Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Nikola Selakovic sent a video message to the Foreign Minister of Paraguay Federico Alberto González Franco, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Minister Selakovic stressed that Paraguay and Serbia share common values and a desire to deepen cooperation, not only at the diplomatic and political levels, but also in terms of trade and forging closer and stronger cooperation in culture, science, sports and all areas it can be maintained  between two friendly countries.

The Serbian Foreign Minister recalled that the relations between the two countries were established in 1950 and stressed that Paraguay, as a friendly country, in the past managed not to let its friendship with Serbia diminish amid difficult and deep crises and remain our good friend and partner, noting that numerous challenges did not undermine the friendship between our two countries, but have additionally strengthened and solidified it instead.

"We are sincerely and from the heart grateful for the great support and understanding you extended to us in those moments, that you continue to lend to us today when Serbia is making efforts to preserve and strengthen its policy, by peaceful and diplomatic means, insisting on the respect for and the preservation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our state", Minister Selakovic said.

The Minister said that, inspired by the marking of this important anniversary for Serbia and seeking to identify the very foundations of our friendship and good cooperation, we came across the information that in 1903, the then President of the Republic of Paraguay Juan Antonio Escurra in his response to the message informing him about the accession to the throne of Serbian King Petar I Karadjordjevic wrote that the future will see even better and more cordial relations develop between the two countries, and that this cooperation should certainly have a good and bright future.  

Furthermore, the Minister pointed out that in Paraguay the same motivation, seeking for the foundations of the good and friendly cooperation, had them discover the fact that in 1883 correspondence and communication was maintained between the then head of Serbian state - King Milan Obrenovic and President of Paraguay at the time Bernardino Caballero.

"All of this is enshrined in our good, beautiful past we are so proud of, but what is in our hands today is the present moment and our future relations. I am absolutely convinced, dear colleagues and dear friends, that there is a lot more we can do in the future to bring our two states closer together, despite being geographically far apart", Minister Selakovic concluded.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay Federico González, in his video message to the Serbian Foreign Minister, underlined that a new stage opened along the path of deepening the friendly ties between our peoples, based on fundamental principles such as the respect for international law, and in particular strict adherence to the principle of territorial integrity, a position that Paraguay has firmly maintained throughout its history. 

Minister González stressed the need to continue working together to strengthen our bilateral relations and intensify activities to facilitate prosperity and well-being of our peoples.

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Paraguay and the Republic of Serbia, a virtual exhibition "Nikola Tesla, Energy for the Future" was arranged on 17 December, in cooperation between the Nikola Tesla Museum and ITAIPU Guarani Museum.

Belgrade, 21 December 2020