Wir möchten die Bürger darüber informieren, dass ab dem 01. Mai 2021 die Zahlung für alle konsularischen Dienste in der Botschaft ausschließlich mit Karten erfolgt.

13. Jun 2022. 

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Nikola Selaković met with Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria Alexander Schallenberg in Belgrade today.

At the press conference, Minister Selaković said that he had talked with his Austrian counterpart about the most important bilateral and international matters, and noted that their conversations were always friendly and sincere.

Minister Selaković stated that Serbia was interested in further developing a partnership with Austria. He stressed that Austria was the third largest investor in Serbian economy, and that Austrian companies employed 22,400 Serbian citizens.

Minister Selaković thanked Austria for its unambiguous support to Serbia on its European path. He added that Serbia highly appreciated the non-paper recently presented by Minister Schallenberg and the Minister for the EU and Constitution of Austria, and emphasised that it demonstrated that Austrian support to EU enlargement was not just pro forma, but a genuine commitment.

Furthermore, Minister Selaković stated that he had informed Minister Schallenberg about the Open Balkan initiative which, as he said, contributed to the improvement of the living standard in Serbia and the country’s better preparation for EU accession.

Asked to comment on the fact that Prime Minister of Greece Mitsotakis had recently said that he wanted the entire Western Balkans to be a part of EU by 2033, Minister Selaković said that Greece was one of the promoters of the integration of Southeast Europe in EU, but that this was a question that should also be posed to all other Member States.

“This is not just a question of where Serbia is, but also where EU is, and whether EU wants all Western Balkan countries as its Member States, and under which conditions”, said Minister Selaković.

Minister Selaković repeated that Serbia was committed to remaining on its European path and reforming its society, but that its path towards EU did not depend on Serbia only.

He also said that he had talked with Minister Schallenberg about the situation in the region, particularly in Kosovo and Metohija and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as about the war in Ukraine. Asked why Serbia had not joined the sanctions against Russia, Minister Selaković stated that Serbia had been a part of a country which was under international sanctions, and that these sanctions had not done anyone any good.

“From the beginning of the crisis in Ukraine, we have clearly expressed our position and condemned Russia's actions, and we have said that we are strongly committed to respecting territorial integrity and sovereignty of all internationally recognised UN Member States”, said Minister Selaković. He stressed that Serbia respected the territorial integrity of Ukraine, and would always advocate for it, as Serbia’s own territorial integrity had, in his words, also been violated.

“Our national interest is our first priority. EU accession is a process that has lasted 19 years and nobody knows when it will end, and our citizens need to survive in the meantime”, concluded Minister Selaković.

Minister Schallenberg stated at the press conference that there was a strong human and cultural bridge connecting Serbia and Austria, reflected in the presence of Austrian investors in Serbia and their interest in intensifying their activities.

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic received today outgoing Austrian Ambassador to Serbia Nikolaus Lutterotti on a farewell visit and thanked him on exceptional cooperation during the past four years and the improvement of bilateral relations in all fields.

Brnabic underlined that the relations of Serbia and Austria are on the rise and that she expects this trend to continue, noting that the recent visit of the Austrian Chancellor to Belgrade is a confirmation of that.

That visit was very important for us, Brnabic stated.

The two officials also discussed the current world topics and the continuation of Austrian investments in Serbia.

The Austrian Ambassador said that he is leaving Belgrade enriched with a significant diplomatic experience and many friends, that it was a privilege and pleasure to work in Serbia and that his country’s support has always been entirely honest and that it will remain so.

Brnabic wished Ambassador Lutterotti a lot of success in his new position and said that he is always welcome in Serbia.

Today, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic welcomed Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria, Karl Nehammer, who is on a one-day official visit to Belgrade.

A solemn reception was prepared for the Austrian Chancellor in front of the Palace of Serbia, with the lined-up Guard of the Serbian Army and the performance of the anthems of the two countries.

After the reception, a tete-a-tete meeting between the Prime Minister and the Chancellor took place, followed by a plenary meeting of the delegations of the government of Serbia and the Federal Government of Austria, after which Brnabic and Nehammer will address the press.

The Federal Chancellor of Austria will also meet with President of the Republic Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade, and will also talk with the Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church Porfirije.

Nehammer has been the chancellor since the beginning of December last year, and this is his first visit to Serbia on that duty.

The Austrian Chancellor pointed out that Serbia is a geostrategically and geopolitically important partner of Austria, and added that at this time it is unprecedented to send the message that the countries of the Western Balkans belong to the European Union and Europe.

He pointed out that Austria sees itself as a bridge and has an interest in accelerating the accession process of the Western Balkans, reiterating that Austria will work on further deepening relations with Serbia and the region.
Austria is also a big investor in Serbia, because this market is very interesting, the chancellor said and said that the two countries would deepen their further bilateral cooperation.

I can proudly say that we have one of the largest diasporas from Serbia in Austria. We are proud of our citizens of Serbian origin, who respect their new homeland, and do not forget the motherland. That connects us, he pointed out.