Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić on Monday praised Georgia’s economic achievements and highlighted the country’s progress in recent years.

Speaking at a joint briefing with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Vučić said Serbia recognised the results Georgia had achieved since 2012 and highlighted the country’s strong economic performance.

“Beyond diplomatic ties, our countries share special relations. I am the first President of Serbia to visit your country, and I would like to thank you for the warm welcome and for these relations. We view Georgia not only as a friendly country and nation, but also as a country with which we share long-standing Orthodox traditions”, Vučić said.

The Serbian President noted that Serbia respects Georgia’s accomplishments and does not take them for granted.

“I am proud of Serbia’s results, but I am also proud of what you have achieved. Since 2012, Georgia has demonstrated remarkable results. I say this on behalf of Serbia - the Republic of Serbia recognises your achievements. Some may think these results were inevitable, but we do not see them that way”, he stated.

Vučić pointed out that everyone in Serbia was aware that Georgia’s economic growth reached 9.3 percent in the first quarter.

“Everyone in Serbia knows that Georgia’s economic growth rate in the first quarter was 9.3 percent. We know that there is no comparable figure anywhere in Europe, and we are proud of your achievement,” he said.

The Serbian President added that Georgia’s rapid development served as an example for his country.

“We see the tremendous progress Georgia is making and the pace of its development. In the West, we often say that if Western Europe had such a trend and such a rate of economic growth, it would be considered extraordinary. I am proud of what is happening in Georgia, I am very pleased with your achievements, and we are learning a great deal from you”, Vučić said.

He also highlighted Georgia’s performance in construction and tourism.

“Georgia recorded 12 percent growth in the construction sector, which is an outstanding result. Growth in tourism was also very strong. We see where we can learn from you and what we need to work on more intensively in Serbia in order to come closer to your indicators”, the President concluded.