SERBIA-FRANCE

BILATERAL POLITICAL RELATIONS

Diplomatic relations with France were established on 18 January 1879, when the Legation of the Kingdom of Serbia was opened in Paris. After a short period of severance in 1999, diplomatic relations were re-established on November 17, 2000.

The Republic of Serbia maintains the diplomatic relations with the French Republic at ambassadorial level. Its Ambassador to Paris is Dr. Predrag Simic.

The diplomatic and consular missions of the two countries are:

The Embassy of Serbia in Paris and the Consulates in Lyon and Strasbourg
The French Embassy in Belgrade

The most important meetings between government officials of the two countries in 2002 and 2003:

September 10, 2002 - The President of Serbia and Montenegro Federal Assembly Chamber of Citizens, D. Micunovic, met in Paris with the Chairman of the French National Assembly Commission for International Relations, Eduard Balladur.
September 11, 2002 The Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, G. Svilanovic, met with the French Foreign Minister, Dominique de Villepin, in New York during the 57th UN GA session.
October 29, 2002 - The Minister of Finance of the Republic of Serbia, B. Djelic, had a meeting with the French Minister of Economy, Finances and Industry, Francis Mer, in Paris.
November 20-22, 2002 - A delegation of the Association of French Industrialists (MEDEF), headed by its President, Ernest Antoine de Seilliere, visited Belgrade.
March 26-27, 2003 - Foreign Minister G. Svilanovic paid an official visit to France. His delegation included Serbian Finance Minister B. Djelic and Montenegrin Minister of Economic Cooperation and Integration S. Milacic.
October 1, 2003 - Foreign Minister Svilanovic met the French Minister Delegated for European Affairs, Noelle Lenoir, during the 32nd UNESCO's General Conference in Paris.
20-21 November 2003, Minister of International Economic Relations B. Lukovac visited the French Foreign Trade Centre (CFCE);
9-11 December 2003, Deputy Foreign Minister I. Luksic visited France;
22 December 2003, Defence Minister B. Tadic visited France;
19 April 2004, representatives of the SCG - France Friendship Group visited Serbia and Montenegro;
16-17 June 2004, Defence Minister Davinic visited France;
22-23 July 2004, French Foreign Minister M. Barnier visited Serbia and Montenegro;
September 2004, Montenegrin Foreign Minister M. Vlahovic visited France;
19-24 November 2004, SCG President Svetozar Marovic visited Paris, heading the government and trade delegation;
14-15 December 2004, President of the SCG Assembly Z. Sami visited the French National Assembly and Senat.

Most important meetings of state officials in 2005:

28 February - 3 March 2005, Minister of Foreign Economic Relations of the R. of Serbia M. Parivodic visited France;
6-7 April 2005, Vice Premier M. Labus visited France;
18-22 April 2005, Delegation of the French Senate visited Serbia and Montenegro (Belgrade, Podgorica, Pristina);
12 May 2005, Foreign Minister V. Draskovic met with Foreign Minister M. Barnier during the Donor Conference on the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Kosovo and Metohija;
End of June 2005, Governor of the National Bank of Serbia R. Jelasic visited Paris;
22 September 2005, Foreign Minister V. Draskovic conferred with the Minister for European Affairs of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs C.Colona;
14 June 2005, President of the Assembly of the R. of Montenegro R. Krivokapic paid a working visit to France;
9-10 December 2005, French Foreign Minister P. Douste Blazy visited Serbia and Montenegro;
19-21 December 2005, President of the Republic of Serbia B. Tadic visited Paris.
10-11 April 2006 – Prime Minister V. Kostunica visited Paris
24-26 April 2006 – Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovic paid a return visit to France
25-26 September 2006 – Chairman of the Constitutional Council of France Pierre Mazo visited Belgrade
16-17 October 2006 - Minister of Culture of the Republic of Serbia D. Kojadinovic visited France
12-13 December 2006, Minister for Foreign Economic Relations M. Parivodic visited France.

ECONOMIC RELATIONS

In 2005, the volume of trade between the two countries was US$ 453,827 million. (our exports amounted to US$ 163,683 million and imports were US$ 290,144 million), thus continuing the trend of growth of commodity exchange (our exports were US $ 189 and imports US $ 281.1 million). Our trade deficit was reduced.

France is Serbia’s sixth export and fifth import partner (third in the EU). Total France’s investment in our country for period 2000-2005, amounted to 405 million euro (privatization proceeds, new direct foreign investments). According to the size, investments in the Republic of Serbia are in the fourth place.

The presence of French companies in terms of direct investments and privatization in the Republic of Serbia is significant (Michelin, Lafarge, Intermarche, Credit Agricole, Tarkett, Vinci Construction). The major French investment is the privatization of the Beocin Cement Factory (Lafarge).

The conclusion of a financial protocol worth EUR 35 million for the financing of various infrastructure projects is in progress (waste water treatment in Cacak and the project on the reconstruction of power network in Montenegro). France has provided EUR 5.5 million in financial assistance for the reform of institutions and the educational system, development of independent media, as well as health and culture.

In 2005, French-Serbian-Montenegrin business club was established in Belgrade.

A Joint Chamber of Economic, Industrial and Trade Cooperation has been established in Paris.

Our agricultural capacities were presented at the International Agricultural Fair (SIAL) held in Paris from 22-26 October 2006.

French Agency for International Development of Entrepreneurship (UBIFRANCE) launched an initiative “Serbia in France” for 2007.

AGREEMENTS

With the signing of the Agreement on the Succession of Interstate Treaties on 26 March 2003, the procedure of consolidation of the treaty status between the two countries has been completed. Among the treaties that have been taken over, the most important ones are: the Agreement for the Protection of Investments (1974); the Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation (1974); the Convention on Social Security (1950); the Agreement on Cultural Cooperation (1964); the Agreement on Road Transport (1964).

Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovic signed the Readmission Agreement during his visit to France on 24-26 April 2006.

It is envisaged that during the visit of M. Parivodic, Minister for Foreign Economic Relations in December 2006, the Memorandum on Understanding between our Ministry for Foreign Economic Relations and the French Ministry of economy, industry and finance will be signed.

CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL COOPERATION

In October 2005, four-year Agreement on Scientific Cooperation was signed by the Ministry of Science and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia and the National Center for Scientific Research of France (CNRS).

University cooperation is successful, primarily thanks to the establishment of bilingual diplomas in Belgrade (French-Serbian and French-English).

From 13-22 September 2006, “Days of Vojvodina in France” were organized in Paris, a political, business and cultural event.

Serbian culture and arts in France are mostly represented through annual programs of the Cultural Center of the Republic of Serbia in Paris.

Director of the Cultural Center of the Republic of Serbia in Paris is Branka Bogavac (September 2004).

December 2006