(ANSA) - BELGRADE - The contract for a 25-year concession of Belgrade Nikola Tesla airport to France's 'Vinci Airports' was signed in the Serbian capital. The ceremony was attended by prime minister Ana Brnabic, who was accompanied by some ministers. The document was signed by the vice premier and minister of transport and infrastructure Serbian Zorana Mihajlovic, president of 'Vinci Airports' Nicolas Notebaert, Massimo Bruzzo of 'Vinci Airports Serbia' and Sasha Vlaisavljevic, CEO of the Belgrade airport.

The contract, whose value is approximately 1.46 billion euros, covers loans, services, the maintenance, expansion and modernization of terminals and runaways. Nicolas Notebaert said that his company believes in the future of Serbia, and will work to foster new investments and create new jobs. The Belgrade airport, he added, has excellent prospects of development also thanks to the strong increase of tourism in Serbia. Premier Brnabic confirmed this increase, underlining that the figure of 5.3 million passengers recorded last year, with the help of Vinci Airports could soon be exceeded, with the goal of reaching 15 million passengers per year.

The agreement opened up new prospects for stronger collaboration between Serbia and France - said the premier, who announced that president Emmanuel Macron will visit Belgrade by the end of the year. (ANSA).