Donald Tusk's two-day visit was the first such visit by a Polish Prime Minister to Serbia in 11 years. He came to Belgrade at the invitation of President Aleksandar Vučić. 

During a joint speech with the President of Serbia, the Polish Prime Minister thanked the Serbs for their hospitality. 

 

The entire Polish delegation was very touched to see Belgrade flying white and red Polish flags, European flags and, of course, Serbian flags,

the Prime Minister noted. 

 

During his visit to the capital of Serbia, Donald Tusk also held talks with Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević, as well as with another visitor - Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. 

The sympathetic reception of the Polish delegation by the Serbian side shows that - despite the differences between our countries on important issues - there is space to build trust, empathy and mutual understanding. Poland is interested in the dynamic development of its relations with Serbia. 

 

For Poland, bilateral relations with Serbia are very important - mainly strengthening our economic cooperation,

the Prime Minister noted. 

 

The talks concerned cooperation in the area of the defence industry, as well as scientific partnerships. 

 

These days, Poland is one of our key partners, not just because of Poland's path to becoming part of the European Union, and not just because of Poland’s ability to decide on many things regarding Serbia, but because of our bilateral relations, which are primarily about trade,

President Aleksandar Vučic noted. 

 

On the sidelines of the Polish Prime Minister's visit to Serbia, a business roundtable meeting of Polish and Serbian companies also took place.

Donald Tusk reaffirmed Poland's support for Serbia and other Western Balkan countries in their EU integration process.  

 

Poland supports Serbia on the path to joining the EU. Without Serbia, the European Union will not be complete,

Mr Tusk stated in Serbian. 

 

The Belgrade talks bring Serbia closer to the EU. 

 

I am convinced that our talks open up a much broader perspective in terms of cooperation between the European Union as a whole and Serbia, as well as between Poland and Serbia,

said the Prime Minister. 

 

President Aleksandar Vučic shared similar impressions after the meeting. 

 

I think there are new opportunities opening up, new hopes that we can look forward to in the near future. I do not want to talk about accelerating anything, but I have to point out that good cooperation can be expected,

the Serbian president concluded. 

 

Donald Tusk acknowledged that there are some disappointments on both sides of Serbia's EU integration process, and some decisions are not understandable. What brings us closer is our willingness to cooperate and exchange views. 

 

There are no disagreements or issues in the relationship between Serbia and the EU that cannot be resolved, and they do not have to stand in the way of EU enlargement,

the Polish Prime Minister claimed. 

 

During the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU, achieving the best possible partnership with Serbia will be the focus of the authorities. 

During the talks in Belgrade, the politicians also touched on geopolitical issues. Although Serbia has not aligned with the EU sanctions on Russia, it provides support to Ukraine, including ammunition and humanitarian aid. 

 

We understand very well why we have different views on relations with Russia. This makes me all the more appreciative of the mutual understanding when it comes to issues such as humanitarian aid to Ukraine and the fact that we are able to discuss the situation on Poland's eastern border, Belarus, Russia. We might have different views, but we also have mutual respect and understanding,

the Polish Prime Minister stated. 

 

President Aleksandar Vučic thanked Donald Tusk for the meeting and exchanging perspectives.