Belarus and Serbia are set to reach $500 million in trade, Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic said in an interview to the Belarus 1 TV channel, BelTA has learned.

“Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko is a sincere friend to Serbia and the Serbian people. Belarus is a truly friendly country for Serbia. We are proud of our Belarusian friends,” said Aleksandar Vucic. “In 2018, we increased trade by 38%. I believe that this year we will get $160 million. Although, it is still not enough. We need to work further and set a goal of reaching $500 million. I think we can open new areas in all spheres of public life. I expect that Aleksandr Lukashenko's visit will be a serious impetus to the development of our relations.”

The president of Serbia emphasized the importance of direct flights between Belgrade and Minsk for tourism. “About 9,000 Serbian tourists have visited Minsk this year. I believe the figure can be 20,000 at least. Belgrade has also been hosting more Belarusian tourists recently,” he said. Direct flights also contribute to business contacts. More representatives of Serbian business are showing interest in Belarus. “We are fully open and ready to welcome all foreign investors who want to participate in privatization projects in Serbia,” Aleksandar Vucic said.

Serbia was bombed in 1999. “In 1999, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko was one of the few who decided to come here, one of the few who offered any assistance, who was absolutely against the NATO bombing of Serbia. The Serbs will never forget it,” the president of Serbia said.