September 15, 2018
VP Naidu met up with heads of states, governments and senior political leaders and discussed resumption of EU-India trade agreement, besides attending business forums
VP Naidu addressed a special session of the Serbian Parliament and held discussions on bilateral cooperation in the fields of agriculture, pharmacy, IT and defense cooperation
President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca hailed Indian diaspora’s positive contribution to Malta, especially in sectors such as healthcare and information technology
Romania offered support for resumption of talks for the India-EU Broad based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) under Romania’s upcoming Presidency of EU Council
Vice President of India, M Venkaiah Naidu visited Serbia, Malta and Romania over September 14-20. The trip boosted India’s bilateral ties with the east European nations, while opening up new diplomatic and trade ties. During the visit, VP Naidu met up with heads of states, governments and other senior political leaders and discussed resumption of EU-India trade agreement, besides attending forums organised by industrialists and businessmen in each of the three nations. Interests generated at the forums and from the meetings covered vast areas ranging from space sciences, maritime cooperation, traditional healthcare to energy and solar power. Vice President also met up with the Indian diaspora in the three countries.
VP Naidu visited Serbia from September 14-16 at the invitation of Serbian President, Aleksander Vucic. Besides President Vucic, VP Naidu held talks with Maja Gojkovic, speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia and Ana Brnabic, Prime Minister of Serbia. During his stay, VP Naidu addressed a special session of the Serbian Parliament and held detailed discussions on a range of bilateral and multilateral issues. Bilateral cooperation was discussed related to the fields of agriculture, pharmacy, IT, generic medicines and defense cooperation. The two governments also signed an agreement that seeks to enhance trade in fruits, vegetables and processed foods. India, Serbia agreed to a revised air services agreement to boost connectivity.
VP Naidu visited Malta from September 16-18, at the invitation of the President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca. The leaders discussed bilateral relations as well as cooperation in multilateral and international forums. During the visit, President Coleiro acknowledged Indian diaspora’s positive contribution to Malta, especially in sectors such as healthcare and information technology. On the occasion, India and Malta discussed expanded cooperation in sectors such as ICT, pharmaceuticals and health care, maritime cooperation, tourism, among others. President Coleiro also commended India’s efforts surrounding renewable energy through the International Solar Alliance. Malta is considering joining the ISA as a partner country.
The Vice President visited Romania from September 18-20. The visit coincided with the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between India and Romania. VP Naidu had separate meetings with the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, and the Prime Minister of Romania, Vasilica Viorica Dancila. Agreements signed during the visit cover the areas of tourism, energy research as well as three agreements between the Bucharest Chamber of Commerce and India’s CII, ASSOCHAM and PHDCC. The Romanian leaders also offered their support for resumption of negotiations for the India-EU Broad based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA), in the context of Romania’s upcoming Presidency of EU Council from January 2019.