased about that,” Parmelin said.

He added that he proposed establishing a human rights dialogue between Switzerland and Serbia, which is not new for his country.

“These are discussions where all problems and difficulties are brought to the table, so that we can be effective and have no closed doors for anyone or anything,” Parmelin said.

Vucic: Serbia and Switzerland have dramatically improved cooperation

At the joint press conference with Parmelin, Vucic said he was very pleased to host the Swiss president after 18 years and on the 110th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

He recalled that trade exchange has reached 1.1 billion euros, while services exchange stands at 1.61 billion euros.

“This speaks of important and close cooperation. Switzerland is among the largest investors with three billion euros. I believe we can expect new investments,” Vucic emphasized.

He noted that he also discussed with his guest the large number of Serbs in Switzerland, around 130,000, who represent a bridge between the two countries.

Vucic stressed that the signed Innovation Program provides an opportunity for mutual learning.

“Due to the exceptionally large number of talented people in Serbia, I believe that both sides will benefit from this document,” he added.

Vucic said that he discussed all key political and economic issues with Parmelin, as well as strategic plans.

He also referred to dual education, which Serbia began implementing based on the Swiss model, noting that progress has stalled.

Vucic pointed out that President Parmelin himself went through dual education and is now head of state.

“We embraced dual education wholeheartedly, and then we stopped. Switzerland achieves outstanding results precisely because of dual education,” he said, adding that Serbia initially gained a major advantage in the region but later faced numerous problems, including growing resistance.

“We started excellently, we had a huge advantage over our neighbors who did not have the courage to introduce dual education. Then we encountered countless problems. Resistance began to spread through the media and within the government to further adoption of the Swiss model. You have to accept the influence of private companies, not the public sector. Although I urged them to adopt the Swiss model, there was not enough courage to do so. I hope that those who lead the next government will continue this and take the necessary steps, however difficult they may be in our rather weakened education system,” he added.

He pointed out that currently 21,580 students are in the dual education system, which, he assessed, is insufficient for Serbia.

“Training centers have been completed in Vlasotince and two other places. I visited Swiss factories where Serbs worked. We still have remnants of socialist self-management. We must learn that it no longer works that way. We do not want to give up the privileges the state offers. I fear that we will have to change many things. Unfortunately, there was no understanding or political strength,” he said.

Vucic added that Switzerland proposed organizing dialogue with various groups in society on human rights issues.

“I said that we are always ready to listen to people who want to discuss in a professional and impartial way how to improve life for everyone who is different, for various social groups, from political to national minorities, and we are very open to any form of cooperation on this issue,” he emphasized.

He expressed confidence that the visit of the Swiss president will provide a strong boost to further progress in Serbian-Swiss relations in all areas of social life.

Responding to journalists’ questions, Vucic said that the global situation is becoming more complicated every day.

“No serious person can promise anything. The only thing I can promise is that we will preserve peace and stability and build financial buffers. We are waiting for the moment to best protect our financial interests,” he said.

Vucic added that Switzerland also saw, after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, that it is impossible to act without upsetting someone.

“Everyone is upset with us, and that tells me that our position as a sovereign country is correct,” the Serbian president said.

He concluded by noting that Serbia is on its European path and expects the parliament to soon adopt amendments to laws proposed by the Venice Commission.