-It is our great pleasure to host the delegation of Baden-Württemberg Province. The meeting is dedicated to the role of local self-government in the European Union and the role of cities and municipalities in Serbia in the process of its accession to the European Union. I am sure that this is the beginning of cooperation between the City of Novi Sad with the provincial parliament and a great opportunity to exchange experiences and establish better communication. We should not forget that many Germans who originate from the Province of Vojvodina now live in the province of Baden- Württemberg. Likewise, many entrepreneurs and associations interested in cooperation come from the Province in question - Mayor Vučević said.

The Mayor Vučević presented Novi Sad as a large administrative and economic center and the university city with rich history and great potential, and also stressed exceptional level of current cooperation with the City of Ulm and other cities of the Danube region of the German Province.

During the meeting they exchanged experiences on functioning of public sector, local self-government and measures to improve the living conditions of sensitive population groups.

Minister Peter Friedrich led the German provincial delegation which participated in the 3rd Meeting of the Joint Committee of Serbia and Baden-Württemberg. After two-day session, the Commission signed a Memorandum of improving cooperation between Serbia and Baden-Württemberg, which includes strengthening cooperation in the fields of tourism, IT industry, energy, water management, environmental protection, police cooperation, education and science.

Novi Sad, 1st October 2014